Colette Bennett Email & Phone Number

Ireland

Ireland

Principal responsibilities include:• Developing and maintaining general public-policy expertise on all significant issues relating to the community and voluntary sector in Ireland and participating in structures and processes such as the Community and Voluntary Pillar, the National Economic Dialogue and pre-budget processes/campaigns. • Representing The Wheel in external stakeholder engagement processes. • Directing and supporting the work of the research, campaigns, and member engagement functions, managing the team, and coordinating the production of annual plans.• Overseeing and organising the production of regular policy-related communications to members, stakeholders and the media and acting as spokesperson on areas of policy.• Coordinating the work of the Policy Subgroup of the Board.• Working with directors and managers to maintain cohesion in public-policy work across theOrganisation.• Advancing public policy and public affairs objectives/work generally and in developing and maintaining contacts with politicians and the political system in general.• Influencing and offering strategic advice and support to The Wheel members, board of directors and relevant sector wide Committees.• Leading and supporting the representation of The Wheel at various public policy spaces and supporting the development of relationships with sector leaders.• Leading and supporting an engaged high-performance team across all assigned staff and contractors.

Dublin

Arena House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Analysing economic and social trends in Ireland and internationally from the perspective of social justice, equality and the common good.Principal responsibilities include- Researching, analysing and advising on areas of economic and social policy- Undertaking research and analysis- Writing policy briefings, reports and research summaries- Representing Social Justice Ireland at seminars, conferences and other public events- Monitoring external research and policy developments- Engaging with stakeholders to advance the organisation's goals.

Commercial House, Westend Commercial Village, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Supporting the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) front-line services, managing the Casework Technical Support, MABS National Helpline and MABS Information Systems functions.

Responsible for the provision of support to MABS money advice staff on areas of a legal and/or technical nature and the design and implementation of debt/social inclusion projects to advance the objectives of the organisation, including:- Development and oversight of best practice procedures in money advice casework, with particular focus on mortgages, data protection, consumer law and stakeholder protocols- Liaison with the Central Bank of Ireland to develop the Standard Financial Statement and related consumer publications- Research and development of policy submissions and delivery of presentations to various Government Departments, State and semi-State agencies and international organisations - Conducting research on areas of concern to the MABS client, e.g. MABS and Mortgage Arrears, published in 2013- Development and delivery of training on a range of consumer debt issues, including specialist computer based training modules- Development and delivery of presentations and training to external stakeholders on request

Responsible for all aspects of the development and delivery of the first specialist insolvency service (the Approved Intermediary Service) throughout the MABS national network, including:- Project Management and maintenace of the Risk Register;- Development of processes, training and materials for all MABS money advice staff and Approved Intermediaries- Development of MABS' consumer publications and website materials on personal insolvency - Acting as expert knowledge base for the MABS national network- Liaising with internal and external stakeholders on matters of public policy- Design, development and delivery of an Accredited Programme on Personal Insolvency at Level 7 of the qualifications framework in conjunction with the University of Ulster- Managing the Approved Intermediary Service Transition Unit (15 staff)- Overseeing the development of systems and infrastructures for MABS’ Approved Intermediaries

Belfast, United Kingdom

Design, development and delivery of a qualification at level 7 of the QQI education framework.

Specialising in Data Protection issues, Corporate Restructuring and Governance and Mergers and Acquisitions. Responsibilities included:- Drafting Shareholders Agreements and Company Secretarial documentation for restructures for a range of high profile corporate clients- Drafting commercial terms and conditions - Negotiating and drafting documentation for Mergers and Acquisitions, including Share Purchase and Share Swap Agreements and conducting due diligence- Review of lending securities and title documentation for commercial property transactions - Acting as a knowledge resource on data protection matters, including Safe Harbour and drafting of Data Processing Agreements, across the Corporate Department- Development and delivery of Data Protection and Corporate Governance training events for Legal Island and the Law Society of Ireland - Supervising and supporting the development of trainee solicitors

Working primarily in the Property, Construction and Corporate Departments.

Residential and Commercial Conveyancing

Debt Collection / Recoveries Unit (unsecured and secured lending) / Legal & Securities Lending (Equity Release, Transfer and Release)

Ma, Social Justice And Public Policy, First Class Honours

Personal Insolvency Practitioner Certificate, Insolvency

Certificate of Qualification to be a Personal Insolvency Practitioner.

Professional Qualification, Law

Diploma, Legal Studies, General