The Wheel is looking for a Director of Advocacy & Research – deadline Sunday, 13th August 2023 @ 5pm

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Advocacy & Research provides strategic leadership and direction to The Wheel in the areas of advocacy and research.

The Opportunity

The Wheel have a unique leadership vacancy at the senior management level in a leadership organisation with ambitious plans and programmes to support a thriving sector.

The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in developing and implementing policy and strategy. They will be comfortable using their expertise as the basis for engaging with members, regulators and public policy-makers to advance The Wheel’s strategic objectives.  

By joining The Wheel as one of their team, you will become part of a movement of people and organisations who believe that by working together we can shape Ireland’s future. 

The Wheel

The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. The Wheel are a registered charity in Ireland and are unique in their role as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anything related to the charity and non-profit sector. 

‘The Wheel Vision is a thriving community and voluntary sector at the heart of a fair, just and inclusive Ireland.’ 

The Wheel are an authoritative and trusted voice for the sector, and we are enthusiastically committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of practice and governance. Together, they work to ensure that the sector is recognised and respected, adequately resourced and appropriately regulated. 

Learn more about The Wheel here https://www.wheel.ie/  

The Role 

• Position: Director of Advocacy & Research  
• Location: Dublin (& hybrid) 
• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer 
• Line Manager For: Policy, Research and Campaigns teams  

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Advocacy & Research provides strategic leadership and direction to The Wheel across its work, with a particular focus on public policy, research campaigns and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including members, and policymakers influencing change at both national and local levels. 

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the post holder is expected to bring a blend of strong communication, people and leadership skills.  They will also have the strategic and relationship management expertise to manage a dynamic and complex environment involving a range of stakeholders both internal and external to The Wheel. 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: 

The Director of Advocacy & Research will work alongside the CEO, and other Directors and managers contributing to the general direction and management of the work of The Wheel.  

The post holder will be expected to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with colleagues, board and subgroup members and a range of external stakeholders, commercial and other organisations including community and voluntary organisations in pursuit of the interests of The Wheel.   

As The Wheel is a membership organisation all post-holders are expected to provide leadership and support to members.  

MAIN RESPONSIBLITIES & DUTIES:  

• Develop and maintain general public-policy expertise on all significant issues relating to the community and voluntary sector in Ireland and participate in structures and processes such as the Community and Voluntary Pillar, the National Economic Dialogue and pre-budget processes/campaigns. Represent The Wheel as and when required in external stakeholder engagement processes 
• Direct and support the work of the research, campaigns, and member/policy engagement functions, managing the team, and coordinating the production of annual plans including by 
• Identifying and managing a programme of research on sector priority issues. 
• Supporting the development of a dynamic and responsive member-engagement offering, leading and participating as required in member policy forums and other modes of engagement  
• Supporting the identification of campaign themes and the development and roll out of compelling and engaging campaigns 
• Oversee and organise the production of regular policy-related communications (including an engaging policy section of the website) to members, stakeholders and the media and act as deputy spokesperson as and when required. 
• Coordinate the work of the Policy Subgroup of the Board 
• Work with directors and managers to maintain cohesion in public-policy work across the organisation 
• Support the CEO in advancing public policy and public affairs objectives/work generally and in developing and maintaining contacts with politicians and the political system in general. 

Leadership  

• Influencing and offering strategic advice and support to The Wheel members, board of directors and relevant sector wide Committees. 
• Lead and support the representation of The Wheel at various public policy spaces and support the development of relationships with sector leaders  
• As a member of the senior Leadership team, proactively support the achievement of The Wheel’s mission, and implementation of the organisation’s strategy and the work of the CEO.  
• Lead and support an engaged high-performance team across all assigned staff and contractors in accordance with The Wheel’s HR strategy, values, and culture.  

Please download the Recruitment Pack attached for an extensive list of duties and a person specification.

Recruitment Pack PDF 320.85 KB

Application Details

• Closing date for applications: Sunday 13th August 2023 at 5pm 
• First interview date: Wednesday 23rd August 2023 
• Second interview date: Thursday 7th September 2023  

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Apply here 

Applicants should submit a CV, detailing relevant experience, along with a covering letter /personal statement demonstrating the following  

1. Why you have applied for this position, 
2. The skills you would bring, and  
3. How you meet the requirements of this post. 

Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of the information supplied.  

Interviews will take place, in person, at The Wheel Office at 48 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.