About the Role
We are recruiting for a Senior Policy Officer to develop and deliver of policy that best represent our 11,000 members. The policy that will be developed will not be restricted to agricultural policy, we will also be developing social policy as it pertains to rural youth in Ireland.
The successful candidate for this role will be required to support our volunteers who have been to the forefront of policy development over the last few years. This role will, in addition to developing policy require a degree of advocacy and the ability to interact with disparate groups in the representation of our members and their needs.
This role will require attendance out of normal business hours as well as an ability to travel outside of normal business hours.

Job Description and Person Specification
The successful candidate will be required:
Job Description
Ongoing needs analysis for both rural Ireland and the agricultural industry to best position Macra na Feirme as a thought leader in our area.
Maintain and develop strong ties with outside bodies both representative and state bodies that represent the needs of our rural population
Develop links with academic institutions to encourage the joint development of policy
Work closely with the standing committees of Macra na Feirme and in particular the president of Macra na Feirme
Develop policies that best reflect the reality of living in rural Ireland

Person Specification
The ideal candidate will:
Be an excellent and confident communicator
Be highly motivated self-starter with at least ten years policy experience, with at least three of these at a senior level.
Be in possession of a considerable body of policy that they were responsible for developing
Have experience of academic partnership
Be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the issues that face both rural youth and young farmers
Have excellent leadership, time management and communication skills
Understand and exude the value of teamwork, with the ability to work well on one’s one initiative as part of a small dynamic team
Highly creative and innovative

Essential Qualifications
Extensive Knowledge and experience in the Agriculture Sector
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an Agri related discipline, ideally a Masters degree in an Agri related discipline.
A passion for farming and rural life
Knowledge of the range of roles and skills required within the Agricultural industry.
An understanding of the various stakeholders within the Agricultural sector.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
An excellent team worker with a strong sense of autonomy and the ability to work on own initiative.
A forward thinker, ideas generator and solution driven.
A demonstrated commitment to equality and diversity issues.
The capability to interface confidently with the all stakeholders is a key element of the role.
An ability to prioritise tasks and projects and learn in a dynamic environment.
Ability to handle confidential matters with utmost integrity
Excellent people management and relationship management skills
Experience of working with senior management and at board level
Experience of working with senior management of state bodies
Full clean driving license
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Location: Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12 (hybrid model of working).
Salary: Subject to experience.
Contract: Permanent subject to the successful completion of six months probation
Annual Leave: 25 working days exclusive of public holidays (pro-rata).
Travel & Subsistence: Travel & subsistence will be paid at public sector rates.
Training & Development: Macra na Feirme provides regular opportunities for training, development and upskilling
Employee Assistance: Macra na Feirme operate an Employee Assistance Programme for all employees.
The Selection Process

How to Apply
Applications must be made sending a comprehensive CV and cover-letter by email to mcurran@macra.ie on or before 19 Aug 2022
Selection Process
The Selection Process may include:
shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their application which demonstrates whether they meet the requirements for the role;
video interview;
competitive interview(s) which will be informed by requirements of the role.