Candidate Information
Irish Language Officer – Open Competition
The Teaching Council is an equal opportunities employer and all applications for employment will be considered based on merit. The Teaching Council welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates irrespective of belief, gender, disability, race, political opinion, age, civil status, sexual orientation, or whether or not they have dependents.
The Teaching Council is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Official Languages Act and welcomes candidates with competence in the Irish language, or an interest in developing same.
- E-mail: recruitment@teachingcouncil.ie
- Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 Y7X0
- For further information on the Teaching Council please visit teachingcouncil.ie.
Background
The Teaching Council is the regulator of the teaching profession in Ireland. Our role is to protect the public by promoting and regulating professional standards in teaching. We do this through the statutory registration of teachers, ensuring a highly qualified teaching profession, whose members meet and uphold high standards of competence and conduct.
Title of Position
Irish Language Officer
Job Type
Permanent, full-time.
Location
Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Co. Kildare W23 Y7XO.
(Blended working arrangements are available in accordance with the Teaching Council’s Blended Working Protocols).
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Irish Language Officer, at Executive Officer grade, will be a member of the Policy and Communications team and will report to the Communications Manager. The Irish Language Officer will be responsible for the development and promotion of the Irish Language across the Teaching Council. They will work to raise the profile of the Irish Language, within the resources and remit of the organisation, and will make strategic connections within the Irish Language sector.
The duties and responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to the following:
- Ensure that the Teaching Council complies with the obligations of the Official Languages Act, 2003, as amended.
- Develop an Action Plan for promoting the use of Irish throughout the organisation, including the organisation of events and training.
- Work as part of the Policy and Communications team, to support the development of media and communication services as Gaeilge. This may include publications, press releases, news items, and social media posts.
- Manage content updates on the Irish sections of the Teaching Council website.
- Engage with external organisations and public bodies in relation to the Irish language including An Coimisinéir Teanga, The Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media.
- Attend external stakeholder events in relation to the Irish language, on behalf of the Council.
- Carry out/co-ordinate translations of documents, signage and correspondence where required by individual sections.
- Carry out audits on signage, online platforms, and on written material used by the Teaching Council to communicate with the public in order to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
- Advise other staff, including line managers, of statutory requirements regarding the Irish language.
- Facilitate the procurement and management of Irish Language translation services for the organisation.
- Provide customer services to the public through Irish when requested and support internal Council sections to provide their services through Irish.
- Organise Irish Language events for staff, e.g., Seachtain na Gaeilge.
- Prepare short reports for the Teaching Council’s Executive Committee, or other committees, as requested.
- Assume full ownership of tasks as directed by the line manager.
- Offer potential solutions to issues that arise within your section.
- Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Teaching Council Director, Deputy Director, Head of Policy & Communications and the Communications Manager.
General
- Build and maintain effective, professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide advice, guidance and training to colleagues and others in your area of expertise.
- Share knowledge and learning with your team and wider organisation.
- Provide support to organisational projects, working groups, committees, etc.
- Promote and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, transformation and innovation within Council.
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate must:
- Be a fluent Irish speaker.
- Be comfortable reading, writing, and speaking Irish, including translating from English to Irish, and from Irish back to English.
- Have the ability to act on personal initiative and make decisions within policy.
- Have exceptional planning, organisational and analytical/interpretative skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritise tasks effectively and deliver results within strict deadlines while maintaining a focus on quality of work.
- Have excellent communication, interpersonal and people management skills.
- Have a proven ability to build productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Have the requisite knowledge and ability to be able to discharge all the functions of the position.
Desirable Criteria
- Hold a third level qualification
- Knowledge of the Official Languages Act 2003, as amended.
- A minimum of one year experience working in a government body, voluntary organisation or other relevant body in the promotion and development of the Irish language or equivalent relevant experience. Suitable areas include but not limited to Irish language, education, culture, community work, social policy, public policy, management, or other.
Candidate Assessment Criteria
Candidates will be assessed based on the job description outlined above, evidence of meeting the requirements set out below and the competency framework for Executive Officer grade staff shown below.
People Management
- Consults and encourages the full engagement of the team, encouraging open and constructive discussions around work issues.
- Gets the best out of individuals and the team, encouraging good performance and addressing any performance issues that may arise.
- Values and supports the development of the others and the team.
- Encourages and supports new and effective ways of working.
- Deals with tensions within the team in a constructive fashion.
- Encourages listens to, and acts on feedback from the team to make improvements.
- Actively shares information, knowledge, and expertise to help the team meet its objectives.
Analysis and Decision Making
- Effectively deals with a wide range of information sources, investigating all relevant issues.
- Understands the practical implication of information in relation to the broader context in which they work – procedures, divisional objectives, etc.
- Identifies and understands key issues and trends.
- Correctly extracts and interprets numerical information, conducting accurate numerical calculations.
- Draws accurate conclusions and makes balanced and fair recommendations backed up with evidence.
Delivery of Results
- Takes ownership of tasks and is determined to see them through to a satisfactory conclusion.
- Is logical and pragmatic in approach, setting objectives and delivering the best possible results with the resources available through effective prioritisation.
- Constructively challenges existing approaches to improve efficient customer service delivery.
- Accurately estimates time parameters for project, making contingencies to overcome obstacles.
- Minimises errors, reviewing learning and ensuring remedies are in place.
- Maximises the input of own team in ensuring effective delivery of results.
- Ensures proper service delivery procedures/protocols/reviews are in place and implemented.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Modifies communication approach to suit the needs of a situation/audience.
- Actively listens to the views of others.
- Liaises with other groups to gain co-operation.
- Negotiates, where necessary, in order to reach a satisfactory outcome.
- Maintains a focus on dealing with customers in an effective, efficient, and respectful manner.
- Is assertive and professional when dealing with challenging issues.
- Expresses self in a clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing.
Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development
- Displays high levels of skills/expertise in own area and provides guidance to colleagues.
- Has a clear understanding of the role, objectives, and targets and how they support the service delivered by the unit and Department/Organisation and can communicate this to the team.
- Leads by example, demonstrating the importance of development by setting time aside for development initiatives for self and the team.
Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values
- Is committed to the role, consistently striving to perform at a high level.
- Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.
- Is resilient and perseveres to obtain objectives despite obstacles or setbacks.
- Ensures that customer service is at the heart of own/team work.
- Is personally honest and trustworthy.
- Acts with integrity and encourages this in others.
Competition Process
How to Apply
Applications should be made by completing this application form. All sections of the form must be fully completed. Once you complete your application you must forward it to recruitment@teachingcouncil.ie.
All applications forms must be submitted in Microsoft Word format only.
Closing Date
Your application must be submitted by email no later than 12pm on Monday, 4 November 2024.
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.
If you do not receive an acknowledgment of receipt of your application within 5 working days of applying, please contact recruitment@teachingcouncil.ie.
Candidates should make themselves available on the date(s) specified by the Teaching Council and should make sure that the contact details specified on the application form are correct.
Selection Methods
The selection will include:
- Shortlisting of candidates based on the information contained in their application form.
- Competency based interview.
Shortlisting
Normally, the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill the position. While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, the Teaching Council may decide that a number only will be called to interview.
In this respect, the Teaching Council provides for the use of a shortlisting process to select a group for interview who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position. An expert board will examine the application forms against a pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position.
This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.
Appendix 1
Part 1 (Conditions which particularly apply to this position).
Pay
The scale of pay of Executive Officer is the following:
Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) Pay Rate
€36,544 €38,465 €39,550 €41,667 €43,564 €45,400 €47,229 €49,019 €50,831 €52,618 €54,514 €55,784 €57,596¹ €59,422²
This rate will apply where the appointee is a new recruit to the public service or is a civil or public servant appointed on or after 6th April 1995 and is making a compulsory personal pension contribution. This rate will be adjusted in line with revised pay-scales published by the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform.
*LSI 1 is Long service Increment after 3 years on Max of scale.
*LSI 2 is Long service increment after 6 years on Max of scale.
Important Note: Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Increments may be awarded subject to satisfactory performance and to changes in the terms and conditions relating to salary increments in the Civil/Public Service generally. In certain circumstances, different conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant. Please note that fixed period secondments from other Public Sector bodies may be considered.
Appendix 2
Part 2 (other conditions which apply generally to the officer to this position).
Probation
The appointee must serve a probationary period, which normally will last for six months. Should the appointee’s service be satisfactory as regards health, conduct, efficiency, and performance generally during the probationary period, the appointment will be confirmed.
Duties
The appointee will be required to perform any duties assigned from time to time as appropriate to the position.
Outside Employment
The position is whole-time, and the appointee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties. Clarification must be sought from line management where any doubt arises.
Headquarters
The Teaching Council’s headquarters are located in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, and this post will be based there. The Teaching Council has developed a blended working protocol in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisation. Employees may apply for blended working arrangement in accordance with organisational requirements.
Hours of Attendance
Hours of attendance will be fixed and will amount to not less than 35 hours net of breaks per week. No additional payment will be made for extra attendance as the rate of renumeration payable covers any exceptional extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.
Annual Leave
The annual leave allowance will be 23 days per year, rising to 24 after five years’ service at the grade, 25 after ten years’ service, 26 after 12 years’ service and 27 after 14 years’ service. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave and is on the basis of a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.
Sick Leave
Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform sick leave circulars.
Superannuation and Retirement
The appointee will be offered public service pension terms and retirement age conditions in accordance with pension arrangement in the Teaching Council depending on the status of the successful appointee.
In general, an individual who has no prior pensionable Public Service history in the 26 weeks prior to appointment, or who is not currently on a career break or special leave with/without pay from a pensionable Public Service position, will be a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme). This scheme commenced from 1 January 2013 and is referred to under Section 10 of the Public Service Pension (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
An individual who is on secondment will remain a member of the parent organisation’s pension scheme and the pensionable remuneration will be based on their substantive grade i.e., the grade at which the individual is employed in their parent organisation.
An individual who was a member of a ‘pre-existing public service pension scheme’ as construed by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Pensions) Act 2012 and who does not qualify for membership of the Single Scheme will have standard public service pension terms reflecting new entrant or non-new entrant status for the purposes of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Other Information
The Teaching Council will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.
The admission of a person to a campaign, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying that the Teaching Council are satisfied that such person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview. If you do not meet these essential entry requirements but nevertheless attend for interview you will be putting yourself to unnecessary expense.
Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position the Teaching Council will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed a final determination cannot be made nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made.
Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it or if an additional vacancy arises, the Teaching Council may, at its discretion, select and recommend another person for appointment on the results of this selection process.
Confidentiality
Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence.
Security Clearance
Vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. The applicant will be required to complete and return a Garda Vetting form should they come under consideration for appointment. This form will be forwarded to the National Vetting Bureau for security checks on all addresses at which they resided.
If unsuccessful this information will be destroyed by the Teaching Council. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to supply this information again.
Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn
Candidates who do not attend for interview when and where required by the Teaching Council, or who do not when requested furnish such evidence as the Teaching Council require in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.
Feedback regarding the process
Feedback will be provided on written request following the interview stage. Feedback is not provided at the shortlisting stage. Such a request should be made within 5 working days of being notified of the Council’s decision.
Candidates’ Obligations
Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify and will result in their exclusion from the process.
Candidates must not:
- Knowingly or recklessly provide false information.
- Canvass any person with or without inducements.
- Interfere with or compromise the process in any way.
A third party must not impersonate a candidate at any stage of the process.
Any person who contravenes the above provisions or who assists another person in contravening the above provisions is committing an offence. A person who is found guilty of an offence is liable to a fine/or imprisonment.
In addition, if a person found guilty of an offence was, or is a candidate at a recruitment process, then:
- Where the candidate has not been appointed to a post, they will be disqualified as a candidate; and
- Where the candidate has been appointed subsequently to the recruitment process in question, they shall forfeit that appointment.
Data Protection Act 2018
When your application form is received, we create a record in your name, which contains the personal information you have supplied. Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. To make a request under the Data Protection Act 2018 or GDPR 2018, please submit your request in writing to dpo@teachingcouncil.ie.
Please ensure that you describe the records you seek in the greatest possible detail to enable us to identify the relevant record. Certain items of information, not specific to any individual, are extracted. from records for general statistical purpose.