Communications Assistant

Office Location: Floor 4, Park House, 191 North Circular Road, Dublin 7

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Blended / Agile / Remote Working:

Blended Working Policy in place, available subject to role requirements

Annual Leave: 23 days

Tenure: 5-year Fixed Term Contract

Other Benefits:

• Professional development and supported learning opportunities

• Annual health check and flu vaccination

• Employee wellbeing initiatives

• Tax-efficient travel schemes (Bike to Work and TaxSaver)

• Team development events

Closing Date: 5pm, Tuesday 2nd June 2026

Principal Duties

The Communications Assistant supports the delivery of the GDA’s communications and stakeholder engagement activities.

Working within a small, dynamic team, the role contributes to the creation of high-quality multimedia content, manages digital platforms, and assists in the planning and coordination of events and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

The position offers broad exposure to both internal and external communications, with opportunities to further develop skills in content creation, digital platforms, event coordination, and public engagement.

The appointee will work with the Communications Team within the People and Engagement Department and will be directly reporting to the Strategic Communications Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the GDA Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, in line with organisational priorities

• Contribute to the development of communications plans for key projects, programmes, and events across the Agency

• Assist in the planning, development, and delivery of communications outputs, including written, video, and graphic materials

• Maintain and update the GDA website, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and up to date

• Support the development, creation, and scheduling of social media content to enhance engagement and visibility of all GDA activities and provide social media analytics and insights on an ongoing basis

• Coordinate a calendar of internal and external events and assist in their planning and delivery, including Ministerial visits, public consultations, community and cultural events, and internal engagement initiatives

• Act as a point of contact for communications-related enquiries from stakeholders, community groups, media, and the general public, and support timely responses

• Proactive management of the shared communications inbox, triaging queries and tracking responses to ensure timely and accurate resolution by relevant staff

• Support internal engagement initiatives, including responsibility for managing communications intranet content, ensuring all content remains current and relevant

• Assist in the preparation of reports, briefings, and other materials for internal and external use

• Provide support to stakeholder engagement processes, including preparation and minute-taking for regular meetings such as the Community Liaison Committee and Consultative Group

• Assist in ensuring the GDA brand is correctly and consistently embedded across all internal and external materials

• Responsible for the internal coordination of weekly media coverage summaries for internal circulation and highlighting any urgent or sensitive matters

• Coordinate production of visual assets, such as site photography and videos, ensuring all content is appropriately licensed, credited, and branded as necessary, and maintain a high-quality digital assets library

• Support and promote key programmes including Grangegorman Histories, Build to Last, Public Art, and related initiatives in collaboration with the relevant GDA project lead

• Provide general administrative and operational support to the Communications and wider People and Engagement Team as required

• Represent the Agency at external events as required

• This role may require occasional work outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends

• Other relevant duties as may be required

The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position are based on the current stated role and may be changed from time to time.

The person appointed requires the flexibility to fulfil other roles and responsibilities at a similar level within the GDA.

Candidate Requirements

Candidates shall, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, have the following:

Qualifications and Essential Requirements

• A third-level qualification (NFQ Level 7 or above) in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

• 2 years’ experience in a Communications Assistant or related role

• Practical experience supporting communications activities across multiple channels, such as websites, newsletters, social media, and internal communications

• Strong written communication skills, with experience drafting, editing, and proofreading clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate content

• Experience using social media platforms in a professional or organisational context

• Experience updating and maintaining website content using a Content Management System (CMS)

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines

• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy

• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and members of the public

• Ability to exercise sound judgement, identify issues, and escalate matters appropriately

• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a small, fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated commitment to public service values, including integrity, accountability, and respect

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with desktop publishing tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva

• Experience supporting events, stakeholder engagement initiatives, or public consultations

• Familiarity with basic analytics tools such as social media management tools, reporting insights, and Google Analytics

• Photography or video capture and editing experience

• Experience supporting internal communications activities, including newsletters or intranet content

• Experience drafting or supporting press releases and media materials

• Experience recording meeting minutes and supporting formal committees or stakeholder groups

• Experience monitoring media coverage and preparing media or communications summaries

• Experience working in the public sector, not-for-profit, or community-focused organisations

Please also refer to the Executive Officer Competencies in Appendix 1 of this booklet.

Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility

Eligible candidates must be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or

• A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

• A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

• A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State because of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

• A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa

To qualify, candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above by the date of any job offer.

Candidates who are not citizens of the aforementioned countries must have the necessary permissions to work in Ireland.

Salary

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale, and increments may be awarded subject to satisfactory performance and to changes in the terms and conditions relating to salary increments in the Civil and Public Service generally.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

PPC (Personal Pension Contribution) Scale

(For officers who are existing civil or public servants appointed on or after 6 April 1995, or who are new entrants to the civil or public service and who are making a compulsory personal pension contribution)

Executive Officer Standard Scale – PPC

€38,419 – €40,360 – €41,456 – €43,594 – €45,510 – €47,364 – €49,211 – €51,024 – €52,890 – €54,749 – €56,722 – €58,044 – €59,928 LSI1 – €62,601 LSI2

A different rate will apply where the appointee is a civil or public servant recruited before 6 April 1995 and who is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

Other pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

Important Note

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government policy.

Successful candidates will agree to repay any overpayment of salary, allowances, or expenses in accordance with Circular 07/2018: Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments made to Staff Members, Former Staff Members, and Pensioners.