Senior Development and Research Officer, Dublin

Job Title:Senior Development and Research Officer Project:Hub na ng - Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE)Contract Type:Fixed term to March 2028 (with a possible extension)Responsible to:Hub na ng Manager, Forige Location(s):Negotiable About Forige Forige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Forige employs over 600 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high-quality services to young people through the operation of over 600 Forige Clubs and over 180 General Youth Services and Projects. The organisation is a registered charity and is supported by a combination of statutory, philanthropic and corporate funding. Forige is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices. Role Information Forige holds the contract to provide Children and Young Peoples Participation Support Services to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) until April 2028, with the potential of an extension of up to two years. This will build on Foriges previous record of the provision of these services since 2017. Young Ireland: National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 is DCDEs flagship policy for children and young people. Young Ireland seeks to improve outcomes for all children and young people and to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyones agenda by creating an enabling environment that places their rights and well-being as a core part of policy and decision making. The Participation in Decision Making Action Plan 2024-2028 aims to further embed children and young peoples influence on decision-making. Succeeding the National Strategy on Children and Young Peoples Participation in Decision Making 2015-2020, the action plan is the second plan from the Irish Government to support children and young peoples participation in decision-making. 1 The aim of Hub na ng is to be a centre of excellence and support Government Departments, State agencies and non-government organisations to ensure that children and young people can have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives, with a particular focus on seldom-heard children and young people. The key outputs from Hub na ng are summarised below: Conduct consultations with children and young people on decisions that affect their lives, with a particular focus on those who are seldom-heard. Promote and drive implementation of the National Participation Framework for Children and Young Peoples Participation in Decision-Making. Support the implementation of the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making Action Plan 2024-2028. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote the inclusion of child participation in decision making modules in programmes across early years, education, social services, health services and other sectors such as policing and justice, incorporating CPD programmes where applicable. Implement the dissemination plan to roll out the eLearning participation in decision making course across all sectors working with and for children. Develop and document innovative national and international best practice. Provide support services to the Creative Ireland work programme. Develop and promote the Hub na ng website for all those who work with children and young people and for government departments and agencies who make decisions that impact on the lives of children and young people. Continue to develop networks with key stakeholders to build capacity across a range of sectors pivotal to the lives of children and young people including mental health service providers, youth sector, social services, education sector, youth justice professionals, disability sector and more. Develop, monitor and report against a set of national-level participation indicators. Provide support for participation initiatives undertaken in preparation for or as part of Irelands Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The position of Senior Development and Research Officer will involve working with other staff members of Hub na ng, the DCDE Participation Unit and other stakeholders to achieve the aims and objectives and key deliverables of Hub na ng. Key Responsibilities The duties of the Senior Development and Research Officer in carrying out any functions, which may be involved in or arise out of the appointment, shall be as notified by the Manager of Hub na ng, the Board of Forige and/or its Chief Executive. These duties will include, but are not limited to: Values and Principles Apply the fundamental values and principles of children and young peoples participation in decision making in all the operations, programmes and initiatives of Hub na ng 2 Ensuring the implementation of the fundamental purpose and philosophy of Forige DCDE Liaison Establish close working relationships with the Participation Unit DCDE ? Providing regular verbal and written reports on the work of Hub na ng to DCDE as required by the Hub Manager, and feedback on the work programme ? Establish work plans in collaboration with the Hub Manager and the DCDE to achieve the aims and objectives of Hub na ng National and international Best practice Develop and document evidence based innovative best practice on children and young people's participation in decision making Lead out on projects as required Keep abreast of, informed of and involved in all latest developments in national and international best practice in child and youth participation Oversee, develop and ensure updating of Hub na ngs website and library ? Disseminate Hub na ng best practice guidance nationally and internationally Research and development Develop and implement a plan for research and development projects and collaborations with Hub na ng based on the Actions within the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making Action Plan 2024-2028. Design research specifications to be commissioned in collaboration with DCDE Co-ordinate and project manage collaborations between Hub na nOg and researchers/research bodies/agencies Disseminate the findings of any such research and development pieces Carry out desk-based research projects where needed as agreed with Hub Manager and DCDE Lead on consultations with children and young people on decisions that affect their lives, with a particular focus on those who are seldom-heard. Including the development of methodologies, facilitation, evaluations of these consultations and liaising with the commissioning body. Stakeholder Engagement Engage bi-laterally with relevant stakeholders to provide support, mentoring and advice as required to support implementation of child and youth participation initiatives. Collaborating, as appropriate, with the Hub na ng Manager, Senior Education and Training Officer, Senior Participation Officer of Hub na ng. Collaborate with universities, educational institutions, and continued professional development bodies and other relevant stakeholders to develop accreditation for children and young peoples participation in decision making education and training. Promote and represent Hub na ng across relevant structures and events Collaboration with personnel from the National Participation Office to ensure the work of Hub na ng and the National Participation Office is closely aligned and work on joint projects Maintain and develop the Network of Practice alongside the Hub na ng team 3 Administration Contribute to the development of relevant annual work plans, written quarterly and annual reports for DCDE Lead on and attend, as required, meetings to plan and review specific pieces of work Use internal data management systems effectively Ensure adherence to child protection, GDPR, procurement and other compliance requirements Any such other relevant duties as the Board and/or the Chief Executive or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation of Forige's policy and programmes. Professional Qualification, Experience (D: Desirable; E: Essential) Education to National Degree standard (E) or postgraduate (D) Considerable understanding of child and youth participation theories and methodologies (E) A minimum of 4 years relevant work experience (E) Knowledge of national and international policy frameworks related to children and young peoples participation in decision-making (E) Knowledge and experience of research methodologies and practice (E) Experience of developing external partnerships (E) Project management skills (E) Expertise in consulting, codesigning and facilitating with children and young people (D) Experience of report and academic writing (D) Experience in engaging with a range of Government Departments and Agencies (D) Access to a car and a full driving license (D) Person Specification (Essential) Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts. Excellent organisational skills and high standards of accuracy and attention to detail. 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. Good written communications skills, including ability to draft summary information and correspondence. Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes. Excellent computer skills Requirements for all Forige Staff (Essential)4 Commitment to the purpose of Forige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation To act consistently in a professional manner at all times To participate in regular supervision with your line manager Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Evening and weekend work will be required Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role To undertake other duties as may be requested by the board of Forige and /or the Chief Executive Officer of Forige or their nominee from time to time Additional Considerations for the Role Benefits Salary:The salary for this position will be as per the Forige Senior Youth Officersalaryscale:€54,469, €56,496, €58,528, €60,556, €62,582, €64,606 Annual Leave:29 days annual leave plus Good Friday. The needs of the job must be considered when applying for this leave. Training and Development:Structured onboarding together with a 9-day Forige induction Programme. Ongoing CPD. Organisational Culture:Support and Supervision policy and practices that support your professional development. EAP:24/7 Employee Assistance Flexible Work: Flexible work practices that support work-life balance.Pension:Contributory pension benefits. Bike to Work Scheme Commuter Travel Tax Saver TicketOther Information Garda vetting:Candidates under consideration for employment in Forige will be subject to Garda vetting. Hours of work:This is a full-time post and the successful candidate will be expected to work a minimum of35 hoursper week. Please note that this position will require flexibilityin relation to working hours. 5 Benefits: Mobile Phone Paid Holidays Maternity leave Study leaveTPBN1_IJ