Early Childhood Ireland is the leading children's advocacy and membership organisation.
We work in partnership with our members to achieve quality experiences for every child in Early Years and School Age care (EYSAC) settings.
We advocate for an effective and inclusive Early Years and School Age Care system which values, supports and invests in childhood, children and services.
Early Childhood Ireland's Strategic Plan contains two ambitions.
By 2026:
Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector and our members are leading the way in achieving quality practice in their child-centred settings.
Early Childhood Ireland is the leading advocate for children in EYSAC settings in Ireland, has influenced policy and legislative development in EYSAC, towards the quality system we have championed; and Ireland has achieved an investment level of 1% of GDP by 2025.At Early Childhood Ireland, we are committed to investing in our people and culture to ensure that as an organisation we deliver on our strategic plan while also continuing to be a great place to work.
We are currently operating on a blended working basis, offering great flexibility to our employees and providing excellent opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
POSITION:
Early Childhood Specialist
REPORTS TO:
Quality Support Manager
CONTRACT:
Full-time, permanent
LOCATION:
Our national office is based at Tallaght in south Dublin.
MODEL OF WORKING:
The organisation is operating a blended working model for the foreseeable future, subject to review based on organisational needs.
Job PurposeEarly Childhood Ireland is seeking an experienced early childhood education and care professional to support quality and innovation in practice, pedagogy and service development in Ireland by empowering and facilitating our members and providers and educators to be learners and to translate their learning experiences into changes that benefit children.
The Early Childhood Specialist will engage in a range of activities to deliver on our Strategic Plan 2021 to 2026.
They will research, design, generate, develop, evidence-based programmes that deliver professional learning opportunities to our members, with a particular focus on diversity, equality and inclusion, outdoor pedagogy and leadership.
This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to make a tangible difference in the lives of children in early years, school age care, and childminding settings in Ireland, by working with a committed and innovative team with ongoing opportunities for professional development.
ResponsibilitiesEducation and Continuous Professional Learning Research, design and develop high-quality, learner-focused professional learning programmes and resources, delivered by in-person, online and blended learning modes, in collaboration with team members and Early Childhood Ireland members.
Design and develop new professional learning opportunities by using Early Childhood Ireland's assets, including digital assets and organising online and face to face events.
Input in and develop content for Early Childhood Ireland's digital and printed publications in collaboration with team members.
Learn alongside Early Childhood Ireland members and where applicable provide on-site support in all areas of practice.
Through a multi-tiered support structure, empower members to expand their knowledge and understanding that enhances their operational, pedagogical and practice decisions that are legally and regulatorily compliant, leading to high-quality for children in settings.
Projects Contribute to diverse projects, ensuring they align with best practices in early years and school age care to ensure effective and timely project implementation.
When required lead out on projects utilising organisational project management processes and practices.
Conduct projects, activities and research in an ethical manner and contribute to the wider body of knowledge.
Collaboration and engagement Participate in and assist in the organisation of events, visits to member services, and any other activities required.
Contribute to Early Childhood Ireland's communications tools and platforms, e.g., social media, website, videos, magazines, reports etc.
Collaborate with Early Childhood Ireland colleagues and external partners in presenting at conferences and seminars, undertaking research and co-writing.
Collaborate with the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team to ensure the influencing of policy and legislative development is achieved.
Contribute to an organisational culture of innovation and change and be an ambassador for the work of Early Childhood Ireland.
Be willing to engage with new technologies for dissemination and education purposes.
Engage with national and local policy development and implementation on education, training and professional learning and represent Early Childhood Ireland on relevant fora, as required.
Maintain a close and professional understanding of current developments in the sector.
Contribute to competitive funding applications to support strategic development to increase both programme development and research capacity within Early Childhood Ireland and work across teams to research and write compelling grant proposals for submission to institutional funders that show a strong research focus and evidence base.
Action Research Mentor and empower Early Childhood Ireland members to undertake action research and enquiry as tools to change practice, pedagogy, and services to benefit young children.
Conduct projects, activities and research in an ethical manner and contribute to the wider body of knowledge.
Quality Assurance Engage positively with internal and external quality assurance processes and procedures that supports the monitoring and evaluation of Early Childhood Ireland's activities and impacts.
Document and report on all work activities, including using Early Childhood Ireland's record keeping systems, to support Early Childhood Ireland's internal monitoring and evaluation.
Other Provide periodic progress updates to line manager.
Maintain efficient and effective administrative and information systems.
Work to monthly work goals and targets as developed by line manager.
Be willing to undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities.
Participate in team, staff, and project meetings.
Contribute to project planning and execution.
Person SpecificationEach of the following requirements is essential, unless marked with a * when it is deemed a desirable attribute.
Education and QualificationsA Level 8 Degree or equivalent academic qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Masters level qualification in a relevant field*At least two years' experience in a similar post.
Previous experience in programme design and the development of continuous professional learning activities.
* Early Childhood Ireland's current strategic plan and theory of change focuses on the areas of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, outdoor pedagogy and leadership within the Early Years and School Age Care therefore a keen interest in these areas is desired. Skills and ExperienceExcellent writing and editing skills.
Excellent verbal communications and presentation skills.
Able to interpret and present research and data (qualitative and quantitative) in a meaningful way to internal and external stakeholders.
Comfortable working to tight deadlines and under pressure.
Adept at identifying, prioritising and planning key areas of work.
Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, members and external personnel.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team in pursuit of common goals, as well as to work independently.
A strong personal commitment to children's rights.
Personal Attributes and QualitiesDependable and flexible.
Creative and analytical.
Solution focussed with good judgement.
High levels of personal motivation, self-management, and attention to details.
Terms and ConditionsEmployer:
Early Childhood Ireland
Location:
The main place of work is our Head Office.
Blended working model – working remotely within the Republic of Ireland and at our national office, the combination of days spent in the office and working remotely to be agreed with the successful candidate.
Contract details:
This is a full-time post reporting to the Quality Support Manager.
The contract is permanent, subject to funding, and the probationary period is six months.
Salary:
A salary in the range €38,000 to €42,000 is offered.
The agreed salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Annual Leave Entitlement: 23 days.
Hours of Work: 35 hour working week.
The position will also require participation in some meetings/events in the evenings and at weekends.
Time-in-lieu will be given.
Employee Benefits:
Upon commencement: Tax Saver commuter ticket scheme.
Bike to Work scheme.
Employee assistance programme available to all staff and their families.
Influenza vaccination and eye tests.
Access to health screening service.
Two privilege leave days per year, Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
Upon successful completion of probation:
Defined contribution pension scheme offering 6% to 10% employer contribution based on service, plus employee contribution (membership of pension scheme is mandatory upon completion of probation).Access to Health Plan – group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) with employers' contribution.
Death in service benefit.
Professional fees and training opportunities as applicable.
Flexi-time*Additional annual leave*Paid maternity, parents', paternity and adoptive leave*Paid sick leave*Educational assistance*(*= Access to these benefits will depend on role/length of service.)
Application ProcessTo apply, please submit an up-to-date CV (no more than two pages long) and letter of application via email with subject line Early Childhood Specialist for the attention of Gillian Moore, Strategic HR Manager to
by Friday, 28 February pm.
The cover letter should address the essential requirements and convey the applicant's understanding of this role based on the Job Description and Person Specification.
Candidates may be asked for further information or to undertake other tasks to assist in the assessment process.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role, please reach out to Gillian Moore – Gillian Moore.
Early Childhood Ireland strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Early Childhood Ireland believes the protection and welfare of all children is of paramount importance and is committed to implementing robust safeguarding procedures throughout the recruitment process.
The organisation is aligned to Children First National Guidance 2017, Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012 in all aspects of work.
We do not require the support of recruitment agencies at this time.
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