Development Officer: Higher Education and Research
Title
Development Officer: Higher Education and Research
Reporting to
Youth 2030 Global Youth Work Programme Manager, National Youth Council of Ireland, with overall accountability to the Director and Board of NYCI.
Location
Office base will be at 3, Montague Street, Dublin 2 with travel for work required. NYCI is currently piloting a hybrid model of working.
Remuneration
€35,779 – €48,408 per annum commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Hours of Work
35 hours per week (some flexibility will be required, such as evening/weekend work).
Duration
Fixed term: 2 year initial fixed-term contract to December 2026 (subject to ongoing funding).
Starting Date
April 2024
Vetting
Some posts in NYCI are subject to Garda Vetting, this post has been identified as requiring vetting, this will need to be completed before commencement of employment.
Application Process
Complete the on-line application by 1pm Monday March 4th, 2024.
Shortlisted candidates invited for interview will be informed by March 11th 2024. Interviews are expected to be held on the week beginning March 25th, 2024.
Equal Opportunities
NYCI has an equal opportunities policy, which all employees and contractors are expected to develop an understanding of, with a commitment to equality of opportunities.
NYCI is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment that values all identities, perspectives, and experiences, and provides opportunities for learning and growth. We especially welcome applications from people from all ethnic minority and migrant backgrounds, from women, nonbinary, LGBTQI+ and other working-class backgrounds, and people from other traditionally marginalised backgrounds.
Recognising the financial barriers that people on low incomes may face in attending in-person interviews, and the current challenges many are facing with the cost-of-living, NYCI offers to reimburse public transport costs within Ireland for candidates who attend in-person interviews, on production of receipts.
Role and Purpose
The Development Officer: Higher Education and Research will work as part of Youth 2030, NYCI’s Global Youth Work Programme to deliver on our Programme Outcomes, particularly Outcome 2: Global Youth Work forms part of youth and community work professional training at Third Level and Outcome 4: Promoting innovation, research, and capacity development in the youth sector which identifies, responds to, and addresses the issues, challenges, and opportunities to broaden and deepen Global Youth Work.
This is a varied role requiring understanding of academic institutions, curriculum development, research, and good project management skills.
It will involve working closely with Youth 2030 Global Youth Work Team colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
Work as an integral member of the Youth 2030 NYCI Global Youth Work Team to achieve our mission and play an active role in the delivery of NYCI’s Strategic Plan and Youth 2030 Global Youth Work Results Framework.
Higher Education Institution Capacity Development
• Develop a framework for mapping and researching the potential integration of Global Youth Work/GCE in youth & community work courses.
• Deepen and cultivate key relationships with NSETs HEI partners, GYW stakeholders, youth organisations and networks.
• Liaise with the Youth Educators Forum.
• Implementing the capacity development work of the programme and delivering on NYCI’s Strategic Aims by ensuring relevant and timely CD interventions as agreed with HEI partners.
• Supporting the development of materials and processes for specific areas/topics identified as needed for capacity development of NYCI HEI partners.
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans, performance monitoring systems and tools, and writing of programme reports.
Research
• Support a co-ordinated approach working with other strategic partners including IDEA around research needs on GCE/Global Youth Work.
• Undertake and manage the research activities of the Youth 2030 Programme in partnership with the Youth 2030 Research Advisory Group and Consortium members.
• Employ quantitative and qualitative research, monitoring and evaluation practices and support the monitoring and evaluation of the Youth 2030 Programme.
• Undertake research to present NYCI research at a variety of fora including academic conferences and academic journals.
• Act as secretariat of the Youth 2030 Research Advisory Group.
• Contribute to programme reports, funding applications, NYCI updates and Youth 2030 Research Advisory Group updates.
General
• Comply with NYCI’s child protection policy and safeguarding statement.
• Perform any other duties which may be assigned by your NYCI line manager or Director to ensure the smooth running of services.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Attainments
Essential:
- Hold a relevant level 9 third-level qualification in Youth and Community Work, Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, Human Rights, International Development, Climate Justice, Education, or cognate/related discipline.
- Proven track record of undertaking qualitative and quantitative research to a high level.
Experience
Essential:
- Minimum of 2 years post qualification working in Global Citizenship Education, Global Youth Work, Research, or Youth and Community Education and learning environments.
- Strong written and communication skills with a proven capacity in conducting research independently.
- Minimum of two years’ experience in the devising, organising, and delivering training, CPD, and capacity building, ideally across both the formal and non-formal education sectors.
- Have an understanding and knowledge of needs assessment, project management and evaluation methodology.
- Experience in the use of monitoring and evaluation tools.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of the Higher Education System in Ireland
- Other relevant educational qualifications such as Training/Facilitation
- Have experience of policy and strategy development.
- Experience in working in partnership directly with youth workers, youth leaders, and young people.
- Experience in working in partnership, collaboration and advocacy.
Knowledge, Skills and Aptitude
Essential:
- Excellent and proven organisational skills and high attention to detail in managing a diverse and demanding workload
- Have an excellent working knowledge of the Youth Work Sector including the higher/university education sector and Global Youth Work.
- Proven ability to manage a complex workload working effectively as a team member and on own initiative.
- Ability to effectively partner and collaborate with other organisations, to maintain and build partnerships and engage in effective interagency work.
- Interest in and commitment to the values of equality, justice and sustainability.
- Commitment to youth-led principles.
- Flexibility to work at weekends and evenings.
Desirable:
- Full drivers’ licence and access to car