DS
Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager
Down Syndrome IrelandA senior national role shaping policy, evidence and influence for people with Down syndrome across Ireland.
REPORTS TO
Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs
CONTRACT
Full-time, three-year fixed-term contract, with opportunity to renew
LOCATION
Hybrid or Remote depending on expereince
SALARY
€70,000-€90,000, depending on experience
Benefits
4% employer pension contribution; 25 days annual leave
WORKING MODEL
Flexible/hybrid working
About The Role
Down Syndrome Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager to lead and further develop our national policy and advocacy function at a significant point in the organisation's development.
This is a senior role with substantial autonomy and responsibility. The successful candidate will operate with authority across Government, the Oireachtas, the HSE, statutory agencies and the wider disability and social policy sector, developing credible policy solutions and advancing them through policy, legislative, funding and implementation processes.
The postholder will take day-to-day leadership of DSI's policy programme, translating the priorities of people with Down syndrome and their families, organisational expertise, data and evidence into practical proposals capable of influencing national decisions.
Reporting to the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs, the postholder will work closely with senior leadership and colleagues across DSI, while exercising significant professional judgement and working independently to identify opportunities, develop policy positions and progress agreed priorities. They will bring the credibility and confidence to represent DSI directly with senior decision-makers across Government and the public service and, ideally, established relationships across relevant Departments, the HSE, statutory agencies and the wider policy system.
A major initial responsibility will be leading DSI's policy and secretariat support for the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome and helping translate its programme into tangible policy outcomes.
The role will be central to delivery of the advocacy commitments within Unity 2026-2030 and to strengthening DSI's position as Ireland's leading authority on the policy and systemic issues affecting people with Down syndrome throughout their lives.
Key Responsibilities
Develop annual and multi-year policy priorities aligned with Unity 2026-2030 and emerging Government opportunities.
Identify where DSI should intervene and recommend how best to secure policy, legislative, funding or implementation change.
Develop authoritative, evidence-informed policy positions, recommendations and proposals.
Lead the preparation of major submissions, consultation responses, policy papers and briefings.
Provide senior policy advice to the Deputy CEO, CEO, Senior Management Team and, as required, the Board.
Monitor Government strategies, legislation, Budgets, regulatory developments, implementation plans and departmental initiatives and determine where DSI should engage.
Analyse proposed policy and legislation, assess how commitments are being implemented in practice, identify gaps between policy intent and the lived experience of people with Down syndrome, and develop practical recommendations for reform.
Prepare high-quality briefings for Ministers, Government Departments, Oireachtas members, statutory agencies and other decision-makers.
Build and strengthen credible working relationships with senior officials, political representatives, the HSE, statutory agencies and policy stakeholders, and represent DSI at appropriate Government, Oireachtas and sectoral forums.
Work closely with the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs on political strategy and major Government relationships while independently progressing the policy work required to convert engagement into outcomes.
Drive the agreed programme of work between meetings, with a strong focus on policy outcomes rather than meeting administration.
Develop the objectives, evidence, briefings and recommendations required for each stage of the Group's programme.
Coordinate engagement with Oireachtas members, Government Departments, external experts and relevant stakeholders.
Ensure commitments and agreed actions are recorded, progressed and followed through.
Identify opportunities to translate the Group's work into Government policy, legislation, funding and implementation.
The postholder will not be expected to be the technical expert in every field, but will be responsible for bringing together internal expertise, evidence, lived experience and external insight to develop robust DSI policy positions.
Lead the identification, mapping and interpretation of relevant national and organisational data to build a stronger evidence base on population, service access, unmet need, inequalities and outcomes for people with Down syndrome across the life course.
Identify gaps in national data and evidence and develop practical approaches to strengthen DSI's understanding of need through organisational information, member and family insight, published research, statutory data and external evidence.
Translate data, evidence and organisational knowledge into clear policy arguments, measurable recommendations and credible propositions for Government and public bodies.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across DSI to identify emerging issues, patterns of unmet need and areas where policy or service provision is failing to meet need.
Use evidence and data to demonstrate the scale and impact of identified issues, develop the evidence and policy case for sustained multi-annual statutory investment, support funding and policy asks, and strengthen DSI's ability to influence legislative, policy and implementation change.
Monitor national and international evidence, policy developments and emerging practice relevant to DSI priorities.
Work closely with the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs, colleagues across DSI and external communications and public affairs advisers to ensure advocacy, communications and stakeholder engagement support agreed policy outcomes.
Develop influencing plans around priority policy areas.
Build constructive alliances with disability organisations, NGOs, professional bodies, researchers and other stakeholders where collaboration can strengthen the case for change.
Represent DSI confidently and authoritatively in external meetings, consultations, working groups, conferences and policy forums.
Lead and coordinate external specialist support where communications, public affairs, stakeholder intelligence, research, engagement or strategic expertise can strengthen delivery, ensuring the Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager retains clear internal ownership of the policy and advocacy programme.
The person we are looking for
We are looking for an experienced policy professional capable of operating independently at a senior level. The successful candidate is likely to bring substantial experience from public policy, Government, politics, public affairs, advocacy, the NGO sector, a statutory organisation, a professional body, academia or another environment involving complex policy development and influence.
Rather than requiring a prescribed number of years' experience, we are particularly interested in evidence that candidates have already operated with the judgement, authority and independence required for this role.
Significant experience developing high-quality public policy, legislative or advocacy positions.
A strong understanding of Irish Government, Oireachtas and policy-making processes.
The ability to analyse complex policy, legislation and data and translate them into practical recommendations.
Strong political judgement and an understanding of how policy change is achieved.
Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships across Government, the HSE, statutory agencies and other institutional settings; established relationships across the policy system would be an advantage.
Exceptional written skills, including policy papers, submissions, briefings and recommendations.
Confidence, credibility and authority to represent DSI directly with senior Government, political, HSE, statutory and sectoral stakeholders.
The ability to work independently, exercise judgement and progress complex work without close supervision.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking, including the ability to use evidence of need to shape influencing priorities.
Sound judgement, discretion and political impartiality.
A commitment to ensuring lived experience informs policy and advocacy.
A relevant third-level qualification is desirable. Equivalent senior professional experience will also be considered.
Experience in disability, health, education, housing or social policy would be an advantage but is not essential.
What Success Will Look Like
A clear multi-year DSI policy programme aligned with Unity 2026-2030.
Effective leadership of the policy and secretariat work supporting the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group.
Credible DSI policy positions across agreed life-stage and cross-cutting priorities.
A stronger national evidence base on the population, needs, service access and outcomes of people with Down syndrome.
Clear mapping of unmet need and service gaps across agreed priority areas.
Effective use of data and evidence to support DSI policy positions, funding asks and Government engagement.
DSI recommendations reflected in Government policy, legislation, funding decisions and implementation, with demonstrable improvements in how policy commitments translate into outcomes for people with Down syndrome.
Early identification and effective pursuit of opportunities for reform.
Consistently high-quality policy submissions, briefings and recommendations.
Strong senior relationships and credibility across Government, the Oireachtas, the HSE, statutory agencies and relevant national stakeholders.
Systematic use of evidence, organisational expertise and lived experience in policy development.
Clear reporting to senior leadership and the Board on progress, risks, opportunities and outcomes.
Demonstrable examples of evidence being converted into policy, legislative, funding or implementation change, including progress towards sustained multi-annual statutory investment where appropriate.
Why this role matters
DSI has significantly increased its engagement with Government and the Oireachtas and has established a strong strategic platform through Unity 2026-2030 and the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome.
The next phase is about converting that access into sustained change.
This role will provide the senior policy capacity required to ensure DSI does not simply respond to consultations or participate in meetings, but develops strong propositions, builds the evidence of need, influences decisions, tracks implementation and follows commitments through to meaningful change for people with Down syndrome and their families.
REPORTS TO
Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs
CONTRACT
Full-time, three-year fixed-term contract, with opportunity to renew
LOCATION
Hybrid or Remote depending on expereince
SALARY
€70,000-€90,000, depending on experience
Benefits
4% employer pension contribution; 25 days annual leave
WORKING MODEL
Flexible/hybrid working
About The Role
Down Syndrome Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager to lead and further develop our national policy and advocacy function at a significant point in the organisation's development.
This is a senior role with substantial autonomy and responsibility. The successful candidate will operate with authority across Government, the Oireachtas, the HSE, statutory agencies and the wider disability and social policy sector, developing credible policy solutions and advancing them through policy, legislative, funding and implementation processes.
The postholder will take day-to-day leadership of DSI's policy programme, translating the priorities of people with Down syndrome and their families, organisational expertise, data and evidence into practical proposals capable of influencing national decisions.
Reporting to the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs, the postholder will work closely with senior leadership and colleagues across DSI, while exercising significant professional judgement and working independently to identify opportunities, develop policy positions and progress agreed priorities. They will bring the credibility and confidence to represent DSI directly with senior decision-makers across Government and the public service and, ideally, established relationships across relevant Departments, the HSE, statutory agencies and the wider policy system.
A major initial responsibility will be leading DSI's policy and secretariat support for the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome and helping translate its programme into tangible policy outcomes.
The role will be central to delivery of the advocacy commitments within Unity 2026-2030 and to strengthening DSI's position as Ireland's leading authority on the policy and systemic issues affecting people with Down syndrome throughout their lives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead DSI's policy function
Develop annual and multi-year policy priorities aligned with Unity 2026-2030 and emerging Government opportunities.
Identify where DSI should intervene and recommend how best to secure policy, legislative, funding or implementation change.
Develop authoritative, evidence-informed policy positions, recommendations and proposals.
Lead the preparation of major submissions, consultation responses, policy papers and briefings.
Provide senior policy advice to the Deputy CEO, CEO, Senior Management Team and, as required, the Board.
- Government, legislation and political affairs
Monitor Government strategies, legislation, Budgets, regulatory developments, implementation plans and departmental initiatives and determine where DSI should engage.
Analyse proposed policy and legislation, assess how commitments are being implemented in practice, identify gaps between policy intent and the lived experience of people with Down syndrome, and develop practical recommendations for reform.
Prepare high-quality briefings for Ministers, Government Departments, Oireachtas members, statutory agencies and other decision-makers.
Build and strengthen credible working relationships with senior officials, political representatives, the HSE, statutory agencies and policy stakeholders, and represent DSI at appropriate Government, Oireachtas and sectoral forums.
Work closely with the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs on political strategy and major Government relationships while independently progressing the policy work required to convert engagement into outcomes.
- Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome
Drive the agreed programme of work between meetings, with a strong focus on policy outcomes rather than meeting administration.
Develop the objectives, evidence, briefings and recommendations required for each stage of the Group's programme.
Coordinate engagement with Oireachtas members, Government Departments, external experts and relevant stakeholders.
Ensure commitments and agreed actions are recorded, progressed and followed through.
Identify opportunities to translate the Group's work into Government policy, legislation, funding and implementation.
- Policy development across the life course
The postholder will not be expected to be the technical expert in every field, but will be responsible for bringing together internal expertise, evidence, lived experience and external insight to develop robust DSI policy positions.
- Evidence, data mapping and organisational insight
Lead the identification, mapping and interpretation of relevant national and organisational data to build a stronger evidence base on population, service access, unmet need, inequalities and outcomes for people with Down syndrome across the life course.
Identify gaps in national data and evidence and develop practical approaches to strengthen DSI's understanding of need through organisational information, member and family insight, published research, statutory data and external evidence.
Translate data, evidence and organisational knowledge into clear policy arguments, measurable recommendations and credible propositions for Government and public bodies.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across DSI to identify emerging issues, patterns of unmet need and areas where policy or service provision is failing to meet need.
Use evidence and data to demonstrate the scale and impact of identified issues, develop the evidence and policy case for sustained multi-annual statutory investment, support funding and policy asks, and strengthen DSI's ability to influence legislative, policy and implementation change.
Monitor national and international evidence, policy developments and emerging practice relevant to DSI priorities.
- Strategic advocacy, communications and influence
Work closely with the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs, colleagues across DSI and external communications and public affairs advisers to ensure advocacy, communications and stakeholder engagement support agreed policy outcomes.
Develop influencing plans around priority policy areas.
Build constructive alliances with disability organisations, NGOs, professional bodies, researchers and other stakeholders where collaboration can strengthen the case for change.
Represent DSI confidently and authoritatively in external meetings, consultations, working groups, conferences and policy forums.
Lead and coordinate external specialist support where communications, public affairs, stakeholder intelligence, research, engagement or strategic expertise can strengthen delivery, ensuring the Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager retains clear internal ownership of the policy and advocacy programme.
The person we are looking for
We are looking for an experienced policy professional capable of operating independently at a senior level. The successful candidate is likely to bring substantial experience from public policy, Government, politics, public affairs, advocacy, the NGO sector, a statutory organisation, a professional body, academia or another environment involving complex policy development and influence.
Rather than requiring a prescribed number of years' experience, we are particularly interested in evidence that candidates have already operated with the judgement, authority and independence required for this role.
Significant experience developing high-quality public policy, legislative or advocacy positions.
A strong understanding of Irish Government, Oireachtas and policy-making processes.
The ability to analyse complex policy, legislation and data and translate them into practical recommendations.
Strong political judgement and an understanding of how policy change is achieved.
Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships across Government, the HSE, statutory agencies and other institutional settings; established relationships across the policy system would be an advantage.
Exceptional written skills, including policy papers, submissions, briefings and recommendations.
Confidence, credibility and authority to represent DSI directly with senior Government, political, HSE, statutory and sectoral stakeholders.
The ability to work independently, exercise judgement and progress complex work without close supervision.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking, including the ability to use evidence of need to shape influencing priorities.
Sound judgement, discretion and political impartiality.
A commitment to ensuring lived experience informs policy and advocacy.
A relevant third-level qualification is desirable. Equivalent senior professional experience will also be considered.
Experience in disability, health, education, housing or social policy would be an advantage but is not essential.
What Success Will Look Like
A clear multi-year DSI policy programme aligned with Unity 2026-2030.
Effective leadership of the policy and secretariat work supporting the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group.
Credible DSI policy positions across agreed life-stage and cross-cutting priorities.
A stronger national evidence base on the population, needs, service access and outcomes of people with Down syndrome.
Clear mapping of unmet need and service gaps across agreed priority areas.
Effective use of data and evidence to support DSI policy positions, funding asks and Government engagement.
DSI recommendations reflected in Government policy, legislation, funding decisions and implementation, with demonstrable improvements in how policy commitments translate into outcomes for people with Down syndrome.
Early identification and effective pursuit of opportunities for reform.
Consistently high-quality policy submissions, briefings and recommendations.
Strong senior relationships and credibility across Government, the Oireachtas, the HSE, statutory agencies and relevant national stakeholders.
Systematic use of evidence, organisational expertise and lived experience in policy development.
Clear reporting to senior leadership and the Board on progress, risks, opportunities and outcomes.
Demonstrable examples of evidence being converted into policy, legislative, funding or implementation change, including progress towards sustained multi-annual statutory investment where appropriate.
Why this role matters
DSI has significantly increased its engagement with Government and the Oireachtas and has established a strong strategic platform through Unity 2026-2030 and the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome.
The next phase is about converting that access into sustained change.
This role will provide the senior policy capacity required to ensure DSI does not simply respond to consultations or participate in meetings, but develops strong propositions, builds the evidence of need, influences decisions, tracks implementation and follows commitments through to meaningful change for people with Down syndrome and their families.