Mountaineering Ireland is recruiting for a Part Time National Children’s Officer to join the National Governing Body's staff team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for development, management and implementation of all Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding and vetting processes across the organisation, delivering on a workplan aligned to Mountaineering Ireland's Vision, Mission and values.

Mountaineering Ireland is the representative body for hillwalkers and climbers across the island of Ireland. It is recognised as the National Governing Body for climbing, hillwalking and all aspects of mountaineering by both Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. Mountaineering Ireland is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by the membership. The Mountaineering Ireland office is based at Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown in Dublin. For further information on Mountaineering Ireland please see our website at www.mountaineering.ie

About the role

The Mountaineering Ireland’s National Children’s Officer (NCO) will have primary responsibility for the development, management and implementation of all Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding and vetting processes across the organisation. They will provide support and advice to Mountaineering Ireland clubs in all areas relating to child welfare and protection, vetting and safe recruitment of volunteers. The NCO is responsible for raising the awareness of all child welfare and protection issues. The NCO also advises and guides Club Children’s Officers to assist Clubs in following the organisations safeguarding policies and procedures. 
The NCO will report to the CEO and the Board of Mountaineering Ireland. This is a part-time role, 2 days a week.

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Responsible for developing, managing and implementing the organisation’s approach to safeguarding children and young people. 
• Working with others within the organisation to create a positive, child-centred environment within the sport. 
• Manage cases of poor practice and abuse reported to the organisation – including records system. 
• Manage referrals to children’s social-care services and An Garda Síochána / PSNI. 
• Central point of contact for internal and external individuals and agencies. 
• Represent the organisation at external meetings related to safeguarding. 
• Coordinate the dissemination of policy, procedures and resources throughout the organisation. 
• Provide advice and support to club officers and play a lead role in their recruitment, selection and training. 
• Advise on the organisation’s training needs and the development of its training strategy; provide training where appropriate. 
• Deliver Risk Assessment and or audit process training to Clubs as required. 
• Coordinate internal safeguarding audits and or safeguarding compliance assessments on our clubs and providers. 
• Play a lead role in maintaining and reviewing the organisation’s implementation plan for safeguarding and protecting children. 
• Ensure safeguarding standards are met and maintained. 
• Commitment to continuous training & development in NCO role, keeping knowledge and skills up to date. 

Essential Experience 

• Experience in ensuring legislative compliance with vetting procedures and managing and co-ordinating implementation of vetting related administration. 
• Experience promoting the values, attitudes and structures which make sport enjoyable for children. 
• Experience in the communication and distribution of the Safeguarding code and the promotion of related education programmes, materials events and governing body related codes. 
• Experience identifying and developing appropriate safeguarding policy, which includes a policy statement, codes of conduct, disciplinary procedures, bullying policy, safety statement, recruitment and selection policy and reporting procedures. 
• Experience coordinating safeguarding audits and or safeguarding compliance assessments on relevant stakeholders. 
• Experience dealing with alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct and responding to child safeguarding queries.

Essential Knowledge: 

• Be knowledgeable and remain up to date on Children First (ROI) and Our Duty to Care (NI) and all subsequent and related legislation and best practise to ensure you can act as an information source to other members of Mountaineering Ireland. 
• Be knowledgeable about vetting legislation and procedures – Garda Vetting (ROI) and Access NI (NI). 
• Be knowledgeable of the role and responsibilities of statutory agencies, including Local Safeguarding Children Boards. 
• Understand the planning processes for safeguarding and child-protection enquiries and investigations. 
• Have acute knowledge in behaviour that is harmful to children, thresholds of poor practice and abusive behaviour. 
• Understand Mountaineering Irelands policy and procedures related to safeguarding and protecting children. 
• Understand best practice in prevention and how abusers target and groom organisations to abuse children. 

Essential Skills & Abilities: 

• A relevant qualification/degree and/ or A minimum of 2 years’ professional / voluntary experience in a similar role in sport, community development, youth work or other relevant area. 
• Must have a child-focused approach. 
• Ability to promote and demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice. 
• Ability to provide advice and support at all levels within the organisation. 
• Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and presentation. 
• Ability to develop and produce national level guidance and resources. 
• Ability to work with conflict and emotionally distressing matters. 
• Excellent administrative skills with a strong working knowledge of IT related packages and systems such as Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint and Word). 
• Be eligible to work in Ireland. 
• Excellent command of English language both spoken and written. 
• Full unrestricted driver’s license and access to own transport.

Desirable criteria 

The following will be advantageous to applicants: 

• Experience in collaborative working and developing new relationships. 
• An understanding and experience of the unique environment of volunteer sporting National Governing Bodies, and experience of working with Volunteers. 
• Have an interest in climbing or hiking and a knowledge of the structures and operations of Mountaineering Ireland.

Salary: The salary will include a pro rata salary in the range of €14-16,000 per annum (or approximate €35,000-40,000 per annum for full-time equivalent), commensurate with qualifications and experience. 
Mountaineering Ireland offers an outdoor clothing allowance and the bike-to-work scheme, as well as training and development opportunities.

Duration: This is a part-time role, 2 days a week. This position will require, at times, irregular and unsocial hours and as such flexible working arrangements are available.

Location: This role is based in the Mountaineering Ireland office, Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown in Dublin.

Application and Selection Process 

The closing date for applications is Friday, 2nd August 2024 at 5:00pm. Please send your application consisting of a CV and a cover letter to jobs@mountaineering.ie 

All applications will be treated with the utmost confidence. Enquiries regarding the role should be directed to info@mountaineering.ie. Following a short-listing process, it is intended interviews will be conducted mid/late August. The role will commence as soon as possible thereafter. Appointment will be made subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting or Access NI Vetting and reference checking.