Vacancy: PROGRAMME MANAGER

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Starting Salary: €50,000 - €55,000 depending on experience

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Reporting To: Executive Director

Term: 2 years, renewable subject to funding

Application Deadline: 5pm on Friday, 30th December

 

Staff Benefits

  • Access to ICOS’ health insurance scheme is available after the completion of the 6-month probationary period.
  • Access to ICOS’ pension scheme, including 7% pension contributions, is available after the completion of the 6-month probationary period.
  • Annual leave is 22 days per year.
  • Additional paid time off over the Christmas period
  • Flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements.
  • Time in lieu for overtime worked
  • Educational assistance programmes (including paid study/exam leave and support towards the cost of fees).
  • A death in service benefit.
  • Staff training and development opportunities.

About ICOS
ICOS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation advocating for the rights of international students in Ireland, and promoting good policy and high standards for international education in Irish higher education. ICOS also administers the Ireland Fellows Programme on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs (the “Programme”).

About the Role
The Programme Manager will lead ICOS’ Programme Team, which provides administrative and operational support to the Ireland Fellows Programme. This is a professional and dedicated team supporting students from participating countries at master’s level who have been awarded fellowships due to their academic excellence, future leadership potential and their dedication to advancing Sustainable Development Goals in their home countries. ICOS is now seeking to recruit a Programme Manager who will be responsible for ensuring that ICOS delivers on its contract commitments to the Ireland Fellows Programme to June 2024. The role is initially for 2 years, renewable subject to funding.

To be successful as a programme manager, you should demonstrate solid leadership and analytical skills. A successful Programme Manager will ensure staff productivity and wellbeing. This role also requires strong relationship management skills. ICOS works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish diplomatic missions around the world in the development and implementation of the Ireland Fellows Programme.

About the Ireland Fellows Programme
The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs. Eligible master’s level programmes in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the programme, will run for between 10 and 16 months. The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity.

The aims of the Programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals; and to build positive relationships with Ireland.

The Programme is intended to support graduates on their return home, through the skills they develop, to contribute to capacity building in their home countries and to become one of the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Ireland's International Education Strategy.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a management role
  • Experience of programme delivery and administration
  • Demonstrated leadership ability
  • Excellent people management and relationship management skills
  • Excellent administration and organisation skills
  • Knowledge of, and interest in, Ireland’s international development policy
  • Knowledge of the higher education sector in Ireland and globally
  • Experience in higher level education admissions processes
  • Excellent IT skills
  • Ability to multitask and manage different project timelines at once
  • An interest in social justice and human rights.

Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead ICOS’ Programme Team to deliver on contract commitments to the Ireland Fellows Programme.
  • Identify and manage risk effectively.
  • Manage all administrative tasks associated with the delivery of the Programme, including processing applications, supporting and tracking the placement of candidates onto college programmes and accommodation arrangements.
  • Manage travel logistics for arriving and departing fellows.
  • Manage the implementation of extracurricular initiatives of the Ireland Fellows Programme.
  • Manage Programme communications to all stakeholders.
  • In collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, coordinate ICOS’ contribution to the development of a new website and a new online applications system for the Ireland Fellows Programme.
  • Manage the Programme database.
  • Fellowship casework.
  • Event management.

The successful applicant will also be expected to actively contribute to the broader ICOS team and, on occasion, provide support for other activities as required.

The following are essential criteria for the post:

  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a management role.
  • Strong administration, organisation and time management skills.
  • Strong strategic, creative and analytical skills and experience.
  • Excellent people management and relationship management skills.
  • The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and a resourceful approach to problem solving.
  • Ability to multitask and manage different project timelines at once.
  • Strong presentation and communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, such as Outlook, Word and Excel.

The following are highly desirable criteria for this post:

  • Certificate/Diploma in Leadership and Management or similar programme.
  • Work experience in the community/voluntary sector.
  • Experience in higher level education admissions processes.
  • Experience in programme management.
  • Data management experience.
  • Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Experience organising and managing events.
  • Knowledge/experience of international development work, Ireland’s international development policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Salary & Terms
The position is offered on a 2-year contract, renewable subject to funding, and subject to an initial 6-month probationary period.

The annual salary for this role starts at €50,000 - €55,000, depending on experience.

Hours and Place of Work
This roll is full time, generally Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, although this is flexible. The nature of this role requires occasional evening and weekend work, and may require some travel.

Hybrid working arrangements are in place, with an expectation that 2 days per week will be worked from ICOS’ office at 41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4.

Confidentiality
Due to the nature of ICOS’ work on the Ireland Fellows Programme, the post holder will be party to highly confidential information and very personal matters – they must therefore be committed and able to always maintain the very highest standards of confidentiality.

Submitting an Application
The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday, 30th December.

Interviews for selected candidates will take place the week commencing Monday, 16th January 2023.

Applications must include a CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience, and should be emailed to Ms. Laura Harmon, Executive Director – lharmon@icosirl.ie.

Informal enquiries may be made to ICOS at +353 83 1621274 and candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify.

ICOS is an equal opportunities employer.

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify.

 

Further information for candidates:
Irish Council for International Students: www.internationalstudents.ie

Ireland Fellows Programme: www.irishaidfellowships.ie

 

News type
ICOS News