Senior Policy

Location: Hybrid / Ireland
job type: Contract / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Voluntary/Charity | General
Annual Salary range:from € 70,000.00 to € 90,000.00

Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager

A 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

BENEFITS

• 4% employer pension contribution; 25 days annual leave

WORKING MODEL

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 the development and delivery of DSI’s national policy and advocacy programme within the strategic direction agreed by the Deputy CEO & Head of Public Affairs and Senior Management Team.
• 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.

2. Government, legislation and political affairs

• Maintain a strong understanding of the Irish political, legislative and public-policy environment and identify developments affecting people with Down syndrome.
• 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.

3. Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Down Syndrome

• Lead DSI’s policy and secretariat function for the 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