Pieta is a not-for-profit organisation based in Ireland providing care to those impacted by suicidal ideation and self-harm and those bereaved by suicide. The charity provides a comprehensive range of prevention, intervention and postvention services through its network of centres across the country, remotely via phone and video and its 24/7 helpline. In addition, Pieta provides a suicide-bereavement liaison service. Services are made possible through the generosity of donors, the HSE and well-supported fundraising activities.
Clinical therapists provide essential services nationwide. In support of the services delivered to our clients, Pieta has a number of support functions – finance, human resources, fundraising, operations, marketing, research and development – all under the direction of the CEO.
Advocacy and Public Engagement Team
National Health and Mental Health policy clearly articulate a transition towards a more cohesive mental health system in which the Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) works in much stronger collaboration with statutory and non-statutory services. This will help to secure more rapid and effective clinical pathways, appropriate and tiered response to people’s distress, positive intra-agency collaboration and referrals, good value-for-money, and the best outcomes for people that use mental health services. Effective collaboration and integration of CVS services will also support greater sustainability for the sector, where providers can access more stable multi-annual resources to underpin evidenced and effective outcomes-based services.
As a national organisation providing life-saving services, Pieta is eager to ensure we are there for our clients in the long-term, building sustainable supports that provide the best possible outcomes for those who need them. The Advocacy and Public Engagement Team plays a key role in providing policy insights, identifying and developing opportunities for collaboration, and engaging actively with national and local health services/policy fora to ensure Pieta is an active participant in driving progressive reform of the mental health system.
As Advocacy & Public Engagement Officer, the successful candidate will support the Advocacy & Public Engagement team, which works across the organisation to deliver on an ambitious programme of work.
Responsibilities:
- Identify and develop opportunities for partnership and collaboration between Pieta and relevant local and national statutory and non-statutory services.
- Establish and manage important working relationships with key national and local organisations and networks to develop and embed joint work programmes.
- Engage with relevant policy fora and build a strong understanding of how national health and mental health policy is developed.
- Research and draft policy documents to provide context and key insights for clinical services and the broader organisation.
- Support national and local political engagement the development of more progressive mental health system in Ireland
- Provide policy and advocacy support and guidance on projects across the wider organisation to maximise their effectiveness
- Generate reports, information materials, proposals, and presentations to support the needs of the organisation.
- Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to plan, implement, report on, and activate recommendations from research and evaluation projects.
- Support programme and project delivery in line with deliverables, timelines and budgets
- Provide regular updates to the Advocacy and Public Engagement Manager and other key stakeholders on the progress of work to ensure schedules and deadlines are being met
Skills & Experience:
- Relevant degree or qualification in social science, health/mental health and/or counselling and psychotherapy, or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 3-5 years’ relevant experience ideally in mental health, social policy, or policy and advocacy related work
- Knowledge and understanding of the mental health system and mental health service delivery, including relevant policy, legislation, best practice, and trends
- Demonstrated ability to analyze policy, synthesise effective materials, and make recommendations.
- Advanced IT skills and working knowledge of MS Office and reporting
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including in a remote working context
- Strong communication skills with the ability to develop relationships internally and with external stakeholders (Health service managers, third level institutions, government bodies, etc.)
- Demonstrated experience developing efficient work plans for complex projects involving many groups, and effectively implementing and delivering on these plans
Applications for the above should be made through our website https://www.pieta.ie/careers/or via email, attaching a cover letter (outlining your particular suitability to the role) with an updated Curriculum Vitae to recruitment@pieta.ie by 20th January 2022.
PIETA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER