Head of Strategic Engagement - Principal Officer

Head of Strategic Engagement - Principal Officer The Head of Strategic Engagement will help implement the new strategic cycle by positioning IHREC effectively with external stakeholders. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is Ireland’s national human rights and equality institution. It was established in November 2014 under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 with a statutory mandate to:

• Protect and promote human rights and equality.
• Encourage the development of a culture of respect for human rights, equality, and intercultural understanding in the State.
• Promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights and equality in the State.
• Encourage good practice in intercultural relations, promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State and respect for the freedom and dignity of each person.
• Work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct.

The Organisation IHREC’s strategy and policy is determined independently by the fifteen members of the Commission who are appointed by the Head of State, President Michael D. Higgins. The diverse membership of the Commission broadly reflects the nature of Irish society. The Director of the Commission is responsible for the leadership and management of staff and the work of IHREC in accordance with the strategy and policies of the Commission. The staff of the Commission currently work in six teams: Policy & Research, Strategic Engagement, Legal, Monitoring & Compliance, Corporate Services and Office of the Director. Permanent staff of the Commission are civil servants in the service of the State. IHREC’s work ranges from operating at the policy level to review the effectiveness of human rights and equality law, policy and practice in the State and within public bodies, protecting and promoting human rights and equality within the courts system, and working with communities and civil society to monitor and report on people’s real-life experiences of human rights and equality in practice. Whether addressing individual concerns, engaging with government or public bodies on policy and practice issues or raising awareness with public audiences on human rights and equality, our mission is to build a just and inclusive society that protects and promotes human rights and equality in Ireland. The Role IHREC is currently at the start of a new strategic cycle from 2025-2027; the Head of Strategic Engagement will play a key role in the implementation of this strategy by positioning IHREC effectively with external stakeholders to achieve its stated objectives. They will lead and manage a team which works with a range of external stakeholders at different levels and across diverse sectors and has lead responsibility for:

• public affairs,
• communications,
• public sector equality and human rights duty,
• public and civil society engagement,
• education and training,
• events,
• publications,
• general information provision.

The Head of Strategic Engagement is responsible for developing, directing and implementing a comprehensive range of activities that strengthen the Commission's ongoing engagement with the Houses of the Oireachtas, Government Departments and the wider public service, with employers, service providers and civil society, with the media and with the general public. Reporting directly to the Director, the person appointed will also work closely with the Chief Commissioner. The responsibilities outlined above should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of IHREC. #J-18808-Ljbffr