Posted 08 July, 2026
Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Advisor
Trócaire
Maynooth, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 1755542854
About Trócaire
Trócaire is an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO). We work with local partners in the world's most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create.
Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
We work towards five goals:
• Promote Access to Justice;
• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;
• Ensure Women & Girls' Protection, Voice & Influence;
• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and
• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.
Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.
Millions of people face extreme challenges every day because of conflict, climate change, displacement and growing inequalities. As Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor for Trócaire, you can work to change this. You will advocate for a more equitable humanitarian system that prioritises local actors and for quality funding in humanitarian contexts and for sustainable development and human rights. You will work with partner agencies in humanitarian contexts to advocate for the protection of women and girls in emergencies, for adequate responses to and prevention of GBV, and for strong accountability mechanisms. You will also advocate for the protection of international humanitarian law in fragile and conflict affected states.
The initial focus areas for this role will be on advocacy relating to meeting commitments to localisation within the "Humanitarian Reset", advocacy on quality financing for development, and advocacy for the protection of women and girls in emergencies.
You will analyse the issues, devise clear strategies and policy solutions and work in civil society networks for effective change. You will engage with media and lobby decision-makers in Ireland, within the EU and at the UN.
The role will report to the Head of Policy and Advocacy and will work closely with the humanitarian team. The role is based in Maynooth, Ireland.
Role Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
Develop and implement effective advocacy for bringing about change on humanitarian advocacy priorities.
• In collaboration with other relevant staff members, develop and implement a humanitarian advocacy strategy, in line with Trócaire's best practice approach to advocacy, including a strong gender analysis.
• Ensure advocacy and policy is informed by the experience in country programmes and supports the organisational ambition around partnership and localisation.
• Engage in consistent advocacy with relevant duty bearers at the UN, EU and in the Irish political system as appropriate.
Policy development
• Develop high quality policy and advocacy materials, including position papers, briefing papers, research and advocacy reports.
• Develop and maintain an excellent working knowledge of current and emerging policy trends to underpin Trócaire's humanitarian work (including through maintaining strong links with Trócaire's localisation hub).
Work with country offices
• Provide support to staff in country offices and partners on humanitarian policy and strategic advocacy.
• Elevate the humanitarian issues and trends from country teams to influence policy change.
• Engage and work closely with country teams to ensure Trócaire's policy positions are grounded in direct experience and capture key trends and issues.
Representation and reporting
• Represent Trócaire effectively in key external networks and at relevant national and international humanitarian policy discussions.
• Provide regular updates to management, humanitarian team, and country offices on emerging global and regional issues and trends within the sector.
• Ensure regular reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the advocacy strategy.
• Provide 'rapid response' policy and advocacy support to Trócaire CEO /Deputy CEO and management as required.
Requirements
Essential Requirements
Experience:
• At least 5 years' experience of policy analysis and advocacy in a relevant area (including gender, humanitarian, development and/or human rights). • Experience developing and implementing effective advocacy strategies.
• A proven track record in effective advocacy and lobbying at UN, EU or Irish level.
• A proven track record of policy development, research and production of advocacy materials on a relevant policy area, with a strong gender lens.
Qualifications:
• Relevant third level degree - in humanitarian law/action, international relations, conflict studies, human rights law or similar.
Technical/Professional skills:
• Knowledge of international humanitarian architecture.
• Ability to analyse complex humanitarian and political issues and devise appropriate policy solutions. • Demonstrable capacity and commitment to working in collaborative fashion with programme staff, international staff and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and willingness to undertake media and public speaking work.
Competencies:
• Communicating
• Collaborating • Delivering results
• Flexibility and change
Qualities:
• A proven commitment to teamwork and working in networks.
• An ability to maintain a positive attitude working in an environment where results are difficult to achieve and quantify.
Where a high volume of applications is received, shortlisting may be based on the essential criteria and competencies most important to successful performance in the role.
Benefits
What we can offer you:
Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits including pension scheme. We have an excellent range of work life balance friendly policies including hybrid working. The job opportunity will be offered on a full time basis for 2 years and is based in Maynooth.
To be considered for this role, you must already hold the necessary legal permissions to work and live in this location. Regrettably, we cannot offer work permit sponsorship or relocation assistance for this role.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency-based interview. Interview questions will be based on the competencies outlined in this job specification.
Closing date for applications is 21st July 2026
Safeguarding - Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people from exploitation and/or abuse by our employees or others working on our behalf or as a result of our programmes or activities. Trócaire has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct, Global Safeguarding Policy) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all employees, consultants and other organisational representatives. As an employee of Trócaire you are required to abide by these policies. More information on Trócaire's safeguarding policies available at this [link]. Diversity and inclusion We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workplace Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We actively seek to create a fair and inclusive recruitment process, where candidates are assessed on their skills, experience and competencies. We value the diversity of lived experiences, perspectives and identities colleagues bring, and we strive to create an inclusive working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Reasonable accommodation and accessibility supports can be provided to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests can be made within your application or by contacting [email protected] To learn more, please refer to our EDI commitment [link] and Diversity and Inclusion statement [link].
Trócaire is an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO). We work with local partners in the world's most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create.
Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
We work towards five goals:
• Promote Access to Justice;
• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;
• Ensure Women & Girls' Protection, Voice & Influence;
• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and
• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.
Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.
Millions of people face extreme challenges every day because of conflict, climate change, displacement and growing inequalities. As Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor for Trócaire, you can work to change this. You will advocate for a more equitable humanitarian system that prioritises local actors and for quality funding in humanitarian contexts and for sustainable development and human rights. You will work with partner agencies in humanitarian contexts to advocate for the protection of women and girls in emergencies, for adequate responses to and prevention of GBV, and for strong accountability mechanisms. You will also advocate for the protection of international humanitarian law in fragile and conflict affected states.
The initial focus areas for this role will be on advocacy relating to meeting commitments to localisation within the "Humanitarian Reset", advocacy on quality financing for development, and advocacy for the protection of women and girls in emergencies.
You will analyse the issues, devise clear strategies and policy solutions and work in civil society networks for effective change. You will engage with media and lobby decision-makers in Ireland, within the EU and at the UN.
The role will report to the Head of Policy and Advocacy and will work closely with the humanitarian team. The role is based in Maynooth, Ireland.
Role Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
Develop and implement effective advocacy for bringing about change on humanitarian advocacy priorities.
• In collaboration with other relevant staff members, develop and implement a humanitarian advocacy strategy, in line with Trócaire's best practice approach to advocacy, including a strong gender analysis.
• Ensure advocacy and policy is informed by the experience in country programmes and supports the organisational ambition around partnership and localisation.
• Engage in consistent advocacy with relevant duty bearers at the UN, EU and in the Irish political system as appropriate.
Policy development
• Develop high quality policy and advocacy materials, including position papers, briefing papers, research and advocacy reports.
• Develop and maintain an excellent working knowledge of current and emerging policy trends to underpin Trócaire's humanitarian work (including through maintaining strong links with Trócaire's localisation hub).
Work with country offices
• Provide support to staff in country offices and partners on humanitarian policy and strategic advocacy.
• Elevate the humanitarian issues and trends from country teams to influence policy change.
• Engage and work closely with country teams to ensure Trócaire's policy positions are grounded in direct experience and capture key trends and issues.
Representation and reporting
• Represent Trócaire effectively in key external networks and at relevant national and international humanitarian policy discussions.
• Provide regular updates to management, humanitarian team, and country offices on emerging global and regional issues and trends within the sector.
• Ensure regular reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the advocacy strategy.
• Provide 'rapid response' policy and advocacy support to Trócaire CEO /Deputy CEO and management as required.
Requirements
Essential Requirements
Experience:
• At least 5 years' experience of policy analysis and advocacy in a relevant area (including gender, humanitarian, development and/or human rights). • Experience developing and implementing effective advocacy strategies.
• A proven track record in effective advocacy and lobbying at UN, EU or Irish level.
• A proven track record of policy development, research and production of advocacy materials on a relevant policy area, with a strong gender lens.
Qualifications:
• Relevant third level degree - in humanitarian law/action, international relations, conflict studies, human rights law or similar.
Technical/Professional skills:
• Knowledge of international humanitarian architecture.
• Ability to analyse complex humanitarian and political issues and devise appropriate policy solutions. • Demonstrable capacity and commitment to working in collaborative fashion with programme staff, international staff and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and willingness to undertake media and public speaking work.
Competencies:
• Communicating
• Collaborating • Delivering results
• Flexibility and change
Qualities:
• A proven commitment to teamwork and working in networks.
• An ability to maintain a positive attitude working in an environment where results are difficult to achieve and quantify.
Where a high volume of applications is received, shortlisting may be based on the essential criteria and competencies most important to successful performance in the role.
Benefits
What we can offer you:
Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits including pension scheme. We have an excellent range of work life balance friendly policies including hybrid working. The job opportunity will be offered on a full time basis for 2 years and is based in Maynooth.
To be considered for this role, you must already hold the necessary legal permissions to work and live in this location. Regrettably, we cannot offer work permit sponsorship or relocation assistance for this role.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency-based interview. Interview questions will be based on the competencies outlined in this job specification.
Closing date for applications is 21st July 2026
Safeguarding - Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people from exploitation and/or abuse by our employees or others working on our behalf or as a result of our programmes or activities. Trócaire has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct, Global Safeguarding Policy) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all employees, consultants and other organisational representatives. As an employee of Trócaire you are required to abide by these policies. More information on Trócaire's safeguarding policies available at this [link]. Diversity and inclusion We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workplace Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We actively seek to create a fair and inclusive recruitment process, where candidates are assessed on their skills, experience and competencies. We value the diversity of lived experiences, perspectives and identities colleagues bring, and we strive to create an inclusive working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Reasonable accommodation and accessibility supports can be provided to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests can be made within your application or by contacting [email protected] To learn more, please refer to our EDI commitment [link] and Diversity and Inclusion statement [link].
