Exciting opportunity to join the ISSU team

Outline Job Specification

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union Limited

POSITION: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

This outlines the post of the ISSU Student Engagement and Development who will steer the development of research, communications and membership engagement of the ISSU.SALARY: €24,000 pro rata p.a.CONTRACT LENGTH:  Reporting to the General Secretary and to be employed on a fixed-term contract of two years, confirmed after successful completion of a 6-month probation period - subject to funding.WORKING HOURS: 35.00 hours (on a flexi-time basis).  Occasional out-of-office hours may be required.OVERVIEW:They will manage the daily business of the Head Office of the ISSU and coordinate the execution of ISSU policy, and is tasked with increasing ISSU membership.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaising with schools and student councils to develop and expand the membership of the ISSU
• Maintain ISSU databases
• Coordinating Student Council consultation sessions
• Development of resources for student councils
• Updating and maintaining ISSU social media outlets
• Assisting the ISSU National Student Executive in fulfilling their remit
• Promotion of iConnect Card
• General administration
• Advocacy and representation
• Education policy research and report writing
• Organisational development

PERSON DESCRIPTION:

• A minimum of one year’s experience with a youth or student organisation;
• Enthusiasm and commitment to ISSU’s objectives;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent proven relevant experience;
• Some knowledge and experience of the Irish education system/voluntary/non-profit/youth work sector;
• Project management experience;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Comprehensive grasp of modern communication media;
• Motivated and driven;
• Demonstrable track record of building and developing relationships;
• Excellent copy writing, proofing, and information distribution skills;
• Excellence in communicating English in a variety of contexts;
• Excellent ICT proficiency;
• Demonstrate ability to work well in a team;
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Attention to detail, especially in an online environment;
• Ability and initiative to work independently and as a self starter.

The position is based at ISSU’s national office in Dublin. Hours are based on a 35.00 hour week and 21 days of holidays p.a. This post involves travel within the state with time off in lieu of working evenings/at weekends.A high level of integrity, accountability, confidentiality, responsibility and flexible, constructive engagement is required in carrying out these duties.The ISSU Child Protection Policy and Garda Vetting Procedures for the safeguarding of young people apply. The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is an equal opportunities employer. APPLICATIONS Applications should be in the form of a letter of application and CV. It should be submitted by email to recruitment@issu.ie with “STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER” in the subject line or post to: General SecretaryIrish Second-Level Students’ UnionISSU 9^th FloorLiberty HallDublin 1DEADLINE : 5pm on 2^nd September 2014 

Students' Union welcomes new Minister for Education

PRESS STATEMENT July 11th, 2014Students' Union welcomes new Minister for EducationThe ISSU today welcomes, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny’s announcement that Jan O’ Sullivan will be the new Minister for Education and Skills. The ISSU looks forward to engaging with the newly appointed Minister on all relevant issues that affect the Irish education system and the country’s second-level students.ISSU President, Craig McHugh, stated "Deputy O'Sullivan has the potential to make an excellent Minister for Education, and I would personally like to congratulate her on her promotion. We look forward to working with her, and are hopeful for continued innovation and progression as started by Minister Quinn over the past three years"."We hope to meet with the new Minister in the next few weeks and are hopeful that she will engage with and work with students as equal partners in Education".ISSU's, Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska said "I would like to congratulate Jan O'Sullivan on her appointment as Minister for Education and wish her the very best of luck. I am looking forward to working with her and the Department on key policy issues, and that she will engage working with us to increase students' participation in decision making. I look forward to meeting with her soon".*****************ENDS *****************

WANTED: Student Representatives for ETB Boards

We in the ISSU are delighted to have been asked by Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, to be one of the nominating bodies for  each Education and Training Board (ETB).

We cannominate one male and one female who live in each ETB area, and the ETBs will meet before the end of July to decide which of the people nominated will be appointed to the Boards.

Postions on ETB boards are volutary but travel expenses are covered.  Meetings will generally be about every 2 months, and successful nominees will sit on the boards for 5 years.

To be considered for nomination, you must meet these criteria:

• Be living in the area of the relevant ETB;

• Be over the age of 18 on July 23rd;

• Be a current or relatively recent second-level student

• Ideally, you will have had some involvement in student councils or similar initiatives

What do I need to do?

Email your name, address and a brief background note to info@issu.ie before 5pm on Tuesday the 15th of July.

Statement on the Resignation of Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Education and Skills

PRESS STATEMENT July 2^nd, 2014 Irish Second-Level Students' Union Statement on the Resignation of Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Education and Skills  The ISSU notes Minister Ruairí Quinn’s announcement that he will resign as Minister for Education and Skills next week. Minister Quinn pioneered mainly vital and student-focused reforms to the education system which would likely not have been introduced by others due to their controversial nature but which were hugely important in improving the quality of Irish education and for this, the ISSU is very grateful. Minister Quinn has had a strong working relationship with the ISSU for a number of years both as a Minister, and as an opposition spokesperson before this. Minister Quinn was very supportive of the importance of student voice in second-level education, and much of the progress the ISSU has made in recent years would not have been possible without his support. ISSU Deputy President, Robert O’Donnell said; “I would like to thank Minister Quinn for his service in the Department of Education and skills, including his engagement with the ISSU. He showed great interest in the second-level Student movement and gave us a lot of help and support. I wish Minister Quinn all the best in the future.” ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska said; “We have really enjoyed working with Minister Quinn during his time in the Department of Education and Skills, and particularly appreciated the opportunities provided for students to engage with the Department on a number of issues, particularly in the past year when we conducted a study on the student experience of the Transition Year. On behalf of the ISSU I would like to wish him all the best in the future.”*****************ENDS *****************

Irish Second-level Students’ Union Welcomes Preservation of Pupil-Teacher Ratio

 

The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes the preservation of the pupil/teacher ratio in both post-primary and primary schools. The fact that other funds relating to second-level education have been preserved is also welcome.ISSU President, Mark Caffrey said that ‘the Government budget proposal is supportive to education and respects its great importance. In a time of unprecedented reform of the education sector it is important that the necessary funds for these reforms are provided.’He also stated that ‘Whilst the Haddington Road agreement is the main point of contention within the Education Sector it is important to note that the budget has maintained the current pupil/teacher ratio in primary and post-primary schools.The ISSU also glad to see that disadvantaged school communities will be protected from budget cuts this year.ISSU Education Officer, Robert O’Donnell stated that ‘the education aspects of the budget are welcomed by myself and many other members of the ISSU.  The security of funding for DEIS schools is crucial for students in these schools, and we are glad to see that this funding will not be altered.’ The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes will work with all other stakeholders to maintain a quality education system in Ireland at second-level.

ISSU Welcomes New Anti-Bullying Procedures

 The Irish Second Level Students’ Union has welcomed the launch of new Anti-Bullying procedures. These new procedures and guidelines, aimed at addressing and preventing bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying, and particularly cyper-bullying. This will be mandatory for all schools . ISSU Equality Officer, Conor Lynott, said; “These new mandatory procedures will greatly improve the lives of all of our young people in making the school environment a safe and happy place for young people to grow and achieve their full potential.” ISSU President, Mark Caffrey, said; "The steps taken by the Department have been very positive in recent years when it comes to bullying. Now that schools have had a good chance to look at the department regulations and recommendations it is clear that schools will no longer have any excuses for developing their own local policies on bullying. We wholeheartedly welcome the new regulations. These reforms fit perfectly into the ethos of our second-level schools and are built around the action plan on bullying which the ISSU had a direct role in developing".