EO Policy Officer (OCOAug1)

Title of Position: Policy Officer in the Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Employing Authority: Ombudsman for Children
Location: Dublin 1
EO Salary Scale1: €37,919

THE ROLE
The OCO invites applications from interested candidates who share our commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years 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 policy team to produce high quality, authoritative contributions on legislation and public policy affecting children and young people under 18 years living in Ireland.

Key Responsibilities
The successful applicant will:

• Assist in the gathering and analysing of information about developments in law, policy and practice relating to children’s rights in Ireland
• Contribute to monitoring and reviewing developments in national legislation and public policy affecting children, including by preparing updates on relevant developments
• Carryout weekly national monitoring on developments in children’s rights and monthly international monitoring
• Conduct research on issues relating to children’s rights and prepare corresponding briefing notes to inform the work of the Policy team
• Handle queries and requests for information from members of the public and others on matters relating to children’s rights
• Support the OCO’s engagement with monitoring mechanisms of the United Nations and of European bodies, including the Council of Europe, as necessary and appropriate
• Contribute 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)
• Assist with the Policy team’s work on joint projects with other OCO teams
• Assisting with the management and sharing of knowledge and information gathered by the Policy team
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the Senior Policy Officer.

EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED
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 (NFQ) in Ireland) 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 in Ireland 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

Desirable Requirements

• 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

How to Apply:
To apply, candidates must provide an up to date application form and submit their application form via the online application portal.
Your application must be submitted on the online application portal before 12 noon exactly, Tuesday, 02 September 2025.

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