ABOUT EIL/AFS IRELAND

EIL/AFS Ireland is an Irish non-profit organisation based in Cork Area. Our mission is to provide intercultural learning opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds. We offer a variety of programmes, including study abroad, volunteer abroad, language training, travel awards, and group education programs. As an educational charity, we are dedicated to promoting inclusion, equality, environmental sustainability, and global peace.

Learn more about who we are and what we do About EIL/AFS Ireland here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic professional to join EIL/AFS Ireland’s energetic team. This role will support the internal operations of EIL/AFS Ireland and provide support to students of EIL/AFS Ireland, and the wider community and voluntary sector. 

The post holder will work closely with the Study Abroad Programme Manager and wider staff team.

The successful candidate will maintain a positive and responsive attitude towards collaborative working that encourages the best from, and supports the efforts of others.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a full-time role as a Study Abroad Student Support Coordinator. The Coordinator will be responsible for providing day-to-day support and assistance to study abroad students. This includes coordinating travel logistics, organising cultural immersion activities, assisting with housing arrangements, and providing guidance and support during their stay. 

Administration:

• Process student applications received from international partners
• Liaise with local coordinators in Ireland in relation to student placements
• Process placement details, host family applications, and Garda vetting forms
• Collate evaluations and feedback from participants and host families, and using this data to continually improve on practices
• Coordinate content and volunteer engagement for arrival camps in Dublin and regional orientation workshops
•  Co-ordinate and monitor payments to host families, schools and coordinators
• The programme co-ordinator is expected to deputize on behalf of the programme manager in their absence and during that period assume the level of responsibility that the programme manager would normally carry.
• Plan and book transfer tickets etc

Student and Local Coordinator Support:

• Anticipate issues and troubleshooting on a range of issues such as homesickness, host family relations, medical concerns, rule-breaking and adjustment issues.
• Work with Local Coordinators (LC), students, parents and international partners to resolve student support issues.
• Support young adults in a person centred manner at all times in order to support their programme goals.
• Calm management of issues and emergencies when they arise
• Offering advice and guidance to Local Coordinators when appropriate
• Improving programme quality through research and guidance on best practice
• Development of new processes to strengthen EIL’s support capacity, including, but not limited to, technological solutions and communication methods.
• Upholding of and adherence to EIL procedures, rules and best practices including EIL’s Child Safeguarding and Risk policies.

General:

• Lead or help lead training events, workshops and orientations for volunteers and Local Co-ordinators.
• Building a strong relationship with and support EIL volunteers who work with the Study Abroad Team
• Development of support handbooks and tools for Local Coordinators, host families, sending parents and schools
• Work in tandem with Programme Manager to ensure key performance indicators are effectively met including the educational outcomes of the Study Abroad programmes

Programme Maintenance:

• Out of hours support phone duty - based on a rota
• Orientation talks

PERSON SPECIFICATION
 

Desirable Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant discipline or equivalent
• Minimum 2 year’s work experience in youth work, social care, or education
• Experience working as part of a team
• Full driver’s license preferable

Desirable Skills: 

• Excellent administrative and organisational skills
• Given the level of incoming and outgoing phone calls associated with the role, a professional, courteous and confident phone manner is required 
• An exceptionally strong ‘support service’ orientation
• Ability to prioritise and manage time according to deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Positive and pro-active approach to role
• Good capability with excel spreadsheets and managing details and files that are numerical in focus 
• Must be capable of working as a team player, be highly motivated, enthusiastic and capable of using their initiative
• Good written communication skills
• Experience of a CRM system (Salesforce in particular is desirable but not essential)

Special Requirements:

• Commitment to, and understanding of, working within a voluntary organisation in an inclusive manner.
• Sound judgement and an ability to make someone on the phone (or in person) feel that they have been provided with all that they needed 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full-time permanent position with EIL/AFS Ireland.

EIL/AFS Ireland is currently working a Hybrid Working Pilot and hybrid working is available to all employees.  With this role, there will be a requirement to work from the office at least 3 days every week. 

The annual gross salary for this role is €30,000. This contract is for a 37.5-hour week and salary is payable monthly in arrears. 

Other benefits include:

• Employer contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to employee contribution)
• Annual Leave of 22 days
• EIL/AFS Ireland’s Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) policy applies to this position. 
• Further Education / Training investment programme
• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax-saver commuter tickets)

EIL/AFS Ireland uses a Behavioural Competency Framework as a key cornerstone of its performance management processes. The priority behavioural competences identified for this role are: 

Collaborative Working:

Co-operates with others and participates outside of own work area, seeks to understand fully the work of the organisation, and willingly offers support where needed. Creates a friendly work environment where any conflicts can be resolved amicably.

Open Communications:

Listens attentively, speaks clearly and to the point, and responds positively to questions. Uses relevant building/linking to improve on what has been said.

Positivity:

Displays an affirming outlook and ensures that commitments are kept.  Tackles difficulties with good humour and purpose, willing to give time and energy to completing work.

Adaptability:

Understands, accepts and adapts to change quickly, finding new ways of working while continuing to be productive and effective; Responds with enthusiasm & communicates clearly. 

The Behavioural Competency Framework is available on request and is given to all new recruits.

A complete list of all the terms and conditions will be made available to the candidate offered the role through EIL/AFS Ireland’s Staff Handbook. EIL/AFS Ireland is an equal-opportunity employer.