Job Overview

• Team: Operations
• Reports to: Head of Programme and Strategic Development
• Role Type: Permanent, full-time (subject to successful completion of six-month probation)
• Starting Salary: €46,000 per annum
• Location: Gaisce HQ, Ratra House, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
• Working Pattern: Hybrid
• Probation Period: 6 Months
• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave (increases after year one (26) and year three (27) pro rata.
• Hours of Work: Hours of work are 35 hours per week, excluding lunch. Normal working hours are between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday with occasional weekend and evening work and some travel. Flexibility is required. Wi-Fi capability and suitable workspace is a requirement when working from home.

Non-Pay Benefits:

• Single Public Sector Pension scheme (mandatory)
• Training and Development opportunities
• Staff team building days
• Remuneration Policy in place
• Wellbeing Hour once a week
• Bike to Work Scheme (T&Cs apply)
• Christmas Eve Closed

About Gaisce – The President’s Award is Ireland’s National Youth Award. It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, to encourage young people to realise their potential through a proven Positive Youth Development Programme that provides structure, support, and certification for non-formal learning experiences for young people aged 14 to 25. The Award inspires young people to flourish through challenge, engage with their communities, build self-belief and skills, embrace adventure and wellbeing, and be recognised for their achievements.
The Gaisce programme has three progressive Award Levels -Bronze, Silver, and Gold. For each Award, participants must undertake Challenge Area activities including Personal Skill, Community Involvement, Physical Recreation, and an Adventure Journey, with each Award level requiring a greater level of time and commitment. The Award is non-competitive and is led by each participant’s own choices and initiative. The Gaisce programme is delivered nationally by President’s Award Leaders (PALs) in Gaisce Award Partner (GAP) organisations including secondary schools, third level institutions, second-chance and further education services, youth services, disability organisations, sporting organisations, uniformed organisations, youth justice, prison and probation services, organisations working with young refugees and asylum seekers, and more.
Gaisce – The President’s Award was established in 1985 to mark the UN’s International Year of Youth and was launched in Áras an Uachtaráin by President, Dr. Patrick J. Hillery, Gaisce’s founding patron. Since then, the patronage has passed from President to President, reflecting a shared and enduring commitment to recognising and supporting young people.

The Role
The National Development Manager will be over the day to day running of the Regional Development team. This will include administration and line management of the team along with practical support, supervision, and performance review duties for the Regional Development Team. The National Development manager will also be expected to support the creation of a consistent approach to supporting and driving the actions of team members through collaboration and ensuring that silos are not created.
The National Development Manager will create a cohesive group dynamic that works efficiently together to maximise everyone’s potential reporting to and working closely with the Head of Programmes and Strategic Development and other managers. The National Development manager will support a shared approach to achieving organisational goals working closely with managers and staff on the Communications Team and Business Support Team. The National Development Manager will guide their team towards achieving the annual Teamwork plan aims and objectives that support the organisational work plan and strategy.
The National Development Manager will be responsible for providing guidance and on the job training and encourage and inspire the team to perform at their optimum. The National Development Manager will also provide regular team reports on targets and actions achieved as well as identifying problems/gaps, developing ideas, and providing solutions to operations activities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Line Manager for Regional Development Officers.
• Manage and motivate the team to achieve regional development and overall organisational goals as directed by the Head of Programmes and Strategic Development.
• Manage and coordinate development reporting across the CRM system supporting the analysis and oversight of the Award development.
• Manage and monitor annual registration and completion targets against KPIs.
• Identify trends, gaps in services, and priorities supporting the needs of Gaisce Award Partners and PALs across the regions.
• Actively manage the integrity of data within the CRM annually.
• Develop and support progression opportunities from Bronze Award to Silver Award to Gold Award working closely with colleagues across teams.
• Contribute to continuous work process improvements to enhance the service user experience, and to assist in the development of the Gaisce Awards programme.
• Manage and lead the day-to-day shared goals of the team.
• Manage delegation of tasks to the team.
• Coach, mentor and guide the development of members in the team.
• Work closely with the Head of Programme and Strategic Development to assess the training needs of team members to maximise their potential.
• Work actively towards the achievement of Gaisce’s strategic goals.
• Contribute to relevant in-house training of the team members and other organisation wide shared learning.
• Conduct quarterly check ins and annual performance reviews and manage written documentation and file management.
• Manage team HR /Employee Handbook queries and day to day requirements liaising with your Line Manager and the Head of Operational Support for support (approval and sign off on all leave, expenses, timesheets etc).
• Ensure procurement and financial compliance for any expenses or approved costs/spending are adhered to on the team.
• Present reports at Leadership Team meetings, mgt meetings, or other meeting as requested by the Head of Programme and Strategic Development.
• Streamline reporting and standard operation procedures.
• Create a productive and positive working environment that motivates and inspires in a hybrid work environment.
• Support Gaisce events, training, and ceremonies.
• Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time by the CEO, commensurate with the nature of the post.
• Act in the best interest of Gaisce and in line with the values, vision, and mission of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential
• Degree in Youth Work, Community Development, Education, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 2–3 years' experience leading or managing a team
• Ability to analyse data and produce clear reports
• Knowledge of the Gaisce programme and the broader Irish youth sector landscape
• Full, clean driving licence
• Demonstrable experience delivering or supporting youth development programmes
• Experience working with CRM systems or programme management databases
• Experience in report writing and data collection for monitoring and evaluation purposes
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong planning and organisational skills with attention to detail
• Confident public speaker and presenter to diverse audiences
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and digital tools

Desirable
• Irish language competency an advantage
• Experience working with volunteers and volunteer-led organisations
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with schools, community organisations, or statutory bodies
• Experience coordinating or facilitating training, workshops, or information sessions

Personal Attributes:
• Flexible and calm under pressure.
• Can work in team or own initiative.
• Enthusiastic, agile, motivated, and positive attitude.
• Friendly demeanour.
• Commitment to empowering young people to fulfil their potential.

The above job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time.

All staff members are required to obtain Garda vetting as a condition of their initial and continued employment. Gaisce – The President’s Award is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All documentation received by Gaisce – The President’s Award will be processed in accordance with the relevant applicable data protection legislation. The information will only be used in the processing of job applications and for ongoing administrative purposes with job candidates.

Due to the volume to applications, we can only provide feedback to those selected for interview.
Gaisce advertises these roles on reputable online websites and is not responsible for misleading information found on other online recruitment websites.