About One Family: 
One Family is Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating. We believe in an Ireland where every family and child is respected and cherished equally. We have been working with one-parent families for over 50 years. We provide a range of direct services to parents and children, along with campaigning and advocating for legislative and social change to deliver true equality for all families.

About the role: 
You will lead the policy and advocacy work of One Family, in conjunction with the CEO and management colleagues.  We are a service provider of specialist family and therapeutic supports to one-parent families, and we undertake policy work based on the experiences of the families we serve.  
 
You will also be responsible for the One Family Advocacy Project which is an important way to consult with, and elevate, the voices of lone parents at a national policy level. https://onefamily.ie/policy/policy-and-research/ 

This role contributes to the Represent One-Parent Families pillar of our Strategic Plan 2025-2027.  

Role & Responsibilities:

This section outlines the key areas of responsibility of the role, however other duties may be assigned as required. 

Policy Development & Analysis

• Develop policy papers, submissions, presentations and other messaging for changes in public policy that will impact positively on people parenting alone, sharing parenting and those separating.  
• Identify strategic priorities for annual national Budget and public policy development.  
• Undertake research, analysis and consultation, internally and externally as required to inform policy positions, campaigns and strategies.

Leadership and Management

• Provide day–to–day leadership and coordination of One Family’s Advocacy Project and Policy Service.
• Work with the Family Services Team to leverage existing policy and practice knowledge to inform policy positions.
• Support One Family services to understand and respond appropriately to the implications of relevant public policy. 
• Work within budgets as required, report on same and seek funding opportunities for the service.

Representation & Advocacy 

• Represent One Family in relevant committees, networks and other fora as required, including media if required. 
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with policy makers and influencers.
• Undertake direct advocacy and public affairs work on policy positions. 
• Work with the Communications Service to communicate and disseminate policy positions and related campaigns to a broad range of stakeholders, including to media.
• Develop responsive press releases, in collaboration with Communications Service, when needed. 
• Be a spokesperson for One Family when media opportunities arise (after probation/media training completed), including for social media and traditional media. 

Advocacy Project [1.5 days/week]

• Undertake the recruitment, retention and support of member parents and all related admin with potential participants.
• Work individually, and in groups, with member parents providing training, advocacy and media opportunities, in collaboration with the Communications Service.
• Inform the development of One Family policy positions, submissions etc based on the lived experience and recommendations from the Advocacy Project members.
• Ensure a duty of care to all parent participants.
• Maintain accurate records for all participants and project activities in line with GDPR policies and procedures.

Other

• Report on all activities as required to CEO, Board, funders etc. 
• Attend all required staff meetings, trainings and development days.
• Participate in supervision and reviews with line manager.
• Manage any other roles as required, including paid staff, students or interns on policy work placements.
• To manage all data, statistics and produce reports as required on the work undertaken and ensure all admin related to the role is completed. 
• To undertake other areas of work where necessary or as requested by the CEO/line manager.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role, with examples of key competencies including development and communication of key policy positions. 
• Experience and knowledge of anti-poverty issues. 
• Experience of partnership working with other organisations, policy makers and Government departments. 
• Experience and understanding of policy making. 
• Experience of consulting with people with lived and living experience; as well as elevating and representing issues impacting vulnerable communities. 
• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communication skills. 
• Ability to present complex information to different audiences. 
• Creativity and innovation in problem solving. 
• Collaborative, inclusive and relationship-building skills. 
• High levels of personal integrity, accountability and professionalism. 
• Negotiation, diplomacy and influencing skills. 
• Relevant academic qualification at a Level 8 (QQI) or higher. 
• Excellent ICT and social media knowledge and skills.

Ideal experience and skills:

• Experience and knowledge of family law issues. 
• Ability to initiate new opportunities.
• Experience of public communications including media spokesperson.
• Experience of facilitating focus groups or group discussions on sensitive topics.
• Staff management experience. 

One Family provide a range of benefits including: 

• Flexible working options 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Cycle to Work scheme  
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rated accordingly for part-time staff)
• Additional annual leave after two years in post 
• Two staff privilege days: Christmas Eve & Good Friday 
• Hybrid work  

Employment Type:

This role is for 30 hours per week, and the salary range is €39,959 to €42,796

depending on skills and experience. This is equivalent to a full-time salary range of €46,619 to €49,929 for a 35-hour week. This role will be subject to a six-month probationary period and to all the Policies and Procedures of One Family. This is a permanent role subject to continued funding.