Early Childhood Specialist

(Hybrid, Permanent, Flexible working)

The Organisation

Early Childhood Ireland is the leading children’s advocacy and membership organisation. We work in partnership with our members to achieve quality experiences for every child in Early Years and School Age care settings. We advocate for an effective and inclusive Early Years and School Age care system which values, supports, and invests in childhood, children, and services.

The Role

REPORTS TO: Quality Support Manager

CONTRACT: Full-time/Permanent, subject to funding, following successful completion of the probation period

LOCATION: Our national office is based at Tallaght in south Dublin

MODEL OF WORKING: The organisation is operating a blended working model for the foreseeable future, subject to review based on organisational needs.

Early Childhood Ireland is seeking an experienced early childhood education and care professional to support quality and innovation in practice, pedagogy and service development in Ireland by empowering and facilitating our members and providers and educators to be learners and to translate their learning experiences into changes that benefit children.

The Early Childhood Specialist will engage in a range of activities to deliver on our Strategic Plan 2021 to 2026. They will research, design, generate, develop, evidence-based programmes that deliver professional learning opportunities to our members, with a particular focus on diversity, equality and inclusion, outdoor pedagogy and leadership. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to make a tangible difference in the lives of children in early years, school age care, and childminding settings in Ireland, by working with a committed an innovative team with ongoing opportunities for professional development.

Salary and Key Benefits:

A salary in the range €38,000 to €42,000 is offered. The agreed salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

As a team member at Early Childhood Ireland, you will enjoy a variety of benefits that include contributory health and pension schemes, as well as generous paid leave allowances. Early Childhood Ireland offers a flexible work schedule on a blended basis. We value career development and offer paid educational assistance, professional fees, and training opportunities as applicable. Team members also have access to an employee assistance programme.

Full role description and person specification are available on our jobs board:
https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/job/early-childhood-specialist-hyb…

Application Process

To apply, please submit please submit an up-to-date CV (no more than two pages long) and letter of application via email with subject line Early Childhood Specialist for the attention of Gillian Moore, Strategic HR Manager to recruitment@earlychildhoodireland.ie by Friday, 28 February 2025 5pm. The cover letter should address the essential requirements and convey the applicant’s understanding of this role based on the Job Description and Person Specification. Candidates may be asked for further information or to undertake other tasks to assist in the assessment process.

If you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role, please reach out to Gillian Moore – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-moore-0b01b3a9/

Early Childhood Ireland strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Early Childhood Ireland believes the protection and welfare of all children is of paramount importance and is committed to implementing robust safeguarding procedures throughout the recruitment process. The organisation is aligned to Children First National Guidance 2017, Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012 in all aspects of work.

We do not require the support of recruitment agencies at this time.