Wednesday News - Issue 2 2025

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Dóchas News

(1) Vacancy - Head of Policy and Advocacy

The Head of Policy & Advocacy role is central to Dóchas’ strategy (2022-2026), with a particular focus on the Influence pillar – combining policy and advocacy expertise and the experience of members with convening power, to exert collective influence. This role is critical to maintain Dóchas’ reputation as an authoritative voice for the sector on key issues, facilitating dialogue and debate in the public domain. The recent changing political environment will accelerate the need to build political support for international development among MEPs, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders. The recruitment campaign for the role of Head of Policy & Advocacy is being managed exclusively on behalf of Dóchas by specialist, not-for-profit sector, recruitment consultancy CCI Executive Search. Find out more here. Closing date: 6 February

(2) Call for Tender - Community Portal for Development with Supporting Business Processes

Dóchas is calling for submissions for a contract for services for an online Community Portal build. As part of Dóchas' current strategic plan, we aim to further develop a strong and dynamic network that enhances opportunities for connection, coordination and collaboration. As part of that, we seek to create an increasingly innovative and inclusive space to stimulate and facilitate exchange and reflect on complex challenges. Dóchas would like to build an online community platform for more streamlined and dynamic member collaboration, while at the same time improving internal efficiency through automated workflows and greater systems integration.

We would like to work with IT, network and online engagement expert(s) or organisations who can confirm the approach we are taking and provide the deliverables outlined. Providers should also be able to offer strategic, practical, and troubleshooting advice on the project. Read the full terms of reference and find out more about the tender process here. Closing date for submissions: 17 January

(3) Last Day to Apply - Programme Support Officer 

Dóchas is seeking applications for a Programme Support Officer to begin in January 2025. The purpose of this role is to enable effective communication with Dóchas members through administrative support, communication, data management and support to Dóchas Working Groups. The PSO also leads on the development of Dóchas-led events, supports in Dóchas planning and reporting, and supports the Dóchas team on specific initiatives or campaigns. This is a full time, hybrid role. Find out more about this role here. Closing date: 15 January but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Upcoming Events and Conferences

(1) Development Perspectives: (Dis)Placed: A Festival Exploring Displacement and Belonging - 23-26 January

Experience the power of Theatre of the Oppressed at (Dis)Placed, a festival delving into themes of land, identity, and solidarity. Through workshops, performances on the housing crisis, a play on Palestine, and a trip to the Battle of the Boyne, participants will explore global and local issues of displacement. This festival inspires community-driven action, fostering dialogue and connection to reclaim belonging. Find out more about the festival here. Events taking place as part of the festival: 

• Opening Night & "Unhoused" on 23 January at 8pm in the Droichead Arts Centre. Find out more and register here.
• "Through the Roof" on 24 January at 7.30pm in the Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Find out more and register here.
• "The Weight of History" on 25 January at 7.30pm in the Glebe House, Boyne Valley. Find out more and register here.

Upcoming Meetings, Seminars & Workshops

(1) Global Action Plan: Multiple Events

Migration - A CPD webinar for teachers - 20 January

This workshop will approach the topic of Migration through the lens of global citizenship education. Join us for this online webinar on January 20th from 7-8.30pm, with expert speakers, peer discussion and heaps of resources.Speakers include Amani Kamal, Youth for Change programme at Sonairte, and Adekunle Gomez, Director at the African Cultural Project. Funded by Irish Aid's WorldWise Global Schools. Find out more and register here.

Waste Colonialism: A CPD webinar for teachers - 17 February

This free teacher-training workshop will explore the topic of waste through the lens of global citizenship education (GCE). We will explore where our waste ends up and how and why it gets there. We will interrogate the concepts of sustainable consumption and recycling, and suggest actions schools can take to ethically manage their waste.This event will take place online on February 17 from 7-8.30pm. Funded by Irish Aid's WorldWise Global Schools. Find out more and register here.

(2) VSI: January Meetup: ‘Climate Justice and The Future of Our Food’ - 28 January

Join VSI for our January meetup and workshop, which takes places online on Tuesday 28th January at 19.00. This month we will be discussing the impacts climate change has on food security, and explore how collective action can help ensure access to nutritious food for all. This workshop is open to all and we encourage everyone to attend. For anybody interested in international volunteering, our meetups offer a casual space to learn about VSI and our volunteer opportunities and to meet like-minded people. Find out more here.

Vacancies

(1) Trócaire: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Trócaire is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(2) Oxfam Ireland: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Oxfam is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(3) Concern Worldwide: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Concern Worldwide is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in Ireland and internationally. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(4) GOAL: Global Citizenship Workshop Facilitator

GOAL Global is a humanitarian response agency, established in Ireland 47 years ago. GOAL works with highly vulnerable communities across the world, to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises. GOAL assists these communities to strengthen their local systems and build solutions to lift them out of poverty and vulnerability. The purpose of this role is to deliver GOAL’s innovative global citizenship education workshops for young people in primary schools, youth outreach and public engagement events throughout Ireland. The role is a part-time, freelance position with a great deal of flexibility in the location and days successful candidates will work. Facilitators will initially work approx. 25 days until December 2025 with the opportunity to do additional days. Find out more here. Closing date: Rolling Basis

(5) Irish Red Cross: Migration Services Caseworker

The casework role for the Irish Red Cross encompasses a variety of services including, but not limited to, the Ukraine Pledge Accommodation programme, IRPP mandated resettlement and the Gaza Minors Medical Initiative. The Irish Red Cross is tasked under its mandate as auxiliary to the Irish Government to co-ordinate offers of support from the Irish Public, to support the placement of refugees into suitable accommodation and to support the social integration of refugees at community level. The Migration Services Casework team utilises and manages publicly pledged properties in Ireland for refugees in an efficient manner, to the benefit of refugees who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or Programme Refugees, and in support of Pledgers and Hosts. Find out more here. Closing date: 26 January 

(6) ActionAid Ireland: Head of Programmes (12 Month Maternity Cover Contract)

The Head of Programmes will lead the programmes team and oversee programme implementation, particularly the Irish Aid funded Women’s Rights Programme in Kenya, Nepal and Ethiopia, with some work in Ireland, programmatic innovation, grant/contract management and embedding policy analysis within programming. Externally, the Head of Programmes will build ActionAid Ireland’s relationships with key policy, academic and institutional funding audiences in the international development sector. The Head of Programmes will be responsible for advancing a community of policy, practice and learning of ActionAid’s work; but will also have responsibility for securing additional institutional funding to support ActionAid’s work globally. Find out more here. Closing date: 17 January

(7) Christian Aid Ireland: Global Peacebuilding Manager (Permanent)

This is a new, senior role within Christian Aid Ireland’s International Programmes Team that will be responsible for overseeing and managing Christian Aid’s portfolio of peacebuilding and conflict prevention (PBCP) programmes, which include focus on WPS agenda, YPS agenda, humanitarian – development – peace nexus, supporting peace processes, climate and conflict, catalysing cross-border cooperation, tackling impunity, supporting HRDs, digital space and innovation, religion and peacebuilding, preventing gender based violence, conflict analysis and sensitivity. This is a hybrid role with a salary of €64,452 per annum. Find out more here. Closing date: 19 January

(8) Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI): Programme Manager (Tanzania & Zambia)

IRLI is looking for a Programme Manager (Tanzania & Zambia) to join the team. Based in the Dublin office at least two days a week, with the option of hybrid working for the remainder. Find out more here. Closing date: 21 January

(9) NYCI: Global Citizenship Education / Global Youth Work Project Officer

The National Youth Council of Ireland’s Global Youth Work team wishes to recruit a Project Officer: Global Youth Work. This new role requires training experience and understanding of Global Citizenship Education, Global Youth Work Policy, and Global Issues. It also requires experience of using monitoring and evaluation tools. Does this sound like you? If yes, please consider working with us. Find out more here. Closing date: 29 January

(10) Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS): Project and Outreach Support Worker

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international NGO with a mission is to accompany, to serve and to advocate the cause of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. The Projects and Outreach Support Worker role is a full-time role based in Galway. Travel throughout Ireland required. Initial contract is for 24 months. Competitive Salary Package (commensurate with experience). Application pack available, by request, from info@jrs.ie. CVs / Cover Letters not accepted. JRS Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. Closing date: 31 January

Calls for Tender

(1) A Partnership with Africa (APA): Open Tender for Communication Services

A Partnership with Africa (APA) is seeking to engage a communications agency to work with its GCE coordinator on the EU-DEAR funded project: ‘It’s Global education Time – From school curricula to youth actions for sustainable development. The agency will be required to provide the professional services associated with the design, implementation, promotion, monitoring and evaluation of a communications and engagement campaign for the project from February 2025-June 2027. Find out more here. Closing date for submissions: 24 January

(2) Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI): Consultant to Conduct Organisational Review

IRLI is seeking support from experienced consultants for an organisational review, specifically to provide an evaluation of the most recent organisational review and strategic plan. The consultant should also provide an updated strategic plan, including purpose, vision and mission, brand identity, communications strategy and fundraising strategy, amongst others. Find out more here. Closing date for submissions: 14 February

Internships 

(1) Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Major Gifts Intern

This is a great opportunity to be part of an experienced fundraising team and gain insights into relationship fundraising, the work of MSF and current topics in the humanitarian sector. During the internship with MSF, you will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities. Most importantly, as a member of the fundraising team, the work will contribute to the achievement of MSF’s objectives in Ireland, and support MSF’s work around the world. Find out more here. Closing date: 31 January

Volunteering Opportunities

(1) UCD Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO): Leadership Positions with UCDVO

UCDVO are currently recruiting Clinical Tutors (dietetics and physiotherapy) to work on our Volunteer Programme with our partners in Uganda and Tanzania. We are also recruiting a Team Coordinator for our Sports in Development project in Uganda. See our website for details and please get in touch if you would like to learn more with hilary.minch@ucd.ie.

Courses and Training

(1) Comhlámh: Join Comhlámh for the New Year Launch of its ethical comms course, E-TICK! - 22 January

Please join Comhlámh and friends on Wednesday, January 22nd 5.30-7pm, The Fumbally Stables for its New Year Launch of E-TICK, a unique, free-to-access, online course on ethical communication. This open event is a chance for folks to become more familiar with E-TICK and its themes and to consider how it might be relevant for the year ahead. The evening will be anchored by a keynote from Dr. Eilish Dillon, author of "Putting Critical Learning at the Heart of Ethical Global Development Communications among INGOs". If you are working in GCE, comms, youth work (or a related field), please consider joining us to launch "E-TICK" into the New Year! All Welcome. Please register in advance via this Eventbrite Link. For any further queries, please email info@comhlamh.org.

(2) UCD Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO) & Comhlámh: Apply for Seeding Change with UCDVO

This is a 5-part UCDVO course with Comhlámh starting the 4th February. Seeding Change takes a deep dive into questions on climate and environmental justice, using a group approach to learning which works with mind and body. Find out more and apply here. 

Watch and Listen

(1) Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI): Horsehair Wigs Podcast: A Heartfelt Tribute to James Douglas

IRLI concluded their 2024 Horsehair Wigs podcast series with a personal and professional tribute to former Executive Director of the organisation – international criminal and human rights lawyer James Douglas, who sadly died in August. James’ best friend and fellow human rights lawyer Pat de Brún reflects on James’ life and work. Pat is Head of Big Tech Accountability and Deputy Director of Amnesty Tech at Amnesty International. James joined IRLI in October 2020 and worked as Director of Programmes and also served as Executive Director. Listen to the podcast here.

Other News

(1) Plan International Ireland: Plan International Ireland is currently looking for new members to join the Youth Advisory Panel for activities in 2025 and beyond!

Plan International Ireland works with and not just for young people. We recognise that young people are a vital and largely untapped resource that is often missing from global justice work. Our Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) engages young people aged 16-24 as ambassadors and advisors to Plan International Ireland. Through advocacy and activism, our YAP members stand in solidarity with young campaigners around the world to make change happen both in Ireland and internationally. Find out more here. Closing date for applications: 19 January

(2) Centre for Global Education: Calls for Contributors

My 500 on "The Future of Development Education"

The Centre for Global Education’s bi-annual, peer-reviewed, open-access journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review celebrates its twentieth anniversary in 2025. To mark this important milestone for the journal, the Centre for Global Education is extending a special Call for Contributors to invite 500-word articles on “The Future of Development Education”. All of the submissions deemed publishable by the editorial team will be collated into a single document that will be published in the Viewpoint section in Issue 40 of Policy and Practice. Issue 40 will be published in Spring 2025 and the deadline for this call is 5.00pm on Friday, 14 February 2025. Find out more here.

Policy and Practice Call for Contributors Issue 41: Development Education and Hope

The Centre for Global Education invites contributions to Issue 41 of our bi-annual, peer-reviewed and peer-reviewed open access journal, Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review, which is on the theme ‘Development Education and Hope’. Authors interested in contributing an article to this issue should send a 300-word abstract to the editor by Monday, 7 April 2025. The deadline for commissioned articles is Friday, 4 July 2025. Find out more here.

Email submissions to the Wednesday News here

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