UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s humanitarian organisation.

Job Title: Advocacy Manager

Reporting To: Head of Advocacy and Public Policy

Location: Dublin-based with hybrid working policy

Hours: 37.5 hours a week

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Duration: Permanent

UNICEF Ireland’s Advocacy Programme is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Our mission is to advance the rights of children in Ireland and around the world through child rights education, youth participation, and policy-driven advocacy. We envision a world where every child, especially the most vulnerable, has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and actively participate in society. Our goal is to ensure children and young people become active agents of change, driving progress locally, nationally, and globally.

We are seeking an Advocacy Manager to support and expand our youth participation and policy work. The successful candidate will be an advocate for children’s rights, demonstrating a strong commitment to the UNCRC. Reporting to the Head of Advocacy and Public Policy, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in coordinating youth engagement initiatives and thematic advocacy efforts aligned with UNICEF’s global priorities.

Responsibilities

Youth Engagement and Participation:

• Design and deliver training programmes and workshops for youth advocates, empowering young activists with essential advocacy skills.
• Coordinate youth participation initiatives, including a new youth advisory board and activism programme.
• Facilitate collaboration among young people, enabling them to advocate effectively on issues that matter to them.
• Provide platforms for youth to voice their perspectives and drive change on local, national, and global issues affecting children.

Advocacy Campaigns and Policy Influence

• Contribute to the development of advocacy and communications strategies that influence policies prioritising children’s rights
• Conduct policy research and analysis, offering actionable insights and recommendations to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare impactful materials, including briefings, reports, and presentations, to engage policymakers, partners, and youth advocates.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, educational institutions, and youth networks, to advance child rights.
• Represent UNICEF Ireland at meetings, conferences, and events focused on youth advocacy and child rights.

Communication and Campaign Support

• Create compelling materials (e.g., social media content, reports, and speeches) to amplify youth perspectives and showcase advocacy outcomes.
• Collaborate with the wider team to execute integrated campaigns across various media channels.

Operational and Team Support

• Participate in UNICEF’s Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) processes.
• Adhere to and promote UNICEF Ireland’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Contribute to team and board updates as well as international UNICEF thematic working groups.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

Education: A degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in advocacy, youth engagement, education, public policy development, or related field.
• Proven experience working directly with children or young people, supporting, facilitating, or empowering their participation in meaningful activities or initiatives
• Experience designing and delivering child/youth-focused programmes, especially in a rights-based context (e.g., UNCRC, SDGs).
• Strong understanding of child rights, the SDGs, and political dynamics affecting children’s issues in Ireland and globally.
• Familiarity with governmental policy-making processes, youth activism, and advocacy strategies.

Desirable Attributes and Skills:

• Proven project management and organisational expertise, with an ability to work independently and juggle multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including resource and policy development.
• Proficiency in ICT (e.g., Microsoft Office) and online tools for youth engagement.
• Strong time-management abilities with a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Passion for empowering youth voices and enabling young people to lead advocacy initiatives.
• Creative problem-solver with strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Commitment to the principles of UNICEF and the UNCRC.
• A collaborative, flexible and reliable team player with a positive attitude.

Terms of Employment

This is a permanent contract. UNICEF Ireland’s office is based in Dublin and there is a hybrid work policy in place. Travel to events across Ireland and is expected along with occasional international travel. Expected start date: Spring 2025.

UNICEF Ireland is committed to adhering to the highest standards of child protection and child safeguarding. UNICEF reserves the right not to employ staff or engage volunteers or other representatives who are deemed to pose or potentially pose a risk to the protection of children, to the full extent permitted by law. Additionally, all candidates must sign UNICEF Ireland’s Child Protection Policy & Procedures before commencing employment, engaging as a volunteer, intern, consultant or representative of UNICEF Ireland.

To apply:

Please submit your CV & a cover letter via email to:
Aibhlín O’Leary at aibhlin@unicef.ie by midnight Wednesday 19th February 2025.