Belfast to welcome delegation of New York legislators to the city

(L-R) Claire Guinness, Innovation District Director at Innovation City Belfast; Dr Terry Cross, Chairman of Hinch Distillery; Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Michelle Kelly and Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University.

New York legislators will travel to Belfast as part of the Belfast International Homecoming from the 27 to 29 September.

With the support of Ulster University, Belfast City Council and Hinch Distillery, Belfast International Homecoming will welcome over 20 business, civic and political leaders from the diaspora to the city in person for the first time in three years.

The New York delegation will travel to Belfast to learn about landmark city projects such as Ulster University’s new Belfast Campus, Innovation City Belfast and the transformative £1bn Belfast Region City Deal.

Delegation members include:

·        Assemblyman Mike Cusick, President of the American Irish Legislators Society and Chairman of the Energy Committee in the New York State Legislature.

·        Michael Meade, Group CEO of Sullivan’s Brewing Company, New York.

·        Sean Tenner, President of KNI Communications, Chicago.

·        Steve Lenox, Director of the New Jersey Ireland Center.

·        Jay Hart, Chief of Police Torrance, California.

The programme of events for Homecoming will culminate in a Banquet Dinner at the Titanic Hotel on Thursday 29 September which will see the installation of a new cohort of Belfast Ambassadors who have been promoting the city globally.

New Belfast Ambassadors include:

·        Kerrie Sweeney, CEO of Maritime Belfast.

·        Kathryn Thomson, CEO of National Museums NI.

·        Raquel McKee, African Caribbean Society of Northern Ireland.

·        Elaine Smyth, Director of the Innovation Community at Catalyst.

·        Dr Victoria Manax, Chief Clinical Officer Immunicom Inc, USA

·        Edwin Donnelly, President New Jersey State Firefighters

·        Ken Walsh, CEO Alfond Youth Center, Portland, Maine, USA

Ballymoney-born businessman, Ian McLernon, President and CEO of the Rémy Cointreau, Americas will receive the Spirit of the Diaspora Award at the Banquet, where Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA will make remarks and Mike Nesbitt MLA moderate a panel on ‘Belfast on the Rise’.  

Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Michelle Kelly said:

“Belfast International Homecoming gives us an important opportunity to re-engage in person with some of Belfast’s many friends in business, civic society and government in New York.  We’re a signature city on the rise – and proud to be shining the spotlight on our innovation credentials and vast potential during the conference programme. 

“Our engagement in this event is part of our international positioning strategy to encourage further US investment and business partnership – and gives us the chance to recognise the sterling efforts of our colleagues who will be installed as Belfast Ambassadors. Promoting Belfast is very much a team effort – and we’re very fortunate to have developed a strong, collegiate approach to attracting investment and forging mutually beneficial links with our US partners and diaspora.”

Prof. Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University said:

“It is fantastic that Belfast Homecoming is once again able to open the doors of our city to the wider diaspora for the first time since before the pandemic. Belfast International Homecoming has always been an event which showcases the very best of Belfast and Ulster University is proud to play a strong role in developing our city and region. I look forward to introducing our guests both to the landmark new Ulster University Campus offering learning spaces at the forefront of higher education practice in the heart of Belfast and to the groundbreaking health technology and virtual screen production innovation projects that will further revitalise the region.”

Dr Terry Cross, Chairman of Hinch Distillery said:

“Forging relationships and making connections is part of our human nature, it’s in our very fibre.  That’s why events such as Belfast International Homecoming are so important. They allow individuals to make connections and forge international partnerships that make a tangible difference to the city. 

“Belfast has a great deal to offer to businesses and this has already been recognised by American companies and suppliers in Europe. It has a wealth of talent, creativity and ambition and a strong track record of demonstrating how this can be applied to affect positive global change. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of social networks and we are delighted that events like this can take place in person once again."

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 21 September

Forward Look                                

  • On Tuesday 27 September, Budget 2023 will be unveiled to the Dáil by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure.

  • This afternoon, the Seanad scrutinised the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. The Ministers for Finance and Transport took part in Oral Questions.

  • The Government has published its Autumn Legislative Programme containing 38 priority bills. To view, click HERE.

  • Environment Minister Eamon Ryan TD has launched a public consultation on Ireland’s gas and electricity systems. To view, click HERE.

  • The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NSPC) has submitted a report to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment detailing 20 policy recommendations. To view, click HERE.

  • Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien TD will shortly bring proposals to cabinet for overhauling the recruitment process for An Bord Pleanála.

  • The Commission for the Regulation of Industries (CRU) will unveil proposed new tariffs to curb private sector energy use this week.

  • Planning permission for a 245-bedroom hotel on Henry Street will be submitted to Dublin City Council this week.

  • On Friday 23 September, IoD Ireland’s Autumn Launch will take place at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin. To attend, click HERE.

  • On Wednesday 28 September, the Central Statistics Office will publish retail sales data for August.

  • On 1 November, Justice Síofra O’Leary will become President of the European Court of Human Rights.

  • From 1 January 2023, the National Minimum Wage will increase to €11.30 an hour.

Other Stories this week

  • On Sunday 18 September, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD met with UK PM Liz Truss MP at Downing Street.

  • On Monday 19 September, the Dublin Chamber met with Enterprise Minister and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD to discuss the Right to Request Remote Work Bill.

  • On Tuesday 20 September, cabinet approved proposals to maintain the retirement age at 66, with additional pension benefits for those working to 70.

  • This morning, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD provided an oral briefing to the Finance Committee on banking issues.

  • Westmeath County Council has granted planning permission for a new 25-acre film studio in Mullingar.

  • Ahead of the Budget, Sinn Féin has unveiled its ‘Funding Fairer Healthcare’ proposals. To view, click HERE.

  • Investment in Ireland’s fintech sector fell by 70% for the first half of 2022, according to a KPMG report.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 22 September, IBEC President’s Dinner.

  • 27 September, Budget Day.

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference.

  • 30 September – 1 October, Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis.

  • 6 October, Construction Industry Federation Annual Conference.

  • 11 – 12 October, Hospitality Expo 2022.

  • 20 October, Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner.

  • 22 October, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach’s Dinner.

Consultations

New Oireachtas Session: September 2022 - What are the Coalition's priorities?

Yesterday saw the return of the Dáil after its summer recess. After a weekend of think-ins across the country, where parties took stock and prepared their policies for the rest of the year, the three-pronged coalition government returns for its last few months of being led by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, with the Cork TD set to switch with his Fine Gael counterpart and current Tánaiste Leo Varadkar on 15 December. The next three months, however, are set to be exceedingly busy, with the cost-of-living crisis, a new British Prime Minister, and the ongoing economic recovery from the pandemic set to take up the majority of the government’s time and energy.  

Addressing cost-of-living pressures

First up for the government is the Budget 2023 on Tuesday 27 September. Brought forward by several weeks this year, it will be dominated by the State’s response to the cost-of-living crisis, with significant supports likely for both businesses and households. As well as the usual recurring tax and spending measures, there will also be a separate one-off package to ease the crisis.

The Budget, however, will be a tricky political balance for the coalition to strike. The State’s coffers are healthy, with a €6bn surplus reported recently, thanks to large tax receipts. However, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is reluctant to spend this all in one go and has also warned about the country’s overreliance on corporation tax. Ministerial colleagues, however, will be cognisant of the need to act swiftly and decisively to both address the crisis and help their ailing polling numbers.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Economic and Social Research Institute have both argued strongly for a more targeted approach. They’ve also warned about the danger of adding to inflation by promising and delivering too much state intervention. The Taoiseach said as recently as Monday, however, that Budget 2023 will focus on safeguarding jobs and protecting people’s incomes ahead of a very difficult winter.

The war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis has also highlighted the weaknesses within Ireland’s energy infrastructure. Government documents have highlighted that Ireland could become fully reliant on the UK for gas by 2026 and notes the infrastructure might not be able to handle peak demand if this occurred. The Government has now sought approval for the construction of an emergency power plant and will seek to ban gas and oil heating systems in new homes. Not only this, but work could begin this year on the €1bn ‘Celtic Interconnector’, which will allow the export and import of electricity between France and Ireland.

Are the Coalition’s days numbered?

The coalition will also be acutely aware of its widespread unpopularity, to put it mildly. A recent Sunday Times poll put Fine Gael on just 20%, while Fianna Fáil had increased slightly to 24%, still a dismal return. Sinn Féin remains the most popular party in the State on around 35% of the vote. After the resignation of Fine Gael Donegal TD Joe McHugh and suspension of the party whip of a number of Green TDs, the government will be conscious of their lack of a working majority. In this scenario, the support of the substantial number of independent TDs will be crucial before Budget Day.

Harmony within the coalition will also be tested over Micheál Martin’s future position after he relinquishes the office of An Taoiseach. Despite a desire to show ‘stability’ and ‘business as usual’ to the electorate from Varadkar’s coronation from 15 December onwards, it is reported that the future of the Finance Minister remains the key sticking point. While Mr Martin told reporters on Tuesday that ‘parity of esteem’ was a foundational principle of the Programme for Government and that this would be Pashcal Donohoe’s last budget as Finance Minister, Fine Gael appears unwilling to step their man down from controlling the public purse strings. Despite Fianna Fáil protests that it was a Programme for Government commitment, Virgin Media Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly has also pointed out that no such explicit commitment was agreed to.

Irish Independent Ireland Editor Fionnán Sheahan, however, has reported that the “Keep Paschal Campaign” is merely political posturing to appeal to the Fine Gael base and that a deal has been done to swap Donohoe with his junior partner Michael McGrath as Public Expenditure Minister. McGrath will likely be Finance Minister for the second half of this coalition’s lifespan, but we can expect the uncertainty to rumble on for slightly longer.

What else is a priority?

As always, housing remains an issue for the Government. Ireland is facing record low levels of rental properties combined with a steep 12.6% rise in rent year-on-year in Q2 2022 - demonstrating the shortcomings of the Housing for All initiative. To combat this the Government has announced its intention to introduce a package of tax reliefs for renters, as well as tax breaks for landlords who provide long-term lets. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to tackle the long-standing challenge.

Enterprise, Trade and Employment officials are also currently combing through submissions to the Government’s consultation on the development of a white paper on enterprise, which will “ultimately serve as a cornerstone in protecting the core elements which make Ireland’s economy attractive for enterprise to flourish.” Ministers will also be keen to ensure there is no break in service for the State’s successful inward investment agency, with a replacement for IDA Chief Executive Martin Shanahan still to be appointed.

Finally, Brexit and the State’s relationship with the UK remains front and centre. Liz Truss, former Foreign Secretary who last week became Prime Minister, held her first phone call with the Taoiseach last Friday. No 10’s latest inhabitant has promised to address the issue of the NI Protocol. The Taoiseach has also said her victory presents an opportunity to reset negotiations with the EU and repair the damaged relationship between the UK and Ireland. Only time will tell whether this will come to pass or whether the Protocol and post-Brexit trading arrangements continue to dominate the relationship between the two countries.

Parents invited to explore careers of the future as new exhibition launches in Belfast

The Your Child: Their Future Pathways to Employment Fair takes place on Wednesday 21 September, 5pm - 8pm at The Catalyst Innovation Centre in Belfast

Your Child Their Future’s Sarah McKeag (centre) with daughter Harley, aged 12 (left) and son Rafferty, aged 15 (right).

The career opportunities available in Northern Ireland and the skills, qualifications, and subject areas best suited to them will be showcased to parents and guardians of teenagers as a new exhibition launches in Belfast.

Taking place at The Catalyst Innovation Centre and free of charge for all to attend, the Your Child: Their Future Pathways to Employment fair will be an informative evening aimed at educating parents on the world of work, the trajectory of local industry, and the potential career routes it presents for their children.

Created by five leading employers in Northern Ireland, it will provide access to the advice and guidance of over 15 exhibitors including Workplus, Career Ready and The Prince’s Trust.

Parents are encouraged to attend with or without their children for an informal evening of conversation with leading businesses and training organisations to get a range of insights and guidance on the careers that exist in today’s society, and the routes to future employment for their children.

Organised by Allstate NI, EY, Herbert Smith Freehills, Camlin and EverQuote, the exhibition follows a series of successful online events that took place throughout the pandemic covering topics like Work Experience, Apprenticeships, Soft Skills, and Pathways to Employment.

As the new academic term gets underway, these organisations have joined together to transform the free online sessions into an in-person event. It is hoped the parents will leave with an understanding of the potential that exists for their child’s future and the subject areas, qualifications and soft skills that are highly sought after in Northern Ireland’s evolving world of work.

Your Child Their Future’s Sarah McKeag (centre) with daughter Harley, aged 12 (left) and son Rafferty, aged 15 (right).

John Healy, Vice President and Managing Director at Allstate NI said:

“We are thrilled to bring Your Child: Their Future back bigger than ever before with the launch of the Pathways to Employment Exhibition. Young people preparing to leave school have never had so many opportunities, but we recognise that it can be a confusing time for them and their parents as they strive towards a promising career.”

“Returning with an in-person event, parents will have the opportunity to come along, enjoy a tea or coffee and chat with representatives from leading employers, universities, and training programmes. This is about informing them of their options, and we feel that bringing together all the organisations that provide pathways into employment in one room is the best way to do so.”

For more information or to register your attendance for the Your Child: Their Future Pathways to Employment Exhibition, click here.

Twenty-five leaders from politics, business and civic society in Northern Ireland unveiled for prestigious Fellowship

The Fellows are joined by the Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Programme, John Healy, Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland and Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Programme, Professor Karise Hutchinson.

Twenty-five leaders from politics, the business community and civic society here, have been selected for the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building’s 2022 Fellowship programme.

The Fellows, unveiled today at an event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, will engage with leading policymakers, academics, business leaders and public figures on social, political and economic issues and seek to develop their understanding of how to tackle those issues in Northern Ireland.

The Fellowship is backed by the leadership of some of the highest profile businesses operating in Northern Ireland including Allstate NI, FinTrU, Devenish, Fujitsu NI and Ulster Carpets. The programme is also supported by leading academic institutions and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish-American Partnership.

Speakers at the announcement of the new Fellows included Head of the NI Civil Service, Jayne Brady, as well as Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Programme, John Healy from Allstate Northern Ireland, and representatives from all five main parties.

Now in its second year, the six-month programme will see the Fellows undertake workshops and training in Belfast, Dublin and Oxford.

John Healy, Vice President at Allstate NI and Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“This is an incredible group of talented participants selected for this year’s Fellowship programme. As we begin the second cycle of this programme, - and the first without the political institutions in place - it is critical that these Fellows are well-equipped to provide leadership skills to tackle and navigate us out of the significant number of problems we are facing here in Northern Ireland.”

“The chosen 25 candidates will be joined by a group of  business, political and civic society leaders throughout the next 6 months, who will assist with the formation of the strategic leadership tools and techniques required to overcome the obvious hurdles in front of us. We need to invest in our potential game changers right now and this Fellowship is a purposeful way of making that happen.”

“I would like to thank the significant contribution that the advisory board of the Fellowship has made shaping this programme into the success it is already. Their time, effort and commitment should act as a guiding light to the past, present and future participants.”

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“Given our troubled past in Northern Ireland, and the current political paralysis, we often neglect to be ambitious for the future. The Fellowship programme seeks to continue the conversation about what good leadership is, one that explores the possibilities of what a forward thinking society looks like.”

“As we move towards the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, this is a prime opportunity for renewal and to help develop those ambitious young leaders that will be taking on these challenges. I am proud to be supporting the launch of this year’s fantastic programme alongside my colleagues on the Advisory Board.”

The 25 participants of the 2022 CDPB Fellowship programme include:

  1. Alfred Abolarin, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Housing Executive

  2. Caoimhe Archibald MLA

  3. Charmain Jones, Women Spaces Co-Ordinator, Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network

  4. Conleth Burns, Senior Associate, More in Common

  5. Diane Forsythe MLA

  6. Doire Finn, Constituency Manager

  7. Don McCann, Strategy Manager, Invest NI

  8. Eoin Bradley, Political Strategy Advisor

  9. Gina Savage, Vice Principal, St Patrick's Grammar School, Downpatrick

  10. Cllr Hannah Irwin

  11. Jamie Warnock, Head of Policy and Engagement, Law Society of Northern Ireland

  12. Jonathan McAdams, NI Civil Service

  13. Joy Ferguson, Economist

  14. Karen Smyth, Head of Policy and Governance, NI Local Government Association

  15. Michael McConville, Engineering Manager, NantHealth

  16. Nuala Murphy, Director, Diversity Mark

  17. Nuala Toman, Head of Policy and Communications, Disability Action

  18. Padraig Delargy MLA

  19. Patricia O'Lynn MLA

  20. Phillip Brett MLA

  21. Cllr Ryan McCready

  22. Stephanie O'Rourke, Deputy Director, Springboard Opportunities

  23. Cllr Stephen Donnelly

  24. Cllr Ben Mallon

  25. Tara Grace Connolly, Media Researcher

 

Donal Laverty, Consulting Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore: Training, tech, and modern working practices present solutions to recruitment challenges

As originally appeared in The Irish News, Tuesday 06 September

Consulting Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Donal Laverty

Last month we discussed the pace of the labour market and the operational challenges it presents. A growing area of concern, some 31% of CEOs and business leaders now identify attraction and retention of talent as their main priority, a 16% increase on 2021 according to the latest Gartner CEO Survey.

As the impact stretches across the public, private and third sectors, solutions to ensure the crisis does not overrun all productivity and efficiency will need to be found, and leaders must assess their organisational design to ensure it is protected.

The most likely solution is one that has been discussed time and time again, that is the automation of services. In the past, it has displaced workers or devalued the work they do. Yet a combination of surging productivity and talent scarcity could place employees in an advantageous position as Artificial Intelligence and the use of Enterprise Resource Systems (ERPs) help them work more efficiently.

Employees can now reap the rewards of such enhanced efficiency, allowing them to bring more value to the workplace without the historic fear of being replaced by a machine. Harnessing new technologies requires specific skills, however, so training and upskilling is essential to make this solution work.

Another avenue to examine is where talent is sourced from in the first place, and how new employees are onboarded to the business. More and more, hiring managers are focusing on how best to empower their existing team to counteract the talent shortage. Some 21% have provided training opportunities to give in-house employees more responsibility, while 38% have implemented flexible working arrangements.

Training is a useful strategy to motivate and instill a sense of brand loyalty among existing team members, while flexible working is widely known to be a major draw factor among skilled candidates.

Companies can consider reducing commuting time by moving shift starting times away from rush hour, giving employees some personal time back and increasing the number of individuals that can reasonably travel to your premises for work.

Similarly, structuring a 40-hour working week as four 10-hour shifts will reduce the time spent commuting by 20%, and is an area that a lot more employees are willing to explore.

It is, however, the organisations who are taking on the responsibility of training and moving to hire people straight from school that are leading the way. Continuous learning in this way will be central to the future of work and extends far beyond the traditional definition of employee development. This is becoming more common, with Amazon ringfencing over $700m dollars in 2019 to train 100,000 employees for higher-skilled positions over a six-year period.

This focus on training, upskilling and development is of major value, not only to attract new employees, but to enhance the skills of existing team members. People don’t want to stagnate; they expect opportunities for growth and development and are motivated by the opportunity to continually expand their skills.

After all, work is no longer viewed as somewhere people go, it is a symbiotic ecosystem in which customers, managers and colleagues freely exchange value and meaning.

Conservative Party Leadership Contest 2022

The next leader of the Conservative Party, and the country’s newest Prime Minister, will be announced by 1922 Committee Chairman Sir Graham Brady at 12:30pm tomorrow. This follows a frenetic campaign over the past two months which has seen 11 hopefuls whittled down to the final two – former Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP and the current Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP.

After a summer of nationwide hustings, increasingly wild promises (Liz Truss pledging to “take a look” at scrapping motorway speed limits, for example), and intra-party sniping, Boris Johnson will be out of Downing Street by Tuesday and the winner appointed by the Queen in Balmoral.

Both candidates have clashed over fiscal policy, with Liz Truss pledging to scrap national insurance and corporation tax rises, something the Sunak campaign has labelled as fiscally irresponsible. The former Chancellor has vowed to tackle inflation first before introducing tax cuts. Specific policy promises, however, have been light on both sides.

Whichever candidate is appointed Prime Minister on Tuesday, the backdrop to their arrival is certainly unenviable. Unprecedented energy costs and inflation, coupled with a buckling NHS bracing itself for winter pressures, will certainly shape the direction of the new Prime Minister’s first few weeks in office.

But whether it is the Northern Ireland Protocol or our absent Assembly remaining in cold storage, the new occupant of No 10 will eventually have to turn their attention to Northern Ireland. The bookies favourite, and current sponsor of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, Liz Truss has vowed to ensure the Bill progresses through Westminster, while also not ruling out triggering Article 16 in the coming weeks.

Sunak, on the other hand, has notable misgivings over the Protocol Bill and will likely be more reluctant to escalate tensions with the EU saying a negotiated settlement can be obtained “far quicker.” A new Secretary of State for NI is also likely to be appointed in the inevitable reshuffle this week, with Shailesh Vara unlikely to reach a third month in the role.

For the majority of the local parties, the return of the local institutions will remain the number one priority. For the DUP, they will want to see a recommitment by the new premier to fundamentally alter the NI Protocol.

Tomorrow will see the Tory Party appoint their third leader and Prime Minister since the Brexit referendum. Might either Truss or Sunak have more luck than their predecessors and steer the UK to the fabled Brexit sunlit uplands we’ve heard so much about? It remains to be seen.

The immediate challenges are clear, helping households and businesses through an incredibly difficult winter period. Longer term, they must grapple with issues like climate change, the post-pandemic economic recovery, and securing the safety of the Union in the face of growing Scottish nationalism and calls for a border poll in NI.

Whoever wins will want to make their mark as soon as possible, so watch this space for policy announcements, cost-of-living supports, and the appointment of new ministers.

New Job Alert: Client Manager, Brown O'Connor Communications

Position: CLIENT MANAGER

Experience: Min 3+ years

Area: Corporate Communications / Public Affairs

Salary: Competitive

Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications, the CIPR Northern Ireland Small Consultancy of the Year, is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager to join the team.

This is an exciting and demanding role within a leading consultancy and requires a resilient individual with demonstrable client management and leadership ability.

You may be already working in public affairs or corporate communications in an agency; as an in-house communications manager; in politics; or as journalist.

You will have a deep professional interest in business, the media and politics and have a detailed understanding of the role that media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder relations plays.

About Brown O’Connor Communications 

CIPR Consultancy of the Year Judging Panel – “it’s building a stellar client list”

Brown O’Connor is an ambitious and trusted public affairs led communications consultancy based in Belfast City Centre. We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, ministers, and commercial decision makers. 

We have a track record for managing and delivering complex communications programmes for some of the UK and Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, GB, Republic of Ireland and the US.

We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development.  

Client Manager Role Specification

Strategic Counsel

Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice and great ideas.

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Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

Manage political lobbying campaigns securing policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes.

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3+ years working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate Communications or within a communications environment (Agency experience preferred).

Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

Possess strong writing and editing skills with ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports.

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Desirable Criteria

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How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed answers to the two set questions below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Friday 21st October 2022.

Please state your name and ‘Brown O’Connor Client Manager 2022’ in the subject line.

Application Process

Initial shortlisting

Two stage interview

QUESTION 1: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

QUESTION 2: Please detail, with examples, your experience of strategic communications development, planning, implementation and the outcomes delivered. (Word Limit 300).

 

NI public urged to donate as Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launches Pakistan Floods Appeal

10-year-old Suneel* and 6-year-old Nadhir* look across floodwaters in Sindh, Pakistan, where millions of people need urgent help. Their families lost their homes in the disaster and are among the thousands being supported with emergency aid by DEC charity Islamic Relief.

As floods devastate Pakistan, the people of Northern Ireland are being urged to give what they can as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Pakistan Floods Appeal gets underway.

Launched today, Thursday 1 September, the appeal will help millions across the country who are in need of immediate help to survive.

One third of Pakistan – an area the size of the UK - has been submerged, according to the government of Pakistan, with floods sweeping away entire communities and leaving more than a million homes destroyed or badly damaged. At least 1,100 people have already been killed and 6 million more are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

The DEC brings together 15 leading aid agencies at times of crisis overseas. Seven of its member charities, including Action Against Hunger, Islamic Relief and Save the Children, are already on the ground in Pakistan providing life-saving aid but say that funds are vital to reach more of those affected with food, clean drinking water and shelter. At least three more members are intending to respond either directly or through local partners.

In Northern Ireland, the DEC brings together the charities Concern Worldwide, Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Tearfund.

Around 33 million people are affected overall – one in seven Pakistanis. Whole villages have been cut off, with rescuers struggling to reach them. Schools, roads, crops, and livelihoods are gone, and DEC charities say that time is critical with conditions expected to worsen as the rains continue.

The immediate focus of the relief effort is to save lives and provide temporary shelter and blankets to people who lost their homes, clean water and sanitation to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases, food and medical assistance.

Director at Tearfund Northern Ireland Glen Mitchell said:

“Floods in Pakistan are devastating homes, livelihoods, and entire communities. We know that one in seven Pakistanis – around 33 million people overall – are affected as whole villages become cut off and people become more exposed to the elements. This might seem like a far-off crisis, but the people of Northern Ireland have an opportunity to help save lives. Supporting the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal allows you to donate directly to charities delivering assistance on the ground. We urge everyone to give what they can to support this effort.”

DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said:

“Our priority right now is to help save and protect lives as waters continue to rise. The scale of these floods has caused a shocking level of destruction – crops have been swept away and livestock killed across huge swathes of the country, which means hunger will follow. DEC charities are doing all they can but donations from the British public will make a huge difference in enabling them to reach more people. We’re urging everyone to give whatever they can at what we appreciate is a difficult time for us all.”

Stay up to date with developments in Pakistan, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on Twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee

How to Donate:

  • Online: dec.org.uk

  • Phone: 0330 678 1000. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply

  • SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk.

  • Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to DEC Pakistan Floods Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 31 August

Forward Look                                

  • Government departments will have until the end of the week to submit their list of budget requests to the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure.

  • Former Minister of State for Agriculture, Dara Calleary TD has been appointed as Junior Enterprise Minister, replacing Robert Troy TD.

  • A forthcoming Department of Public Expenditure report into existing ethics legislation will recommend that candidates disclose business interests before running for office.

  • Energy Minister Eamon Ryan TD will announce a new ‘Energy Action Plan’ after Budget Day on 27 September, the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action has heard.

  • The Department of Agriculture has opened Stage Two of its Agri-Food Brexit Response Scheme. For more information, click HERE.

  • IDA Executive Director, Mary Buckley and Ibec Executive Director, Jackie King are frontrunners to replace outgoing IDA CEO Martin Shanahan from early 2023, according to media reports.

  • Next month, U.S. Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh and Congressman Richie Neal will address the Seanad to mark its 100th anniversary.

  • On Friday 2 September, the Central Statistics Office will publish national and international trade data for Q2.

  • On Friday 2 September, submissions will close for Dublin City Council’s Draft Development Plan: Stage 3. To respond, click HERE.

  • On Monday 5 September, the next meeting of Dublin City Council will take place. Cork City Council’s monthly meeting will take place the following day.

  • On Saturday 1 October, the next Ireland’s Future event will take place at the 3 Arena, Dublin. Actor James Nesbitt has been announced as a speaker alongside Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD and others. For more information, click HERE.

  • On Friday 28 October, Trinity College Dublin will host the Irish Start-up Conference 2022. For more information, click HERE.

  • Next month, taxi fares in the Republic of Ireland will increase by 12%, the first increase in five years.

Other Stories this week

  • Former Chief Financial Officer of Bank of Ireland, Myles O’Grady has been selected as Chief Executive.

  • Ibec has published its Budget 2023 submission. To view, click HERE.

  • Former Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, Dermot McCarthy has been appointed to lead a review into Ireland’s energy security.

  • The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has set out proposals to increase electricity charges for larger companies from 1 October.

  • The employment level increased 8.7% year-on-year, according to data from the Central Statistics Office.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 8 September, British Irish Chamber Annual Networking Dinner.

  • 14 September, Dáil Éireann returns from summer recess.

  • 16 – 17 September, Dublin Economics Workshop Annual Policy Conference.

  • 22 September, IBEC President’s Dinner.

  • 27 September, Budget Day.

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference.

  • 30 September – 1 October, Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis.

  • 6 October, Construction Industry Federation Annual Conference.

  • 11 – 12 October, Hospitality Expo 2022.

  • 20 October, Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner.

  • 22 October, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach’s Dinner.

Consultations