ICOS is Hiring: Policy and Information Officer

Job Title: Policy and Information Officer 

Reporting to: Executive Director

Contract: Fixed-term to 30 June 2028, renewable subject to continued funding and organisational requirements. A six-month probationary period will apply.  

Location: Hybrid (1–2 days per week in-office), 41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4. 
Hybrid working arrangements are subject to operational requirements. The post-holder will be required to attend the office for meetings and to attend relevant events and other activities in person, including outside their usual office days, where necessary.

Hours: Fulltime, 35 hours per week. 

Starting salary: The starting salary for this role is €44,000. 

About ICOS

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) is an independent membership organisation advocating for the rights and interests of international students in Ireland.

ICOS works with international students, educational institutions, government departments and agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote a high-quality international education experience and ensure that the voices and experiences of international students are reflected in policy and practice.

Our work includes policy and advocacy, student information and support, research, communications and campaigns, student engagement, member engagement, and management of the Ireland Fellows Programme on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

About the role 

ICOS is seeking an experienced Policy and Information Officer to join our Communications Team. The role combines directly engaging with and supporting international students with broader member and stakeholder consultation to inform our advocacy work.

You will research and interpret developments affecting international students, respond to student and member enquiries, and produce clear, accurate information for our website, mailings and social media. You will coordinate to policy and advocacy and coordinate our Student Advisory Group and wider student engagement work, ensuring student experience informs our policy and advocacy work.

This role requires practical experience working directly with international students, strong research and editorial skills, and experience publishing and distributing digital communications. You will take ownership of defined areas of work, exercise sound judgement and work closely with colleagues across ICOS. Support to the Ireland Fellows Programme will also form part of this role.

Key Responsibilities 

Information and enquiries

• Respond to enquiries from international students and ICOS members, providing accurate, accessible information, signposting and referrals within the boundaries of ICOS’ role; escalate complex or sensitive issues as appropriate.
• Research, verify and maintain practical information resources on the issues affecting the rights of international students, including: immigration, employment, accommodation, education and student welfare.
• Record and analyse enquiries and member feedback, identifying recurring and emerging issues to inform ICOS’ policy positions, communications and reporting.

Policy and research 

• Monitor relevant policy, legislative and regulatory developments affecting international students and international education in Ireland.
• Research issues and analyse evidence from enquiries, student engagement and other sources to inform ICOS’ policy positions and recommendations.
• Draft policy submissions, consultation responses, briefings and advocacy correspondence, and support engagement with government, public bodies, members and other stakeholders.

Communications and member engagement 

• As part of communications team, contribute to: researching, drafting, editing and proofreading accurate, accessible content for ICOS’ website, member updates, email mailings and social media, translating complex information for different audiences.
• Prepare and coordinate regular member mailings and information updates, supporting engagement and information-sharing with ICOS members.
• Use website content management systems, email marketing or mailing platforms and social media tools to publish and distribute content, keeping information up to date.
• Work with communications colleagues to plan content and campaigns and promote ICOS’ policy work, research, events and resources.
• Support the planning and delivery of ICOS seminars, consultations, workshops, campaigns and other student and stakeholder engagement activities.

International student engagement 

• Coordinate ICOS’ Student Advisory Group, including recruitment, communications, meeting planning, facilitation and follow-up.
• Develop inclusive opportunities for international students to contribute through consultations, focus groups, surveys, events and campaigns. 
• Build relationships with international students and student representatives, ensuring their perspectives inform ICOS’ information, policy and communications work. 
• Provide support to the Ireland Fellows Programme events and activities, including participant support when required. 

ICOS values collaboration, adaptability and shared responsibility across the organisation, and the Policy and Information Officer is expected to contribute flexibly to this way of working. The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may evolve in line with organisational needs, in consultation with the post holder. 

Essential experience and skills

• At least four years’ relevant professional experience in international education, student information or support, policy, communications, advocacy or a closely related and relevant field.
• Strong understanding of the issues affecting international students in Ireland and the Irish international education context.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience interpreting complex policy or regulatory information, verifying its accuracy and identifying wider themes and emerging issues.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with experience producing clear, accessible information for different audiences and meticulous attention to factual accuracy, grammar, spelling and consistency. 
• Experience responding to enquiries and exercising sound judgement when providing information, signposting, referrals and escalation.
• Experience contributing to policy development, research, advocacy or campaigns.
• Practical experience creating and publishing website, email and social media content using content management systems, email marketing or mailing platforms and social media tools.
• Experience coordinating student, community or stakeholder engagement, with strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities and take ownership of defined areas of work with limited supervision, while collaborating within a small team.
• Commitment to international students’ rights and meaningful participation, with a sensitive approach to enquiries and sound judgement about confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Desirable experience and knowledge

• Experience working directly with international students in a student-facing information, support or engagement role.
• Detailed knowledge of immigration and other regulatory issues affecting international students in Ireland.
• Experience preparing policy submissions, briefing papers or consultation responses.
• Experience facilitating consultations, focus groups or other participatory activities.
• Experience analysing enquiry, survey or qualitative data.
• Knowledge or experience of international development or scholarship programmes.

Staff Benefits 

• Access to ICOS’ health insurance scheme after completion of the 6-month probationary period. 
• Access to ICOS’ pension scheme, including 7% employer contributions. 
• Annual leave is 22 days per year. 
• Additional paid time off over the Christmas period and on Good Friday. 
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements. 
• Time off in lieu for required work outside normal working hours, including evening and weekend events, in line with ICOS policy.
• Staff training, development and education opportunities.

How to Apply 

Deadline: Monday 9 November (midnight Irish time)

To Apply: Email CV (2-page max) and tailored cover letter (1 page max) in one PDF document to recruitment@icosirl.ie 

Email Subject Line: ICOS Policy and Information Officer – Application  
Name the PDF file: Your Name – Position Title. 

Interviews: expected to take place in person in the ICOS Offices the week of 16 November. This is subject to change depending on organisational requirements. 

ICOS is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society. We will make reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process.

ICOS is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society. We will make reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process.

Further information 

Irish Council for International Students: Visit the ICOS website. 

Ireland Fellows Programme: Learn more about the Ireland Fellows Programme