Head of Social Justice and Policy

Reference No: VA352

Location: National Office, SVP House Dublin 1

Duration: Permanent Full-Time

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Published: Friday, 2nd August 2024

Closing Date: Midnight Monday, 26th August 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Social Justice and Policy to join our National Office. A key role of SVP is to bring this 'on the ground experience' and information and translate this into social policy positions which reflect the work, values and priorities of SVP. This involves the coordination of data gathering, reading, liaison with SVP members and staff, and policy analysis and development. Equally important is the promotion of these positions in a variety of channels and policy making fora, including our own members, Government officials, politicians, Non - governmental Organisations (NGOs), Social Partners, media and the wider public. Consequently there are a number of key working relationships for the Head of Social Justice:

• Social Justice and Policy Team member.
• MESL Team member.
• Communications, Fundraising, Member Support and Young SVP teams and PR Consultant.
• The National Management Council, the lead member for Social Justice, and the Social Justice Committee.
• A variety of external bodies and processes, both Governmental and voluntary, including Departments and Agencies, Regulators, Researchers, Social Partners other relevant NGOs and the media.

This is a great opportunity to join one of Ireland’s largest voluntary organisations and make a difference in your community.

Why work with SVP?

SVP Benefits

All SVP Benefits are subject to the prevailing policy and associated length of service requirements

• 23 days annual leave for all staff; Additional day’s leave at 5, 10, 15 & 20 years, with a cap of 27 annual leave days
• Pension: 5% employer and employee contribution with an option to increase to 7% on a matching basis
• 2 discretionary days (Good Friday & Christmas Eve)
• Group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF)
• Paid Sick Leave: Sick Pay following 13 weeks, with entitlement increasing with length of service (Subject to terms of policy)
• Education Support for job relevant courses (Subject to terms of policy)
• Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave (18 weeks full maternity leave pay for staff with more than 12 months service & 2 weeks full paternity leave pay for staff with more than 12 months service)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance – four times annual salary
• Life Appreciation Recognition: Additional one-off 5 days annual leave allocated in year that 25-, 30-, 35- & 40-years’ service achieved, plus €250 voucher
• Christmas Voucher: €250 voucher for all staff (Subject to terms of policy)
• Retirement: Staff with 10+ years’ service will receive a €250 voucher on retirement
• Hybrid/Flexible Working Available: SVP support and embrace Flexible Working, including working from home, in line with the SVP Flexible Working Policy (Where appropriate and subject to role requirements and policy)
• SVP Experience Day: Up to one discretionary day per year to experience a different aspect of the work of SVP (Subject to conditions)

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Educated to Master’s degree level in Social Sciences, Development or Equality Studies or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of the Society and of its mission and values.
• At least two years' experience of managing a policy or communications team and related line management experience and liaising effectively with other relevant national functions
• At least five years' experience of contributing to the development of a Social Policy Agenda within an organisation, developing policy position papers based on a variety of sources, submissions and policy liaison work with a variety of both Government, Regulators and NGOs.
• Knowledge of the community and voluntary sector and institutional mechanisms for policy development at EU, National and Local level
• An ability to quickly establish and maintain rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders and to manage on-going working relationships and work plans.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal: ability to present ideas clearly, concisely and in a timely manner to a variety of audiences, both statutory and voluntary.

ABOUT SVP:

SVP is a large, national, voluntary organisation with extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people who experience poverty and exclusion. Through its network of over volunteers and staff, it is strongly committed to working for social justice and advocates the creation of a more just and caring society. SVP employs people to support volunteers in a variety of settings including housing, community care, shops, administration and other specialist areas

How to Apply:

If you meet these requirements and have the desire to join one of Ireland’s best known, trusted and respected not-for-profit organisations, please complete the online application - https://www.svp.ie/careers/work-with-us.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references. Canvassing will not be accepted and may lead to disqualification. Due to the large volume of applications, we are not in the position to provide individual feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted.

SVP is an Equal Opportunities Employer