UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s humanitarian organisation.

Job Title: Child Rights Schools Manager

Reporting To: Head of Child Rights Advocacy and Education

Location: Hybrid working policy

Hours: 37.5 hours a week

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Duration: Permanent

UNICEF Ireland’s Child Rights Schools Programme is an innovative and creative initiative that aims to embed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the ethos and practice of primary schools in Ireland. The vision of the programme is that all children in Ireland learn in a rights respecting school community where the UNCRC is fully embedded in values and in practice. The programme is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation. We are looking for a manager to lead the programme.

Supported by UNICEF Ireland’s Head of Advocacy and Education, you will manage the growth and development of the CRS programme. A confident and results focused individual, you will have some experience of managing education projects. You will also be an advocate for children’s rights, demonstrating a strong commitment to the UNCRC.

As CRS programme manager you will support schools currently participating in the programme as they progress in their child rights journey and will expand the programme to new schools. As the programme manager you will lead the development and implementation of CRS in Ireland, with opportunities to collaborate with Child Rights Education (CRE) experts from across the UNICEF international network on transnational projects.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management of CRS Programme

• Increase the number of schools participating in the CRS programme across
• Build and maintain supportive relationships with educators in participating schools, providing advice and encouragement to teachers and students
• Monitor and assess progress of participating schools through established accreditation model
• Explore and collaborate on funding grants with partners and relevant stakeholders
• Develop positive relationships with key stakeholders in other relevant organisations

Building the capacity of educators

• Deliver high quality Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training to teachers virtually and in-person
• Build and coordinate an online CRS Community of Practice
• Coordinate the delivery of the online summer course for primary educators; update course contents as required
• Develop and promote CRE resources for primary schools and other educational settings

Resource and Material Development

• Lead the collaborative inhouse development of high quality, age-appropriate child rights resources for children and teachers
• Engage with children and teachers in resource development, monitoring and evaluating the impact of materials.
• Support with the development of promotional and communications material for the programme as needed

Reporting and quality assurance

1. Keep detailed and consistent records of communication with schools
2. Evaluate robust and up-to-date evidence to support and scrutinise the effectiveness of the CRS programme in delivering identified outcomes
3. Participate in UNICEF’s Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) process
4. Adhere to, and promote, UNICEF Ireland’s safeguarding policy and procedures
5. Participate in team, and board, meeting updates
6. Participate in, and contribute to, UNICEF’s CRE network

Person Specification

Relevant Experience

• Working strategically at a senior leader level in an education setting, with experience of delivering professional development within schools
• Working with children and young people in an educational setting, involving them in decision making

Specific Skills

• An excellent communicator who listens well to colleagues and programme participants, and can deliver on their needs
• Excellent writing and resource development skills
• Effective use of ICT, in particular Microsoft Office
• Ability to use systems efficiently as a remote worker
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

Specific Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Knowledge of the primary school curriculum

Disposition

• Highly motivated with a positive attitude
• Creative problem solver
• Reliable and flexible team player
• Committed to the values and principles of UNICEF and the UNCRC

Terms of Employment

This is a permanent contract. UNICEF Ireland’s office is based in Dublin and there is a hybrid work policy in place. Travel to schools across Ireland is expected. Expected start date: Autumn 2024

UNICEF Ireland is committed to adhering to the highest standards of child protection and child safeguarding. UNICEF reserves the right not to employ staff or engage volunteers or other representatives who are deemed to pose or potentially pose a risk to the protection of children, to the full extent permitted by law. Additionally, all candidates must sign UNICEF Ireland’s Child Protection Policy & Procedures before commencing employment, engaging as a volunteer, intern, consultant or representative of UNICEF Ireland.

To apply:

Please submit your CV & a cover letter via email to:
Aibhlín O’Leary at aibhlin@unicef.ie by midnight Friday 2nd August 2024, with interviews expected to take place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th August.