Programme Team

The post holder will report to the National Development Manager (subject to change) and will work primarily with staff on the Programme team. This team supports the delivery of the Gaisce programme, liaising and engaging with President’s Award Leaders (PALs), Gaisce Award Partners (GAPs), Gaisce participants and programme delivery partners. Gaisce staff do not deliver the Gaisce Award directly to young people and main engagement of Development Officers is with adults supporting young people in youth organisations. The team supports the delivery of Gaisce in schools, colleges, second chance education, adult education, disability groups, youth services, business, young people in youth justice programmes and many more. The team leads on several access and diversity projects supporting Global Citizenship, the Award in custody, LGBTIQA youth and young migrants.  This team also delivers PAL training and other bespoke training, events and information sessions for PALs and participants.

Whilst each member of the team has well-defined core responsibilities, the team is very close knit, and we work collaboratively to ensure the overall successful achievement of Gaisce’s Strategic Plan and shared goals. In practice, this will mean the post holder connecting and collaborating with other members of the wider Gaisce team in carrying out some of their functions. 

Wellbeing is also especially important to us in Gaisce, so we plan fun staff away days to see how we are doing, coffee mornings for non-work chats, and other relevant sessions to support each other. Professional Development for staff is also a priority within the means of the organisation. 

Everything we do is driven by our core values: Empowerment, Inclusion and Equality, Respect, and Excellence. We are committed to ensuring these core values are embedded across all areas of our work, and in our practice and processes. We treat all job applications equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion/belief system, socio-economic background, or sexual orientation.

Overview of the role of the Development Officer (Job Description)

The Candidate

Gaisce is seeking an enthusiastic, initiative-taking, and committed Development Officer to join our team and increase accessibility to the Gaisce Award programme. The ideal candidate will have a role in developing the reach of the Gaisce programme and enjoy the opportunity to engage with and encourage organisations to sign up new Gaisce participants. With proven experience in development positions and highly effective interpersonal and networking skills, the candidate will have the ability to successfully promote and recruit new President’s Award Leaders (PALs) to support young people participating in the Gaisce Awards in schools, further education, youth groups and services, community groups and other organisations supporting young people aged 14 to 25 years old. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic self-starter who can collaborate with colleagues and will be able to identify areas for development for the Gaisce Awards. We are seeking a candidate with a minimum of 3 years’ relevant expertise who can demonstrate strong accountability, leadership, and the ability to deliver upon development goals and targets.

Principal Responsibilities of the Development Officer 

Working primarily within an assigned geographic and/or sectoral area, which can be subject to amendment from time to time based on the needs of the organisation, the core duties and responsibilities of the Development Officer role are:

• To study and understand all aspects of the Gaisce Award programme.
• Develop and grow the reach of the Gaisce programme by supporting current PALs in Gaisce Award Partners (schools, youth organisations, community organisations etc.,) delivering Gaisce.
• Explore the potential of Gaisce in the assigned geographic and/or sectoral area and develop and activate new Gaisce Award Partners.
• Support newly trained and current PALs and reengage non-active PALs.
• Be the point of contact for Gaisce Award Partners and PALs within an assigned area.
• Complete general duties in relation to PAL/ GAP management, recruitment activities, projects, and other supports.
• Identify trends and priorities supporting the needs of Gaisce Award Partners and PALs.
• Develop and deliver progression opportunities from Bronze Award to Silver Award to Gold Award.
• Work closely with the Programme Team to ensure broader support for all Gaisce Award Partners and PALs.
• Maintain, support and update CRM/On-line Systems for all aspects of development work.
• Deliver on annual development work targets.
• Provide regular reports and updates including stats and analysis on annual targets to your Line Manager.
• Prepare and report on your annual work plan as directed by your Line Manager and in accordance with the overall strategy and organisations work plan.
• Support special projects as assigned.
• Promote and present on the Gaisce programme to third parties including the delivery of PAL training, if assigned.
• Manage and support volunteers. 
• Support Gaisce events, training, and ceremonies.
• Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time. 
• Act in the best interest of Gaisce and in line with the values, vision, and mission of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Professional qualification or relevant degree (note: candidates with exceptional relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications).
• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience in similar position.
• Previous experience and a good working knowledge and understanding of organisations engaging young people aged 14 to 25 years old in the education (schools and third level), youth, voluntary and community sectors.
• Full Irish driver’s licence and ownership/access to a car as the position requires regular travel.
• Demonstrate network of contacts and knowledge of key stakeholders within relevant organisations required for this role, particularly in the Dublin region.
• Strong people skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain sustainable effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation.
• Excellent organisational, planning and report writing skills (in English)
• Highly competent IT skills in Salesforce (or similar CRM), Microsoft word, Microsoft excel, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, Zoom. 
• Ability to manage several workflows simultaneously, work autonomously, take initiative, and work proactively.
• Strong presentation skills
• Effective and collaborative Team member

• Familiarity with the Gaisce programme.
• Fluency in the Irish Language
• Experience of facilitation, training, or event management both online and in person
• Train the trainer qualification
• Non-formal learning knowledge and understanding

Personal Attributes (Essential)

• Commitment to empowering young people to fulfil their potential.
• Self-starter and proactive
• Works well within a team
• Motivated and creative
• Positive outlook and solution focused.
• Flexible and able to adapt to new directives.
• Effective time management skills

Gaisce’s Core Competency Framework

Gaisce has identified six key abilities required across the organisation to ensure the organisation can deliver and excel. These are:

• Communication
• Personal & Professional Development
• Planning, Scheduling and Delivery
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Teamwork