Head of Policy (OCO-HPOL24)

Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) | Head of Policy

Reporting directly to the Ombudsman for Children, the Head of Policy supports the Ombudsman for Children with carrying out the following statutory duties associated with the Ombudsman for Children’s statutory function under section 7 of the 2002 Act to promote the rights and welfare of children: 

• Advising Ministers of the Government on any matter relating to children’s rights and welfare, including proposals for legislation;
• Advising public bodies on the development and coordination of policy relating to children;
• Encouraging public bodies to develop policies, practices and procedures designed to promote children’s rights and welfare;
• Collecting and disseminating information on matters relating to children’s rights and welfare;
• Exchanging information and cooperating generally with Ombudspersons for Children in other jurisdictions;
• Monitoring and reviewing generally the operation of legislation concerning matters relating to the rights and welfare of children;
• Monitoring and reviewing the operation of the 2002 Act; and
• Undertaking, promoting or publishing research into any matter relating to children’s rights and welfare

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leading a Policy Unit of five Policy Officers, including managing and guiding the Policy Officers to implement their responsibilities efficiently and effectively, having regard to the 2002 Act, the OCO’s Strategic Plan, the OCO’s annual business plans, and the Policy Unit’s annual work programme;
• Directing, managing and guiding the Policy Unit’s:
  • preparation of published reports and submissions to Government and other key stakeholders on developments in legislation, public policy and practice affecting children’s rights and welfare;
  • preparation of published reports and implementation of other activities relating to the OCO’s engagement with international and European human/child rights monitoring mechanisms;
  • handling of queries from diverse stakeholders about issues affecting children’s rights and welfare;
  • activities to monitor developments at national, European and international levels that relate to children’s rights and welfare;
  • preparation of internal briefing papers on issues concerning children’s rights, including for the purposes of developing OCO positions on emerging issues;
  • engagement with the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children;
  • work to manage and support the review of the 2002 Act’s operation, as necessary and appropriate;
  • active participation in OCO-wide initiatives and working groups; and
  • activities to support the OCO’s compliance with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, as amended, as well as the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, as amended.
• Advising the Ombudsman for Children on matters concerning children’s rights and supporting the Ombudsman for Children’s engagement with Government Ministers, Oireachtas Committees, senior civil and public servants, and European and international human/child rights monitoring mechanisms;
• Building and maintaining constructive relationships with key stakeholders, including Government department, public bodies, the Oireachtas and civil society organisations;
• Representing the Ombudsman for Children and the OCO at public meetings and events and, as required, on advisory groups, steering committees and in the media; and
• As a member of the OCO’s senior management team, collaborating with the Ombudsman for Children and other Heads of Unit to develop and implement the management team’s work programme, including strategic planning, annual business planning, annual budgeting, and matters relating to organisational governance and operations.

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 of writing comprehensive reports suitable for publication
• 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 submit an Application Form via the online application portal. Only application forms fully submitted online will be accepted into the campaign.

All candidates should visit www.ocojobs.com to download a copy of the Application Form and to access further information on the competition.

Closing Date:
Your application must be submitted on the online application portal before 12.00pm on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Applications will not be accepted after this time