Irish Language Development Officer

Main Duties and Responsibilities: The Irish Language Development Officer will be responsible for promoting and developing the use of the Irish language across Tusla, Child and Family Agency. They will work closely with all departments of the organisation to establish and implement strategies to increase the visibility and use of the Irish language within Tusla, in line with national language policies and frameworks.

Responsibilities: • Develop and promote the use of the Irish language in accordance with Tusla’s Irish Language Scheme, in compliance with the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 • Maintain relations and co-operate with voluntary organisations and public bodies in relation to the Irish language including Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Coimisinéir Teanga and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. • Work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders, to promote bilingualism and the use of the Irish language within the organisation. • Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Irish Language Scheme (2023 – 2025) within Tusla, identifying areas for improvement and recommending innovative approaches to promote the language. • Monitor compliance with the provisions of the Irish Language Amendment Act (Publications, Websites, Signage, Advertising & Marketing information etc), assisting with website updates & follow-up. • Handling correspondence from customers and bodies such as An Choimisinéara Teanga, through to closure. • Advise the areas, regions, and corporate functions of Tusla’s legal obligations under the Irish Language Amendment Act 2021 • Providing translation and managing external translation services, proof-reading to ensure accurate interpretation and consistency of language. In doing so, maintain a database of Irish language terminology to ensure consistency of frequently used terms. • Provide guidance and support to staff within Tusla to enhance their Irish language skills through training and development opportunities. • Collaborate with relevant internal and external partners to develop and deliver Irish language resources and materials to support the use of the language within Tusla. • Act as a focal point for Irish language queries, internally and externally, providing advice, guidance, and support as required. • Organise and facilitate Irish language events. • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. • Representing Tusla at Irish language events organised by State Agencies and Irish language organisations, as the need arises and maintaining key contacts. • Proven ability to plan, coordinate, and execute Irish language initiatives and events. • Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment. • Very good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate and improve the implementation of Irish language strategies. • Very good knowledge of relevant legislation - the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, frameworks, and best practices relating to bilingualism and the promotion of the Irish language. • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software. • A genuine passion for the Irish language and a commitment to promoting its use and accessibility within Tusla, Child and Family Agency. • Maintain own knowledge of relevant procedures, practices, and legislation to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met. • Ensure that archives and records are accurate and readily available. • Maintain confidentiality of documentation, records etc • Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility. • Ensure that service-users are treated with dignity and respect.

Teamwork and Building and Maintaining Relations • Sharing information with the wider team as appropriate. • Being accountable for your own work and the work of the team in relation to your role. • Working on own initiative as well as part of a wider team.

Event Planning including • Event support for directorates/regions and national corporate services including launches and conferences where Irish language requirements apply. • Proactively handling any arising issues and troubleshooting any emerging problems in line with your role on the day of an event. • Assisting Head of Communications or other colleagues on the Communications Team with language compliance for promotions/public relations publicity for events, as required. • Ensuring compliance with insurance, legal and safety obligations

Human Resources • To supervise, allocate and oversee the work of assigned administrative staff. • Encourage and support staff through change processes. • Pay close and accurate detail to own personal work. • Support the preparation and issuing of office documentation (correspondence, reports etc) to the highest possible standard. • Co-operate and work in harmony with other teams and disciplines. • Ensure line management is kept informed of all issues.

Education and Training • To maintain continuous personal development and participate in team-based development, education, training, and learning. • To complete all mandatory training. • Where appropriate, arrange for the induction and training for assigned staff, as required to maximise skill resources, (to include workplace experience placements where applicable). • Where appropriate, provide supervision and assist in the development of knowledge, skills of relevant staff under your supervision. • To participate in performance evaluation / review, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them. • To ensure policies and procedures exist for all areas.

Health & Safety • Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards. • Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role. • To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water, and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and / or Experience Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following: • Be fluent with a high standard of both spoken and written Irish. • Have practical experience in the language planning process. • Proven ability to develop and implement strategies to promote and develop the use of the Irish language in an organisational context. • Experience communicating ideas, vision, and information clearly to both internal and external audiences and to senior managers. • Ability to manage different tasks related to the promotion and operation of the Tusla Irish Language Scheme within tight and/ or competing deadlines. • Effective ICT Skills • Possess sufficient administrative capacity to discharge the functions of the grade/post.

Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Knowledge and Experience • Awareness of children and young people’s participatory practice. • Competence in the use of Microsoft Office. • Excellent IT Skills. • Demonstrate the ability to manage staff. • Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining work standards and delivering a quality service. • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the services of TUSLA -Child & Family Agency. • An understanding of and the ability to execute communications programmes and campaigns from beginning to end through the medium of Irish. • An understanding of the media and its relationship to public bodies/ Child and Family Agency. • An understanding of the various audiences and key stakeholders for the Agency. • Strong knowledge and experience in technologies including social media and online communications.

Planning & Managing Resources • Demonstrate planning and organising skills including using computer technology effectively. • Excellent organisation and planning skills with an ability to be flexible and multitask. • Demonstrate the ability to manage and allocate resources. • Demonstrate good planning and organisational skills.

Evaluating Information, Problem Solving & Decision Making • Demonstrate problem solving and initiative skills including the ability to adapt to change. • The ability to appropriately analyse and interpret information, develop solutions, and contribute to decisions quickly and accurately as appropriate. • Initiative in the resolution of complex issues. • The ability to recognise when it is appropriate to refer decisions to a higher level of management. • A capacity to develop new proposals and recommend decisions on a proactive basis.

Team Working and Leadership • The ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders and to achieve results through collaborative working. • The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team and multi stakeholder environment. • The ability to lead the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required. • Flexibility, adaptability, and openness to working effectively in a changing environment. • Is personally committed to the mission and values of the Agency. • Has respect for others; the capacity to safeguard and demonstrate the values of the organisation.

Communications & Interpersonal Skills • Strong communications, interpersonal and writing skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner. • Possesses the ability to communicate ideas, vision, and information clearly and to explain and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner. • Is comfortable with multiple styles and adapts communication style and frames messages to suit different audiences. • Builds relationships and actively liaises with relevant individuals and groups internally and externally. • Actively promotes cross department / group communication and identifies those who need to be informed and consulted.

Other requirements of the role The post holder will require access to appropriate public and/or private transport as the post may involve travel. Selection Process The online application system has a time out facility, this is in order to protect the privacy of the user. This time out facility activates if the application has been ‘dormant’ for over 60 minutes. Any work not saved will be lost if the system times out due to lack of activity. Tenure The current vacancies available are temporary and whole time. The standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is: 35 hours The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage for each individual post.

The purpose of this campaign is to fill immediate urgent vacancies and it is expected that panel placements will cease if expressions are not received within the appropriate processes.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

01/03/2023: €47,335, €48,810, €50,284, €51,762, €53,249, €54,984, €56,722 LSIs LSIs (Long Service Increments) are represented by emboldened figures. 1st LSI is paid after 3 years on the max, the 2nd LSI after 3 years on LSI1, and the 3rd LSI after 3 years on the 2nd LSI (where applicable). The appointee shall commence on the first point of the salary scale.