Posted on by Sandra Irwin Gowran

We’re hiring: Educate Together Education Officer

Educate Together Education Officer  

Educate Together is the representative body for 116 primary and post-primary equality-based schools in Ireland. As a registered charity Educate Together is proud to have a reputation as an equality-based school network with principles of learner centeredness, co-education and democracy at its core. In addition, Educate Together is the management body for 95 national schools and patron (or patron/trustee partner) of 21 post-primary schools, including voluntary secondary schools, community schools and community colleges.  

Educate Together now invites applications from suitably experienced applicants for the position of Education Officer.  

The Role  

The role of the Education Officer is to support, strengthen and develop teaching and learning related to Educate Togethers’ core principles of equality-based, learner-centred and democratically run schools. The Education Officer has a specific role in supporting the implementation of Ethical Education as a core element of the Educate Together ethos across the network of Educate Together schools and in promoting the benefits of this curriculum to wider education sector audiences. The role is currently focused mainly at second-level, working alongside the Education Officer (primary). A high degree of collaboration with other national office colleagues is required as well as flexibility to support all relevant areas of work in the national office.  

The Education Officer reports to the Head of Education and Development.  

Key Responsibilities 

  • Work with other team members to develop and lead a comprehensive calendar of provision for teachers in Educate Together schools that combines network opportunities and CPD through blended online and face-to-face inputs as appropriate. 
  • Engage with the network of Educate Together schools in order to tailor support for teachers and school leaders in schools at differing stages of development.  
  • Support Educate Together schools in the implementation of Ethical Education and the Educate Together ethos through in-service, promotion of the ethos guidance online resource and ethos school self-evaluation framework developed for Educate Together. 
  • Project manage and/or support specific equality-based projects that Educate Together leads, including having a lead role in current projects i.e., Nurture Schools Project and Global Citizenship Education (related to WorldWise Global Schools).  
  • Identify opportunities to attract funding for specific projects and contribute to funding applications as appropriate. 
  • Liaise with service providers, manage partnerships and report to funders.  

Additional Responsibilities and Areas of Work 

  • Develop and manage resources (online resources, publications, human resources, etc.) to support the delivery of Ethical Education curricula in use in Educate Together schools. This includes online e-learning and distance learning support for Educate Together schools. 
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with third level education providers in relation to the delivery of inputs on Educate Together, Ethical Education and equality-based education provision; and manage the delivery of inputs and assessment as required. 
  • Identify and pursue research opportunities relating to relevant teacher education and curriculum development. 
  • Identify research to inform Educate Together policy and submissions related to teacher education and curriculum development. 
  • Maintain regular communication with Educate Together schools, teachers and school leaders in line with the national office communications plan. 

Essential Criteria

  • Professional qualification in education with a strong knowledge and understanding of the education sector in Ireland, preferably gained through the experience of teaching.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of Ethical Education andthe Educate Together ethos. (Understanding of Global Education and/or Nurture Groups also desirable)  
  • Demonstrable commitment to equality-based schools and education. 
  • Proven track record in developing curriculum, resource and/or guidance materials in relevant areas.  
  • Capacity to develop and deliver high quality submissions, presentations and teacher education, including ITE and CPD. 
  • Project management skills and experience of managing complex projects to completion.  
  • Proven ability to write clearly and concisely.
  • Exceptional communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills. 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
  • Creativity, passion, flexibility and a positive work attitude. 
  • Willingness and capacity to travel within Ireland. 

Terms  

  • This is a fixed term (20 months) contract (to August 2022)
  • The contract offered may be full-time (35 hours on 5 days) or part-time (3 or 4 days per week).
  • The role would normally be based in the National Office of Educate Together. Currently, due to Covid restrictions all staff work from home. We anticipate that a good balance between working from home and the office will be a feature of working conditions into the future.
  • Annual leave is 26 days per annum (pro rata if part-time). Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is expected with time off in lieu provided.  
  • Salary will be based onEducate Together’s Specialist Officer scale (full-time starting salary 46,800k – 50,500k, depending on qualifications and experience. Pro-rata if part-time). 
  • The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible. 

To apply

  • Applications should be in the form of a letter of application and CV (max 3 pages) and emailed to recruitment@educatetogether.ie under the subject of “Educate Together Education Officer Application”. 
  • Closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 29th January, 2021.