Galway City Council is an urban local authority with over 650 employees across multiple locations within the city. There are 18 elected members of the council representing 3 wards in the city. The council has an annual revenue budget of just over €143 million for 2025 and provides a wide and diverse range of public services such as parks and recreation, housing, management of the public realm, libraries, physical planning and development, community, culture and place-making and the delivery of infrastructure projects. Internal services include finance, ICT, people & organisation development and corporate affairs & international relations. The council is committed to increasing its capacity and capability for change to deliver improved public service.

In today’s world, international relations are an important function for any modern, ambitious and outward-facing city.

Galway City has formal twinning relationships with:

• St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Year of Twinning: 1977

• Lorient, France, Year of Twinning: 1975
• Seattle, Washington, USA, Year of Twinning: 1986
• Bradford, England, Year of Twinning: 1986
• Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Year of Twinning: 1994
• Chicago, Illinois, USA, Year of Twinning: 1997
• Aalborg, Denmark, Year of Twinning: 1997
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, Year of Twinning: 2001
• Menlo Park, California, USA, Year of Twinning: 2015
   

• Qingdao, China., Year of Friendship Agreement: 1999
• Auckland, New Zealand, Year of Friendship Agreement: 2002
• Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada., Year of Friendship Agreement: 2002
• Stirling, Scotland., Year of Cultural Agreement: 2012
   

• European City of Culture,
• European Region of Gastronomy,
• UNESCO City of Film,
• European Green Leaf City.
• Net Zero City

The successful candidate, reporting to the Tourism Officer, will be expected to perform duties in relation to the international relations activities undertaken by Galway City Council and to work with other stakeholders to maximise the potential of these activities in the promotion of the City. In addition to civic and governmental activity, areas such as education, culture, sport, and commerce have been areas that have facilitated the forging and maintenance of valuable inter-city connections.
The main objective of the International Relations Officer will be to shape and drive a programme of activities and events across a broad range of areas that actively develop and promote Galway City and enhance its international profile as an attractive place to live, invest, study, work and visit.

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of the International Relations Officer will include:

Cultural Exchange and Collaboration:

• Through the Tourism Strategic Policy Committee, to develop and implement a strategy for international relations and activities for Galway City Council and to report regularly to the Strategic Policy Committee thereon.
• Development of an International Relations Taskforce with key partners in Galway City.
• Through the administration of the Council’s Twinning Grants Scheme to promote engagement by local stakeholders in the development existing Sister City Relationships through activities, events and programmes.
• Support and implement joint projects, initiatives, or programs that drive cultural, educational, social, scientific, and economic areas.
• Strengthen relationships between partners by creating networks for future cooperation, allowing stakeholders from both sides to connect, collaborate, and support each other.
• To encourage cross-cultural understanding and foster closer relations between with our partners.
• To promote the exchange of knowledge, skills, and insights.

• Facilitate knowledge and experience sharing, ensuring mutual benefits from the expertise, culture, and best practices of the other.
• To develop year-round programmes that allow for participation by organisations in Galway City and provide new opportunities
• Establish links with Irish State Agencies such as the Embassies, Culture Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA to maximise opportunities for Galway City
• To use Galway City’s existing and proposed international relations to contribute to the collective marketing of the city and the region.
• Identify shared problems or issues (e.g., environmental concerns, economic development) and work together to find sustainable solutions that benefit both sides.
• Act as the key point of contact and liaise and further develop opportunities with the Galway Convention Bureau.

• Engage the local communities by creating accessible programmes
• Ensure inclusivity and diversity are central themes in all our programme activities promoted through the agreements.
• Promote intercultural dialogue, appreciation, and understanding, helping to bridge gaps in cultural differences and create mutual respect between the entities involved.
• Support sustainable and long-term growth by incorporating environmentally friendly practices into collaborative projects.

• To foster the long-term growth of the agreements.
• Enhance Galway City’s organisational capabilities, ensuring that we can effectively grow our partnerships and develop new relationships
• To work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure alignment of the City Council’s international relations activities with Ireland’s Policy for International Development.
• To identify potential opportunities that EU, National and local programmes and plans may present for international relations for Galway City, including opportunities for funding.

• To carry out any administrative duties pertaining to the role.
• To have responsibility for financial management of the international relations budget assigned on an annual basis.
• To carry out any such other duties required by the Chief Executive of Galway City Council.