Communications Officer

Main Responsibilities: This is a newly created post to support the Head of Communications as part of a new Communications unit within the Office of the Director General. The duties of the role will be varied and may change over time in line with organisational needs. In that context, the following is an overview of some of the principal duties and responsibilities associated with the role:

Strategic Implementation • Assist the Head of Communications in the design, development and implementation of strategic communications campaigns to promote the IPA and its specialist services. • Liaise with internal partners (e.g. Whitaker School, Professional Development, SPS, OneLearning, Corporate Services) to identify opportunities to cross-promote strategic Institute activity. • Leverage and develop positive relationships with external stakeholders to disseminate messages (e.g. video and online publications), and represent the IPA externally, as required. • Manage the IPA brand, ensuring it is at all times strong, consistent and instantly recognisable.

Website • Take responsibility for the IPA’s website content, ensuring the information is up to date and accurate, the distinctive style and tone of the site is maintained, and the site is representative of the diverse activity taking place across the Institute. • Devise information architecture for new website sections and implement these, including the practical task of migrating content. • Contribute to projects concerned with the long-term evolution of the Institute’s website.

Publicity and Event management • Maintain media relations, including identifying and developing opportunities for marketing and amplifying the Institute’s outputs. • Manage the Institute’s public engagement suite of materials (brochures, prospectus, etc.). • Produce engaging and timely content to showcase and promote the activity of the IPA externally to a range of audiences using an array of channels (e.g. newsletters, press releases, social media, websites, etc.). • Contribute to and coordinate events, including townhall meetings, roadshows, award ceremonies, launches, etc. • Assist in developing the Institute’s corporate membership plan.

Operations • Evaluate the success and impact of communications campaigns and present results to the Head of Communications and IPA senior management team. • Measure effectiveness of engagement activities, including gauging how key communication messages are being received by internal/external stakeholders, and use results to drive improvements. • Assist in creating tender/quote documents to procure services for communications projects at a high standard and competitive price.

General • Deputise for the Head of Communications in committees, meetings and on projects. • Any other duties commensurate with the grade that may be assigned based on operational need.

Essential Requirements Character Each candidate must demonstrate commitment to the following values of the IPA: • Integrity; • Client-Centred and Responsive; • Openness and Accountability; • Trust and Respect; • Innovation and Learning; • Research-Led; • Practice-Led.

Health Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Person Specification • Qualification in communications/public relations/marketing or equivalent (desirable). • Experience (3-5 years) in a communications coordination role in a comparably sized organisation. (Essential) • Experience in management of websites and social media platforms (essential) • Proven track record in devising and implementing engaging internal communications strategies and their budgets. • Project management experience. • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. • Experience of working/responding independently and dealing with unforeseen problems and circumstances. • Understanding of the public sector and/or higher education landscape would be advantageous. • Confident in presenting to a range of audiences and managing queries from a variety of stakeholders. • Ability to work with accuracy under pressure and meet deadlines. • Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail, with a strong ability to multitask across a range of projects. • Analysis & problem-solving capability

Principal Conditions of Service Remuneration The salary scale for this position ranges from €39,355 to €62,323 (14 point scale including 2 long service increments) per annum pro rata. 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 pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current government policy.

Tenure Permanent basis, or on a contract or secondment basis with a view to permanency.

Location While the position is Dublin based, a considerable proportion of our work is delivered in client organisations throughout Ireland, and abroad on occasions. Members of the staff of the Institute may be required to attend meetings and other functions on occasions outside normal working hours. At present, the institute is operating a hybrid working model with at least 3 days per week based on campus. This is subject to review in line with operational needs.

Hours of Attendance Hours of attendance will be as fixed from time to time but will not amount to less than 35 hours per week. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The Institute operates a formal Blended Working model based on service/business requirements. The Institute currently has a flexible working hour attendance scheme in operation.

Annual Leave The Annual Leave allowance for this position is 27 days. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the Institute, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave The rate of pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil & Public Service sick leave circulars.

Confidentiality All enquiries, applications and all aspects of the proceedings relating to recruitment and selection are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone outside those directly involved in the recruitment process.

Freedom of Information Candidates can expect that all enquiries, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014.

Safety & Welfare The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of the Institute’s Safety Statement. They shall familiarise themselves with the safety rules and procedures and adhere to same.

Training It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Eligibility to Compete Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: • A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or • A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or • A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU 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 as a result 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.

Superannuation Contribution Membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees except where there is membership of pre-existing public service superannuation scheme. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pensionable remuneration; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory. CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.