Position: Policy Advocacy Manager
Tenure: Permanent (Full Time)
Organisation: Disability Federation Ireland (DFI)
Location: The role is based in the main office of DFI in Dublin City Centre. It is a hybrid working role, with a blend of in-person and remote working.
DFI can accommodate flexible working hours; the successful candidate must be available to work out of normal working hours to facilitate occasional evening meetings.
The position may entail occasional travel.
Reporting to: Director of Advocacy
Salary: €55,000 – €60,000
Role Purpose:
We are seeking a suitably qualified person for the role of Policy Advocacy Manager. The role holder will work closely with the Director of Advocacy to deliver DFI’s policy programme, including related advocacy and research activity in line with DFI’s Strategic Plan and Advocacy Strategy.
Open the links below to view these documents.
DFI Strategic Plan 2026-2029.pdf
DFI Advocacy Plan 2024 – 2026.pdf
The post holder will build and maintain good working relationships across DFI’s stakeholders including DFI team members, DFI member organisations, other civil society organisations, disabled people and their representative organisations, the Community and Voluntary Pillar, Statutory agencies, government officials, and others.
This is an exciting time for disability policy, and we are seeking a dynamic individual who will lead our dedicated policy team.
The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing the annual policy programme plan, feeding into the organisation’s operational plan, prioritising work and delivering and overseeing key policy deliverables.
They are required to work independently and as part of a team.
Benefits within the role:
- A starting annual leave entitlement of 23 days per year.
- Defined Contributions Pension (5.5% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution)
- Death in Service benefit.
- Ability to work remotely, with a very flexible hybrid working policy.
- Employee training and development is highly encouraged and supported financially with study days.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
Responsibilities of the role
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The core responsibilities of this role are:
Policy Analysis
- Lead and coordinate DFI’s analysis of disability related public and social policy.
- Play a role in influencing the development of disability policy.
- Engage in relevant policy public consultations.
- Develop and coordinate policy resources and publications, including policy submissions and policy positions.
- Support the policy team to continuously strengthen DFI’s knowledge and analysis of relevant policy issues.
- Attend, input and present at relevant policy fora, including conferences, seminars etc.
- Organise DFI policy events for members or other stakeholders on relevant matters, and be a lynchpin in information and knowledge transfer.
- Monitor and track key disability policy areas in their implementation, including the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
Research
- Strengthen the evidence-base to support DFI’s policy work.
- Maintain DFI’s capacity to engage in research on disability issues through collaborative and partnership working.
- Ensure DFI’s policy work is informed by the latest evidence.
- Engage with and support external disability research activity; contributing to a vibrant research community.
Advocacy and Representation:
- Work closely with the Director of Advocacy in delivering DFI’s three-year Advocacy Plan and on relevant policy issues as they emerge.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with political stakeholders, key government department and statutory agency personnel.
- Work with disability advocates to progress disability advocacy issues.
- Represent DFI externally at a high level.
- Provide policy support to DFI campaigns.
Membership Engagement:
- Lead DFIs engagement with members on policy and research, to ensure DFI’s work is informed by member concerns and expertise.
- Coordinate DFI’s member policy and advocacy forum which meets quarterly.
- Strengthen the member feedback loop mechanisms to ensure that DFI’s policy work is communicated to members effectively.
Collaboration, Networks and Relationships:
- Coordinate DFI’s engagement in strategic policy, civil society and other relevant networks and alliances, in particular the Community and Voluntary Pillar, to support the mainstreaming of disability concerns.
- Ensure the policy team builds and maintains strong relationships at a high level with key policy stakeholders.
Management:
- Lead, support and manage the policy team through supportive and constructive management approaches, in line with DFI’s policies.
- Connect policy work to other teams in DFI, supporting collaborative and cross-programme working.
- Engage and contribute within the programme-lead space in DFI.
Organisational:
- Work in line with DFI’s overall aims, policies and ways of working.
- Support the delivery of DFI’s Strategic Plan.
- Promote equality, diversity, individual rights and choice in all areas of work.
- Help create an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with DFI staff, member organisations and other stakeholders.
- Take part in relevant training and development, as agreed with your line manager.
- Be aware of health, safety and welfare risks in the workplace and raise any concerns with management.
- Carry out other reasonable duties, as agreed from time to time with your line manager.
This job description is intended as a summary of the core responsibilities
of the role. It is not inclusive of all duties as relevant to the role.
DFI is an equal opportunities employer.
Click here for more information and to apply