Communications Officer, Advocacy, Dublin

Location: Dublin

Contract: Full Time, Permanent Contract

The purpose if this role is to work as part of the Communications team/Advocacy team leading on communications work for Focus Ireland’s Housing First service

What you will do:

Support the delivery of Focus Ireland’s Housing First programme, within the framework of the overall objectives of the Housing First programme.
Help to promote positive value of the Housing First Programme across a range of stakeholders including funders, media, supporters, public representatives and local communities as appropriate.
Lead and coordinate the organisation's response to crisis communications issues in relation to the work of Focus Housing, and in particular with Housing First tenancies, ensuring accurate, consistent, and rapid information sharing with the public, media, public representatives, other stakeholders, and internal teams, in line with Focus Ireland values.
Support and advise the Focus Housing Property Team and Focus Ireland Housing Support staff in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with customers/tenants and the communities in which they reside.
Engage Focus Ireland customers and people with lived experience of homelessness to participate in projects including media work, research, campaigning work.
Support the Communications team in responding to urgent media requests and situations involving people who are experiencing homelessness, as part of the overall crisis communications strategy.
Engage with front-line staff to build support and understanding for customer participation projects, with a particular focus on crisis response and preparedness.
Conduct other duties as required, including maintaining/updating databases, mail outs.
Developing monthly, quarterly, and annual work reports.
Represent Focus Ireland externally at events and in work with other organisations/coalitions.

What you will need:

A degree in journalism, public relations, or equivalent professional qualification.
At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience.
Strong understanding of crisis communications role in an organisation and specific experience in this area.
Experience of working with (or within) Irish newspaper and broadcast media.
Understanding of the voluntary sector; Interest in social issues.
Experience in writing effective press releases and/or writing articles for regional/national/specialist media.
Experience managing the production/design of high-quality material such as newsletters, leaflets, annual reports, and e-zines.
Ability to attend some meetings and events outside of normal business hours if required. (Will involve some regional travel)
A strong understanding of social media and digital communications.
Understanding of the principles and practice of the Housing First programme (Desirable)
Some experience in conducting media interviews (Including broadcast) (Desirable)

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

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Communications Officer, Advocacy, Dublin

Job Description