Speak Out Co-Ordinator

Purpose of the Role To coordinate and manage the National Speak Out Office and lead the Speak Out practitioners across the Higher Education sector. The Speak Out Coordinator will manage the establishment, implementation, and embedding of the National Speak Out Office with the support of the Speak Out Administrator.

Overview: The Speak Out tool is an online anonymous reporting tool which was launched in October 2021 across 18 Higher Education Institutions. The role of the tool is to provide a space for staff and students to anonymously disclose their experience of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, sexual harassment, assault, sexual assault, and rape. The tool further support individuals by providing a bespoke list of internal and external support services. The tool supports the goals of the Higher Education sector by providing insights into the experiences of the community which are in turn utilised to inform policy change, awareness raising, and targeted initiatives on both a local and national scale. The establishment of the National Speak Out Office will provide a centralised governance model to ensure the success of the Speak Out tool through collaborative community of practice engagement across the 18 Higher Education Institutions. The Speak Out Coordinator will oversee the implementation, coordination, and performance of the Speak Out online anonymous reporting tool, developed for use across the Irish Higher Education sector. This role involves managing all aspects of the project, including stakeholder engagement, budget monitoring, IT management, reporting, and the development of sectoral campaigns. The Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating collaboration among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of Speak Out in addressing incidents of bullying, harassment, sexual violence, and related misconduct within these communities.

Key Responsibilities: • Stakeholder Coordination & Engagement: o Lead collaboration with HEIs, funders, sponsors, and other key stakeholders to align on project goals, timelines, and deliverables. o Facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive project workplan, ensuring objectives are met on time and within budget. o Conduct outreach visits and clinics to individual HEIs, ensuring maximum engagement and providing tailored support and insights from the Speak Out Office. • Project Management & Delivery: o Oversee the entire project lifecycle from planning to execution, ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs. o Implement recommendations and learnings from project evaluations. o Regularly report to the Governance Committee on progress, challenges, and opportunities, presenting data-driven insights. o Monitor key performance indicators and budget adherence, addressing any emerging issues in consultation with stakeholders. • IT & Data Management: o Collaborate with IT service providers to manage the development, maintenance, and evolution of the Speak Out platform. o Ensure the IT brief, data management, and system functionality evolve in line with the growing needs of the project. o Manage procurement and negotiations with IT vendors. • Sectoral and National Campaigns: o Lead the development of sector-wide campaigns to promote the tool within HEIs and potentially extend to other sectors, such as health or defense. o Collaborate with HEIs to ensure the tool aligns with institutional needs and national frameworks. • Analysis & Reporting: o Conduct annual or bi-annual analysis of the data collected from the tool, producing comprehensive national reports on usage trends and outcomes. o Present findings and share best practices at relevant forums, conferences, and events, both nationally and internationally. • Policy & Governance: o Stay informed on connected policies and frameworks within the higher education sector to ensure the Speak Out tool supports institutional goals. o Act as a representative of Speak Out in engagements with external bodies and committees, disseminating learning and advocating for the tool’s benefits. • Training & Support: o Lead and support the Practitioner Group, identifying their training needs and ensuring appropriate resources are provided. o Develop training materials and facilitate workshops to ensure HEI staff are equipped to utilize the Speak Out platform effectively.

Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in project management, social sciences, education, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage.

Knowledge & Experience: • 5+ years experience in project management, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or social impact sectors. • Strong understanding of issues relating to bullying, harassment, and sexual violence in an educational or organizational setting. • Strong understanding of HR and EDI related policies and regulations. • Proven experience managing stakeholder engagement, including senior leaders, funders, and sectoral partners. • Experience in IT project management or overseeing technology solutions, including procurement and vendor management. • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to generate reports from complex datasets and translate findings into actionable insights. • Demonstrated success in managing budgets and project timelines. • Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting at national and international events. • Ability to travel within Ireland for HEI visits and stakeholder meetings.

Skills: • Exceptional stakeholder management • Budget management • IT project management • Strategic thinking and problem-solving • Data analysis and reporting • Public speaking and presentation • Understanding of higher education policies and frameworks • Campaign development

Salary:

This appointment will be made on the Administrative 1 (Points 1-3) Salary Scale (€68,181 - €88,201 per annum) at a point in line with current Government pay policy. monthly/weekly payscales. (tcd.ie)