The General Election 2024 Timetable - 10 things you need to know

Dissolution of Parliament - Thursday 30 May (25 Days before Poll)

Receipt of writ (taken as the day following the dissolution of Parliament) – Friday 31 May (24 Days before Poll)

Publication of notice of election- Tuesday 4 June (4pm)  - Not later than 22 days (4pm)

Deadline for delivery of nomination papers - Until Friday 7 June (4pm)

Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent - Until Friday 7 June (4pm)

Publication of statement of persons nominated - Friday 7 June (5pm)

Deadline for receiving applications for registration - Tuesday 18 June

Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications - Wednesday 19 June (5pm)

Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents  - Thursday 27 June

Polling day - 7am to 10pm Thursday 4 July 2024

DOCS IRELAND 2024 PROGRAMME UNVEILED AT BELFAST LAUNCH

A feast of screenings including new Blur documentary and Palestinian Closing Film

DOCS IRELAND 2024 has unveiled a feast of non-fiction film screenings and events in its festival programme which launches in Belfast today.

A wide range of topics including feminism, colonialism, music and health will be explored in documentaries showing as part of the festival from 18th to 23rd June.

Docs Ireland 2024 opens on 18th June with the award-winning documentary THE FLATS directed by Alessandra Celesia. Closing this year’s festival is the extraordinary documentary NO OTHER LAND made by a collective of activists as a form of resistance to the ongoing injustices in their region. It follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra resisting the forced displacement of his people in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank.

Cast of The Flats L-R Jolene Burns, Sean Parker, Joe McNally, Rita Overend

Alongside the In Conversation with this year’s special guest ASIF KAPADIA, Docs Ireland boasts a stellar programme of Special Events.  On the night of the solstice (21st June), WOMEN FOLK will be a beguiling and magical evening, celebrating the often overlooked contribution of women in traditional Irish music. With live singing from Róis, Catriona Gribben and Stephanie Makem, great-granddaughter of Sarah Makem renowned traditional source singer and subject of David Hammond’s film, which will feature at the event in Rosemary St Church.

Docs Ireland will honour the work and life of pioneering broadcaster, documentary filmmaker and musician, David Hammond with an award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Documentary and showcase some of his most iconic documentary shorts including DUSTY BLUEBELLS  and THE MAGIC FIDDLE.

Throughout the festival, audiences will have an opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers and participants. Roisin Agnew’s THE BAN explores the practice of dubbing the voices of IRA leaders on news broadcasts during the Troubles followed by a panel discussion with key participants in the film  A discussion will follow THE BLACK AND THE GREEN from prolific documentarian St. Clair Bourne who followed five black civil rights activists on a fact-finding trip to Belfast in the 1980s.

Docs Ireland brings you to the Third Dimension with two screenings of classic documentaries for the first time in 3D in Ireland. Experience unexplored caves in Werner Herzog’s THE CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS and become part of an unforgettable performance with Wim Wenders’ PINA.

Shellshock Music documentaries return this year with the Irish premiere of Toby L’s brand new documentary BLUR: TO THE END,  the Irish premiere of MOGWAI: IF THE STARS HAD SOUND and GAMA BOMB: SURVIVAL OF THE FASTEST about Northern Irish thrash metal band Gama Bomb.

Docs Ireland’s strongest gaze falls on Irish film and this is exemplified in the annual Pull Focus competition which celebrates excellence in Irish documentary. This year’s stellar lineup includes Alan Gilsenan’s IFTA winning THE DAYS OF TREES, ONE NIGHT ON MILLSTREET (dir Andrew Gallimore) which captures the Celtic Tiger through a historic boxing match, an artist explores his feelings of grief about his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER directed by Ross Killeen, and BURKITT by filmmaker Éanna Mac Cana explores his personal experience of Burkitt’s Lymphoma and the life and work of Irish surgeon Dr Denis Burkitt. Filmmaker Leo Regan draws on years of footage and material to convey the complex life of his good friend Lanre Fehintola in MY FRIEND LANRE, an essay film by Katherine Waugh and Fergus Daly,  I SEE A DARKNESS explores the historical relationship between photography, cinema and science, in Neasa Ni Chianáin’s THE ALEXANDER COMPLEX the bizarre tale of a group of ‘gentlemanly explorers” is unravelled and a historic fraud case collides with immediate mortality in Colm Quinn’s RANSOM 79.  

Docs Ireland is at the forefront of International documentary presenting some of the best from across the globe. This year's diverse line-up has everything from a direct challenge to India’s Caste system in THE WORLD IS FAMILY, to uncovering family secrets in THE TASTE OF MANGO, to an exploration of one of the great character actors in REMEMBERING GENE WILDER.

The Maysles Brothers Competition for Observational Documentary rewards the best in observational non-fiction filmmaking from all over the world. UNION follows the Amazon Labour Union as they take on one of the biggest corporations in the world, the day-to-day life of a floating asylum is explored in ON THE ADAMANT,  Bhutanese documentary AGENTS OF HAPPINESS gives an intimate insight into the daily lives of communities in the Himalayas through the eyes of two ‘happiness agents’. With unprecedented access HOLLYWOODGATE follows the Taliban in the immediate aftermath of the US’ pullout from Afghanistan and FLYING HANDS examines the stigma of disability in a mountain region of Pakistan.

This year’s festival has thrown a spotlight on two countries where documentary excellence is often overlooked on the international stage and is truly at its most urgent. As previously announced, the Focus on Palestine features films, seminars and discussions which are all fundraisers for Medical Aid Palestine. The Focus on Finland brings three world class documentaries directed by women to the forefront; a modern fairytale ONCE UPON A TIME IN A FOREST directed by Virpi Suutari, MÁHCCAN/HOMECOMING follows Sámi director Suvi West as she reflects on the collective pain of the Sámi people’s stolen heritage and Finnish Focus wouldn’t be complete without master documentarian Pirjo Honkasalo’s MELANCHOLIAN 3 HUONETTA/THREE ROOMS OF MELANCHOLIA, a searing examination of the unrelenting Chechen conflict.

Continually pushing the boundaries of the genre The Zone takes documentary to its limits with a lecture from filmmaker Simon Aeppli, OPERATION BOGEYMAN: THE FOLK HORROR LANDSCAPE OF 1970S IRELAND, HOME INVASION is an existential musing on the history of the doorbell, MAN RAY: RETURN TO REASON the early films of Man Ray with a new soundtrack from Jim Jarmusch and a showcase of moving image art selected by Irish artists collective aemi BACK TRANSLATION.

Blur: To The End

Docs Ireland’s commitment to community work and development of the future of documentary in Ireland is exemplified in its Fieldwork strand. With showcases from both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, an exploration of Super 8 film with Brian Henry Martin, a project on Contemporary collecting in Northern Ireland and two brand new Irish language documentaries from TG4.

The festival prides itself in showcasing some of the best new short films in Ireland. This year is no different with four Irish short programmes with films that range from real time observation of the burning of a refugee camp in Ireland to an intimate portrait of man’s tender care of his pigeons to a midwife’s journey into the Peruvian jungle and much more.  

Docs Ireland’s world class Industry programme returns with its fifth Marketplace. Taking place over two days, it provides an opportunity for filmmakers to meet one-to-one with leading international documentary industry players, including international funders, broadcasters, distributors and exhibitors. The programme is packed with opportunities for those working or aspiring to work in the documentary film industry to attend a wide range of panels, workshops, talks and networking opportunities.

Docs Ireland is supported by Northern Ireland Screen through the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, Screen Ireland and BFI/Film Hub NI, and is proudly sponsored by TG4, BBCNI and Yellowmoon.

Michele Devlin, Docs Ireland Director, said:

“How great is it that we will be marking the summer solstice as part of Docs Ireland 6 when the earth has a maximum tilt towards the sun.  In this programme we bring to Belfast a ‘midsummer docs dream’ with over a hundred short form and feature documentary titles, special events and guests; marketplace and pitching; international industry delegates, workshops, masterclasses, music and networking. This programme is bursting with talent, creativity and business opportunities. Documentary is indeed in our DNA.  A huge thank you to all our funders and sponsors, our audiences and filmmakers, we look forward to seeing you all.”

Stuart Sloan, Docs Ireland Programmer, said:

“At this year’s Docs Ireland we are proud to bestow five prestigious awards. The Pull Focus Competition for Irish Documentary is awarded to the best new Irish Feature. Nine films are up for the award this year. The Maysles Brothers Award for observational cinema, now in its 18th year, is given to the best fly on the wall documentary - 7 films compete, including films from Palestine, France, Pakistan and Bhutan. Our eighth annual Irish Short Documentary Competition will also run - we have chosen the best new shorts from scores of applicants. All these awards will be chosen by international juries made up of filmmakers and industry experts, who will also attend Docs Ireland in person.

“Docs Ireland also will present two special awards to two special filmmakers. Oscar-winning documentarian Asif Kapadia will visit Belfast to discuss his career and collect the Outstanding Contribution to Documentary. Pioneering broadcaster, documentary filmmaker and musician, David Hammond, will be posthumously be awarded the Docs Ireland Outstanding Contribution to Irish Documentary at a unique event in the brand new Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University.”

Róisin Geraghty, Docs Ireland Head of Industry, said:

“We are so proud to see the recognition and scope of Docs Ireland growing year on year, and are proud to present our most fulsome industry offering yet in 2024.”

The Pure Class Delegates Passes includes access to all film screenings (excluding opening, closing, In Conversation and fundraising events), industry and networking events and can be purchased at the Docs Ireland Website - £85 for Professionals and £55 for students. https://docsireland2024.eventive.org/passes/buy

Tickets for all Docs Ireland Festival screenings and events go on-sale on Thursday 16 May at 11am. Ticket prices are Pay What You Can (unless otherwise specified) ranging from £4.50 to £9.50 and can be purchased at the Docs Ireland website. https://docsireland.ie/programme/whats-on/

Private Members’ Bills Reform

Tara O’Neill takes a look at recent changes to Private Members’ Bills introduced by Speaker Edwin Poots MLA earlier this week in the Assembly.

What is a Members’ Bill?

Bills that are introduced by an individual MLA are known as a Private Member’s Bill. Private Members’ Bills offer backbenchers the chance to introduce legislation independently of the Executive departments.

Private Members’ Bills are a useful means of bringing about legislative change on issues that are of considerable interest to MLAs. These Bills require cross-community and cross-party support to succeed.

The demand for Private Members’ Bills has steadily increased over recent mandates. From January 2020 to March 2022, ten Private Member Bills (out of twenty that were introduced) completed the legislative process to become Acts. This marks a significant increase from the seven bills passed throughout the entire duration of the 2011-2016 mandate.

Reform of Members’ Bills

On Tuesday 7 May, Speaker Edwin Poots MLA published the arrangements for Members’ Bills for the current mandate, 2022-2027. The Speaker announced that submissions for Private Members’ Bills will open on May 13 until July 5.

A pivotal review of the Members’ Bill Process in March 2022 led to several recommendations from the Committee on Procedures, aimed at managing the volume of Bills. On Tuesday, the Speaker outlined key points of the review in his introduction of reforms to enhance Members’ Bills. These reforms aim to ensure that legislative proposals are well-developed, properly scrutinised, and well-balanced with Executive legislation.

• Extension of Public Consultation Period: The Speaker has extended the required public consultation period on Bills from eight to twelve weeks. An extended period of eight weeks is now provided for engagement between an MLA developing a Bill proposal and the relevant Minister.

• Retained Support and Allocated Resources: The Assembly Commission will continue to allocate appropriate resources to support Members' Bills. However, this support is contingent upon compliance with minimum procedural requirements and ensuring that proposed legislation is well-developed and of appropriate scope. Mr Poots highlighted that provision of resources cannot be a “blank cheque.”

• Narrow and Specific Policy Proposals: Members are encouraged to develop proposals for legislation that are narrow, specific, and confined to a scale suitable for a Member's Bill. This ensures that proposed legislation addresses specific issues effectively without overburdening the legislative process.

• Final Deadline for Introduction: A final deadline of the end of June of the penultimate session of the mandate (June 2026 in this case) has been set for the introduction of Members' Bills. This deadline provides clarity and ensures timely consideration of proposed legislation.

• Minimum Procedural Requirements: All Members' Bills, whether developed with Assembly support or drafted independently, must comply with minimum procedural requirements. This ensures consistency and transparency in the legislative process.

100 days of Stormont

Monday, May 13 will mark 100 days since the return of Northern Ireland’s political institutions in February. Odrán Waldron looks at the events that have defined the first 100 days on the hill.

With the SDLP opting for opposition, a position they had long since flagged, four parties – Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Alliance Party, and the UUP – formed the new Executive. There have been green shoots of hope since Michelle O’Neill was confirmed as the first Nationalist to be elected First Minister and Emma Little-Pengelly was confirmed as deputy First Minister. Taking to the home pitch of junior minister Aisling Reilly, St Paul’s GAC in west Belfast, the First and deputy First Minister partook in some camogie before a Q&A with the young camógs of St Paul’s. Dubbed the Sliotar Sisters, this event coupled with the visit of Education Minister Paul Givan to Gaelscoil Aodha Rua in Dungannon, served to allay any fears that the strained cross-community relations that characterised the end of the last Executive would repeat themselves in the early days of the new regime.

The early days also saw Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy beating a well-worn track around the province to promote his four economic priorities: the creation of good jobs; the promotion of regional balance; the improvement of productivity; and the reduction of carbon emissions. While Murphy has since had to temporarily step aside for health reasons, these four principles will guide the work of his party colleague and interim replacement, Deirdre Hargey.

Financial pressures have remained the biggest issue at hand since the resumption of the Executive and Assembly, which came on the heels of the largest public sector strikes ever seen in Northern Ireland. These pressures were seen to come to a head in April when Minister of Health Robin Swann voted against the Budget brought forward by Minister of Finance Caoimhe Archibald.

Despite the Department of Health being allocated £7.76 billion of the £14.5 billion budget, Swann, who is expected to be replaced as Minister of Health by party colleague Mike Nesbitt once campaigning for a general election begins, has warned of “incredibly serious consequences” without an additional £1 billion for his department. The First and deputy First Ministers were united in expressing regret about the situation, but Little-Pengelly stated that such funding for Health would “have consumed the entirety of what additional was available for the budget”. Given the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council’s warning in 2022 that health spending need could eventually account for 77% of current block grant totals, the impasse that we are currently seeing was perhaps inevitable without major overhauls to revenue raising.

Legislatively, it has been a slow start to proceedings, with just one bill – the Hospital Parking Charges Bill – having made its way past Final Stage thus far. The first 100 days have also not been without controversy: Alliance MLA Patrick Brown resigned his seat in April and was replaced by Andrew McMurray; and deputy speaker Steve Aiken will serve a suspension on the 100th day since Stormont’s return for breaching the confidentiality of the Assembly complaints process in November 2020.

The stability of the new Executive has been tested – not least by the removal of Jeffrey Donaldson as DUP leader following his arrest – and will likely be tested again with possible fallout from the Covid Inquiry and the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council due to publish its assessment of the budget on May 14. The budget is then expected to be put to an Assembly vote by the end of the month. With business confidence up and plans being laid for the tackling of the myriad problems facing the public sector, that stability will be needed long-term to deliver something that has long eluded this region: normality.

From the Great Resignation… to the Great Reshuffle

Writes Donal Laverty, Consulting Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. Article first published in the Irish News, Tuesday 30 April .

Donal Laverty, Consulting Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Recent economic data suggests the UK is in mild recession, with weak activity starting to take its toll on the labour market.

Office of National Statistics stats for February 2024 released this week show that the unemployment rate has now reached 4.2%. The number of people employed fell more than expected and job vacancies decreased for the 21st consecutive period, highlighting that the once red hot labour market has cooled significantly.

Further challenges are arising through the increasing rate of inactivity in 16–64-year-olds, which now stands at 22.2%. A wide range of historic and current issues concerning young people such as access to education, training, and employment have coalesced to create a situation where employers cannot fill vacancies while high levels of young people are not engaged with the labour market.

During the pandemic and its immediate aftermath, we witnessed the Great Resignation, when huge numbers of employees were leaving the workforce, primarily for financial reasons as wage gains from changing jobs reached record levels by June 2022. However, workers are now quitting their jobs at the same rate as in the six months that preceded the pandemic and are now sticking with the same employer after well above average rates of job switching.

Wage gains are now slowing. Annual growth in regular earnings slowed from 6.1% in January 2024 to 6% in February 2024. This marks the slowest rate of wage growth since October 2022 and a significant fall from the 7.9% peak of July and August 2023.

Employers have reacted positively to the challenges of the recent talent wars. Work for many people has improved over the past two years. Many jobs are paying more, improving benefits, investing in employee wellbeing, and becoming more flexible, inclusive, and diverse.

Given the fluidity of the labour market, a new trend is emerging in workforce data – the death knell of Great Resignation has rung, and we are now in the Great Reshuffle. Employees have begun to shift away from some industries into more sought-after ones. Unskilled or semi-skilled workers are now moving from sectors into new sectors where benefits and wellbeing allow them to work from home. For example, we are seeing cashiers moving to call centre positions to work and enjoy the benefits of working from home.

The labour market continues to flex, both in response to prevailing economic conditions and driven by change as the traditional norms of work evolve into different ways of working, driven as they are by changed employee behaviours, skillsets, and availability.

A busy week of politics for the UK and its devolved nations

A busy week of politics for the UK and its devolved nations

This week has been a busy one for the UK and its devolved nations, with a surprising resignation in Scotland, the UK Covid-19 inquiry landing in Northern Ireland, and local elections taking in place in England and Wales.

Humza Yousaf resigns

The week kicked off with frenzy and speculation as Humza Yousaf joined the ever-growing list of 2024’s surprise resignations when he stepped down as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He will consequently resign as Scottish First Minister in the coming weeks when a successor has been chosen by the party.

Yousaf’s downfall as First Minister seemed to come as quickly as the downfall of his party’s agreement with their ex-partners in Government, the Greens. There was little word of the impending conclusion of the Bute House Agreement before the First Minister abruptly dropped his partners in Government last Thursday. If the Greens had underestimated Yousaf’s willingness to unilaterally terminate the agreement, the First Minister certainly underestimated the ramifications of his decision to let them go. In a political system where consensus, communication, and collaboration are key, none were present when Yousaf pulled the plug on the almost three-year-long agreement. All trust between the former coalition partners was broken and it soon became clear that the First Minister would have difficulty staying in his job with parliament ready to vote him out in a series of votes of no confidence. In the end, Humza Yousaf jumped before he was pushed, telling reporters that he would not make unwanted deals with other parties just to cling onto power.

Now, all eyes turn to his successor. All speculation and talk throughout the week centred around two potential candidates: John Swinney and Kate Forbes. John Swinney, former deputy First Minister to Nicola Sturgeon, announced his campaign to become leader on Thursday, signalling his desire for Kate Forbes, who narrowly lost to Yousaf in last year’s leadership election, to play a “significant part” in his team. Forbes then endorsed Swinney for the leadership, renouncing her own ambitions to lead the party for the meantime. Whilst nominations remain open until next Monday, it is expected that Swinney will be made leader without the need for a contest. For a party that prides itself on its dissimilarity to the Conservatives, a third leader within 16 months will not help defy comparisons to the challenges seen within the Tory leadership in recent years.

UK Covid-19 Inquiry comes to Belfast

Tuesday brought the arrival of the UK Covid-19 inquiry to Northern Ireland, where it will be hearing evidence for the next three weeks. Evidence is being heard for module 2c of the inquiry, which focuses on the decision-making and political governance processes during the pandemic. It wasn’t long after the hearings started that significant scrutiny was levelled at the fledgling and divided nature of the recently reformed Northern Irish Executive.

On Tuesday, critical messages from Chief Medical Officer of Northern Ireland Sir Michael McBride were shown as evidence to the inquiry, condemning the Executive ministers for their handling of the pandemic. On Wednesday, it was revealed that Sir David Sterling, who was then head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, wrote that ministers seemed to be keener on scoring political points off their opponents than helping the public. These revelations will be particularly shocking and pertinent seeing that many of the ministers in question still serve in the Executive today.

Controversy has also surrounded the deleting of messages between ministers and officials, as well as the alteration of meeting minutes, bringing into question the transparency of the Executive’s actions throughout 2020 and 2021. Stay tuned for more revelations and details of the Executive’s handling of the pandemic as the inquiry continues for the next fortnight. All eyes will turn to when senior politicians and members of the Executive of the time give evidence, including the likes of former First Minister Arlene Foster and then-deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

English and Welsh local and mayoral elections

Thursday brought with it a opportunity to vote for everyone registered in England and Wales. Elections took place in 107 local authorities across England as well as 11 directly elected mayoral contests, including London. A by-election was also held to select the new MP for Blackpool South, after former Conservative MP Scott Benton resigned a number of weeks ago because of a lobbying scandal.

Whilst turnout for these elections is consistently lower than at a general election, they will still prove to be an important bellwether for the upcoming Westminster vote if they confirm the poll averages between Conservative and Labour that have been seen throughout the last number of years.

Significant attention is being given to the two mayoral contests of Teesside and the West Midlands. Both are currently held comfortably by the Tories, and so any gains here by the Labour candidates would be seen as noteworthy. However, caveats should be applied to these contests as they are often decided on incumbent popularity. Potentially more informative therefore are the areas where mayoral elections are taking place for the first time, such as the new directly elected East Midlands mayor, where there is no incumbent.

Overnight into Friday came the declaration of the Blackpool South by-election, where Labour would have hoped to do well and pull off yet another by-election gain. They did just that, taking the seat on a staggering 26% swing away from the Conservatives, the second highest swing since the end of World War Two. The Tories only polled 17.5%, with Reform right behind on 16.9%, the highest vote share they have received at a by-election thus far. It will be important to keep an eye on the ramifications of such a result on Rishi Sunak’s leadership and the Conservative party more widely.

It’s clear that there will be a lot of results to digest for parties and election analysts alike with potentially far-reaching consequences leading into the next General election. However, the counting and reporting of these results won’t be completed until the end of the weekend, so this busy political week will last a little longer.  

WE'RE HIRING: Client Manager, Public Affairs, Brown O'Connor

Position: CLIENT MANAGER (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

Experience: Min 3+ years

Area: Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

Salary: £42k - £45k

Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre 

About Brown O’Connor Communications

Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms.

Specialist in Public Affairs, Corporate Media Relations, Issues Management & Crisis Communications, the agency was awarded the CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign 2022/2023 and was named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year (Small) 2021/2022.

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

We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers and corporate decision makers. 

We are trusted advisors based on our:

Extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.

Credibility through the people who make up our team and the approach they take.

Clients who provide endorsement on the reliability and professionalism of our work.

Our Location

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, London, Dublin and the US.

Our Specialist Areas

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

Our Clients

Our consultants work across a range of areas including legal, commercial, financial, financial technology, industrial, manufacturing, public inquiries, regulators, commissions, non-departmental public bodies and the third sector.

Our Approach and Company Culture

The success of Brown O’Connor Communications is based on the performance of its people.

Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.

We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.

What we offer

22 Days Annual Leave and 11 Public Holidays

Flexible working 1 day per week (Friday)

Paid Annual CIPR Membership

An exciting and dynamic working environment in a city centre-based office

Training opportunities

Mobile Phone allowance

Regular team social events

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager (Public Affairs) 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.

Role Specification

Strategic Counsel

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

Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement strategies.

Day to Day Delivery

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

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

Oversee the delivery of the Brown O’Connor Communications political monitoring services.

Manage and lead the forward work programmes of All-Party Groups at the NI Assembly.

Devise and manage pre-application community consultations for important planning applications.

Write strong editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

Manage public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest.

Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.

New Business Development

Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development.

Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission.

Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.

People Management

Line management duties with wider members of team.

Understanding the requirement to work with efficiency and profitably.

Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets.

Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

3+ years working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate/Strategic 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.

An excellent communicator both written and oral.

Commercially and politically aware.

Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic.

Ability to hustle to make things happen.

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

Clean driving licence and access to a car is a must due to client requirements.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in working in a similar role in the Republic of Ireland.

How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed response to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Monday 3rd June 2024

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

Please state your name and ‘CM Public Affairs’ in the subject line.

Application Process

·       Initial shortlisting

·        Two stage interview

Fast Track Cities: Zero New HIV Diagnoses in Northern Ireland by 2030 is achievable

Pictured signing a United Nations AIDS Declaration to officially make Northern Ireland a Fast Track Region, aiming to reach zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030, are Bertrand Audoin of Fast Track Cities Paris, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, Jacquie Richardson, CEO, Positive Life and Councillor Jason Barr, Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

 Northern Ireland could lead the way, through United Nations AIDS declaration

Northern Ireland has been officially declared a Fast Track Region today (Tuesday 23 April 2024), with the signing of a United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) declaration aimed at reaching zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030.

The Fast-Track Cities “Paris Declaration” was signed on behalf of Belfast City Council by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy and the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Jason Barr.

Fast-Track Cities is a global partnership involving cities and municipalities around the world. In Northern Ireland, the initiative is being led by the region’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life.

The most recent HIV report from the Public Health Agency* showed that in 2022 there were 1,348 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland, of whom 1,049 were men and 299 were women. In 2022, this included 52 people who hadn’t previously been diagnosed.

 Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive of Positive Life said,

“This is the most exciting step forward for HIV in Northern Ireland for decades.  While there have been improvements in diagnosis and care, we cannot be complacent.

“There remains a real need for ongoing public awareness and education around the very serious health risks and impacts of HIV; secondly, a lot of work still needs to be done to break down the public stigma around HIV, which is based on many myths, prejudices and outdated misconceptions. These deeply affect the way individuals with HIV – and their families and friends - live their lives.  Finally, we need to keep up the drive for regular HIV testing, because the statistics show that 1 in 3 people diagnosed in Northern Ireland were diagnosed at a late stage, meaning that they had the virus for some years prior to diagnosis.

“By joining in this global movement and with a stronger focus at a grassroots, community public health level, we firmly believe that Northern Ireland could achieve the Fast Track Cities goal of zero new HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland by 2030. How amazing would that be for Northern Ireland?”

Speaking on behalf of Fast Track Cities, Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO, IAPAC (International Association of Providers of AIDS Care) said,

“IAPAC welcomes Belfast and Derry’s inclusion in the Fast-Track Cities network, which marks a pivotal step in Northern Ireland’s response to HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV).  Their commitment to community, public health, and political leadership is critical as they strive to end their HIV epidemic and eliminate HCV infections by 2030. Together Northern Ireland’s two most populous cities exemplify the power of collaboration and solidarity to create healthier communities.”

Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick, along with major cities across the UK have been signed up to Fast Track Cities for several years. Internationally, work undertaken through various Fast Track HIV initiatives has shaped national HIV strategies and action plans.

The signing event in Belfast was attended by community health officers from councils across Northern Ireland, as well as sexual health clinicians and public health officials.

The event also heard from three individuals who have benefited from the support of Positive Life. The three men shared their very personal experiences of living with HIV in Northern Ireland, in particular the stigma they have faced in all circles of their lives, from family and friends, to the workplace.

Jacquie Richardson of Positive Life commented,

“For those who grew up in the 1980’s, we have come a very, very long way. However, stigma remains a serious concern for people affected by the virus and leads to feelings of shame and fear. We need to increase public awareness and ‘normalise’ the conversation around HIV. The key is knowledge, to get regularly tested and know your status, and to access treatment at the earliest opportunity. Our hope is to wipe out new cases of HIV in Northern Ireland, but there is much work still to be done.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said:

“I’m delighted to have signed the Fast Track Cities pledge today and to lend my support towards the goal of having no new diagnoses of HIV by 2030.
”The more we talk about HIV, the more we reduce the stigma around it. Signing this pledge encourages conversation about the continued risk and impacts of HIV and the need for ongoing awareness. It also encourages those living with a HIV diagnosis to take advantage of the support that it is out there.”

Journalist Duo Join Brown O’Connor as agency invests in growth phase with 3 new hires

New Hires: Louise O’Kane and Odrán Waldron join Brown O’Connor as team expands across Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.

Significant level of new business wins with high profile clients signals further expansion for firm across the island of Ireland with 3 new hires in Q1.

Brown O’Connor, one of Ireland’s leading political influencing and corporate communications advisory firms has announced Louise O’Kane and Odrán Waldron as new Client Managers. 

An experienced TV producer with ITV, Louise O’Kane joins from her most recent role as Audience Editor for the Belfast Telegraph. 

Odrán Waldron joins the firm as Client Manager from his role as Deputy Editor at eolas/agendaNi.

Louise and Odrán will be responsible for advising the agency’s clients across corporate communications, public affairs, crisis management, planning and property communications and litigation communications. 

Both will also play a role in the agency’s specialist Film and TV publicity practice area working with production companies, film distributors, investors and film festivals. 

Brown O’Connor has also announced Peter Gillanders as a third hire this month as Client Executive who will be responsible for political monitoring and support to the company’s significant public affairs client roster. 

The three new hires come off the back of the agency appointing Vicki Caddy as a Client Director at the tail end of 2023 adding significantly to its senior team. 

The set of new hires makes Brown O’Connor Northern Ireland’s largest independent public affairs led agency.  

Manufacturing Month returns to challenge and champion sector

Some of Northern Ireland’s leading companies and organisations announcing their sponsorship of Manufacturing Month at NOW Group: Chris Guy, Partner, Mills Selig, Jean McCullough, Branch Manager, Reliance Automation, Grainne McVeigh, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Invest NI, Mary Meehan, Deputy Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI, Rachel Doherty, Anchor High Summit Director, Aodheen Dougan, Business Engagement Manager, Manufacturing NI, John Mathers, Director, Barclays, Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI, Maeve Monaghan, Chief Executive, NOW Group, and Johnny Hanna, Partner, KPMG.

Manufacturing Month, which showcases the success and strength of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and engineering sector, is set to return this May.

Led by Manufacturing Northern Ireland, the entire month will be dedicated to highlighting the companies, workers, and leaders who contribute to making Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector the global success story that it is.

Manufacturing Month’s flagship Anchor High Summit will take place on Thursday 30 May at The Slieve Donard Hotel, culminating in a Manufacturing Hall of Fame dinner to celebrate those who have led their business to create jobs, and who are contributing to local communities right across Northern Ireland.

This year’s Anchor High Summit will see a strong focus on challenging manufacturing firms to become more neuro-diverse and menopause-friendly workplaces, with the event set to feature a speaker line up of industry experts and pioneering leaders to inspire others to change the world of work.

The month is sponsored by some of Northern Ireland’s leading companies and organisations including Barclays, Invest Northern Ireland, Mills Selig, Reliance Automation, KPMG, and Smart Manufacturing Data Hub.

To purchase a ticket for Manufacturing Month’s Anchor High Summit and the Gala Dinner, visit: https://www.manufacturingmonthni.com/anchorhighsummit/

Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI, said:

“There is much to celebrate in our sector this Manufacturing Month. As the second largest contributor to Northern Ireland’s economy, we punch well above our weight in terms of our scale and reach. Manufacturing and engineering accounts for just 6 per cent of the total private sector business population, but we employ 11 per cent of Northern Ireland’s workforce and account for 13.4 per cent of our local economic output, compared to a UK figure of 9.8 per cent.

“We continue to have remarkable success at home and overseas, solving problems for customers and mitigating against emerging existential threats to our planet.  This is due to the skilled and innovative leaders and colleagues that make up our manufacturing population.

“However, at Manufacturing NI, we’re acutely aware of the challenges that our sector is facing including the availability of labour, decarbonisation and driving productivity through technology. Manufacturing Month, and indeed our Anchor High Summit, is our platform to challenge our manufacturing leaders to think differently about their businesses.

“Making sure that our local manufacturing businesses are inclusive for women going through menopause and individuals who are neuro-diverse is something we are eager to explore. Manufacturing Month is the time for everyone in the sector to look inwards, learn from each other, and improve our practices to ensure that we create environments where all individuals feel valued, supported, and importantly, want to work”.