Summary of the role
Gaisce is seeking an enthusiastic, initiative-taking, and committed Development Officer to join our team and increase accessibility to the Gaisce Award programme. The ideal candidate will have a role in developing the reach of the Gaisce programme and enjoy the opportunity to engage with and encourage organisations to sign up new Gaisce participants.
With proven experience in development positions and highly effective interpersonal and networking skills, the candidate will have the ability to successfully promote and recruit new President’s Award Leaders (PALs) to support young people participating in the Gaisce Awards in schools, further education, youth groups and services, community groups and other organisations supporting young people aged 14 to 25 years old. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic self-starter who can collaborate with colleagues and will be able to identify areas for development for the Gaisce Awards. We are seeking a candidate with a minimum of 3 years’ relevant expertise who can demonstrate strong accountability, leadership, and the ability to deliver upon development goals and targets.
Responsibilities of the role
Principal Responsibilities of the Development Officer
Main Duties & Reponsibilities
Working primarily within an assigned geographic and/or sectoral area, which can be subject to amendment from time to time based on the needs of the organisation, the core duties and responsibilities of the Development Officer role are:
- To study and understand all aspects of the Gaisce Award programme.
- Develop and grow the reach of the Gaisce programme by supporting current PALs in Gaisce Award Partners (schools, youth organisations, community organisations etc.,) delivering Gaisce.
- Explore the potential of Gaisce in the assigned geographic and/or sectoral area and develop and activate new Gaisce Award Partners.
- Support newly trained and current PALs and reengage non-active PALs.
- Be the point of contact for Gaisce Award Partners and PALs within an assigned area.
- Complete general duties in relation to PAL/ GAP management, recruitment activities, projects, and other supports.
- Identify trends and priorities supporting the needs of Gaisce Award Partners and PALs.
- Develop and deliver progression opportunities from Bronze Award to Silver Award to Gold Award.
- Work closely with the Programme Team to ensure broader support for all Gaisce Award Partners and PALs.
- Maintain, support and update CRM/On-line Systems for all aspects of development work.
- Deliver on annual development work targets.
- Provide regular reports and updates including stats and analysis on annual targets to your Line Manager.
- Prepare and report on your annual work plan as directed by your Line Manager and in accordance with the overall strategy and organisations work plan.
- Support special projects as assigned.
- Promote and present on the Gaisce programme to third parties including the delivery of PAL training, if assigned.
- Manage and support volunteers.
- Support Gaisce events, training, and ceremonies.
- Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
- Act in the best interest of Gaisce and in line with the values, vision, and mission of the organisation.
Requirements
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
Essential
Professional qualification or relevant degree (note: candidates with exceptional relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications).
- A minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience in similar position.
- Previous experience and a good working knowledge and understanding of organisations engaging young people aged 14 to 25 years old in the education (schools and third level), youth, voluntary and community sectors.
- Full Irish driver’s licence and ownership/access to a car as the position requires regular travel.
- Demonstrate network of contacts and knowledge of key stakeholders within relevant organisations required for this role, particularly in the Dublin region.
- Strong people skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain sustainable effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation.
- Excellent organisational, planning and report writing skills (in English)
- Highly competent IT skills in Salesforce (or similar CRM), Microsoft word, Microsoft excel, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, Zoom.
- Ability to manage several workflows simultaneously, work autonomously, take initiative, and work proactively.
- Strong presentation skills
- Effective and collaborative Team member
Desirable
- Familiarity with the Gaisce programme.
- Fluency in the Irish Language
- Experience of facilitation, training, or event management both online and in person
- Train the trainer qualification
- Non-formal learning knowledge and understanding
Personal Attributes (Essential)
- Commitment to empowering young people to fulfil their potential.
- Self-starter and proactive
- Works well within a team
- Motivated and creative
- Positive outlook and solution focused.
- Flexible and able to adapt to new directives.
- Effective time management skills
Gaisce’s Core Competency Framework
Gaisce has identified six key abilities required across the organisation to ensure the organisation can deliver and excel. These are:
- Communication
- Personal & Professional Development
- Planning, Scheduling and Delivery
- Problem Solving
- Relationship Building
- Teamwork
Placeholder
Gaisce –The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people which enhances confidence and wellbeing through participation in personal, physical and community challenges.
To date, more than a quarter of a million young people across Ireland have achieved their Gaisce Award. More than 26,000 young people register with us to pursue their own Gaisce Award journey annually.
Gaisce is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland to all young people aged 14-25 to dream big and realise their potential.
Gaisce Awards are non-competitive and self-directed: participants are encouraged to choose their own activities and goals with the support of their President’s Award Leader (PAL).
There are more than 1,200 active PALs (President Award Leaders i.e., mentors that run the awards in GAPs) across Ireland, working or volunteering in a variety of Gaisce Award Partners (GAPs i.e., organisations that deliver the Gaisce programme). GAPs include schools and third level institutions, youth services, community organisations, sports clubs, private enterprises, as well as the prison and probation service.
There are three levels of Gaisce Award – Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Placeholder
Applications can only be accepted via email. Therefore, please send your completed and signed application form, by email (digital signature) to [email protected] (Subject Reference ‘Development Officer 2026 Application’). Only the official application form with the requested information will be accepted. CVs or additional documents will not be considered.
The closing date and time for applications is by email, strictly by 12pm (midday) on 9th October 2026. It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure Gaisce has received their application form. Late applications will not be accepted.
| Document Link | Type & Size |
|---|---|
| Job-Specification-Gaisce-Development-Officer-2026.pdf | PDF - 0.2Mb |
| Application-Form-Gaisce-Development-Officer-2026.docx | DOCX - 0.2Mb |