Youth Officer

About Foróige

At Foróige, you’re not just taking on a job – you’re joining a movement that empowers young people and transforms communities. With over 600 dedicated staff and thousands of volunteers, we work together to create impactful change through innovative programmes, clubs, and services.

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

About the Project

The newly established Castlebar Ballinrobe UBU – Your Place Your Space youth service allows young people to access out-of-school support in their local communities to enable them to achieve their full potential by strengthening their personal and social development outcomes. Based in Castlebar, the service provides outreach to Ballinrobe.

The project provides a range of interventions and services, particularly targeted at young people at risk, including the development of community-based youth groups, the operation of intensive group work programmes, individual programmes, special interest preventative programmes, and therapeutic interventions to support young people (10–24 years) in the area.

The UBU Youth Services are funded by the Department of Education and Youth under the UBU Your Place Your Space funding scheme through the Education and Training Board.

There is now a vacancy for a Youth Officer to work with young people within the Castlebar and Ballinrobe UBU project to deliver on the Service Requirement developed by the local Education and Training Board – Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth under the UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme.

Key Responsibilities

The Youth Officer will be employed by Foróige and will be given a contract of employment. It must be understood, however, that if the position becomes redundant at any time during the period of the contract, or if the funding for the post is discontinued, or a post holder fails to perform satisfactorily, employment may be terminated.

The duties of the Youth Officer shall be notified by the Board of Foróige and/or their nominee. The function is achieved through fulfilling the main duties outlined below:

• Developing innovative programmes and interventions to meet the needs and interests of the young people as identified by the ETB as a priority.

• Engaging, building, and maintaining strong, positive relationships with the target groups on both a group and one-to-one basis.

• Engaging the young people in a process of learning and development.

• Designing, implementing, and evaluating creative, culturally appropriate, and responsive outcomes-focused plans and interventions for project participants.

• Ensuring compliance with Foróige policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, particularly other services engaged with young people in the catchment area.

• Operating in accordance with the rules and requirements of the UBU Your Place Your Space.

• Administration, systems, budget, and resource management.

• Working collaboratively as part of the wider Foróige team.

• Any 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 policies and the UBU Your Place Your Space programme.

Professional Qualification and Experience (D: Desirable; E: Essential)

• Education to Degree standard, preferably in the area of Youth, Justice, Social, or Community Work (E). Candidates with exceptional relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications.

• Relevant paid or voluntary experience of working with young people (E).

• Access to a car and full driving licence (E).

Person Specification (Essential)

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with young people.

• 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 verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.

• Knowledge and experience of systems, processing, and administration.

• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the role.

Benefits to Support You

• Salary: Foróige Youth Officer Scale: €38,558, €40,163, €41,769, €43,376, €44,982, €46,592, €48,201, €50,601, €53,001. The highest starting point for this role will be point 1 and will be dependent on experience.

• Annual Leave: 29 days annual leave plus Good Friday.

• EAP: 24/7 Employee Assistance.

• Pension: Contributory pension benefits.

• Bike to Work Scheme.

• Commuter Travel Tax Saver Ticket.

• Training & Development: Structured onboarding together with a 9-day Foróige Induction Programme. Ongoing CPD.

• Study Leave: Up to 5 days paid Study Leave per year of course.

• Organisation Culture: Support and Supervision policy and practices that support your professional development.

• Progression Opportunities: Career Break up to 2 years after 3 years’ service; Unpaid Leave up to 6 months after 1 year of service; Flexible Work practices supporting work-life balance; Maternity and Paternity Benefit top-up pay.

Other Information

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

• Visa: Foróige is not in a position to sponsor work permit applications. All applicants should hold a valid work permit and permission for ROI.

• Hours of work: You will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. The position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that you will work some late evenings/nights per week (for full time this will be up to 3 late evenings) and some weekend work.

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