Youth Officer for Gaeltacht Areas

ForóigeIreland€37,436 - €51,457 per yearFull-time

Locations (x3):

  • Gaeltacht Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh (Iorras)

  • Gaeltacht area of Uíbh Ráthaigh and the wider Iveragh Peninsula

  • Corca Dhuibhne

  • Responsible to: Area Manager Hours: 35 hours per week minimum Annual Leave: 29 days per year

    About Foróige

    Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation enables young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society.

    Foróige employs over 600 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high-quality services to young people through the operation of:

    • Over 400 volunteer-led Foróige Clubs

    • The Mentoring Programme

    • Over 140 Youth Services and Special Projects

    Role Information

    This initiative is a 3-year pilot project subject to funding and evaluation. It is co-funded by a number of stakeholders:

    • Department of Education & Youth

    • MSLETB & KETB

    • Gaeilge Iorrais

    • Muintearas Teo

    • Uíbh Ráthaigh Gaeltacht Committee

    • Corca Dhuibhne Development Cooperative

    • Dúchas an Daingin

    • Glór na nGael

    This is a new and innovative project that will give opportunity for young people to socialise and engage in programmes and activities through Irish. The Youth Officer will deliver universal youth work to the young people of the Gaeltacht areas of:

    • Gaeltacht Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh (Iorras)

    • Gaeltacht area of Uíbh Ráthaigh and the wider Iveragh Peninsula

    • Corca Dhuibhne

    A work plan will be co-developed with the Irish Language Planning offices of the Gaeltacht areas and young people through Irish.

    The work will involve volunteers, communities and stakeholders to identify and engage with young people. The primary focus is to create a youth work programme for all young people through Irish.

    Key Responsibilities

    The duties of the Youth Officers shall be notified by the Organisation’s National Council and/or its Chief Executive or nominee. These duties will include:

  • Working with young people aged 8 to 24 from Gaeltacht areas who want the opportunity to engage in youth work programmes through Irish.

  • Coordinating and delivering community-based youth work initiatives and summer programmes directly to young people in the Gaeltacht areas.

  • Working with local communities and other professionals to identify young people for the project.

  • Being responsible for the design, organisation/co-ordination and implementation of educational and support programmes with the target group of young people, through Irish.

  • Enlisting the support of parents, family members and other volunteers and enabling them to engage effectively with the target group in youth development activities.

  • Provision of other youth work interventions including design, facilitation and evaluation of summer programmes, school holiday programmes and occasional weekend work – all through Irish.

  • Together with others (e.g., youth workers, volunteers), provision of late-night outreach work and some weekend work.

  • Attending meetings and preparing written reports as required for the Management/Advisory Committee and funders.

  • Engage with an action-research evaluation process to build capacity with young people, youth work practitioners and stakeholders to examine what constitutes effective youth work through the medium of Irish.

  • Recruitment and training of volunteers to work in partnership with the team.

  • Reporting to the Foróige Manager.

  • Any such other relevant duties as the Board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation of Foróige's policy and programmes.

  • Professional Qualifications and Experience

    (E = Essential, D = Desirable)

    • Fluency in the Irish language (E)

    • Education to National Diploma or Degree standard (note: candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications) (E)

    • Paid or voluntary experience working with young people (D)

    • Access to car and full Irish driving licence (E)

    Person Specification(All Essential)
    • Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with young people

    • Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships

    • Commitment and drive to sustaining the Irish language as a living language

    • Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail

    • Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment

    • Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team

    • Excellent written communications skills, including report writing and the ability to draft summary information and correspondence

    • Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes

    • Good computer skills, including Word & Excel, PowerPoint and Social Media skills

    Requirements of all Foróige Staff(All Essential)
    • Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation

    • To act consistently in a professional manner at all times

    • To participate in regular supervision with your line manager

    • Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role

    • Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. This post requires that you will work some late evenings/nights per week and some weekend work

    Other Information
    • Garda Vetting: Candidates under consideration for employment in Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.

    • References: The successful candidate will undergo 2 reference checks before commencing employment.

    • Funding: If the funding for the post is discontinued, the post holder’s contract may be terminated.

    • Hours of Work: Requires flexibility. Expected to work up to 10pm three evenings/nights per week with regular weekend work.

    • Salary: Youth Worker Scale: €37,436, €38,994, €40,552, €42,113, €43,671, €45,235, €46,798, €49,127, €51,457

    • Travel: This post will involve domestic travel within Ireland and occasional meetings. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with Foróige rates.

    Apply Now

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