Vacancies

Irish Girl Guides is recruiting a Regional Development Officer for the Southwest Region. The Regional Development officer’s role will be to work under the direction of the Southwest Regional Commissioner and the Regional Team to develop and support Guiding and to provide advice and practical support to volunteers in the designated area.

The Irish Girl Guides’ mission is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. This is achieved by the volunteer Leaders running a non-formal educational programme with 500 plus Units across all counties in the Republic of Ireland. The organisation has charitable status and works to ensure it is compliant with all relevant legislation and codes of good practice. The Region is run by a voluntary led regional committee who are supported by the RDO.

Location

The role is primarily based working from home, but travel is required at to various parts of the County Cork, County Kerry and part of the Dungarvan area. Travel is required to give direct support to local IGG Units, which is an essential part of the role. You will be required to meet with potential new volunteers, host information stands to promote IGG at community events such as volunteer centers, Partnership groups and PPN’s (Public Participation Networks). It is important to link in with the ETB’s and Youth Officers and Volunteer centers, and wear uniform at all events to continually promote IGG.The RDO also attends meetings/trainings, Regional and National events when requested.

Main Responsibilities

Operational: Regional Level

• To liaise with the Regional Commissioner and Regional Team to agree a workplan
• To understand the workings of Irish Girl Guides including policies and procedures to support the role
• To support understanding of policies, procedures and processes at Regional meetings
• To liaise with the Regional Commissioner with regard to carrying out the workplan, event organising and trainings
• To help organise and be part of Regional meetings, events, trainings, and projects when required
• To encourage and support the completion of Census (membership figures) and volunteer Unit accounts within the Region
• To take responsibility for Communications within the Region.
• To liaise with Leaders when receiving a Parent Enquiry – Compile a report of Units, UCP, Meeting days, times and locations, to help you and be aware of spaces in Units or if they would need to be added to a waiting List.

Volunteer Support

• To provide support to existing IGG Units in the Region through direct and indirect contact
• To visit and encourage new Units, assisting in planning and delivering the initial 6-8 weeks period and arranging in-place training during this time. To encourage the completion of Assistant Leader warrant training online and provide training information to bring them up to Full Leader Warrant
• To support new adult Leaders in both existing Units and during the setting up of new Units, initially through weekly contact during meeting times
• To identify and help set up training courses when required. Administration as per the Regions preferred format i.e. Eventbrite. Training needs analysis, and a record of new Leaders to keep them informed of upcoming trainings.
• To support new Leaders through programme planning and an introduction to the Guiding programme and the use of OGM. Explain the structure of IGG and your Region.

Recruitment and Retention

• Recruitment and Retention of Leaders and members by encouraging the development of the different Branches within a locality
• To promote Guiding in the wider commUnity as appropriate
• Advertise through social media and through the volunteer centres Volunteer opportUnities
• Receive potential volunteer information and provide a link between them and the existing Unit; or look at advertising to see if there is a need for a new local Unit to be set up.
• To support Units, Districts, and Areas in running parents’ evenings and other recruitment initiatives
• Advertise through social media, flyers and posters to recruit youth members – providing day and time and RDO contact details so parents/guardians can ask for more information (do not advertise location on flyers and public posters and social media)
• Support Leaders by designing recruitment material using Canva for the above.

Regional Development Officers

• To liaise with other IGG Regional Development Officers and attend RDO meetings and trainings as and when arranged. To support each other and share information and ideas.

Other Duties

• To support the Region in other events and activities as required.
• To carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the CEO and/or Management Committee from time to time
• To attend training sessions and staff days as required
• To participate actively in Support and Supervision sessions as well as the annual appraisal and planning process
• To complete timesheets and a work plan which is reported on throughout the year to the Regional Commissioner and CEO
• To liaise with National Office staff as required, keeping communications fluid.

Conditions

This position is for 18 hours per week with an hourly salary of €15.40 or an annual part time salary of €14,410. Trevel reimbursement is paid separately. This will be a 12-month renewable contract, dependable on grant funding, with an initial six-month probationary period. Annual leave is based on hours worked, and the organisation also give staff five company days per year.

Person Specification

• Good oral, written and presentational communication skills.
• Flexible working is required including evenings and weekends to facilitate meetings with volunteers and young people.
• Strong interest in Guiding, youth work, working and supporting young people.
• Commitment to the aims and methods and an acceptance of the values of Guiding.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Good IT competency including social media.
• Good time management skills and ability to manage a varied workload.
• Friendly disposition and empathy for volunteers’ needs.
• Be efficient and be able to work as part of a team and on your own initiative. Hold a current and valid full driver’s license and have the use of a car for work purposes.
• Ability to work with volunteers and professional staff.
• Motivated self-starter, with the ability to prioritise.

Application Process

Please email a cover letter and CV to ceo@irishgirlguides.ie before 5pm on 4 November 2024.