National Safeguarding Officer

The Camogie Association is recruiting for a Full Time National Safeguarding Officer to join the Association’s staff team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for development, management and implementation of all Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding and vetting processes across the Association, delivering on a workplan aligned to the Camogie Association Vision, Mission, Values and NDP . The National Safeguarding Officer will provide support to units, volunteers, and officers. The successful candidate will assist in implementing the Camogie Association’s National Development Plan for 2020-2023 (https://camogie.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Camogie-Association-National-Development-Plan-2020-23.pdf ) and successor plans to ensure compliance and best practice in the areas of safeguarding child protection and vetting.

The Camogie Association

The Camogie Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of Camogie, and it is responsible for increasing participation and improving the quality of the sporting experience for our participants, promoting and developing the game, and its governance structures across the Camogie community. The Association is an independent voluntary organisation founded in 1904.

In 2018, Camogie (along with Hurling) was added to UNESCO’s list of protected cultural activities around the world. Camogie operates at club, county, provincial and international levels with teams of all ages participating in the sport in recreational and competitive activities.

National Safeguarding Officer is a key role in the Camogie Association ensuring best practise is in place in all units and ensuring compliance with all legislative requirements. The role will report to the Ard Stiurthoir.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include:

Child Protection, Safeguarding and Vetting	Implement and review The Camogie Association policies and act as liaison to our members on issues relating to Child Protection, Safeguarding & Vetting. Ensure up to date operational knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and vetting requirements across the Island of Ireland. Ensure that robust processes are in place and being implemented To act as the national point of contact for all Child Protection and Safeguarding enquiries. Be knowledgeable about Children First (ROI) and Our Duty to Care (NI) and all subsequent and related legislation and best practise to ensure they can act as an information source to other members of The Camogie Association. Be knowledgeable about vetting legislation and procedures – Garda Vetting (ROI) and Access NI (NI). Ensure legislative compliance with vetting procedures and manage and co-ordinate implementation of vetting related administration at national level. Co-ordination of child safeguarding training at all levels in the Association. Liaise with Provincial, Counties, Clubs to ensure drop-out rates and transfers are monitored so that unusual developments or trends can be addressed. Be informed of best practice and legislative requirements in relation to child protection and safeguarding, on the island of Ireland, and internationally as required. Proactively promote governance related campaigns to all stakeholders, for example, anti-bullying, GDPR, complaints and insurance.
Communication, Collaboration and Partnerships	Circulation of all relevant information and resource materials on Safeguarding, Child Protection and Vetting to Provincial, Counties, Clubs of the Camogie Association. Act as the primary national safeguarding point of contact with relevant third-party bodies. Communication with Club, County and Provincial Children’s Officers to ensure the distribution of relevant policies and the promotion of related education resources. Liaise with Club, County and Provincial Childrens Officers to examine the rules, regulations and structures to ensure that they are child centred. Ensure effective communication link between, Club, County, Provincial and national structures With the National Child Safeguarding and Protection Committee, work with the Provincial Children’s Officers, co-convene a Provincial Network of County Childrens Officers Development and nurturing of strong relationships with internal and external partners including Sport Ireland, GAA/ LGFA/ Local Sports Partnerships, other Sports NGB’s etc.
Guidance, Support and Advice	Promote awareness, education and implementation of the Camogie Association’s policies and procedures on child protection and safeguarding to the Association’s members and units Assist units through provision of appropriate resources and supports, to ensure that appropriate safeguarding plans and practises are in place. Ensure that Safeguarding is incorporated into Provincial, County and club development plans. Ensuring that an appropriate network of safeguarding tutors is in place to meet the Association needs. Attend & present at Ard Chomhairle and Provincial Council Meetings as required, Engage with the Participation and Development Implementation team to provide support & advise on games activities, that are appropriate to the age and ability of the various playing groups, in line with the Camogie Association’s National Development Plan
Programmes and Initiatives	Liaise and collaborate with national programmes and initiatives under the Camogie Association’s National Development Plan. Deliver annual safeguarding, child protection and vetting work plans in line with National Development Plan objectives Ensure the delivery of innovative strategies, programmes, campaigns and special projects to maximise awareness of safeguarding, child protection and vetting requirements within the sport. Delivery of safeguarding training at all levels. Develop and implement courses and workshops that build capacity of volunteers. Collaborate with GAA/ LGFA on roll out of joint programmes & initiatives.
People Management	Management of Staff and volunteers (tutors etc.) in relation to safeguarding, Child Protection and Vetting. Work planning and ensuring implementation of vetting for the Camogie Association in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. Ensuring that an appropriate pathway is in place to develop volunteers and tutors providing education and support in the areas of safeguarding, Child Protection and Vetting. Supervise and support interns, work placements and occasional contract work as appropriate
Health & Safety	Ensure appropriate Health and Safety Requirements, for roll out of safeguarding, child protection and vetting activities/ events/ operations.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting	Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on safeguarding, child protection and vetting activities. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on safeguarding, child protection and vetting education and training.
Planning & Budgeting	Preparation of annual work plan and budget for areas of responsibility Management of Budgets and ensuring delivery of Value for Money in Project & Initiative Roll Outs
General	Represent Camogie at internal, Gaelic games Family and external events and committees. Operate effectively as part of a team. Ability to be self-motivated, resourceful, work on own initiative in a flexible and co-operative manner. Undertake any other duties as required, commensurate with the role, and as directed by the Ard Stiúrthóir

Person Specification

During the recruitment and selection process, candidates will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate mix of knowledge, experience and skills as described above. For shortlisting purposes, candidate submissions will be expected to demonstrate the degree to which they meet the criteria as set out above.

The Camogie Association an equal opportunities employer.

Person Specification

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following:

Essential Criteria

An understanding of the Safeguarding, child protection and vetting legislation on island of Ireland.
A third level degree in social care, sports, community development, communication, business management or other relevant area and/ or A minimum of 2-5 years’ professional / voluntary experience in a similar role in sport, community development, youth work or other relevant area.
Must have the ability to develop good working relationships at multiple levels, contribute to a positive working environment and influence the delivery of objectives with a wide variety of stakeholders including young people, parents, volunteers, tutors, colleagues in sport, etc.
Highly organised, thorough and conscientious, with demonstrated ability to work to deadlines.
Experience of designing and implementing strategic plans, programmes and events.
Knowledge of Policy and Procedure development.
Experience in devising and delivering education and training programmes at all levels
Excellent administrative and IT skills
Excellent communication skills – verbal, written and presentational.
Experience of working as an effective team member
A flexible approach
Current clean full driving licence and access to own transport

Desirable criteria

The following will be advantageous to applicants:

Good understanding of the Gaelic Games Code of Behaviour (Underage).
Experience in collaborative working and developing new relationships.
An understanding and experience of the unique environment of volunteer sporting National Governing Bodies, and experience of working with Volunteers
Track record of managing multiple and varied relationships and projects.
Experience of working in the sports sector, in particular Gaelic games
Have an interest in the sport and a knowledge of the structures and operations of the Camogie Association and Gaelic games.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Duration: Permanent (Subject to 6 Month Probation)

Working hours: Full Time – 5 Day Week, 39 Hour Working week. This role is offered on a 5/7 day contract. This role requires flexibility and will entail out-of-office-hours working. The responsibilities and accountabilities might differ from those outlined, and other duties as assigned, might be part of the job.

Location – This role is based in the Camogie Association Offices in Dublin.

Transport: -Full Clean Driving License and Access to transport as travel is a necessary requirement of the post.

Application Process

Please submit a Cover letter, and Current CV including 3 references, indicating current and expected salary levels to jobs@camogie.ie, with National Safeguarding Officer in the Subject Line.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 12noon on Friday 5^th May 2023.

Interviews commencing the week beginning 15th May 2023

Late applications will not be accepted.