Adult Education Guidance Co-Ordinator

Key Duties of the Post: • to co-ordinate the day-to-day operation of the Adult Education Guidance and Information Service, including planning, supervision of staff, management of premises and resources and maintenance of records. • to support staff development, supervise guidance information services and staff, establishing quality standards and guidelines in line with national practice.

• to provide an outreach service to Adult and Further Education and Training Centres in the catchment area. • to market and promote the guidance service, including the development of promotional materials. • to develop appropriate networks and partnerships with local agencies in the field of education, training, welfare, and community services • to establish and maintain links with employers to ascertain local and national needs. • to monitor the service, reporting on developments and provision, and informing the work of MSLETB and relevant national agencies. • to develop and deliver a programme of educational guidance provision to individuals and groups which supports the aims and objectives of the MSLETB Adult Education Guidance and Information Service. • to establish effective links with relevant agencies from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to exchange information, develop partnership working and support client progression. • to contribute to the development and implementation of a quality and evaluation framework and to the strategic development of the project. • to participate in appropriate continuous professional development and training as agreed with the project management. • Any other duties appropriate to the needs of the Service as may be assigned by the Adult Education Officer/FET Director/CE as appropriate for the effective and efficient running of the Service.

Accountabilities: • The post-holder will report to the Adult Education Officer/ Director of Further Education and Training/Deputed Officer, as appropriate. • Support for other project staff, as agreed. Purpose of the Job The Adult Education Guidance and Information Service offers impartial and confidential information, advice, guidance and counselling on the educational options that are available to clients both within MSLETB and with other education providers. The aim of the service is to support clients to make the right decisions about returning to education and training and to help them make those decisions within the context of their wider lives. The Co-ordinator of the Adult Education Guidance and Information Service is responsible for the co-ordinating and contributing to all aspects of the Service, its aims, and responsibilities. The Co-ordinator is line manager to the staff of the Service, i.e. Counsellors and Information Officer. The Co-ordinator will ensure that their responsibilities are also met. 1. To develop and deliver a programme of guidance provision to individuals and groups, which supports the aims and objectives of MSLETB Adult Education Guidance Service: • deliver an appropriate range of guidance service provision which includes information, advice, support, guidance and counselling to clients. • undertake assessment, action planning and progress review with clients. • operate effective client referral procedures, internally and externally to the project. • contribute to the provision of sources of information on appropriate learning, training and employment to clients and associated client support, such as funding, childcare etc. • maintain accurate records and client documents within the boundaries of confidentiality. • to provide support and advice in the field of guidance and counselling to staff in Further Education and Training centres, and support the development of an integrated curriculum of learning, guidance and progression. • to assist in the management of resources, e.g. financial, premises, materials, personnel etc as appropriate, relevant to the needs of the local programme. 2. To establish effective links with relevant agencies from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to exchange information, develop partnership working and support client progression. • establish and maintain links with local and national learning and training providers, agencies who offer support to clients and other guidance projects and employers. • participate in local and national networks, partnerships and committees as appropriate. • contribute to presentations, events, training and conferences with other agencies as appropriate. • to share good practice from the sector and supporting the mainstreaming of relevant lessons into national policy and practice. • to act in a representative capacity if required on matters relating to adult educational guidance. • identify and report on gaps in guidance service provision and learning/training provision. • contribute to marketing activities, which promote the project to target client groups and other agencies in the area • contribute to the production of publicity materials. • undertake appropriate activities to publicise and market the services of the project 3. To contribute to the development and implementation of a quality and evaluation framework and to the strategic development of the project. • maintain required records to contribute to monitoring, research, client tracking and client feedback. • contribute as required to the ongoing monitoring, review and evaluation of the project delivery and development. • contribute to the identification of gaps in provision and methods of delivery which can inform developments. • prepare regular activity reports and submissions in consultation, as appropriate. • participate in the planning of service delivery to agreed client groups and agencies. 4. To participate in appropriate continuous professional development and training as agreed with the project management. • undertake agreed staff development and training identified to ensure competent performance of duties. • maintain awareness of ongoing developments at local and national level. • to engage with the ETB performance management and development appraisal process • review practice and performance with the support of a nominated caseload supervisor. QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE To be eligible for employment as an Adult Education Guidance Co-Ordinator, applicants must hold one of the following: • A Primary Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Careers Guidance or Careers Guidance and Counselling or • Master of Education (Guidance) or • Master of Science in Counselling or • Equivalent post graduate qualification recognised by the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy or the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. COMPETENCIES

• Delivery of Results • Planning & Development Skills • Interpersonal & Communication

Skills • Organisational Management & Administrative Skills • Self Awareness & Self Management Key Competencies Delivery of Results: • Deliver an appropriate range of guidance service provision which includes information, advice, support, guidance and counselling to clients. • To support the development of an integrated curriculum of learning, guidance and progression pathways. • Operate effective client referral procedures, internally and externally to the project.

Planning & Development Skills • Ability to contribute to the development and implementation of a quality and evaluation framework and to the strategic development of the service. • Undertake assessment, action planning and progress review with clients. • Identify gaps in provision and in methods of delivery which can inform developments. • Participate in the planning of service delivery to agreed client groups and agencies.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills • Ability to liaise with and to establish good relationships with a wide range of clients, agencies and staff. • Establish and maintain links with local and national learning and training providers and employers. • Contribute to presentations, events, training and conferences with other agencies as required.

Organisational Management and Administrative Skills • To assist in the management of resources, e.g. financial, material, premises, etc. • Maintain accurate records and client documents within the boundaries of confidentiality.

Self Awareness and Self Management • Enhances own expertise through training, development, and networking with relevant bodies • Reflects on own actions with a view to continuous learning and development The Office The office is a whole-time, permanent, pensionable position. The normal working week is a 35 hours five-day week basis excluding breaks. However, the position of Adult Guidance CoOrdinator may involve additional hours in excess of the standard working week, without additional remuneration. The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an officer of MSLETB, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an officer of MSLETB or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of MSLETB or which might be inconsistent with discharge of his or her duties as a MSLETB Officer.

Probation The successful candidate shall serve a probationary period in accordance with the terms set out in MSL ETB’s Probationary Policy.

Salary The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to MSLETB any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. Salary: €46,932 - € 73,270 per year