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Role: General Secretary – Full-time
Salary: circa €75,000
Location: Party Head Office, Dublin


The Organisation 

The Social Democrats is a relatively new party, unhindered by the past and the old style of politics. We already have six TDs and 20 councillors, and have active branches and members across the entire country. 

We in the Social Democrats are ambitious for Ireland’s future. 

We want Ireland to be a republic in which every person has opportunity and dignity. 

The Role 

The General Secretary’s role comprises the management and control of the Party’s Head Office, the Party’s organisational and administrative affairs, and the development of the Party, branches and membership. 

The General Secretary is responsible for maintaining oversight of, and ensuring regulatory compliance and good governance across, all organisational and administrative activities. The General Secretary reports to the Party’s National Executive in respect of all operational matters and to the Party Leader(s) in respect of political matters. 

Key Terms and Conditions 

Given the nature and scope of the role, the workload requires a high degree of flexibility in the hours and times of work. 

The position is based in the Party’s Head Office in Dublin. 

The contract is for a specified purpose and is linked to the current Dáil term. The salary will be circa €75,000. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Developing and maintaining an efficient and effective Head Office that strongly supports the achievement of the Party’s strategic objectives. 
  • Managing the implementation and oversight of all measures required to maintain statutory and regulatory compliance, good governance and best practice across all Party activities and engagements. 
  • Ensuring there is close alignment between the activities of Head Office, theNational Executive, elected representatives, and Party branches. 
  • Managing the Senior Executive team to ensure organisational development, policy development, excellent communications, and effective administration. 
  • Adopting and implementing systems and procedures to ensure that the financial affairs of the Party are properly managed and controlled. 
  • Managing the human resource function of the Party secretariat. 
  • Planning and overseeing key Party events, including regional and national conferences. • Supporting the development of the Party branches and membership. 

Essential Requirements

Demonstrable experience in: 

  • Managing a business or organisation, 
  • The implementation and oversight of systems and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance and good governance in a relevant organisation, 
  • Working in a political party, in politics, and/or in public affairs, 
  • Engaging and working collaboratively with, and providing secretariat support to, internal boards, committees, and other key internal and external stakeholders, 
  • Experience of strategy development and implementation, 
  • HR management in a complex environment, 
  • Financial management of a large budget, 
  • Event/project/campaign management, 
  • Risk management, 
  • Successful grant applications and fundraising, 
  • Planning and implementing change management. 

Essential qualifications, skills and knowledge 

  • An honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent in business, management, law or accountancy, with a minimum of seven (7) years relevant work experience • Excellent verbal, public speaking and written communication skills in the English language, including demonstrable experience in the preparation, analysis and presentation of reports and sensitive information of a high standard to different audiences 
  • Strong demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Irish legal and political system, the workings of political parties and the Irish electoral system 
  • Strong strategic thinking and critical judgment skills 
  • Able to provide clear, comprehensive and reliable advice in respect of complex problems, regulatory compliance and dispute management 
  • Evidence of excellent group facilitation, training, networking and engagement skills 

Personal Attributes 

  • Proven commitment to the principles of social democracy 
  • A track record of integrity and reliability 
  • Takes responsibility and is accountable for delivery of agreed objectives/projects • Considers the wider implications, agendas and sensitivities within decisions and their potential impacts on a diverse range of stakeholders 
  • Understands and applies empathic leadership skills and emotional intelligence • Is self-motivated and shows a desire to continuously perform at a high level. 

Application Details: 

  • Submit an up-to-date CV with a cover letter to: recruitment@socialdemocrats.ie • Closing date: Monday, 21st March, 2022 at 5 p.m. 
  • Canvassing will disqualify. 
  • The Social Democrats is an equal opportunities employer. 
  • Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Ireland at the time of application.

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