Higher Education Lead

An Cosán is currently seeking a dynamic Higher Education Lead to join our Adult Community Education Team.

Reporting to the Adult Community Education Manager, the Higher Education Lead is responsible for developing and delivering An Cosán’s Higher Education Programme within a transformative learning context. The role includes responsibility for leading and managing the Higher Education team in researching, developing, and assessing programmes and pedagogy. It also includes responsibility for tutor and student support and the maintaining of partnerships with educational institutions, community organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Job Title: Higher Education Lead

Reports to: Adult Community Education Manager

Contract: Three Years

Probation: 9 Months

Location: Tallaght, Co Dublin

Salary: €50,000

An Cosán is Ireland’s largest community education organisation. We seek to bring about social equality and an end to poverty through community-based adult education, the provision of early years education and supports, wrap around support services, and empowering social enterprise development.

An Cosán’s Adult Community Education Team combines a holistic ethos of adult and community education with technologically enhanced teaching methods to offer quality lifelong learning opportunities to adult learners in underserved communities across Ireland.

Adult Community Education Programme

Strategic Goals 2022-2026

1. Advancing our ‘One Generation Solution’ to educational disadvantage through transforming learning, building skills, fostering inclusion, and creating progressive pathways.
2. Significantly contributing to tackling Ireland’s digital divide and championing digital inclusion.
3. Enabling students to access learning using a blended, digital competence-based model of provision with critical wraparound support services.
4. Removing barriers for students using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Assistive Technology.
5. Availing of the learner-centred use of pedagogy and technology to connect and motivate students who are disengaged.
6. Advocating nationally on Adult Community Education to ensure the voice of disadvantaged learners and community educators is heard.

Higher Education Programme

Through Linked Provision with the South East Technological University (SETU), An Cosán delivers professional development BA Degree programmes grounded in a holistic, adult community education teaching and learning philosophy. Programmes offered include Leadership and Community Development, Applied Addiction Studies, and Personal and Professional Development (Levels 6&7 NFQ).

Responsibilities

1. Manage the Higher Education team ensuring resources are appropriately planned to achieve quality goals.
2. Lead and develop the team to deliver all modules to a high standard academically, and in line with community development principles of inclusion, diversity and equality.
3. Develop the Higher Education Academic Calendar to include assessment, verification, programme evaluation and review.
4. Coordinate the recruitment of learners.
5. Provide ongoing guidance and support to Community Educators and Tutors in their teaching and learning, student support and other tasks.
6. Review and update Tutor and Learners’ information packs.
7. Produce appropriate internal and external reports.
8. Contribute and participate as a representative of An Cosán in policy fora, networks and committees relevant to the work of the Higher Education programme.
9. Project Manage delivery of the agreed plan with SETU under the HEA 2024-2026 Performance Funding to:
   • Grow and strengthen this Linked Provision Higher Education offering to meet the needs of our targeted learners.
   • Establish and maintain relevant Linked Provision controls/quality assurance and feedback systems.
   • Develop appropriate research to support and guide the development of An Cosán’s community education approach and reputation for learning and teaching.
10. Support and assist the Adult Community Education Manager in:
    • Delivery of ACE strategic objectives 2022-2026.
    • Development of virtual learning policies and procedures for tutors and learners.
    • Engaging with public and private funders on programme proposals, development, implementation, and evaluation.
    • Evaluating all aspects of curriculum development, and teaching and course delivery.
    • Delivery of teaching and learning for community partners.
    • Fostering a collaborative and support work environment, receiving instructions and guidance in a collegial manner.
    • Other duties as may reasonably be required by the organisation.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Education / Community Development / Social Studies at minimum of MA Level.
• Experience in managing people, budgets, quality and projects.
• Minimum of 3 years teaching and curriculum development experience.
• Experience of online teaching and learning practice, and educational technologies.
• Proven focus on results and linking KPIs to Strategic Goals.
• Skilled in building relationships and establishing a solid network.
• Flexibility and ability to work on own initiative and co-operatively.
• Ability to multi-task, whilst being flexible and highly organised, with excellent time management skills.
• A strong social inclusion and community development ethos.
• Strong communication skills.

Desirable

• Understanding of the characteristics and needs of mature adults returning to learning in a community setting.
• Understanding of the barriers and challenges experienced by adult learners from underrepresented groups in their learning journey.
• Creative questioning and solution-based approach to challenges.

Application Process:

Please email the following documents to jobs@ancosan.iewith subject line clearly marked Higher Education Lead:
Cover Letter (Personal Statement)
Curriculum Vitae

Further Information: a.niccharthaigh@ancosan.ie
Closing Date for Applications: 23/09/24