Join Our Team

Role Description - Overview of the Job

The Advocacy Administrator works closely with the Advocacy Manager and oversees theadministration of the Deaf advocacy service.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To prepare report about Advocacy activities and achievement including working with the team to coordinate gathering and analysis of information about services and projects, including proof reading of the monthly management reports.
• To work with the Research & Policy Officer and Advocacy team to support the preparation of policy submissions
• To market, manage and develop Deaf Awareness Training provided to corporate and state clients. Creating and providing course materials for Deaf Awareness Training, as well as giving presentations and seminars to other organisations to raise awareness of Deaf people.
• Work with the manager to review and develop administrative systems and procedures and to support communication with the Advocacy team as required by the manager.
• Work with the team to research, propose and support on applications for grants and funding schemes applicate to the advocacy service
• Review and answer correspondence, relating to the advocacy service through various channels
• To provide advocacy on Deaf-related issues to the individuals and groups
• Support the Advocacy team managing admin tasks including phone bookings related to engagement with the Peer Advocate Network and IDS National Council of Deaf organisations as needed.
• Support with community events (e.g. ISL Week)
• To work with the manager to monitor quality performance of a program or project.
• Manage advocacy client queries
• Perform other duties consistent with this role, as required.

Key Competencies
Essential:

• Fluency in Irish Sign Language.
• Be highly organised, accurate and with strong attention to detail.
• Have experience managing relationships with external organisations and stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Be IT proficient with strong skills in Office Productivity Tools (e.g., MS Office) and collaboration and training tools such as MS Teams / Zoom and similar modern office solutions.
• Be able to work to deadlines and measurable objectives.
• Have a proven ability to work under their own initiative, and as part of a team.

Qualifications

Bachelor in Deaf Studies, Trinity College - Deaf Studies or equivalent
Community development or social service qualifications an advantage Experience

Essential experience:

Relevant experience in comparable position.

Desirable experience:

Experience in the Deaf community an advantage.
Experience in the Community and Voluntary sector.

Submitting your Cover letter and CV

Please send a cover letter (save as either MS Word or PDF documents) explaining why you are suitable for the role with your CV by email to jobs@irishdeafsociety.ie by the end of the day on Friday 3 rd October by 5pm, please make sure to add “Advocacy Administrator” in the subject field of your email.

Interviews will be on Tuesday 14th October. If you are unable to attend for interview on this date, please state so clearly in your email so that we can organise an alternative date.
**If you are unable to attend for interview on this date, please state so clearly in your email.

You can find out more about the Irish Deaf Society on our website , Facebook, X and Instagram.

About the Irish Deaf Society

The Irish Deaf Society (IDS) is a Deaf-led national representative organisation for Deaf people in Ireland whose first or preferred language is Irish Sign Language (ISL). Our mission is to achieve equality and rights for Deaf people in Ireland. The ambition of full access to citizenship and society is sought by the empowerment and mobilisation of the Deaf community. See more information about IDS and our mission in our Strategic Plan 2023- 2026 https://www.irishdeafsociety.ie/publications/strategy/

Role Summary

This is an ideal opportunity for an individual whose ambition is to work in the not-for-profit sector, by enabling the delivery of essential projects through events and community fundraising.

Community and Fundraising Events

• In collaboration with the Marketing and Fundraising Manager, support on the delivery of an annual calendar of supporter-led and client-led events and campaigns, providing project management, logistical and administrative support.
• Proactively manage and develop our community fundraising program with the support of the Marketing and Fundraising Manager, acting as the lead contact, and providing consistent, warm support and donor care for our community fundraisers.
• Guide, support, and develop relationships with fundraisers and supporters, demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of the supporter journey to deepen relationships and increase repeat support.
• Lead on the management of all fundraisers through digital platforms, developing excellent donor communications and providing support to ensure fundraising and relationship success.
• Be the first port of call for all fundraising enquiries, ensuring all fundraisers are responded to efficiently and with excellent donor care.
• Support the Marketing and Fundraising Manager to develop a range of plans that enable our organisation to achieve income targets through community fundraising activities and events.
• Identify opportunities to design, test and implement new events and campaigns
• Navigate CRM systems, using the fundraising database to record and track all supporter information, extracting and segmenting data as needed to identify trends, improve donor communications, and guide decision-making.

Fundraising Team Support

• Become fully competent at all aspects of donation processing, including postal, phone, website and online giving platforms such as JustGiving, Facebook etc.
• Contribute and collaborate with the fundraising team on the development and planning of all fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with all internal teams, departments, and external agencies as appropriate to build and develop relationships.
• Provide support to other fundraising team members and the wider team where needed.
• As our fundraising team is evolving, and this is a new role, flexibility will be required as the role develops.

Person Profile

We are searching for an energetic and motivated individual to join our team. A background in Event Management, Hospitality, Sports, Charity, Corporate, PR, and Marketing would be important.

The successful candidate will inspire, empower and support community fundraisers to achieve their best fundraising results for our organisation, by nurturing long term relationships with new and existing community and event fundraisers to increase revenue, reduce supporter attrition, and grow supporter loyalty. They will proactively look for opportunities to maximise fundraising activity and income and raise the profile of our organisation.

Criteria

• Respect for Deaf culture and a willingness to learn / interest in Irish Sign Language. 
• Third level qualification in a relevant discipline - marketing /communications /business /events management  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  
• Full Clean Drivers Licence and flexibility to travel 
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise time and resources and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic working environment.  
• Excellent digital media and social media marketing skills and proven record of managing online campaigns 
• Background in Marketing or events management  
• Excellent administration and IT skills, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.  
• Exceptional and engaging written and oral communication skills.  
• Flexible, resilient, and emotionally agile, with a high level of self-awareness.  
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to our ethos and values: Empathy, Confidentiality, Support and Empowerment.  
• Strong empathy with and for our community of customers, volunteers and supporters. 
• Willing and able to work outside of normal hours to support fundraising activities as necessary 

Submitting your Cover letter and CV  

Please send a cover letter (save as either MS Word or PDF documents) explaining why you are suitable for the role with your cv by email to jobs@irishdeafsociety.ie by 5pm Friday, 26th September 2025. Please make sure to add “Events and Community Fundraising Executive” in the subject field of your email. 

Interviews will be on Thursday, 2nd October and Wednesday, 8th October if you are unable to attend for interview on these dates, please state this clearly in your email so that we can organise an alternative date. 

You can find out more about the Irish Deaf Society at www.deaf.ie