Alcohol Action Ireland and Mental Health Ireland are recruiting a Policy Research Officer to work in the area of policy development on issues around alcohol harm and mental health.
Background
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) advocates for the prevention of alcohol-related harm and protection from the effects of that harm to individuals, families and communities. Like the World Health Organisation, Alcohol Action Ireland recognises that while drinking is a matter of personal responsibility, it has the potential to cause significant harm to the health, wellbeing and lives of others as well as to the person drinking. It promotes evidence-based public health policy solutions including alcohol price controls, restrictions on advertising and marketing aimed at children, early intervention, prevention and protection strategies. The organisation has a particular focus on the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018.
Mental Health Ireland (MHI) is a national voluntary organisation with a network of Mental Health Associations (MHAs) active throughout the country. Mental Health Ireland aims to promote positive mental health through education, training and awareness raising and to support persons who experience mental health difficulties, their families and significant others through the activities of Mental Health Associations’ and national advocacy.
There is considerable overlap between alcohol harm and issues around mental health. In Ireland, where alcohol consumption levels are high and binge drinking is commonplace, alcohol is a factor in more than half of all completed suicides and over one third of cases of deliberate self-harm. Children growing up in homes where there is parental misuse of alcohol may experience trauma which can have significant impact on their adult lives. Alcohol Action Ireland believes it is probably that 400,000 people in Ireland are adult children from alcohol impacted families.
AAI and MHI wish to extend and develop their work in influencing policy, its formation and public understanding on issues around alcohol harm and mental health are seeking a Policy Research Officer to work in this area.
The post is jointly funded by Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) and Mental Health Ireland (MHI).
The postholder would be a member of staff of AAI and based at the AAI offices in Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7 and would report to the CEO of AAI.
MHI would have planned access to postholder’s time & expertise as it relates to Mental Health & Alcohol. This would equate to 7-14 hours per week.
This Policy Research Officer position is a full-time, fixed term contract for two-years, with the potential to extend. The position is based on a 5-day week (37 hours), exclusive of lunch hours. The salary for the post is aligned with Grade VI HSE.
Main purpose of the job:
- To research and develop position papers on issues around alcohol harm. This would include areas such as Adverse Childhood Experience, impact of parental alcohol misuse, addiction arising from childhood experience, economic impact of alcohol harm, alcohol in sports marketing and there would be a particular interest in the impact of public alcohol policy on mental health, social health and global health.
- Produce short briefing notes on issues researched.
- Preparation of public consultation responses, pre-budget submissions, responses to legislative changes, fashion legislative proposals.
- Gather and compile data from published and accredited sources.
- Provide updates & content relating to Alcohol for MHI Training, Website/ Social media.
- Collaborate with MHI staff in Mental Health Promotion / Communications / Training to test the quality and currency of evidence for our messages as they relate to Alcohol
- Contribute to campaigning priorities and develop the evidence for campaigns.
- Working with the AAI Communications Director to distil research and policy analysis into campaign messages.
- Foster and enhance relationships with other policy organisations in Ireland, UK, Europe and international in identifying possible areas of collaboration and co-production.
Position in the Organisation:
Reports directly to the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.
Qualifications
Degree level qualification required with a preference for social policy.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
- Essential: Previous experience of working in a policy role with the capacity to gain in-depth knowledge of particular policy areas and at the same time can quickly turn around relevant facts and data for press releases, media inquiries and web site
- Essential: Strong knowledge of alcohol/public health issues and public policy awareness
- Desirable: Good knowledge of legislative process nationally, internationally and supranational strategic goals
- Desirable: relevant lived experience
Personal Attributes
- A self-starter – ability to work on own initiative and consult where appropriate
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities
- Works well in a participative team environment
Conditions
This Policy Research Officer position is a full-time, fixed term contract for two-years, with the potential to extend.
The position is based on a 5-day week (37 hours), exclusive of lunch hours.
MHI would have planned access to postholder’s time & expertise as it relates to Mental Health & Alcohol. This would equate to 7-14 hours per week.
The post-holder would be based at Alcohol Action Ireland’s offices at Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7.
The role may require out of office hours occasionally to attend events.
The salary for the post is aligned with Grade VI HSE.
Application Process
Please email Curriculum Vitae and cover letter outlining your suitability for this position to:
recruitment@mentalhealthireland.ie
Applications should be received by 5pm on 14th June 2019
Interviews will be held week commencing 24th June 2019
Mental Health Ireland will acknowledge receipt of all applications.
