Salary:  €62,000 - €65,000 commensurate with experience

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

Location: Based in HQ office at Pleasants Street, Dublin 8 (Off Camden Street)

About Dóchas

Founded from the belief that every human being is fundamentally equal, Dóchas is the uniting voice for organisations urging Ireland to be a world leader in efforts to bring about global justice. Dóchas works to protect and support the most vulnerable around the world.

Dóchas connects, strengthens and represents a network of international development and humanitarian organisations who have a shared vision of a just, sustainable and equal world. Comprised of 46 full members and 8 associate members, Dóchas plays a unique role in safeguarding Ireland’s reputation of punching above its weight due to its long-standing commitment to global development.

Dóchas is a small dynamic team, responsive and agile to changes in the external environment, and the needs of members. If you’re seeking a dynamic role at a sector level where you get to work with experts and decision makers, this is the policy role for you!

The Role

The Head of Policy & Advocacy role is central to Dóchas’ strategy (2022-2026), with a particular focus on the Influence pillar – combining policy and advocacy expertise and the experience of members with convening power, to exert collective influence.

Priority areas of responsibility for the role include:

• Member engagement: create the spaces and build relationship, bringing members together to develop policy areas, and supporting initiatives. This will include engaging with Policy and Humanitarian Affairs working groups and identification of other groups/forums to be developed based on member interests.
• Political engagement: Engaging with new Dail and parliamentarians to build relationships and understanding of Dóchas, members, and policy priorities.
• Policy development: Key policy areas include Climate & Food security and development of Pre-Budget submission annually, with other working papers as relevant & needed.
• Policy engagement: Engage with DFA, other relevant government departments, and external bodies as key stakeholders to effect change
• External events: Engage with members and other international networks on Financing for Development and COP30; OECD DAC. Building policy positions in advance, by bringing members together.
• EU: Engaging with new MEPs; CONCORD; DFA on new MFF; Global Gateway and upcoming EU presidency project (currently being scoped).

This role is critical to maintain Dóchas’ reputation as an authoritative voice for the sector on key issues, facilitating dialogue and debate in the public domain. The recent changing political environment will accelerate the need to build political support for international development among MEPs, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders.