Job Purpose
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 generate, develop, and deliver professional learning opportunities to our members, with a particular focus on documentation in practice. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to make a contribution to the lives of all children in Ireland, working with a committed an innovative team with ongoing opportunities for professional development.

Responsibilities
Education and Continuous Professional Learning
Research, design and develop continuous high-quality, learner-focused professional learning programmes and resources, delivered by in-person, online and blended learning modes, in collaboration with team members and Early Childhood Ireland members.
Design and develop new professional learning opportunities through using Early Childhood Ireland’s assets, including digital assets and organising online and face to face events.
Lead on the Early Pedagogy Publication and oversee content in collaboration with team members.
Learn alongside Early Childhood Ireland members and where applicable provide on-site mentoring support in all areas of practice, particularly on documentation.
Action Research
Mentor and empower Early Childhood Ireland members to undertake action research and enquiry as tools to change practice, pedagogy, and services to benefit young children.
Conduct projects, activities and research in an ethical manner and contribute to the wider body of knowledge.
Collaboration and engagement
Participate in and assist in the organisation of events, visits to member services, and any other activities required.
Contribute to Early Childhood Ireland’s communications tools and platforms, e.g., social media, website, videos, magazines, reports etc.
Collaborate with Early Childhood Ireland colleagues and external partners in presenting at conferences and seminars, undertaking research, co-writing, etc.
Support colleagues in other teams with internal and external messaging and communications for website and social media.
Contribute to an organisational culture of innovation and change and be an ambassador for the work of Early Childhood Ireland.
Be willing to engage with new technologies for dissemination and education purposes.
Engage with national and local policy development and implementation on education, training and professional learning and represent Early Childhood Ireland on relevant fora, as required.
Maintain a close and professional understanding of current developments in the sector
Quality Assurance
Assist in the development of a quality assurance framework for Early Childhood Ireland’s professional learning outputs and activities.
Engage positively with internal and external quality assurance processes and procedures.
Support the monitoring and evaluation of Early Childhood Ireland’s activities and impacts.
Document and report on all work activities, including using Early Childhood Ireland’s record keeping systems, to support Early Childhood Ireland’s internal monitoring and evaluation.
Administration
Provide periodic progress updates to line manager.
Maintain efficient and effective administrative and information systems.
Work to monthly work goals and targets as developed by line manager.
Be willing to undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities.
Participate in team, staff, and project meetings.
Contribute to project planning and execution.

Person Specification
Each of the following requirements is essential, unless marked with a * when it is deemed a desirable attribute.
Education and Qualifications
A Level 8 Degree or equivalent academic qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Masters level qualification in a relevant field*
Overall, a keen interest in documentation and assessment is desired. With a particular expertise in the use of Learning Stories.*

Skills and Experience
Excellent writing and editing skills.
Excellent verbal communications and presentation skills.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.
Ability to identify and plan key areas of work.
Ability to establish priorities and manage a complex workload to tight deadlines.
Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, members and external personnel.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team in pursuit of common goals, as well as to work independently.
Personal Attributes and Qualities
Dependable and flexible
Creative and analytical
Solution focussed
Constructive
Good judgement
High levels of personal motivation , self-management, and attention to details.
Terms and Conditions
Employer: Early Childhood Ireland
Location: The main place of work is our Head Office in Tallaght. Blended working model – working remotely and at our national office, the combination to be agreed with the successful candidate.
Contract type: This is a maternity leave cover contract (1 year) post reporting to the Manger of the Excellence and Learning Team. The contract is subject to funding, and the probationary period is six months.
Salary: A salary in the range of € 39,979 – €55,026 is offered, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Holiday entitlement: 23 days
Hours of Work: 35 hour working week. The position will also require participation in some meetings/events in the evenings and at weekends.

Benefits available to all staff include:
Tax Saver commuter ticket scheme
Bike to Work scheme
Employee assistance programme aDublin vailable to all staff and their families
Influenza vaccination and eye tests
Access to health screening service
Two privilege leave days per year, Good Friday and Christmas Eve
Benefits available to staff upon successful completion of probation:
(*= Access to these benefits will depend on role/length of service.)
Defined contribution pension scheme offering 6% to 10% employer contribution based on service, plus employee contribution (membership of pension scheme is mandatory upon completion of probation)
Access to Health Plan – group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) with employers’ contribution
Death in service benefit
Professional fees and training opportunities as applicable
Flexi-time*
Additional annual leave*
Paid maternity, parents’, paternity and adoptive leave*
Paid sick leave*
Educational assistance*
AA roadside assistance if travel is required for the role

Application Process
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and letter of application via email for the attention of Joanne Dunne to recruitment@earlychildhoodireland.ie with the name of the role in the subject line by 1 May 2023 by 5pm. The cover letter should address the essential requirements and convey the applicant’s understanding of this role. The CV should be no more than three pages long. Shortlisting of candidates may apply and will be 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. Early Childhood Ireland strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.