Global Citizenship Education Officer (Maternity Cover)

Title: Global Citizenship Education Officer (Maternity Cover)

Reporting to: Programme Team Lead - Irish Aid Unit

Direct Reports: Supervision of Support Officer(s) and intern(s)

Grade: 3

Contract Length: One year, commencing October 2026

Brief overview and purpose of role

The Global Citizenship Education Officer is responsible for leading the implementation, management and growth of Plan International Ireland's Global Citizenship Education Strategy.

The role has two primary and complementary areas of responsibility.

The first is providing leadership and oversight of Plan International Ireland's Irish Aid-funded Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programme. The postholder will act as a safe and dependable programme manager, ensuring high-quality implementation, strong donor compliance, effective budget management, monitoring and evaluation, and timely reporting.

The second is driving innovation and growth across the Global Citizenship Education portfolio. This includes identifying and securing new funding opportunities, particularly through Erasmus+, European Union funding programmes, foundations, trusts and strategic partnerships. The postholder will develop new projects, explore innovative educational approaches, and support the expansion of Plan International Ireland's influence within the Global Citizenship Education sector.

The role involves supervision of the Youth and Digital Engagement Officer and any Support Officers or interns working across the programme portfolio.

The role involves close working and coordination with Plan International Ireland's Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). It is responsible for ensuring meaningful youth participation across Plan International Ireland's Global Citizenship Education work and supporting opportunities for young people to engage in leadership, advocacy and active citizenship.

About Plan International Ireland

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children's rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children's rights from birth until they reach adulthood. We enable children to prepare for - and respond to - crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over85 years and are now active in more than 80 countries. Established in 2003, Plan International Ireland influences and supports Plan International's work worldwide. In the last financial year our turnover was €17m and we worked directly with 19 countries across the globe.

Key roles and responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to lead the implementation of the Plan International Ireland Global Citizenship Education Strategy

Key Responsibilities Strategy implementation

Lead implementation of the Plan International Ireland Global Citizenship Education Strategy through the development, management and oversight of high-quality programmes, projects and partnerships.

Support the ongoing development and evolution of the Global Citizenship Education portfolio, identifying opportunities to strengthen organisational impact and sustainability. Lead monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into future programme design and delivery.

Develop strategies and initiatives that strengthen Plan International Ireland's engagement with young people and educators across Ireland.

Irish Aid Programme Management

• Lead management of Plan International Ireland's Irish Aid-funded Global Citizenship Education programme. Ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, financial management and reporting across all programme activities.
• Maintain strong donor compliance and accountability systems, ensuring all programme requirements are met on time and to a high standard.
• Manage programme budgets, workplans, risk management processes and performance frameworks.
• Prepare high-quality narrative and financial reports and coordinate donor engagement as required.

Growth, Innovation and Funding Development

• Identify, develop and pursue new funding opportunities that contribute to the growth and sustainability of Plan International Ireland's Global Citizenship Education work.
• Lead the development of Erasmus+, European Union and other institutional funding applications.
• Develop innovative project concepts and partnership models that increase programme impact and reach.
• Cultivate relationships with educational institutions, civil society organisations, youth organisations, universities, local authorities and international partners.
• Support collaboration with Plan International National Organisations and Country Offices to develop joint initiatives and funding opportunities.
• Explore opportunities to strengthen digital learning, youth engagement and innovative educational methodologies.

Resources and Training

• Lead the development of educational resources, learning materials and training programmes that promote child rights, gender equality and global justice.
• Support innovative approaches to educator engagement and professional development.
• Design and facilitation training and capacity-building initiatives for teachers, youth workers, educators and community groups.
• Review and update resources in response to learning, evaluation findings and emerging priorities.

Youth Advisory Panel

• Ensure strong engagement and meaningful participation of Plan International Ireland's Youth Advisory Panel.
• Provide strategic oversight of recruitment, retention and development of Youth Advisory Panel members.
• Support opportunities for youth-led advocacy, representation and participation at national and international levels.
• Ensure safeguarding, welfare and participation standards are maintained across all youth activities.
• Strengthen relationships with national and international youth networks and organisations.

Line Management and Supervision

• Provide line management, coaching and professional development support to the Youth and Digital Engagement Officer.
• Supervise Support Officers, interns and temporary programme staff as required.
• Support effective work planning, objective setting and performance management processes.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative and supportive team culture.

Representation

• Represent Plan International Ireland within IDEA, Dóchas working groups and other relevant Global Citizenship Education, youth participation and international development fora