Community Education Facilitator - FET Skills to Advance Co-ordinator

Initial Location:

Further Education and Training

Capacity:

Fixed Term – 2 years

Reporting to:

Director of Further Education and Training (FET)/FET Senior Manager

Initial Headquarters:

The post holder will be located in the GRETB FET Headquarters, Mervue, Galway.

The Position:

The FET Skills to Advance Co-ordinator will be responsible, under the direction and guidance of the Director of Further Education & Training and the FET Senior Management team for the co-ordination of the GRETB’s Skills to Advance/Enterprise Engagement activities in respect of all FET programmes and services.

Skills to Advance is a national initiative that provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to equip employees with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to the changing job market.

You will be working closely with small and medium-sized enterprise to understand their skills needs and invest in their workforce by providing subsidised education and training to staff.

Initial Duties and Responsibilities:

• To participate, under the direction and advice of the Director of Further Education & Training and the Enterprise Engagement Manager and in co-operation with other FET managers and staff, in the organisation, co-ordination and monitoring of any activities which may be involved in or arise out of the appointment within the Board’s scheme, as the Chief Executive may decide.

The initial duties will include but may not necessary be confined to the following:

• Working closely with employers in the region to understand their individual organisation’s needs in relation to training and development
• Create and coordinate the implementation of the of the national Skills to Advance initiative across GRETB in consultation with FET Senior Management.
• Organise Skills to Advance promotional eventsand activities e.g. seminars, business breakfasts and information session
• Be a key player in the identification, planning and implementation of new provision for the region.
• Liaise with employers, enterprise/local community groups/programmes to understand regional requirements.
• Work closely with colleagues across Further Education and Training units involved in Enterprise Engagement activities;
• Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures and ongoing monitoring and reporting structures for the GRETBs Skills to Advance activities;
• Keep records and statistics and prepare reports, returns and submissions as required, in consultation with the Director of FET and FET Senior Management team, including reports for SOLAS, DES, FET senior managers and other relevant bodies;
• Liaise with Quality Assurance, HR, Finance, Recruitment, Procurement and other relevant sections within GRETB as required;
• Act in a representative capacity for GRETB as required;
• Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety requirements;
• Provide administrative support where required across FET programmes;
• Maintain an ethos appropriate to adult learning;
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the needs of the local scheme as may be assigned by the Director of FET for the effective and efficient management of resources and having regard to the changing needs of the service.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A qualification at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications or its equivalent, and/or significant relevant work experience; Third level qualification(s) in relevant discipline(s) commensurate with this role would be a decided advantage.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• A level of knowledge and expertise in the area of Further Education and Training (FET)
• An understanding of the role of enterprise engagement and employee development initiatives within FET;
• Excellent ICT, administration and co-ordination skills;
• Excellent motivating, negotiating, interpersonal and team working skills;
• Experience of developing policies and procedures and implementation and monitoring of same;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Good presentation skills;
• Experience of organising promotional and training events, seminars etc.;
• Successful applicant will have a full driving licence and access to a car and be willing to work flexibly outside of normal working hours as required.

COMPETENCIES:

Competencies will be informed by best practice Public Appointment Service Competency Framework for the Irish Public Service.

• Team Leadership
• Analysis and Decision Making
• Delivery of Results
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development
• Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values

Competencies required

• The appointee to Community Education Facilitator post will be required to show evidence of the following competencies:

Team Leadership

• Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing any performance issues that may arise
• Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team
• Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives
• Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required
• Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team
• Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change

Analysis & Decision Making

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors
• Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions
• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions
• Makes sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these
• Puts forward solutions to address problems

Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives
• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time
• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available
• Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required
• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively
• Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs
• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers

Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role
• Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management
• Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues
• Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits
• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances
• Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing
• Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the unit and Department/Organisation and effectively communicates this to others
• Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his/her area of work
• Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance

Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values

• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives
• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands
• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon
• Ensures that customers are at the heart of all services provided
• Upholds the highest standards of honesty, ethics and integrity

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

Terms of Appointment

The post is a whole-time temporary position.

Remuneration:

New Entrants:

€44,097 - €69,207

Pre 01/01/2011 entrants:

€48,757 - €69,207

IMPORTANT NOITCE RE: SALARY:

As per DES guidelines, new appointees who are entering this grade for the first time will start at the minimum point of the scale.

Incremental credit may only apply, if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is already a serving Civil or Public Servant. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Starting Salary is not subject to negotiation

Hours of work:

A 35-hour week is in operation. Hours may be adjusted from time to time under relevant Public Sector Agreements.

Annual leave:

The Annual Leave entitlement for this post is 35 days.

Sick Leave:

Sick Leave will be in accordance with the arrangements authorized by the Minister for Education and Skills from time to time.

How to Apply:

Completed application form must be submitted through the online portal by the deadline of 12 noon, Monday, 25th September 2023.