Location: Dublin
Salary range: €54,801.81 per annum
Experience: Master’s degree level in Social Policy, Sociology, Public Policy, Economics, Law, Human Rights, Equality Studies or a related discipline.
Closing date: Wed, 18 Jun 2025
Description:
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 12,000 volunteers and 700 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.
The Role:
We are currently looking to recruit a Research & Policy Officer (Maternity Cover) to join our Social Justice team in SVP House, Dublin. The post holder will have responsibility for translating SVP’s frontline experience into social policy, aligning with its values and mission. Responsibilities include data collection, policy analysis, internal liaison, and external advocacy. Key stakeholders include SVP teams, volunteers, government bodies, NGOs, media, and the wider public.
Rooted in Christian values, SVP maintains a spiritual ethos that may include prayer at meetings. While staff are not required to participate, respect for this practice is expected.
This is a great opportunity to join one of Ireland’s largest voluntary organisations and make a difference in your community.
EDUCATION
- Master’s degree level in Social Policy, Sociology, Public Policy, Economics, Law, Human Rights, Equality Studies or a related discipline.
- Understanding and appreciation of the dynamics of a complex national, membership based, social justice organisation and understanding of how this contributes to and constrains the work.
- Understanding of poverty, social exclusion and inequality in Ireland and of current and emerging issues in these areas.
- Knowledge of the community and voluntary sector and institutional mechanisms for policy development at EU, National and Local level.
- A detailed knowledge of at least two of the following policy areas:
EXPERIENCE
- At least two years’ experience of contributing to the development of a Social Policy / Advocacy Agenda within an organisation.
- At least two years’ experience of undertaking applied social policy research using quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies.
- Experience of collating and updating policy documents based on a variety of sources; experience of policy liaison to influence the annual Government Budget cycle would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience of developing and implementing engaging public facing advocacy campaigns, using a variety of channels and platforms and effective calls to action would be a distinct advantage.
- Providing administration support and experience of maintaining contact databases is desirable
- Experience of working in a voluntary organisation or with a voluntary board of management on issues of social concern would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions within an organisation, and with a variety of different organisations would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience of representing policy positions to the media would be a distinct advantage.
SKILLS
- Excellent communications 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.
- An ability to establish and maintain working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and interact effectively with voluntary members.
- Ability to work in a team and contribute new ideas and approaches.
- Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects and manage conflicting demands on time.
- Excellent problem-solving skills in interpersonal situations both internally and external to the organisation.
- Results orientated approaches.
- High Level of familiarity with Word, Excel and CRM systems
- Demonstrable resilience and persistence in the face of barriers to tasks.
Appointment is subject to Garda Vetting and 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.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in being considered for this position, please apply as soon as possible as the role may be closed in advance of the date shown above due to high volume of applications.
SVP is an Equal Opportunities Employer
