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 over 85 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 facilitate 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.
Promote and profile Plan International Ireland's Global Citizenship Education work within relevant networks and partnerships.
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, funders and sector partners.
Other
Contribute actively to the Programme Department and wider organisational strategic objectives.
Work collaboratively across teams to maximise programme quality, organisational learning and impact.
Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Education
Bachelor's or Master's qualification in Education, Development Studies, International Development, Youth Work, Social Sciences or a related discipline is desirable, although equivalent experience will also be considered.
Skills and Abilities
You will be an effective programme manager with strong organisational skills and a track record of delivering complex projects and grant-funded programmes.
You will be able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and accountability.
You will demonstrate strong relationship-building skills and be able to engage effectively with funders, partners, educators, young people and colleagues.
You will have excellent communication, facilitation and proposal-writing skills.
You will be able to balance operational programme management with strategic thinking and innovation.
You will have a strong commitment to child and youth safeguarding and meaningful youth participation.
Level of Experience Required
At least five years' experience working within Global Citizenship Education, Development Education, international development, youth work, education or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded programmes, including financial management and reporting.
Experience developing successful funding proposals, ideally including Erasmus+ and European Union programmes.
Experience supervising and supporting staff.
Experience building partnerships and managing external stakeholder relationships.
Desirable Experience
Experience managing Erasmus+ projects.
Knowledge of Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education funding mechanisms.
Experience working with youth participation structures and youth-led advocacy initiatives.
Experience working within national or international education networks.
Salary and benefits
Plan International Ireland operates a salary scale, as well as a broad range of employee benefits.
This role is graded as a Level 3 within our salary scale, with an expected range of between €40,000 and €46,000. Placement on the scale will be dependent on level of experience and fit.
Plan International Ireland provides several employee benefits, which include:
Private Health Insurance for all employees (from commencement date);
Comprehensive health package;
Hybrid working, with a preference for candidates based in or able to regularly attend the Dublin office.
Matching company pension contributions up to 5% (once probation is
complete);
Flexible working hours (core hours of 10am to 4pm daily, minimum of 37 hours
per week)
As an employee you will be able to sign up to the Bike-to-Work scheme, or the
TaxSaver scheme for DART, LUAS, and Dublin bus users;
Learning and career development, including technical skills, management, and professional development
Location
The Plan International Ireland office is located on Harrington Street, Dublin 8. Our nearest LUAS stop is Harcourt Street.
To apply
Please submit your CV along with a letter outlining why you feel you’re the right person for the role by Sunday, 16th August 2026 via our website at: Careers at Plan International Ireland
Please note that applicants must have a valid work permit at the time of applying to enable them to work in Ireland.
Safeguarding
Plan International is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants, and other organisational representatives.
Any candidate offered a job with us will be expected to sign our Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. Specific roles may require police/Garda vetting.
