Policy Manager, Online Safety & Illegal Content, Higher Executive Officer

About This

Role Role Purpose

This role will sit in the Online Safety & Illegal Content team to aid delivery of An Coimisiún’s Strategic outcomes particularly those that impact Public Safety, Diversity and Inclusion and Children. This includes supporting the development of cross-organisational frameworks to inform An Coimisiún’s approach to the wide range of issues impacting online safety, in addition to supporting the team's enhanced focus on illegal content such as Terrorist & Violent Extremist Content; Radicalisation and Hate; Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation; Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking.

About the Team/Division

The mission of the Policy, Research & Strategy Division is to ensure that Coimisiún na Meán has a deep and evidence-based understanding of how traditional and online media affect the rights, interests, and welfare of individuals, and to ensure these are reflected in the rules that apply to broadcasters and online service providers—and in the way those rules are enforced.

The division brings together regulatory policy, research, and strategic development functions. Its work addresses a broad spectrum of issues across the media landscape, including online safety, illegal harms, the interests of children and vulnerable adults, the protection of democracy and fundamental rights, and the development of codes and regulatory frameworks.

The Online Safety & Illegal Content team works to support the organisation’s delivery of its Strategic Outcomes, through the development of robust, evidence-based policies and strategies. The team has developed a robust understanding of regulatory policy and online safety and works to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to inform our approach.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development

• Undertake policy, regulatory and legislative analysis and desktop research to inform policy development;
• Work alongside colleagues to develop evidence-based policy across many areas of online safety and regulation, including Terrorist & Violent Extremist Content; Radicalisation and Hate; Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation; Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence; Human Trafficking.
• Lead the drafting, coordination and review of a range of policy papers and consultations, ensuring they are evidence-informed, take account of diverse stakeholder perspectives and are aligned with strategic objectives;
• Provide briefing materials and other subject matter expertise supports to senior management, Commissioners and colleagues.
• Maintain a high level of specialist knowledge, staying up to date on research and topical issues concerning online safety.

Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Plan, coordinate, manage and support delivery of multiple projects, reporting on milestones, risks and dependencies to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes;
• Effectively manage stakeholders to include support for public consultation and building / maintaining a network of external relationships.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to support cross functioning with other Division areas including Platform Supervision, Media Development and User Engagement
• Represent Coimisiún na Meán at external meetings, events and conferences, as required;
• Ensuring the effective functioning, coordination and reporting of cross organisational steering groups

Team and Knowledge Development

• Identify the skills and training requirements needed to ensure the organisation can deliver high quality policy development
• Manage and develop high performing direct reports
• Demonstrate a continued commitment to innovation and flexibility in a fast-paced working environment
• Developing subject matter expertise and effectively communicating this expertise in appropriate forums.

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

About You

Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• At least three years’ relevant work experience
• Experience of policy management, development and/or policy analysis
• Clear and confident communication skills (both written and verbal), including a demonstrated ability to present complex policy, legal and/or regulatory concepts in an accessible manner to a range of audiences
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Excellent project management, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, manage a flexible and diverse workload, and to adapt where necessary
• Demonstrates initiative, proactively identifying issues, opportunities and challenges and actively identifies solutions, takes ownership of projects and tasks and seeks guidance when appropriate
• Inherent curiosity and creativity, with the ability to respond to complex policy challenges and find workable solutions
• Future focused and resilient, viewing challenges as learning opportunities

Desirable Criteria

• Experience or knowledge of regulation including online safety or content regulation
• A commitment to, and understanding of, online safety policy issues
• NQF Level 8 qualification or higher in law, policy, media or another relevant discipline

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a Permanent basis.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week
• Annual Leave: 29 days per annum
• The role will be a hybrid role combining home and office working. Our current hybrid policy is 2 days in the office.
• Our office is located at One Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
• For a full list of benefits see our website here
• This position is graded at the Higher Executive Officer scale.
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit:

• A CV (max 2 pages) and a Cover letter/personal statement (max 1 page) outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position
• Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. All positions require candidates to live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Candidates who engage in canvassing will be disqualified and excluded from the process

Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered. For queries related to the application or selection process related to this role, please contact cnam@cpl.ie

ReasonableAccommodations

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during the recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact Angeline McKiernan at amckiernan@cnam.ie

Coimisiún na Meán is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and are committed to championing an inclusive and diverse workforce which reflects modern Ireland. We work to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunity and feels comfortable to be their authentic selves at work.

Closing date: 3pm, 4th February 2026