Job Title: Self‑Advocacy & Community Engagement Officer
Reports to: Head of Adult Education, Self‑Advocacy, and Community Engagement
Location: National Office with frequent nationwide travel
Contract: 12 months fixed‑term, subject to funding
Salary: €44k – €45,500 pro‑rota, depending on experience
Hours: Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends for member meetings and events, with time off in lieu. This role may also be on a job‑share basis, 2.5 days per week each.
Overview Of Role
This role is two‑fold. The self‑advocacy aspect involves the development and coordination of self‑advocacy groups within Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), empowering adults with Down syndrome to voice their priorities and contributing to DSI strategy and national policy on rights, independent living, employment, education, housing and inclusion.
The community engagement aspect involves supporting the coordination and delivery of inclusive, person‑centred programmes and initiatives for people with Down syndrome, empowering individuals, strengthening community connections and promoting access to social, community and education opportunities across Ireland.
Key duties and responsibilities
Coordinate regional and national self‑advocacy groups and advisory councils, including planning and facilitating meetings, facilitating accessible recordings in Easy Read formats and following up on decisions
Support adults with Down syndrome to build leadership, decision‑making and peer‑support skills through workshops, mentoring and training programmes using accessible methods such as Easy Read
Integrate self‑advocates' input into DSI's core work by supporting consultations, preparing self‑advocates for presentations at internal meetings, events and policy submissions, and tracking implementation of their recommendations
Collaborate with DSI's Advocacy and Communications teams to centre self‑advocates in campaigns, stakeholder engagement, policy consultations and public awareness activities, including case studies and media opportunities
Develop, support and evaluate self‑advocacy projects and initiatives, including setting objectives, timelines, risk assessments and accessible impact reports
Develop and support community and education initiatives that promote inclusion, participation and independence for people with Down syndrome
Coordinate and facilitate Easy Read focus groups comprising DSI members with Down syndrome
Collaborate with DSI's Compliance team on the prioritisation of DSI documents to be developed into Easy Reads
Deliver training and guidance to DSI staff, volunteers and branches on supporting self‑advocacy, inclusive practice and rights‑based approaches, including toolkit development
Build and maintain partnerships with other disability organisations, community organisations, advisory bodies and policymakers, sharing best practice and creating joint self‑advocacy and community engagement opportunities at local, regional, national, European and international levels
Maintain comprehensive records for the department, contribute to funding applications, strategic planning and annual reports, and analyse data on outcomes to demonstrate impact
Person specification
Essential
Level 8 qualification in a relevant field such as social work, community development, education or disability studies
Proven experience working alongside people with intellectual disabilities in advocacy, facilitation, community development or education roles
Excellent communication skills
Experience supporting self‑advocates
Demonstrated group facilitation skills for inclusive, accessible meetings and activities
Strong organisational abilities to manage a full‑time workload, prioritise tasks and deliver projects on time
Strong administration skills with competence in IT tools (MS Office/365, video platforms) for hybrid work, reporting and virtual facilitation
Desirable
Level 9 qualification in a relevant field such as social work, community development, education or disability studies
Experience with advisory councils, policy consultations or stakeholder engagement in the disability sector
Experience developing Easy Read materials
Knowledge of Irish disability policy, entitlements and independent living supports
Other Requirements
Full clean driving licence and own transport for nationwide travel (travel expenses reimbursed per DSI policy)
Garda vetting clearance required (standard for DSI roles working with vulnerable groups)
Willingness to adhere to DSI's data protection, safeguarding and equality policies and hybrid working in line with DSI policy
About DSI
Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) is the national organisation providing support, services and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families across Ireland. With a National Office and 25 volunteer operational branches nationwide, DSI delivers information, education, therapy, employability and advocacy services, alongside fundraising and community engagement activities vital to our mission.
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