Policy Co-ordinator – Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights (12 month post)

Salary €49,700

The Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights (ICBHR) is a coalition of civil society organisations and academic experts working collaboratively to advocate for greater corporate accountability, based on respect for human rights and the environment. We want to shift the power imbalance between communities around the world and large corporations. The key purpose of the coalition is to collaborate and advocate strategically to achieve:

• Improved corporate accountability policy and regulation in Ireland, in particular through effective human rights and environmental ‘due diligence’ legislation
• Ireland’s support for the development of a UN binding treaty on business and human rights

Members of the ICBHR include: Action Aid Ireland, Christian Aid Ireland, Comhlámh, DCU Business School, Fairtrade Ireland, Friends of the Earth Ireland, Front Line Defenders, Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), Latin American Solidarity Centre (LASC), National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), Oxfam Ireland, Proudly Made in Africa, Trinity College Centre for Social Innovation, Trócaire, UCD Centre for Business and Society, and Dr. Rachel Widdis, TCD School of Law. Observer Members include ESCR-Net, TerraJusta, AFEJN, Save Our Sperrins and Shift Project. The ICBHR is also a representative national member of the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ), a network of organisations working across Europe on issues of business and human rights.

Christian Aid Ireland is an international aid and development organisation. We work to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We campaign against the inequalities and structures that keep people poor and we work with local organisations to help people build their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion. As part of our commitment to tackling economic injustice and abuses of corporate power, we are a founding member of the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights (ICBHR). As current ICBHR Chair we are responsible for hiring the new Policy Coordinator, who will be housed within CAI but will work for the coalition as a whole. If you are as determined as we are to end poverty and injustice across the world, come and work with us to make change happen.

About the role (more information in role profile)

The core purpose of this role is to coordinate the policy, advocacy and political engagement work of the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights (IBCHR). You will work with and seek to mobilise members of the ICBHR on issues of corporate justice and in support of the rights of communities and human rights defenders facing corporate harm.

You will help to draft research and policy papers, engage with media, and working alongside the Membership represent the ICBHR towards key political targets – in particular in the context of the upcoming Irish general election and formation of the next Government. A key focus will be working to ensure that the recently passed EU ‘Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive’ (CSDDD) is effectively transposed into Irish law. In addition, you will undertake administrative and secretariat duties of the ICBHR.

This role will be hired and managed within Christian Aid Ireland (CAI), on behalf of the ICBHR. You will report directly to the Head of Policy & Advocacy in CAI, but will work with all members of the Coalition to advance our shared goals and projects.

This role is partly funded with the support of a grant from our European network, the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ), and from ICBHR Members directly. This contract is for an initial set period of 1 year, but with the intention of extending it if future funding can be secured.

About you

Essential

• Relevant third level degree, in human rights, international development, political science, law or similar, or relevant experience in lieu of academic qualification.
• A proven track record and understanding of political advocacy, public campaigning and policy change on issues of human rights and social justice.
• Understanding of the Irish political system and policymaking processes
• Experience in networks or coalitions, building relationships and working collaboratively with diverse groups of partners and stakeholders
• Proven research and analytical skills, such as writing policy reports or research papers
• Written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex issues simply and clearly
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with an ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work effectively
• An ability to maintain a positive attitude and work with others, in an environment where results can be difficult to achieve and quantify

Desirable:

• Knowledge of business and human rights, corporate justice, and policy developments in these areas
• Experience of delivering impact in advocacy, campaigning or communications in an NGO, public policy position or similar environment
• Experience within national government or multilateral institutions e.g. Houses of the Oireachtas, EU institutions, United Nations
• Experience of engagement with media to convey and influence policy positions