Who we are:
Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving developmental and life outcomes for children 0-18 years old. We also work directly with parents and foster carers to support and develop parenting in challenging contexts. As an organisation we strive to positive impact the wider professional network we operate within through external training, research and professional development opportunities.
We are committed to embedding an evidence-based culture of trauma-informed care and therapeutic practice and hold ourselves to high standards in all engagement with service users, colleagues and stakeholders alike. We are committed to research and evaluation and continually assess the effectiveness of our service through independent research and partnership with third level institutions. We strive to be a positive place to work, providing staff with reflective practice, regular supervision and a training budget.
With current offices and services in Blackrock, Blackpool, Clonakilty and Farranree we employ 130 staff across all departments. We offer competitive salary packages as well as benefits including enhanced maternity leave; pension contribution scheme; health care plans; flexible working hours; internal and externally provided training opportunities, and competitive annual leave entitlement.
Job Title
Recruitment & HR Co-Ordinator
Department
People & Culture
Applications considered Via
Please submit an application form, CV, and cover letter by post to: HR Department, Childhood Matters, Blackrock, Cork or email [email protected]
Application forms are available on our website, careers section. Please note, CV's alone will not be accepted
Opening date for Applications
10.06.2026
Closing Date for Applications
19.06.2026
Proposed Interview date(s)
TBD
Location of Post
Working Pattern
Blackrock, Cork. Some travel may be required.
Full-Time preferred. Part-time/job-share may be considered
Details of Services
Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.
· Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.
· CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.
· Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.
· The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.
· Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.
· Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.
· Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.
· Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services
· Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.
Purpose of Role:
Role Purpose
The Recruitment & HR Co-Ordinator will provide operational recruitment and HR support across Childhood Matters during a period of organisational growth and service development.
The role will support high-volume recruitment activity, onboarding coordination, employee administration, HR systems management, and day-to-day People & Culture operations across multiple services.
This role is intended to provide additional interim support to the People & Culture function during a period of increased operational demand, organisational change activity, and workforce expansion.
Reporting Relationship
The successful candidate will report to the Head of People & Culture or nominee.
Duties and Responsibilities
Recruitment & Workforce Support
- Coordinate end-to-end recruitment administration across multiple open campaigns
- Support advertising, candidate communication, interview scheduling, and onboarding processes
- Maintain recruitment trackers and applicant databases
- Liaise with hiring managers regarding recruitment progress and vacancies
- Support pre-employment compliance processes including Garda Vetting and reference checks
- Assist with induction and onboarding coordination for new staff
HR Administration & Employee Support
- Provide day-to-day administrative support to the People & Culture function
- Maintain accurate HR records in line with GDPR and organisational requirements
- Support contract generation, employee correspondence, and HR documentation
- Assist with sickness absence administration and employee file management
- Support training coordination and mandatory compliance tracking
- Prepare documentation for meetings and take minutes where required
Data Management & Reporting
- Maintain HR systems, trackers, and workforce data
- Support the preparation of HR reports, metrics, and workforce updates
- Assist with audit preparation and documentation requests
- Support continuous improvement of HR administrative systems and workflows
Team & Organisational Support
- Work collaboratively with managers and staff across all services
- Support People & Culture engagement initiatives and staff wellbeing activities
- Contribute to a professional, supportive, and responsive People & Culture service
- Undertake additional duties as reasonably assigned in line with organisational needs
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned from time to time.
Eligibility Criteria / Qualifications
Applicants must, by the closing date for applications, possess:
Essential Criteria
- QQI Level 6 qualification (or higher) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related discipline
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a HR, recruitment, or administrative role
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and HR/recruitment systems
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
- Ability to work independently while also contributing positively within a team environment
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience within healthcare, social care, community, or non-profit settings
- Experience supporting high-volume recruitment campaigns
- Understanding of employment legislation and HR best practice
- Experience supporting onboarding and employee lifecycle administration
- Knowledge of GDPR and records management requirements
Key Competencies
- Organisation & Prioritisation
- Communication & Relationship Management
- Attention to Detail
- Confidentiality & Professional Judgement
- Initiative & Problem Solving
- Team Collaboration
- Adaptability & Resilience
Additional Information
This role will involve exposure to sensitive employee and organisational information and therefore requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality at all times.
Tenure
This post is offered on a 6-Month Fixed Term Contract basis.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:
Salary aligned to the HSE Consolidated Pay Scales, commensurate with experience.
Proposed Grade: Clerical Grade IV 34,256.
Working Week
The standard working week applying to this post is: 37.5 hours.
Annual Leave
Annual leave entitlement will apply in line with organisational policy and will be calculated on a pro-rata basis where applicable.
Probation
A probationary period of 6 months will apply
Additional Benefits
- Defined contribution pension scheme.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit
- Additional Annual leave days
- Comprehensive annual CPD schedule
- Financial support for further education
Work Location: In person
