This Position is now Closed

 

 

Role overview

The OCO invites applications from interested candidates who share our commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 in Ireland. The role of Policy Officer is a key role in the OCO’s Policy Unit and the successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the OCO to make high quality, authoritative contributions to developments in legislation and public policy affecting children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland.  

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Grade

Administrative Officer (AO)

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Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate for the role of Policy Officer will be expected to undertake the following principal duties as part of the Policy team:

• gathering and analysing information about developments in law, policy and practice relating to children’s rights in Ireland, with a particular focus on Ireland’s compliance with its international human rights obligations concerning children

• monitoring and reviewing developments in domestic legislation and public policy affecting children from a children’s rights perspective and preparing corresponding advice, submissions and reports

• conducting research on issues relating to children’s rights and welfare and preparing corresponding policy papers and briefing documents

• handling queries and requests for information from members of the public and others on matters relating to children’s rights

• contributing to the OCO’s work to promote and support child-centred public administration, including child-centred complaints handling

• supporting the OCO’s engagement with international monitoring mechanisms of the United Nations and the Council of Europe

• contributing to the OCO’s work with the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) and the British and Irish Network of Ombudsman and Commissioners for Children (BINOCC)

• assisting with the OCO’s public affairs work, including by conducting research to inform position papers, presentations and speeches

• contributing to the Policy Unit’s work on joint initiatives with other OCO Units

• assisting with the management and sharing of knowledge and information gathered by the Policy Unit

• contributing to the implementation of the OCO’s Strategic Plan 2019-2021

• performing any other tasks assigned by the OCO’s Head of Policy.

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Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following essential requirements:

• Have achieved a first or second class primary honours degree (at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) from a recognised university or other third level institution in a relevant discipline, such as law, sociology, social policy, or political science

• Evidence of knowledge and experience of children’s rights, international and European human rights standards (in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), and of national legislation and public policy relating to children’s rights

• Evidence of experience in undertaking policy and research projects

• Evidence of ability to source, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information and evidence from multiple sources and to prepare evidence-based positions

• Evidence of ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including proven experience of report writing and strong IT skills

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Desirable Requirements

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• Evidence of experience of using research software

• Evidence of ability to work on own initiative and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

• Evidence of project management skills and matrix working across organisational functions

• Evidence of experience of engaging effectively with diverse stakeholder groups

• Evidence of ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

• Evidence of ability to adapt, collaborate and contribute constructively to the implementation of change

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It is an absolute requirement that candidates declare any potential conflict of interest at the application stage of the recruitment process.  Failure to declare such conflicts of interest which later come to light may result in the candidate being disqualified from the competition or if the candidate is offered and takes up a role with the OCO on the basis of misleading information may result in immediate dismissal from the OCO.

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How to Apply

All candidates should visit www.ocojobs.com  where there is a full list of available positions in the OCO with the corresponding downloadable information booklet for each position. There will also be a link to the online application portal to where all applications must be submitted.

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To apply, candidates must provide an up to date Application Form and submit their application form via the online application portal below.

 

Only Application Forms fully submitted online will be accepted into the campaign. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.

 

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This Position closed at:

12pm, 4th June 2020

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