Advisor for e-Learning Planning
Job description and general notes
1. Overview
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), which includes the Technology in Education Team (TIE), is a cross-sectoral support service under the remit of the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) which offers professional development support to primary and post-primary teachers and school leaders. The work of the PDST contributes to school improvement by providing high quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on curricular and educational issues, fostering reflective practice and ongoing development among teachers and school leaders.
The PDST is managed by the Dublin West Education Centre (DWEC).
PDST Technology in Education is part of PDST and it promotes and supports the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in first and second level schools.
The main functions of PDST Technology in Education fall into two categories:
1. Providing a range of ICT-related support services to schools
2. Policy development, strategic and administrative functions
The officesarebasedin the Dublin City University Campus (DCU) in Glasnevin.
One of the priorities for the Department of Education and Skills for the coming years is the implementation of actions set out in a new Digital Strategy for Schools (Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment 2015-2020).
2. Job Description and Responsibilities
Working under the direction of the Team Leader for e-Learning Planning, the duties of the Advisor will be primarily concerned with the deliverables associated with the Digital Strategy for Schools. Priority tasks will include supporting both the adaptation of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers for the Irish context and the revision of the ‘e-learning in your school (NCTE 2009)’ planning resource and related disseminations supports for schools as an immediate priority. Supporting the planning and implementation of a shared understanding of the embedding of ICT by Support Services is also a priority task.
The Advisor will work with a team of PDST Advisors dedicated to the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in schools across the support services (ongoing team development) as well as a range of deliverables in the Digital Strategy for Schools especially Theme 1 :Teaching, Learning and Assessment Using ICT and Theme 2: Teacher Professional Learning.
The advisor for e-learning planning will have responsibility for:
● Supporting the adaptation of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers for the Irish context and the subsequent strategy for its dissemination and communication to schools including the provision of training and ongoing support requirements.
● Supporting the updating of the “e-Learning in your school” (NCTE 2009) planning resource so that it reflects technological and educational developments since 2009, including School Self Evaluation procedures/School improvement processes and objectives set out in the Digital Strategy.
● Supporting the development of a strategic and collaborative approach to embed ICT across the Support Services including the development of a Plan for this purpose. Provide training to support staff as required.
● Dissemination of the updated planning resource for school leaders, ICT coordinators teachers and all other teachers through media such as website, social media, publications, national seminars and direct school support. Provision of ongoing training and support requirements.
● Contributing to the design and implementation of a national plan for information and CPD for school leaders, ICT coordinating teachers and all other teachers on e-learning planning.
● Contributing to the design and delivery of continuing professional development for the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment to teachers and school leaders in a range of settings: evening workshops, school-based support, facilitated cluster meetings, capacity building tutor training, communities of practice, teacher professional networks and online support.
● Providing training and development to teams of local tutors on e-learning planning and embedding ICT in teaching, learning and assessment through PDST’s ICT capacity building initiative.
● Contributing to the training and development of advisors across the support services and part- time Associates/ Local Teacher Facilitators as required on e-learning planning and embedding ICT in teaching, learning and assessment.
● Supporting online Communities of Practice for the effective sharing of information and resources.
● Working with teachers and school leaders to promote and demonstrate exemplars of effective embedding of ICT in relation to teaching and learning strategies, approaches and methodologies across a range of curricular areas.
● Supporting inclusive approaches to teaching and learning using ICT.
● Advising and supporting teachers and school leaders in school improvement: the school self-evaluation process and the implementation of the school improvement plan.
● Assisting in the induction and training of new team members.
● Providing training and development to staff of other support services.
● Collaborating with personnel in other support services re design/delivery of CPD related to e-learning planning, development of resources and partnership projects.
● Working in partnership with education centre directors on collaborative projects and local initiatives as required.
● Undertaking administrative tasks as required by senior management , maintaining records of all work activity , providing regular reports to the management team
The responsibilities of the Advisor may vary in accordance with emerging needs and priorities and as assigned by the Team Leader.
3. Location
· The successful candidate will be seconded to Dublin West Education Centre and will be located in the PDST TIE offices in the main. S/he may be required to travel elsewhere from time to time in line with the requirements of the post.
· Administrative support for the work of the Team Leader will be provided through Dublin West Education Centre.
· The successful candidate will be required to have their own means of transport and to possess and retain a full driving licence.
· Public sector travel and subsistence rates will apply. Travel and subsistence will be calculated from home or the local Education Centre, whichever is nearest to the venue.
4. Eligibility
· This post is open to all qualified teachers who hold a recognised post in a recognised primary or post primary school, and are fully registered with the Teaching Council under Regulation 2 and/or Regulation 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2009 or are on secondment from such a post
· Any offer of appointment will only be made where it is considered that a suitable candidate for the post exists
· The appointment is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education and Skills. No definitive offer of appointment can be made before sanction is given
· The appointment is on a secondment basis, subject to contract. The successful candidate will be appointed as soon as possible, with a possibility of further extensions available in line with normal procedures for secondments, to a maximum of 5 years and subject to organisational needs and satisfactory performance
· The contract will provide for ongoing performance review
· Health, sick leave and general work record must be satisfactory
· The appointment is subject to Garda Vetting clearance.
7. Salary
The salary for an Advisor is in accordance with Category 4 as provided for by the 2003 Arbitration Award in respect of teachers on secondment, subject to the conditions outlined below. Remuneration is at all times subject to the relevant DES or Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations.
An Advisor is entitled to all of the following:
· her/his relevant point on the Teachers’ Common Basic Scale, plus
· an honours primary degree allowance
· an honours Higher Diploma in Education allowance
· the standard Category 4 secondment allowance, which is pensionable (see table below)
Seconded Category / PDST Position / Teachers’ Common Basic Scale / Honours Degree Allowance / Honours H.D.E Allowance / Standard Secondment Allowance4 / Advisor / As Applicable / €4,918 pa
@1/1/2010 / €1,236 pa
@ 1/1/2010 / €10,130 pa
@ 1/1/2010
Note: Circular 053/2014 refers
School Post of responsibility allowances will not be payable to seconded personnel who are in receipt of the above secondment allowances.
8. Selection procedure
· Selection will be by way of competitive interview
· Completed application forms should be submitted as an e-mail attachment only by 5 p.m. on Thursday September 8th 2016 to and one signed hard copy must also be submitted prior to interview to: Áine Duffy, PDST Administrator, PDST, 14 Joyce Way, Park West Business Park, Nangor Rd., Dublin 12.
· Late applications will not be considered
· A selection committee will be established to carry out all aspects of the selection process
· Shortlisting may apply
· It is the responsibility of the candidates to make themselves available for interview, if invited to attend. Candidates should note that it may not be possible to provide an alternative date
· Those called for interview will be asked to make a 5 minute presentation to the interview panel focusing on the applicant’s vision for the position and the contribution s/he could make to teacher professional development with the PDST
· Candidates will be responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with their application and interview
· This interview will be competency based in line with the skills outlined in part 3 above of the job description
· A panel may be formed from which future vacancies at advisor level may be filled
· Canvassing directly or indirectly will disqualify application.
9. Release from Present Post
· It is a matter for successful candidate to secure the agreement of their school authorities for release to take up a post for the period concerned
· The successful candidate will be expected to be available to take up appointment as soon as possible
· Commitment of release from your employer will be required. On receipt of an offer the successful candidate will be asked to seek immediate confirmation from his/her employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management). This signed statement should indicate that the employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management) is in a position to release the successful applicant.
10. Queries
Any queries in relation to this document should be emailed to
4