Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Sightsavers implements projects in over 30 countries in Africa and South Asia working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities. We are looking for a Head of Communications and Public Affairs to work closely with the Irish Directoratein Ireland.

Location: Sightsavers Ireland, Dublin

Contract: Permanent Role

Salary: €70,000 per annum

About the role

The Head of Communications and Public Affairs Main will lead the strategic planning and delivery of all Sightsavers Ireland’s external communications, brand profile and public affairs work. They will build the presence and influence of Sightsavers Ireland across media markets, in policy fora and with the government and parliament of Ireland. They will work to ensure that the work of the communications team is maximizing fundraising efforts and leveraging the unique expertise of the organization globally in Ireland. The Head of Communications and Public affairs will lead the communications team comprising the Public Engagement Programme Manager and the Communications Officer.

Jobholder Requirements

• Lead on managing all aspects of Sightsavers Ireland’s external communications, brand profile and public engagement strategy. Be a champion for the implementation of Sightsavers Ireland’s strategy and ensure quality and meaningful participation of the communications team in strategy related activities.
• Working with relevant colleagues, develop and deliver communications plans across public affairs, fundraising and public engagement through all media platforms for all audiences.
• Work closely with the Head of Individual Giving, Head of Strategic Partnerships and their respective teams to support income generation objectives through communications.
• Lead on Sightsavers Ireland’s public affairs and government relations plans and activities ensuring coherence with organisational strategic objectives.
• Oversee Sightsavers Ireland’s public engagement work ensuring its compliance with donor regulations, organisational safeguarding policy and coherence with strategy.
• Provide support and counsel to CEO, senior team and others acting as spokespeople for the organisation for events, media, social media etc. Act as external spokesperson for Sightsavers Ireland when required to deputise for the CEO.
• Provide effective management to the communications team including supervision, performance management and budget oversight.
• Commission and manage external suppliers such as agencies and freelancers as required.
• Communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations especially the global policy on Discrimination, Bully & Harassment and the global policy on Equality & Diversity.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive experience managing communications and public affairs activity in an NGO or similar environment.
• Good understanding of various media channels in Ireland and evidence of strong working relationships with these channels.
• Professional experience successfully implementing multi-channel marketing.
• Strong communications and networking skills: the role requires co-ordination with a diverse number of stakeholders, both internal and external.
• S/he will need to have strong written and verbal communication skills, and be able to adapt messages to meet diverse audiences.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills: the role requires an ability to plan well and deliver on objectives in a timely way.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Closing date: 2nd of October 2022

Next Steps

We anticipate that remote interviews will take place from mid-October onwards and the evaluation process will include a task.

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application form and submit your CV including a cover letter. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

Due to project deadlines, we are keen to fill this role as quickly as possible so applications will be considered as soon as they are received.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing Date: 9 October, 2022

How to apply

Please apply here