Job Details: Mental Health Reform: Senior Policy & Research Officer


Irish Future
Talbot Street
Dublin 1
irishfuture.ie
Mental Health Reform: Senior Policy & Research Officer


SENIOR POLICY & RESEARCH OFFICER (4 MONTH CONTRACT)

JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION

POSITION TITLE: Senior Policy & Research Officer
REPORTS TO: CEO
SUPERVISES: Research Officer and Policy & Research assistant
LOCATION: REMOTE WORKING WITH OCCASIONAL MEETINGS IN DUBLIN

Mental Health Reform (MHR) is the national coalition driving reform of
Ireland?s mental health services and supports. Our vision is of an
Ireland where everyone can access the support that they need in their
community to achieve their best possible mental health. With more than
**Apply on the website** member organisations and thousands of
individual supporters, MHR provides a coordinated voice to Government,
its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health
issues.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Policy & Research Officer will have responsibility for
leading the policy function of Mental Health Reform. This will
involve:

* identifying key issues and developments in the mental health (and
wider) environment and
* recommending priority issues to be to be addressed through MHR?s
policy work

The Senior Policy and Research Officer will also be responsible for
building the evidence base for Mental Health Reform?s representative
and advocacy work through consultation, desk and empirical research,
and producing policy inputs to Government and other consultative
processes.

Working closely with the CEO, the Senior advocacy & Communications
Officer, and other staff members, the person will participate in and
support MHR?s consultative and influencing activity to fulfil the
objectives of MHR?s current and future Operational Plans.

RESPONSIBILITIES

_1. MANAGE MENTAL HEALTH REFORM?S RESEARCH AND POLICY PORTFOLIO_

* Manage agreed policy and research projects, including consultations
with relevant stakeholders

* Produce policy submissions and research papers in support of MHRs
policy objectives. In this period these include;

* Submission on the National Mental Health Promotion Plan
* Review of MHR?s mental health and ethnic minority guidelines
* Proceedings from MHR?s webinar on LGBTI+ sensitive mental health
services
* Budget **Apply on the website** and HSE National Service Plan
analysis

* Conduct consultations with mental health service users and family
members
* Ensure ongoing engagement and relationship building with service
users and family members
* Conduct desk research on international and national good practice
and implementation of policy
* Conduct empirical research to provide an evidence base for MHR?s
advocacy work
* Develop relationships with policy and research partners related to
the work of MHR
* Develop draft policy positions and preparation of policy
submissions and publications on behalf of MHR
* Prepare briefing papers, information analysis and updates as
required
* Proactively monitor relevant developments in Irish and
international mental health policy, practice and law
* Organising policy and research events, including seminars,
conferences, public meetings, etc.
* Conduct consultation with MHR?s member organisations, advisory
groups and international and national experts

_2. REPRESENTING MENTAL HEALTH REFORM IN CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITY_

* Represent MHR in cross-departmental consultative forums and at
public events

_3. TRAINING/SUPPORT/DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL GROUPS_

* Build trust and working relationships with members? grassroots
networks and groups involved in consultative forums of the HSE
* Develop the capacity of MHR?s Grassroots Forum, comprised of
people with lived experience and family members/carers
* Develop and deliver training and capacity-building programmes at
local level

_4. ORGANISATION_

* To work within the framework of the overall objectives and the
policies and practices of MHR
* To contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity,
anti-discriminatory practice, diversity, individual rights and choice
in all aspects of work
* To carry out other administrative duties as required
* To participate in Mental Health Reform?s performance management
system and engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the
Director
* To supervise interns, volunteers and staff members, as required
* To participate in relevant training and development courses as
agreed with the Director
* To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned
from time to time in consultation with the Director
* To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the
workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the Director or
Health & Safety Representative
* Promote collaboration at all levels of the network, and ensure
that the views and common interests of members are understood and
effectively expressed by MHR

PERSON SPECIFICATION

_ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:_

* Advanced/Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in social
policy, social science, human rights, public policy or other relevant
discipline
* Considerable proven experience in leading the production of policy
and research outputs
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Excellent organisational skills including a proven ability to work
to deadlines
* Project management experience
* Experience of representing a stakeholder group to Government
and/or public agencies
* Knowledge of the Irish mental health system and mental health
issues
* Ability to work with initiative within a small team
* Proven success in developing and implementing policy influencing
and outreach strategies

_ATTITUDE:_

* Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mental Health
Reform

_DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:_

* Experience in conducting quantitative research
* Experience of lobbying or campaigning

TERMS

This is a fixed term contract position subject to funding and
completion of a probationary period.
Flexibility is required regarding hours as some weekend and evening
work may be necessary. Travel and out of office work will also be a
feature of the role.

SALARY: salary will be commensurate with experience
HOURS OF WORK: **Apply on the website** hours per week
ANNUAL LEAVE: **Apply on the website** days

_Applications: _Please email your CV and cover letter to **Apply on
the website**.

In your letter please state salary expectations and when you would be
able to begin the role. Closing

date for the submission of applications is _SUNDAY THE 4__TH __OF
OCTOBER _.

Please Note: This document is not intended to be an exhaustive job
description - it serves only as an overview of the role.

_MENTAL HEALTH REFORM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER_


We need : English (Good)

Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health

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