Study Abroad Programme Manager
EIL Intercultural Learning, Washington Street, Cork City
Experiment in International Living (EIL) Ireland is a not for profit organisation promoting intercultural learning experiences and inspiring global citizenship. EIL arrived in Ireland in 1964 and is now recognised as an educational charity. Whilst primarily welcoming international students to spend a secondary school year in Ireland, EIL also provides educational programmes for older adults through the Road Scholar lifelong learning programme, and the EIL Explore programme was established in 1994 to provide scholarships to Irish participants to study, volunteer, and travel abroad. Since then hundreds of Irish people from all backgrounds have had fully funded intercultural learning experiences around the world.
EIL / AFS Ireland
In 2018 American Field Service (AFS) and EIL formed a unique partnership in Ireland under the EIL/AFS Ireland flag. The missions of EIL and AFS are aligned although both organisations developed separately. By matching the strong educational and youth focus of AFS, with EIL’s experience of working with lifelong learners, a dynamic new educational not-for-profit organisation emerged. Our organisation is underpinned by the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the understanding that intercultural competencies are key skills in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world.
Position/Responsibilities/Duties:
The overall strategic objectives for the Study Abroad (Inbound) Programmes are:
- Build the EIL Study Abroad Department as the leader in its field in Ireland
- Improve programme quality through promoting best practice and engaging with latest thinking
- Use technological solutions to increase efficiency (in office)
- Use technological solutions to improve communications (Local Coordinators, partners, students, host families)
- Have an active (and growing) team of volunteers in place to help deliver orientations and other activities
- Strive to grow the Secondary School Inbound Programme to 300+ students per year by academic year 2025/2026.
Specifically duties will include:
To lead and support the operational team of Programme Coordinator and the regionally based local coordinators who work with host families and schools
This involves:
- Line Management of staff in the Study Abroad Department (Inbound)
- Overseeing and supporting the team of local coordinators
- Troubleshooting and helping problem solve any issues which may arise in relation to students, host families, coordinators and partners
To implement best national international standards in relation to the safety, preparation and support of programme participants
This involves:
- Acting as Deputy Designated Liaison Person and help ensure the full implementation of the EIL Child Safeguarding Policy
- Keeping up to date and ensuring EIL is implementing best practice in relation to Child Protection and Garda Vetting policies and procedures
- Ensuring the full implementation of the EIL Risk Assessment and Crisis Management Policy
- Monitoring international trends in relation to: market development; student selection and preparation practices; and general theory, research and policy development in relation to international educational exchange. Introducing new practices and procedures as appropriate
To maintain a strong learning focus in tandem with programme growth
This involves:
- Ensuring all programmes have identifiable learning outcomes
- Monitoring and evaluating the achievement of these learning outcomes and identifying any responses which may be appropriate
The objectives for Study Abroad (Outbound) are as follows:
To oversee the Re-launch outbound programmes for Irish students
This involves line managing the Programme Coordinator (Outbound). Together with the Programme Coordinator this position will be responsible for:
- New/Updated portfolio of outbound programmes with AFS bias (though not only AFS)
- To accelerate the growth in Secondary School Abroad (Outbound) in particular (delivers the EIL Mission more strongly)
- A marketing campaign to help achieve the above
- Identify and adopt effective marketing, enquiry follow up and enquiry to participant conversion techniques and methodologies
- Build synergies with EIL Explore scholarship programmes e.g. links with PPLI, etc.
Other general responsibilities
This involves:
- Ensuring financial targets are met and where possible exceeded
- Pricing of programmes, price negotiations, budgeting and cost control
- Working formally and informally with other functions, managers and departments in EIL to ensure strategic, operational and organizational objectives are achieved
- Any other duties associated with the position as may be required from time to time (whether independently or in association with other staff).
General Information
EIL is embracing the concept of flexible working and an attractive package is in place for the right person. This includes:
- Hybrid working: 3 days in office/2 days at home.
- Flexible start/finish times between 8.00am and 7pm.
- 9 day working fortnight (3 day weekend every second weekend) based on compressed hours of 37.5 hours per week.
- Salary €45,000 (Payable weekly).
- Pension contribution.
- Holiday entitlements will be all public holidays plus 22 working days (four of which should be taken over the Christmas period) plus Good Friday.
- Brand new office in Cork city centre (less than 5 minutes’ walk from English Market).
- Cycle to Work” and “Taxsaver” travel schemes.
- May involve travel within Ireland and abroad.
This will be a permanent contract subject to a 6-month probationary period. The position is to commence as soon as possible.
Apply through: https://www.activelink.ie/vacancies/education-training/100519-eil-intercultural-learning-study-abroad-programme-manager