Vacancy: Communications and Alumni Officer

Communications and Alumni Officer

Starting Salary: €40,000

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Reporting To: Policy and Communications Manager

Term: 2 years, renewable subject to funding

Base: The role will be based at our office at 41 Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, with flexibility offered for remote working. Attendance at the office will be required for 2 days each week.

Application Deadline: Sunday 22 October, with interviews of shortlisted candidates anticipated on the week of 6 November.

Please send Cover Letter and CV in one PDF document to Ms. Laura Harmon, Executive Director: lharmon@icosirl.ie with ‘Communications and Alumni Officer Application’ in the subject line.

You must have the right to work full-time in Ireland. Applications made from recruitment  websites will not be accepted.

Staff Benefits

• Access to ICOS’ health insurance scheme is available after completion of a 6-month probationary period.
• Access to ICOS’ pension scheme, including 7% pension contributions, is available after the completion of the 6-month probationary period.
• 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 in lieu for overtime worked.
• Educational assistance programmes (including paid study/exam leave and support towards the cost of fees).
• A death in service benefit.
• Staff training and development opportunities.

About ICOS

ICOS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation advocating for the rights of international students in Ireland, and promoting good policy and high standards for international education in Irish higher education. ICOS also administers the Ireland Fellows Programme on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs (the “Programme”).

About the Role

ICOS is seeking a new Communications and Alumni Officer who will form a part of ICOS’ Programme Team, providing support in ICOS’ delivery of its commitments to the Ireland Fellows Programme. This is a professional and dedicated team supporting students from participating countries at master’s level who have been awarded fellowships due to their academic excellence, future leadership potential and their dedication to advancing Sustainable Development Goals in their home countries. The successful candidate will also contribute towards ICOS’ broader communications activities.

Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

• Managing communications outputs to Fellows in Ireland and applicants to the Ireland Fellows Programme – writing, editing, and issuing email campaigns and messages.
• Collaborating with management to develop and implement an effective communications strategy for the Ireland Fellows Programme.
• Create content for social media that will raise the profile of the Ireland Fellows Programme.
• Create video content to promote the Ireland Fellows Programme using interviews and case studies.
• Assist with developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating initiatives to promote the Ireland Fellows Programme and enhance alumni relations.
• Contributing towards the planning and delivery of the 50th anniversary of the Ireland Fellows Programme in 2024.
• Maintaining the Ireland Fellows Programme website and assisting with website projects.
• Contributing to ICOS’ overall communications activities.
• Acting as a contact person for an assigned group of Ireland Fellows, including responding to queries, holding drop-in sessions, and maintaining accurate records of queries on the fellowship database.
• Conduct research and drafting reports on Alumni.

The Communications and Alumni Officer will also be expected to actively contribute to the broader work and strategic objectives of ICOS, and on occasion provide administrative support for other activities as identified by management.

Person Specification

The following are essential criteria for the post:

• A third-level qualification in a relevant area.
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ relevant work experience in communications.
• Strong organisation and time management skills, with experience managing multiple tasks and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines.
• Experience using Mailchimp, and Canva, as well as photo and video editing programmes such as Adobe.
• Experience using website content management systems.
• Experience providing input into a communications strategy.
• Previous programme or project management experience.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team working skills, as well as ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Strong analytical skills and resourceful approach to problem solving.
• Commitment to social justice, human rights and anti-racism.

The following are desirable criteria for this post:

• Previous work experience with an alumni programme and/or in a membership organisation.
• Work experience in the community/voluntary sector and/or the higher education sector.
• Experience with digital communications strategies.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge/experience of international development work, Ireland’s international development policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.