Senior Policy and Research Officer

Location: Hybrid / Dublin, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Voluntary/Charity General
Annual Salary range:from € 38,402.00 to € 47,759.00

Respond is one of the largest housing associations in Ireland, providing social housing and homeless services. Our vision is that 'every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community'. We are growing rapidly in response to the housing crisis and are now looking for the right person who has the passion and skills to help us realise our vision.

Respond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce. If you do not "tick every box" there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion.

Role: Senior Policy and Research Officer

Reporting to: Strategy & Policy Lead

Job Purpose: The Senior Policy and Research Officer will support evidence-informed policy development and advocacy, improvements in practice and implementation, and wider systems change, helping to shape public policy and improve outcomes and quality of life for tenants and service users .

As a key member of the Strategy and Public Affairs Department, the successful candidate will contribute to policy development, purposeful research and the development and implementation of key organisational strategy/ies. The role offers the opportunity to engage with some of the most pressing social policy challenges in Ireland helping to shape solutions by influencing public policy, improving practice and achieving better outcome for tenants, service users and communities. The postholder will work closely with the Strategy and Policy Lead, the Director of Strategy and Public Affairs and other senior staff, collaborating across departments as required.

Responsibilities:

Policy Development and Public Affairs

• Informing policy positions through research, literature reviews and data analysis.
• Producing high-quality papers, reports, policy analysis and briefings, presentations and submissions (including Pre Budget Submissions) for internal audiences, supporting spokespersons and informing communications outputs, and external audiences to promote positive policy change for tenants, service users and communities.
• Providing timely accessible briefings, policy and strategy support to the Director of Strategy and Public Affairs and wider executive and leadership teams, as required, under the Strategy and Policy Lead's oversight.
• Representing the organisation at meetings, events and public fora, as required.
• Engaging with external stakeholders and the NGO sector to support evidence-informed advocacy for positive policy change for tenants, service users and communities, while developing policy and advocacy awareness across Respond's housing and services activities.
• Monitoring economic and social trends, legislative and policy changes and implications for tenants, service users and the organisation, particularly in housing, homelessness and community support.

Research and implementation

• Supporting the implementation of the organisation's Research Strategy.
• Supporting the commissioning, management, administration and delivery of purposeful research projects and related research activities and production of reports.
• Collating research data and undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis, using data to generate clear insights and practical recommendations that inform policy, strategy and improvements in practice.
• Supporting the development of research implementation and dissemination plans.

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Supporting strategic planning, development and implementation to help ensure the organisation remains aligned to its vision, mission, values and goals.

Programmes for Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives

• Working with stakeholders across the organisation to foster continuous improvement, learning and innovationby supporting programmes and initiatives, such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG ) and Global Brain Health Institute .
• Supporting staff, tenant and service user involvement in policy and strategy development through participatory and/or engaged research methods . Ensuring their views inform the work and communicating how their contributions have been used.

Administrative support and governance

• Provide administrative support for coordinating organisation of meetings, workshops and briefing sessions including relevant Research Advisory Groups, Board sub-committee/s and policy and research briefings and implementation group meetings.

General

• Adopt an evidence informed approach for continuous learning and development.
• To positively promote Respond in all activities.

Education:

Bachelors level degree level in a relevant discipline (e.g. social policy/public policy/housing/economics/law) or equivalent.

Core requirements

• Either two years' experience in policy and/or research in housing, homelessness, children's services or other relevant policy area or, two years' frontline service delivery experience in housing, homelessness, children's services or other relevant area, with demonstrable experience of writing policy submissions, policy or research briefings or reports or other related documents.
• Understanding of Irish social and housing policy, including current issues regarding homelessness, early learning and childcare, knowledge of the public policy process, and insights into key social research and policy initiatives.
• Experience of undertaking quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis, with the ability to translate findings into clear insights and evidence-informed recommendations, and communicate these effectively through reports, presentations and briefings.
• Experience of contributing to evidence-informed policy positions.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policy and regulation and explain their implications through clear written briefings and summaries.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills, with the ability to present policy positions and build effective partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse complex information from varied sources, work accurately under pressure and respond quickly to policy changes.
• Experience of using Excel, Qualtrics, Power BI or equivalent tools for research and data analysis.
• Experience of working in Approved Housing Bodies or other housing organisations.
• Knowledge of economic policy relevant to housing, childcare and other social services.
• Understanding of AHB regulation.
• Experience of supporting the commissioning, management and administration of research projects.
• Understanding of strategy development and implementation.
• Knowledge of social policy issues across Europe.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 27th November 2026.