Policy & Research Officer

Fórsa is a membership led union: we empower workers to change their lives at work. We build worker power by engaging every worker in the jobs and workplaces that we organise.

We are currently recruiting an experienced intellectually curious and community-focused person for the role of Policy & Research Officer.

Overview of the Role

As Policy & Research Officer you are a member of the Fórsa Campaigns team working with a range of people both internally and externally to advance the causes and campaigns that benefit working people in Ireland.

You conduct in-house research and policy development on areas of concern to Fórsa members. You participate and provide expertise in the following areas:

• Drafting policy documents to support Fórsas evidence-based approach to campaigning
• Making submissions to public consultations on areas relevant to Fórsa membership
• Lead and/or contribute to joint union policy work such as joint union submissions in collaboration with ICTU
• Developing toolkits to empower staff branches and activists to engage in this work themselves
• Developing key stakeholder relationships through the provision of consistent and reliable information pertaining to Fórsa campaigns and objectives
• Making applications for state EU or other funding where it appropriately contributes to Fórsa and Campaigns objectives

You actively contribute to Fórsas positive and healthy workplace culture through supportive collaborative teamworking.

Working for Fórsa

As an employer Fórsa is committed to modelling the values of our union: we provide excellent benefits including a career average pension scheme competitive annual leave hybrid work and other flexible work arrangements and a range of financial and practical supports for professional development.

The initial salary for this position will be within the 11 point grade 7 public service scale:
00; and two Long Service Increments: .

Fórsa welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds including diverse professional experience. You may have developed skills in the trade union public private or non-profit sectors. A demonstrated commitment to the values of social justice a strong public service and workers empowerment is essential.

Fórsa does not discriminate on the basis of gender marital or family status age disability race religion sexual orientation or membership in the Traveller community.

The position will be based in Dublin but hybrid remote work can be facilitated subject to operational requirements.

About Your Team

• You report to the Director of Campaigns
• You work closely with the Communications & Campaigns Officer as well as colleagues in Communications Media Relations and Digital

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Research and policy analysis

• Conducting research relating to active campaigns in Fórsa trade union
• Provide leadership for identifying and applying for relevant state EU or other funding to support Fórsa campaigns
• Accountable for writing and editing research and policy documents
• Accountable for writing and editing submissions relevant to the work and campaigns of the union
• Identify where additional research may be needed for campaigns
• Lead and/or contribute to reviewing monitoring and analysing current or proposed county and national regulations and policies related to Forsas campaign priorities
• Develop in-depth expertise in specific policy issues as may be assigned
• Develop and produce advocacy tools including fact sheets talking points public education materials position letters and policy briefs
• Conduct preliminary policy briefs on campaigns brought to the department by members. Present on preliminary research where necessary to bolster support for larger studies or broader agreement on policy

Campaign support

• Contribute to developing relevant training and public outreach based on ongoing campaign policy recommendations
• Engage with relevant stakeholders on how to make case statements for their policy concerns
• Providing support to the campaigns section on day-to-day campaigns activity in the union
• Attending meetings and events hosted by the campaigns section of the union
• Represent Fórsa at meetings and events where necessary
• Contributing to campaigns discussion and planning

Other areas

• Deputise for the Director of Campaigns on an occasional basis
• Provide supervision and support to team members on an as needed basis
• Any other reasonable task appropriate to the role

Hours

This is a full-time permanent position. You will be expected to be available during normal office hours; however due to the nature of the job work outside of normal office hours and over weekends may arise on a very occasional basis. Overtime and formal time off in lieu do not apply; you and your team leader have the discretion to manage your working hours and commitments to ensure that they remain within legal normal and healthy boundaries.

Travel

Expect some travel in Ireland as part of the role. Travel and Subsistence payments are made within the Civil Service rates and conditions.

About You

Essential Skills and Requirements

• You have a comprehensive understanding of public policy policy formation and research
• You have significant experience in all aspects of policy development including: identifying issues consultation research writing editing and publishing
• You have experience in making submissions to public consultations
• You have experience writing and/or managing grants
• You write and speak effectively and persuasively
• You are interested in the economic and social issues affecting working people in Ireland and most likely have demonstrated this through engaging in your community
• You have an awareness of trade unions and Irish political structures
• You are empathetic establish rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds and can work with people who are experiencing challenging situations
• You demonstrate initiative and motivation and the organisational time management and IT skills to help you accomplish your ambitious goals
• You can work well in both collaboratively and individually

It would be nice but not necessary if you have

• Previous campaigning activity or experience

• An interest in campaigning campaign activity and planning

• A relevant third level qualification

To Apply

Submit your cv a brief cover letter and a recent work sample via this form by 5 pm on Monday 18 May 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 20 May and interviews will be held on 25 May.

Questions

Email. Please note that applications cannot be accepted via email; any cvs or other documents submitted by email will be deleted.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority