Safeguarding Compliance Officer
Who We Are
Irish Sailing is the National Governing Body for sailing, powerboating, and windsurfing. Our vision is to facilitate active life on open water by providing an environment in which our activities are developed, supported, and promoted at all levels - from recreation to competition to success on the international stage through our values of Leadership, Passion, Belonging, Excellence, Integrity, and Clarity.
Role Overview
Irish Sailing wishes to recruit a Safeguarding and Compliance Officer to join its team. The role will help ensure that Irish Sailing and its affiliate members, clubs, training centres, classes, and national regional bodies, have best-in-class child safeguarding policies, processes, and procedures in place, in line with legislation and best practice. It is expected that the role will assume the responsibilities of National Children’s Officer for Irish Sailing.
Reporting to: COO, Irish Sailing
Key Responsibilities
Safeguarding
* Coordinate the development safeguarding standards for Irish Sailing: safe recruitment, training management, reporting procedures, codes of conduct, information sharing and any other guidance recommended.
* Be the primary contact for all safeguarding and child protection matters.
* Manage case management of safeguarding incidents, mediating, and investigating where required, ensuring timely responses in line with statutory guidance.
* Manage the system of record keeping, maintaining confidentiality while allowing for appropriate information to be passed to relevant authorities where necessary.
* Act as the National Children’s Officer and Mandated Person, responsible for reporting to statutory authorities under the Children First Act 2015 (ROI) and Our Duty of Care (NI) where there are concerns of harm to children.
* Collaborate with relevant statutory bodies, including An Garda Siochana, PSNI, National Vetting Bureau, and others, in both the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI).
Policy and Procedure Management
* Develop, manage, and audit the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures across Irish Sailing’s Clubs, Training Centres, Classes, and National bodies Regional Bodies.
* Advise and support Clubs, Training Centres, and colleagues on safeguarding best practices, promoting consistent execution across the sport.
* Lead the development, implementation, and continuous review of Irish Sailing's Child Safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to legislative requirements across ROI and NI.
Training and Education
* Coordinate safeguarding training programs for Irish Sailing’s affiliate members Clubs, Training Centres, and staff.
* Maintain an up-to-date safeguarding library and develop resource materials to support child protection and vulnerable group initiatives.
Compliance and Governance
* Ensure compliance with relevant State regulations, managing the overview of Safeguarding and Garda Vetting processes.
* Remain up to date and informed on legislation and best practices in safeguarding.
* Monitor, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of safeguarding programs and initiatives.
Relationship Management
* Build relationships with affiliate managers, Club Children’s Officers (CCO) and Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) in order to promote and monitor policy, training, materials, processes, and general compliance.
* Ensure drop-out rates and transfers are monitored so that unusual developments or trends can be addressed, including transfer of sports leaders.
Knowledge Experience
* Experience in safeguarding policy development, training, and incident management.
* Knowledge of relevant governance, compliance and legislation and best practices in ROI and NI.
* 1-3 years’ relevant professional or voluntary experience in a similar role e.g.: Child Protection/ Safeguarding/ Outdoor Education / Sports Law / Social Care / Instructor / Tutor Trainer / Coach Developer / Sport or Community Development specifically in Safeguarding and Child Protection, behavioural change, or participation development in a sporting environment.
* Ability to build strong relationships at various levels, foster a positive work environment, and influence objectives with diverse stakeholders including young people, parents, volunteers, tutors, and colleagues in sports.
* Knowledge and experience of sport in general and sailing.
* Excellent communications, administrative and facilitation skills.
Desirable Criteria
* Qualified Mediator.
* Trained in the delivery of Safeguarding programmes.
Personal attributes
* Passionate about and a commitment to our sports with a desire for a career in Sailing.
* Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in managing sensitive issues.
* Positively contribute to the Sport Ireland and Irish Sailing Strategic Plans and programmes.
* Self-motivated with strong, administrative, time management, planning and organisational skills.
* Integrity and empathy, be resourceful and work on own initiative in a flexible and co-operative manner.
* Ability to problem solve and make effective decisions.
* Capable of consulting, communicating, and networking appropriately and effectively.
* Competent in analysing data to identify trends, measure success, and make informed decisions.
* Ability to be flexible and respond to challenges as they arise.
Location: Irish Sailing’s Head Office location is in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Role Location: Office / Hybrid mix
Status: Permanent full time
Closing Date: Friday 29th of November 2024
Irish Sailing is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply—you may be the perfect fit for this or other roles. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees.
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