Policy Engagement Manager (Hybrid, Permanent)

Early Childhood Ireland; Tallaght; Hybrid; EUR 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's advocacy organization in Ireland is seeking a Policy Engagement Manager to enhance policy development and advocate for change in Early Years and School Age Care settings. This role involves leading a team, managing stakeholder engagement, and shaping policy positions. The ideal candidate has strong management experience and a deep understanding of the Early Years system. Offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Tax Saver commuter ticket scheme

Bike to Work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Defined contribution pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of regulations governing Early Years and School Age Care.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy.
• Ability to analyse data and research for policy development.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small team ensuring they are supported and motivated.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plan.
• Lead national policy monitoring process and coordinate stakeholder forums.
• Monitor and analyse policy issues to advise on responses.

Skills

Staff supervision/management experience

Superb interpersonal skills

Excellent verbal communications

Capacity to work to tight deadlines

Strong ability to identify and plan key areas of work

Education

Level 8 Degree or equivalent

Masters level qualification in relevant field

Job description

Early Childhood Ireland is the leading children’s advocacy and membership organisation. We work in partnership with our members to achieve quality experiences for every child in Early Years and School Age care settings. We advocate for an effective and inclusive Early Years and School Age care system which values, supports and invests in childhood, children and services.

Early Childhood Ireland’s Strategic Plan (2021-2026) contains two ambitions. By 2026:

• Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector, and our members are leading the way in achieving quality practice in their child-centred settings.
• Early Childhood Ireland is the leading advocate for children in Early Years and School Age Care settings in Ireland, has influenced policy and legislative development in Early Years and School Age Care, towards the quality system we have championed.

At Early Childhood Ireland, we are committed to investing in our people and culture to ensure that as an organisation we deliver on our strategic plan while also continuing to be a great place to work.We are currently operating on a blended working basis, offering great flexibility to our employees and providing excellent opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.

Job Details

• Position: Policy Engagement Manager
• Reports to: Director of Policy
• Contract: Full-time/Permanent
• Location: Our national office is based at Tallaght in south Dublin
• Model of Working: The organisation is operating a blended working model for the foreseeable future, subject to review based on organisational needs

Job Purpose

The purpose of this post is to consolidate Early Childhood Ireland’s already significant role in policy development and in influencing positive change for children, settings and the Early Years and School Age Care system in Ireland. The Manager plays a key role in ensuring that the organisation achieves the ambitions of our strategic plan: to advocate for children, and to work with our members to demonstrate and champion high-quality services, practices and outcomes in centres and childminders’ homes. The post holder is responsible for shaping and delivering a programme of stakeholder engagement and with connecting the experiences of Early Childhood Ireland’s member settings with policy and programme development.

As part of the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team and the Management team of the organisation, the Manager is also an internal champion for gathering and analysing data, research and the expertise of members and colleagues to ensure the organisation’s impact on change in the Early Years and School Age Care system.

With others on the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team, the Manager monitors closely the progress or otherwise of key Early Childhood Ireland advocacy goals as well as government commitments for children, settings and the Early Years and School Age Care system. The postholder will develop and consolidate existing relationships with key stakeholders and coordinate Early Childhood Ireland’s extensive involvement in policy and practice forums. The role is busy and rewarding and will require the holder to be both proactive and reactive in working to progress the vision and mission of Early Childhood Ireland.

The Manager is a senior member of the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning Team and will also serve as a resource and contributor throughout the organisation

Responsibilities

General

• Manage a small team ensuring they are supported, motivated and accountable.
• Provide support and mentoring to other colleagues as needed
• Participate actively in the management team of the organisation
• Represent the organisation on relevant fora and at external events
• Contribute to Early Childhood Ireland’s management of critical events or public concerns

Engagement

• Develop and deliver a stakeholder engagement plan linked to Early Childhood Ireland’s ambitions and our Theory of Change
• Consolidate and deliver an agreed member engagement plan

Policy

• Lead the national policy monitoring process within the organisation, in collaboration with other teams
• Coordinate and support the participation of colleagues across the organisation in stakeholder forums
• Use external and Early Childhood Ireland’s research, as well as engagement with our membership to oversee the development of appropriate and future-proofed policy positions
• Work with the Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning and other colleagues to use these positions to influence the external political agenda and policy development
• Oversee the policy implementation aspects of the member engagement plan that contributes to the objectives of Early Childhood Ireland
• Manage the production of weekly and other regular outputs, policy briefings, and other documents as required
• Lead on key policy areas, to play a significant role in the further development and implementation of Early Childhood Ireland’s aims & objectives
• With the Director of Policy, plan and help implement strategies based on priorities and effectiveness
• Monitor and analyse developments and trends in Early Years and School Age Care, to identify relevant policy issues at an early stage and to advise on and help shape the organisation’s responses and public positions

Research and Data

• Champion and contribute to the organisation’s data collection and monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Work with colleagues in the Research and Data Analysis team to further develop Early Childhood Ireland’s evidence base, to develop and inform the organisation’s positions on a wide range of policy issues and societal trends relating to early years
• Ensure the findings from all aspects of Early Childhood Ireland’s projects, CPD and other work with settings as well as from relevant external research and pilot initiatives are monitored and assess the implications of these findings
• Keep abreast of external research into all areas of interest to Early Childhood Ireland

Other

• At all times undertake the role in a professional manner, maintaining a high-quality standard of work, in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of Early Childhood Ireland
• Undertake any other such relevant duties as may from time to time arise and are considered appropriate

Person Specification

To be considered for initial shortlisting, applicants must have a strong knowledge and understanding of the relevant regulations governing Early Years and School Age Care system settings in Ireland and/or of the funding programmes and administration in place for those settings.

They should also be able to meet the following requirements which are essential, unless marked with a * which are desirable attributes.

Education and Qualifications

• A Level 8 Degree or equivalent academic qualification.
• Masters level qualification in a relevant field*

Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of a formal qualification or direct experience in certain instances. If you have a strong portfolio and can demonstrate the necessary competencies, we welcome your application. Please detail your equivalent learning and experience in your cover letter

Skills and Experience

• Staff supervision/management experience for at least two years
• Superb interpersonal skills with a strong capacity to build and maintain relationships
• Excellent verbal communications, writing, editing and presentation skills
• Proven capacity to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• Strong ability to identify and plan key areas of work
• Demonstrable experience of establishing priorities and managing a complex workload to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in pursuit of common goals, as well as to work independently
• Experience of working in a membership organisation*

Knowledge

• A strong knowledge and understanding of the relevant regulations governing Early Years and School Age Care system settings in Ireland and/or of the funding programmes and administration in place for those settings
• Irish policy making processes
• An interest or background in data and/or research analysis*

Personal Attributes and Qualities

• A strong personal commitment to children’s rights
• Leadership and relationship skills
• Able to think strategically and creatively
• Constructive
• Excellent judgement
• A proven interest in social policy and campaigning

Terms and Conditions

• Employer: Early Childhood Ireland
• Location: The main place of work is our Head Office. Blended working model – working remotely within the Republic of Ireland and at our national office, the combination of days spent in the office and working remotely to be agreed with the successful candidate.
• Contract details: This is a full-time post reporting to the Director of Policy. The contract is permanent, subject to funding, and the probationary period is six months.
• Salary: A salary in the range €53,817 and €59,755 is offered. The agreed salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days
• Hours of Work: 35 hour working week. The position will also require participation in some meetings/events in the evenings and at weekends.
• Employee Benefits: Upon commencement: Tax Saver commuter ticket scheme; Bike to Work scheme; Employee assistance programme available to all staff and their families; Influenza vaccination and eye tests; Access to health screening service; Two privilege leave days per year, Good Friday and Christmas Eve. Upon successful completion of probation: Defined contribution pension scheme offering 6% to 10% employer contribution based on service, plus employee contribution (membership of pension scheme is mandatory upon completion of probation); Access to Health Plan – group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) with employers’ contribution; Death in service benefit; Professional fees and training opportunities as applicable; Additional annual leave and privilege days*; Paid maternity, parents’, paternity and adoptive leave*; Paid sick leave*; Educational assistance*. (*= Access to these benefits will depend on role/length of service.)

Application Process

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and letter of application via email for the attention of Gillian Moore, Strategic HR Manager to [e-mail] by Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

The cover letter should address the essential requirements and convey the applicant’s understanding of this role. The CV should be no more than three pages long. Shortlisting of candidates may apply and will be based on the Job Description and Person Specification. Candidates may be asked for further information or to undertake other tasks to assist in the assessment process.

Equal Opportunities Early Childhood Ireland strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all candidates. If you require any accommodations, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]

Safeguarding Early Childhood Ireland believes the protection and welfare of all children is of paramount importance andis committed to implementing robust safeguarding procedures throughout the recruitment process. The organisation is aligned to Children First National Guidance 2017, Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012 in all aspects of work.

Agency We do not require the support of recruitment agencies at this time.