Youth Officer (Specific Purpose Contracts)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the following positions:

Youth Officer

(Specific Purpose Contracts)

Ref: YOSP24

In accordance with the Education and Training Board’s Act 2013, the role of City of Dublin ETB is to support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth services in its functional area and provide such information as may be required by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to this support. This function is delivered in City of Dublin ETB by City of Dublin Youth Services.

City of Dublin ETB provides a range of services through City of Dublin Youth Services including: • Administering grant aid to youth services and projects in Dublin City on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. • Administering grant aid to interim drugs task force projects on behalf of the Drugs Policy Unit of the Department of Health. • Ensuring value for money in funded organisations. • Ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of management structures at local level, monitoring activities, expenditure and general governance of funded organisations. • Assisting youth projects/services and voluntary youth clubs/groups to develop and deliver services and supports to young people. • Implementation of the DCEDIY National Quality Initiatives & Strategies.

City of Dublin Youth Services co-operates and works with a broad range of statutory and voluntary agencies, both at Dublin city and at national level. We are committed to maintaining strong working relationships within the City of Dublin ETB, Dublin City Council, boards of funded organisations, local community development organisations, and national youth work service providers and regional youth services throughout the country.

Please note that a Panel may be formed from which future specific purpose or fixed term vacancies at Youth Officer Level that may arise may be filled. Proposed Timeframe: Shortlisting will take place on: 8th April 2024 Interviews will commence week beginning: 18th April 2024. *All dates are subject to change and are for guidance only Location of Position: The position will be based in City of Dublin Youth Services, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Please note that attendance is required on site five days per week.

Salary: €48,260 - €72,603 of the Youth Officer salary scale. Successful candidates will be paid at point 01 on the scale.

Annual Leave: 29 working days per annum.

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week.

Essential Requirements:

• A recognised third level qualification in one of the following areas: Youth and Community Work, Social Work, Education or other relevant discipline. • At least 5 years’ experience working in the youth work sector.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience / knowledge of practices and programmes in relation to youth work services / community and voluntary sector, including the National Quality Standards Framework/s. • Experience of developing and implementing strategy, programmes, and initiatives. • Knowledge of DCEDIY Youth Work Schemes and strategies. • Experience of project management in the youth work sector. • Excellent planning, organisation, communication and teamwork skills. • Excellent analytical, negotiation and decision-making skills. • Proven track record of working in partnership and building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. • Excellent report writing skills and high level of computer literacy. • Experience of financial and budget management and oversight. Principal Duties, Scope and Responsibilities: The primary focus of the post will be to provide support, facilitate development and oversee/monitor funded organisations and volunteer led youth clubs/ groups across the city of Dublin. As a member of the Area Team the Youth Officer will report to the relevant Development Officer.

Please Note: The general duties and responsibilities listed below are 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 from time to time:

Supporting Youth Work Provision and Development: • Implementing the National Quality Standards Framework and National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups. • Assisting in the delivery of key elements of the DCEDIY UBU and Targeted Youth Funding Schemes. • Developing Service Requirements/Funding Recommendations for DCEDIY. • Advancing the City of Dublin ETB and City of Dublin Youth Services Strategy and Annual Operational Plans. • Facilitating developmental work and training initiatives. • Identifying emerging youth work needs in consultation with senior management and stakeholders. • Collaborating with stakeholders to address gaps in youth work services. • Participating in needs identification and services mapping exercises. • Formulating proposals to enhance service provision as necessary.

Coordinating Youth Work: • Supporting intra-agency and interagency collaborations to maximise local service delivery. • Assisting in the development of new structures and projects. • Involvement in area-based initiatives related to youth work services.

Administering Youth Work: • Assisting in grant application processes and providing recommendations to management. • Processing annual progress reports and completing required documentation. • Identifying issues within projects/organizations and contributing to resolution efforts. • Reporting issues, developments, and observations to management. • Compiling reports on individual projects/services for relevant bodies. • Evaluating grant applications and providing recommendations. • Facilitating recruitment processes for FOs as required. • Ensuring compliance with scheme requirements and governance standards. • Maintaining oversight of funded organisations' performance and adherence to agreements.

Assessing Youth Work: • Ensuring value for money and service improvement. • Participating in the reform and review of youth funding schemes. • Monitoring the quality and effectiveness of funded programmes, initiatives and services. • Verifying the appropriate use of allocated funding.

Organisational: • Representing City of Dublin ETB/City of Dublin Youth Services on external structures. • Contributing to operational objectives and attending relevant training sessions. • Upholding the values and ethics of City of Dublin ETB/City of Dublin Youth Services. • Promoting a positive image of City of Dublin ETB/City of Dublin Youth Services. Competencies

Leadership Potential • Brings a focus and drive to building and sustaining high levels of performance, addressing performance issues as they arise. • Works collaboratively with stakeholders, sets out a vision of high quality services, focusing on the needs of young people. • Motivates and supports colleagues and stakeholders. • Operates with self-assurance and demonstrates ability to handle challenging situations confidently.

Analysis and Decision Making • Researches issues thoroughly, consulting appropriately to gather all information needed. • Understands complex issues quickly, accurately absorbing and evaluating data. • Possesses analytical and problem solving skills. • Integrates diverse strands of information, identifying inter-relationships and linkages. • Makes clear, timely and well-grounded decisions on important issues, considering the wider implications of decisions on a range of stakeholders. • Capacity to make good business decisions based on facts and data. • Demonstrates the ability to successfully implement process change.

Delivery of Results • Takes responsibility for challenging tasks and delivers on time to a high standard. • Plans and prioritises work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints, reprioritising in light of changing circumstances. • Ensures controls and performance measures are in place to deliver efficient and high value services. • Effectively manages multiple projects.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills • Demonstrates high level communication skills (verbal and written) including negotiation skills. • Demonstrates proficiency in the use of Microsoft excel, word and presentation software.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development • Have a clear understanding of the role of Liaison Officer. • Demonstrate a focus on self-development, seeking feedback and opportunities for growth to help carry out the specific requirements of the role. • Demonstrate experience and understanding of governance, risk, compliance frameworks and processes. • Demonstrate a knowledge of relevant legislation and requirements. • Possess the knowledge and experience to discharge the functions of the post.

Drive and Commitment to Service Values • Is self-motivated and shows a desire to continuously perform at a high level. • Is personally trustworthy and be relied upon. • Through leading by example, fosters the highest standards of ethics and integrity. • Demonstrate the ability to work in a politically sensitive environment. Note: Having read the competencies and thought about the demands of the role, for each of the above competencies candidates will be asked, on the application form, to demonstrate a specific example which illustrates how you have developed the relevant competency during your career to date which clearly demonstrates your suitability for this position, within your application form. Terms and Conditions of Appointment • The appointment will be subject to the sanction of the Chief Executive. • Any offer will be subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references. • The appointment will have a probationary period, details of which will be stipulated in the contract of employment. • Appointment is to City of Dublin ETB as a whole. City of Dublin ETB reserves the right to transfer staff as the needs of the scheme dictate. • The person appointed to the post will be required to contribute to the relevant Superannuation Scheme. • For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for the successful candidate before they are appointed, to undergo at City of Dublin ETB’s expense, a medical examination by a qualified practitioner nominated by City of Dublin ETB. • External work may not be undertaken without the prior consent of City of Dublin ETB. Citizenship Requirements: Candidates should note that eligibility to compete for posts is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or to non-EEA nationals with a valid work permit. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreement may also apply. Termination: The appointment will be terminated by one month’s notice in writing on either side.

Garda Vetting: City of Dublin ETB is registered with the National Vetting Unit (NVU) which provides a disclosure service for organisations who have staff positions which may involve regular unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults. As part of the Board’s recruitment and selection process, offers of employment to all posts will be subject to NVU disclosures, where applicable.

City of Dublin ETB reserves the right to re-vet all staff employed in positions that entail working with children and vulnerable adults at any time during their employment.

Sick Leave and Special Leave Sick leave and special leave may be allowed in accordance with the conditions in force for the time being for Officers employed under the Schemes of Education and Training Boards.

Superannuation & Retirement The successful candidate will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Public Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, an appointee who has never worked in the Public Service will be offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Full details of the Scheme are at ww.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie.

Where the appointee has worked in a pensionable (non-Single Scheme terms) public service job in the 26 weeks prior to appointment or is currently on a career break or special leave with/without pay, different terms may apply. The pension entitlement of such appointees will be established in the context of their public service employment history.

Key provisions attaching to membership of the Single Scheme are as follows: • Pensionable Age: The minimum age at which pension is payable is 66 (retirement age is linked to State Pension Age). • Retirement Age: Scheme members must retire on reaching the age of 70. • Career average earnings are used to calculate benefits (a pension and lump sum amount accrue each year and are up-rated each year by reference to CPI). • Post retirement, pension increases are linked to CPI. 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 Service 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. Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

However, if the appointee was previously employed in the Civil or Public Service and awarded a pension under voluntary early retirement arrangements (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER), the Department of Health Circular 7/2010 VER/VRS or the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular letter LG(P) 06/2013, any of which renders a person ineligible for the competition) the entitlement to that pension will cease with effect from the date of reappointment. Special arrangements may, however be made for the reckoning of previous service given by the appointee for the purpose of any future superannuation award for which the appointee may be eligible. Exclusions Candidates should note that persons who have taken part in Public Service early retirement schemes including the following are not eligible to take part in this competition:

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER): It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in the Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, 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 Health and Children Circular (7/2010): The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (VRS). It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for reemployment in the public health sector or in the wider public service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public funds. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is a period of 7 years, after which time any re-employment will require the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Persons who availed of either of these schemes are not eligible to take part in this competition.

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.

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 pre-existing public service pension scheme (i.e. non-Single Scheme) as per the 2012 Act shall apply. This 40-year limit is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.

Additional Superannuation Contribution: Please note that an Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) in accordance with the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 is payable for this employment

Declaration: Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement, including schemes not specifically mentioned above. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Notes: • Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all applications are received on time. Any technical difficulties encountered by the sender when forwarding applications are not the responsibility of the City of Dublin ETB. Therefore candidates are strongly advised to submit applications well before the 12 Noon deadline on the specified closing date. • Your application will be assessed on the information you submit. Please ensure all sections are completed fully and accurately, giving clear evidence of qualifications, skills and experience. Incomplete applications may not be considered. • City of Dublin ETB may contact the named referees and/or employers for a reference should be you called to interview. Closing date for receipt of completed application form by email to applications@cdetb.ie is no later than: 12 noon on Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Late applications will not be accepted. Shortlisting may take place.

Canvassing will disqualify.

City of Dublin Education and Training Board is an equal opportunities employer.

Please see Information Guide for further details.