Communications Officer

Reporting to: Communications Manager

Department: Corporate Services / Policy and Communications

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Monday – Friday

Place of Work: 11/12 Warrington Place Dublin D02 Dublin

Salary: €35,550 – 48,881 per annum (depending on Skills, Qualification and Experience)

Advert Closing Date: 5pm, 9th May 2024

ABOUT US

Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) is the national organisation representing, promoting, and developing co-operative housing in Ireland. Since our foundation in 1973 we have provided over 8,000 homes through homeownership, shared ownership and social rented co-operatives. CHI currently employs approximately 100 colleagues.

We are committed to sustaining our current development pipeline by adding between 500 – 700 new homes every year. The majority of our homes are wholly owned by the organisation, and we manage over 5.000 homes across Ireland.

We are members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership and participate in numerous forums on housing and social policy. Internationally, we are members of Housing Europe and the International Cooperative Alliance, including its sector groups, Cooperatives Europe and Cooperative Housing International.

CHI is a Tier 3 Approved Housing Body and registered charity and is subject to regulation by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority and the Charities Regulator. CHI is a member of the Housing Alliance.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Communications Officer working with the policy and communications team will drive the communications and marketing strategy of CHI and related tasks. Key to this is supporting the day-to-day external and internal communications and media activities of CHI. Experience of working in PR or media would be an advantage.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Strategic:

Collaborate with colleagues to develop campaigns that are aligned with CHI’s mission, vision, values and strategy.

Content Creation:

Curate and produce engaging content that showcases CHI’s work. This involves collaborating with colleagues across the organisation to craft stories that inspire and connect with our various audiences and channels both internally and externally, including, but is not limited to newsletters, website, social media posts, video, infographics and collecting information and imagery for reports.

Digital Management:

• Manage and monitor social media channels, including LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Plan and manage how CHI will maintain and drive its social media presence.
• Drive engagement through online marketing, campaigns and communications.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness, reach, and engagement of our content turning data into actionable insights.

Event Management:

• Manage the logistics for a number of events and housing development launches during the year.
• Plan and manage the logistics and promotions for CHI’s events, both physical and virtual.
• Assist with goal setting and creative thinking.
• Support and manage stakeholders in advance of and post events.
• Involved in both leading and assisting with PR for events, including media outreach, sourcing appropriate interviewees and managing media on the day.

Media / Public Relations:

• Monitor media, and current affairs developments, identifying opportunities for CHI to be part of relevant ‘conversations’.
• Enhance CHI’s reach through building relationships with the media and other stakeholders to communicate the impact of CHI’s work.
• Develop engaging and informative press releases and speeches collaborating with key stakeholders to manage the approval process of same.
• Craft tailored pitches for journalists.

Integrated communications:

• Provide communication support to various departments across the organisation in support of organisational objectives.
• As part of the communications team and working with the HR team, implement CHI’s internal communications plan and support information dissemination on staff engagement activities.

Brand Awareness:

• Ensure the fidelity of CHI’s brand, ensuring its consistent and appropriate application across all communications.
• Maintain a high-quality, award-winning standard of communications.

Other:

• Managing award applications.
• Keep informed about media strategies and good practice in Communications.
• Keep abreast of current affairs in Housing Policy and Practice.
• Any other duties which are consistent with your role.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

Experience:

• Proven experience (2+ years) in a communications role, preferably in a relevant sector.
• Experience in PR and/or media an advantage.
• Demonstrated success in implementing communications strategies.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, including the execution of stakeholder engagement plans.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to execute integrated communications strategies.
• Proficiency in digital marketing, social media management, and website content management.
• Analytical skills for measuring and reporting on the effectiveness of communications strategies.

Education:

• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Relevant certifications or professional development in communications, or related areas.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of integrity and commitment to ethical standards.
• Creative and innovative mindset with the ability to drive brand awareness.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong team player with effective leadership and collaboration skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

Salary: CHI operates a competitive salary depending on experience. The performance-based salary model also allows for significant yearly salary increases on a set salary range through performance.

Annual Leave: Annual leave will be 22 days (exclusive of 10 public holidays), plus 3 Privilege Days. Additional Annual Leave can be accrued as paid time off in lieu of overtime (TOIL).

Education & Training Opportunities: Continuous Professional Development, Training and Further Education courses are paid for at CHI’s discretion where relevant.

Paid Study & Exam Leave: CHI encourages further education and development of staff and provides paid study and exam leave at their discretion.

Paid Sick Leave: CHI operates a paid sick leave scheme for employees after 3 months on an incremental scale based on length of service. CHI also operates an Income Continuance Scheme for eligible employees on long-term sick leave.

E-Working Allowance: An electronic working allowance is payable to employees daily for remote working.

Professional Memberships: Fees for relevant membership bodies paid for at CHI’s discretion.

Travel & Subsistence: Travel and subsistence allowances will be paid similar to public sector rates, in accordance with CHI’s Expenses Policy.

Pension: Co-operative Housing Ireland offers a defined contribution pension plan. Employees have access to the scheme on successful completion of their six-month probationary period.

SELECTION PROCESS

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 9th May 2024.

Please note that interviews for this position may take place anytime from the launch date to closing date until a successful candidate is found.

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants should submit a CV and Cover Letter via this link or by following the link on the website on https://www.cooperativehousing.ie/careers

Co-operative Housing Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

All documentation received by Co-operative Housing Ireland will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts & General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; 2018).