Adult Literacy Organiser

Job Purpose: Under the responsibility of the FET Director and reporting directly to the Adult Education Officer (AEO), the Adult Literacy Organiser (ALO) will have responsibility leading and managing specific Adult Education (part-time) programmes and services within designated area of MSLETB. S/he will be responsible for developing, communicating and implementing actions in order to achieve MSLETB’s FET Strategic targets under the National FET Strategy (2020-2024).

Key Duties /Areas of Responsibility of ALO 1. Leader of teaching and learning: • Develop and Maintain an ethos appropriate to adult learning. • Promote effective teaching, learning and assessment strategies across the service • Recruit, assess and place learners to appropriate learning groups or one to one situations • Organise and/or support the delivery of initial and ongoing training and development for staff including volunteers 2. Leader of People and Teams • Plan, develop and manage the provision of basic adult education in consultation with the AEO/Director of FET • Support, motivate and manage tutors and learners. Performance manage staff, set clear expectations, provide regular feedback and monitor and control activity. • Assist the AEO in the promotion of on-going staff development and in the identification of the staffing needs of the service. 3. Communications • Promote basic adult education through networking, awareness raising and publicity • Liaise with relevant voluntary, statutory and community bodies • Maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders • Have the capacity to communicate clear messages to a wide variety of audiences both orally and in writing. 4. Organisational management and administrative skills • Manage resources, e.g. finance, materials, premises, etc. • Keep records and prepare reports and submissions in consultation with the AEO/FET Director/CE, as appropriate • Implement an organisational timetable/calendar regarding administrative matters such as DES/SOLAS returns • Establish and maintain effective data management systems such as student records etc 5. Self-awareness and self-management • Enhance own expertise through training, development, and networking with relevant bodies • Reflect on own actions with a view to continuous learning and development • Set a good standard of professional interactions and ensure excellent relationship boundaries are in place • Be aware of own skill set and traits and seek help and advice when required • Uphold professional integrity at all time for example, in showing discretion and in maintaining confidentiality. • Maintain an ethos appropriate to adult learning. • Enhance own expertise through training, development and networking with relevant professional National organisations and associations e.g. NALA and the Adult Literacy Organisers Association.

This 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 by the CE and to contribute to the development of the post while in the role.

Accountabilities: • The post-holder will report to the Adult Education Officer/Director of Further Education and Training/Deputed Officer, as appropriate. PERSON SPECIFICATION/PROFILE Essential requirements: • National Certificate in Training & Development (Adult Basic Education Management) or Equivalent Adult Education Qualification or equivalent relevant qualification as approved by the Department of Education • Minimum three years working in Adult Education Services; such as Adult Literacy Service, Education Management, Management of Volunteers and Participation in Adult Literacy In-Service Training or other equivalent education/training, experience in adult, youth or community work. • Leadership Skills that are committed to the highest standards of education provision, administration and governance. • Have strong people management and organisation skills. • Interpersonal and Communication Skills – confident communicator who is able to motivate others. • Relationship Building/Team working - Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team. • Problem-solving - able to analyse information and generate creative solutions. • Organisation and Planning – able to plan and prioritise effectively with a focus on successful outcomes. • Self-Awareness - evaluate own behaviour regularly with a view to continuous learning and development. • Perseverance and Resilience - determination to reach goals, and stick with difficult tasks over a long period, even when confronted by obstacles. Other Requirements Specific to the Post Due to the large geographical area covered by MSLETB the successful candidate will require to hold a full driving licence and have access to transport as the posts may involve travel. The Office The office is a whole-time, permanent contract of employment. The normal working week is a 35 hours five-day week basis excluding breaks. However, the position of the Adult Literacy Organiser 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 employee of MSLETB, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee 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 an employee of MSLETB. 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 Scale in accordance with CL 0045/2024. Salary scale and entry point on this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Education. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Annual Leave The annual leave allowance for the position of Adult Literacy Organiser is 35 days. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in MSLETB, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation and Department of Education sick leave circulars.

Location/Base The initial location for this position is MSLETB Offices, Western People Building, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board reserves the right to assign you to any other location or base that is under the control of Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, as the need arises. Any change in location or base by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board will not be deemed as redeployment as provided for under the Public Service Agreements

Start Date MSLETB shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than 6 weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such long period as the MSLETB in its absolute discretion may determine, MSLETB shall not appoint them.

Business Travel When absent from home and headquarters on duty, appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances will be paid subject to the normal Civil Service regulations. Superannuation Contributions Persons who become pensionable officers of MSLETB who are liable to pay Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. Persons who become pensionable officers of MLETB, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (I.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) All person who become pensionable officers of MSLETB are required, in respect of Spouses and Children Contributory Pension Scheme 1986, to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration or net pensionable remuneration, whichever is relevant and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. Person who become pensionable officers of MSLETB for the first time on or after 1st January 2013 are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) plus 3% of pensionable pay.

Retirement Effective from 1st January 2013, the Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The minimum retirement age is 66 with compulsory retirement at age 70. For appointee who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, the minimum retirement age is 60 and the maximum retirement age is 70. For Class A “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 the minimum retirement age is 65 with no maximum retirement age.

Pension Accrual A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one existing public service pension scheme would apply. This 40-year limit, which is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 came into effect on 28th July 2012. This may have implication for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment. Pension Abatement If the appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and is in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/Public pension comes into payment during his/her re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retiree, under that scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position. Department of Education Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers Circular 102/2007 The Department of Education introduced an Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers. It is a condition of the Early Retirement Scheme that with the exception of the situations set out in paragraphs 10.2 and 10.3 of the relevant circular, and with those exceptions only, if a teacher accepts early retirement under Strands 1, 2 or 3 of this scheme and is subsequently employed in any capacity in any area of the public sector, payment of pension to that person under the scheme will immediately cease. Pension payments will, however, be resumed on the ending of such employment or on the person’s 60th birthday, whichever is the later, but on resumption, the pension will be based on the person’s actual reckonable service as a teacher (i.e. the added years previously granted will not be taken into account in the calculation of the pension payment).

Ill-Health Retirement Please note that where an individual has retired from a Civil/Public Service body on the grounds of ill-health his/her pension from that employment may be subject to review in accordance with the rules of ill-health retirement within the pension scheme of that employment. Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010) The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1st November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Scheme (VRS). It is conditions of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme are not eligible for reemployment in the public sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years. People who availed of the VER are not eligible to compete in this competition. People who availed of VRS scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of noneligibility). Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants