Self-Advocacy & Community Engagement Officer

The Organisation

Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) is the national organisation providing support, services and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families across Ireland. With a National Office and 25 volunteer operational branches nationwide, DSI delivers information, education, therapy, employability and advocacy services, alongside fundraising and community engagement activities that are vital to our mission.

Job Title: Self-Advocacy & Community Engagement Officer

Reports to: Head of Adult Education, Self-Advocacy and Community Engagement 

Location: National Office with frequent nationwide travel to branch

Contract:12 months fixed-term, subject to funding

Salary: €40k - €45,500k pro-rota and depending on experience 

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends for member meetings and events, with time off in lieu.

This role may also be on a job share basis, 2 to 3 days per week each. 

Overview of Role 

This role is two-fold. The self-advocacy aspect of this role involves the development and coordination of self-advocacy groups within Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), empowering adults with Down syndrome to voice their priorities, contributing to DSI strategy and national policy on topics such as rights, independent living, employment, education, housing and inclusion.

The community engagement aspect of this role involves supporting the coordination, and delivery of inclusive, person-centred programmes and initiatives for people with Down syndrome. It involves empowering individuals, strengthening community connections, and promoting access to social, community and education opportunities across Ireland. 

Key duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Coordinate regional and national self-advocacy groups and advisory councils, including planning and facilitating meetings, facilitating accessible, recording actions in Easy Read formats and following up on decisions 

• Support adults with Down syndrome to build leadership, decision-making and peer-support skills through workshops, mentoring and training programmes using accessible methods such as Easy Read 

• Integrate self-advocates’ input into DSI’s core work by supporting consultations, preparing self-advocates for presentations at internal meetings, events and policy submissions, and tracking implementation of their recommendations 

• Collaborate with DSI’s Advocacy and Communications teams to centre self-advocates in campaigns, stakeholder engagement, policy consultations and public awareness activities, including case studies and media opportunities 

• Develop, support and evaluate self-advocacy projects and initiatives, including setting objectives, timelines, risk assessments and accessible impact reports 

• Develop and support community and education initiatives that promote inclusion, participation, and independence for people with Down syndrome. 

• Coordinate and facilitate Easy Read focus groups comprising DSI members with Down syndrome 

• Collaborate with DSI’s Compliance team on the prioritisation of DSI documents to be developed into Easy Reads 

• Deliver training and guidance to DSI staff, volunteers and branches on supporting self-advocacy, inclusive practice and rights-based approaches, including toolkit development 

• Build and maintain partnerships with other disability organisations, community organisations, advisory bodies and policymakers, sharing best practice and creating joint self-advocacy and community engagement opportunities at local, regional, national, European and international levels 

• Maintain comprehensive records for the department, contribute to funding applications, strategic planning and annual reports, and analyse data on outcomes to demonstrate impact. 

Person specification 

Essential 

Level 8 qualification in a relevant field such as social work, community development, education or disability studies 

Proven experience working alongside people with intellectual disabilities in advocacy, facilitation, community development or education roles 

Excellent communication skills 

Experience supporting self-advocates

Demonstrated group facilitation skills for inclusive, accessible meetings and activities 

Strong organisational abilities to manage a full-time workload, prioritise tasks and deliver projects on time 

Strong administration skills with competent in IT tools (MS Office/365, video platforms) for hybrid work, reporting and virtual facilitation 

Desirable 

Level 9 qualification in a relevant field such as social work, community development, education or disability studies 

Experience with advisory councils, policy consultations or stakeholder engagement in the disability sector 

Experience developing Easy Read materials 

Knowledge of Irish disability policy, entitlements and independent living supports. 

Other requirements 

Full clean driving licence and own transport for nationwide travel (travel expenses reimbursed per DSI policy) 

Garda vetting clearance required (standard for DSI roles working with vulnerable groups) 

Willingness to adhere to DSI’s data protection, safeguarding and equality policies niches, hybrid working in line with DSI policy 

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