Job Title: Post Primary Diocesan Advisor / Job Holder: Vacant
Office: Education Secretariat / Reports to: Episcopal Vicar for Education
Job Location: Education Secretariat, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe Road, D03 P2E7
JOB PURPOSE: Briefly describe the overall purpose or function of the job
The Diocesan Advisor, reporting to the Episcopal Vicar for Education, supports religious education (RE) in post-primary schools. This work involves liaising and working with school principals, teachers, chaplains and Diocesan Agencies and dealing with any queries / problems while keeping the Episcopal Vicar informed of issues that arise at post-primary level.
This appointment is a secondment arrangement with the Department of Education & Skills.
Responsibilities
Supporting RE in schools / · Supports the central position of religious education as part of the curriculum
· Supports the development of a school’s Religious Education Policy
· Models and supports the establishment of best practice in relation to religious education, engages with teachers and advises on the agreed timetabling of RE (2 hours per week in Community Schools and Colleges; 4 hours teaching and 18 hours chaplaincy work for Chaplains)
· Supports schools in the resourcing of RE classes and retreats. The DA may work with schools involved in the Transition Year Awards Programme
· Works with the RE team to improve areas in need of development
Engaging with Schools and the Partners in Education / · Liaise with the RE teachers, the principal, the chaplain in each school and, on occasion, with the Board of Management and the Trustees
· Act as the Archbishop’s nominee on selection interview boards/Board of Management
· Regularly update the Episcopal Vicar for Education of developments in the catechesis of adolescents and issues arising in the schools of the Diocese
· Through the national associations, engage with the school trustee bodies, the teacher training colleges and the NCCA (RoI) / CCEA (N. Ireland).
Visitation of Schools / · Through regular visits to schools, build familiarity and trust with the RE team
· Arrange at least one formal visit to each school per year to listen to the teachers’ experience of religious education and to offer advice, support, resources and encouragement
Organising and Leading In-service for Religious Education Teachers / · Organise in-service (cluster meetings) for the RE teachers of the Diocese
· Provide support to teachers of Junior and Leaving Cert. examination classes, to those teaching the Leaving Cert Applied Programme, or for specific groups such as chaplains, heads of RE or year groups
· In conjunction with colleagues at Primary level, organise retreats and days of prayer for RE personnel
Preparing and Evaluating Resource Materials / · Prepares resources to assist RE teachers of examination and non-examination classes
· Support schools in choosing textbooks and other materials suited to their particular needs
RE News / · Prepare the RE News for publication at least 3 times a year. The newsletter is a useful source of information for RE Teachers and Chaplains
Developing Links between Home, School and Parish / · In partnership with other diocesan services, such as the Office for Evangelisation & Ecumenism, promote and encourage links between school and the parish, creating possibilities for interaction between these partners in religious education
The above contains the main outline of duties. However it is inevitable that tasks may arise which may not fall within the remit of the above list of main duties. Staff members are therefore required to respond with a flexible approach when ad hoc tasks arise which are not specifically covered in their job description. Should an additional responsibility become a regular part of a staff member’s job, the Job Description will be amended to reflect this.
JOBHOLDER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Identify the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours required.Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
· Primary degree in Education
· Master degree in Education is desirable
· Registered as a current member of the Teaching Council of Ireland
· Strong IT Skills, including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Publisher
· Full clean drivers licence with the use of a car
Key Behaviours:
· Proactive with an ability to work on own initiative and also as a member of the team in the Education Secretariat
· An appreciation of confidentiality and discretion
· Excellent interpersonal skills with an empathetic approach when dealing with people in sensitive situations
· Excellent organisational skills with highly developed written and verbal communication skills
· Well-developed self-management
· Highly developed organisational and administrative skills with attention to detail
· Enthusiastic, warm and friendly manner
· Motivated with an ability to learn and keep up to date with changes as set out in legislation, DES Circulars and directives
· Excellent communication skills
· Has the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with fellow colleagues and others, within and outside the organisation
· Can work in a supportive manner to share tasks and information. Shows respect for the contribution of others in a team
· Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and multi task
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
Moderator of the Curia
Episcopal Vicar for Education
Other Diocesan Advisors
Education Secretariat staff members
Diocesan Office staff members / External
School Principals
Chairs of Board of Management
School Teachers
Parish Priests
Parents
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