Join our team in Gheel Autism Services CLG!

Learning and Development Officer –Specified Purpose Contract, Full-Time
Location: North Dublin, Ballymun
Salary: €51,590 - €63,502 (based on 39-hour week)
Upcoming Salary Increases: Sector-wide agreement with a 9.25% increase over the next two years

Who We Are

At Gheel Autism Services, we are dedicated to supporting individuals with autism through their life journey. Our mission is to enable people to have fulfilling life experiences while promoting autonomy and empowering them to make their own choices. Our services include day and vocational opportunities, outreach support, and various supported living options.

We take a strengths-based approach, tailoring personalised plans to meet each individual’s unique needs. Our team is committed to fostering independence, social inclusion, and overall well-being, ensuring that each person achieves outcomes that are meaningful to them.

As part of the Gheel team, you will receive:

• A competitive salary scale ranging from €51,590 to €63,502 (based on 39-hour week).
• Professional Growth: Training, career progression, and education support.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee Assistance Programme, reflective practice, and supportive supervision.
• Annual Leave: 27 days per annum, plus various leave types such as paid maternity and paternity leave (dependant on service).
• Financial Benefits: Competitive salary, annual increments, pension (7% employer contribution), Death in Service benefit.
• Travel & Discounts: Bike-to-Work, commuter tickets, and an employee discount scheme.

About the Role

The Learning and Development Department holds responsibility for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies and learning and development programmes, that ensure the values of Gheel are lived throughout the employee lifecycle throughout the organisation.
This role will play a pivotal part in supporting the delivery of these initiatives across all staff within the organisation, including attracting and retaining talent, motivating and engaging employees, building an employer brand, creating and maintaining a values-based culture, and developing people capabilities and future leaders.

Additionally, the development aspect of this role will encompass supporting the implementation of housing practice and supports under Gheel’s status as an Approved Housing Body (AHB).

This role will work in partnership with line managers and subject matter experts across the organisation, to proactively implement effective and innovative organisational and learning and development solutions, to successfully address employee development needs at all levels throughout the organisation, and be always creative and innovative in their approach.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to bring their skills and talents to the Learning and Development team during a time of change and development. Your duties will vary throughout the year, with different projects being assigned to you. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Learning & Development (L&D)

• Under the supervision of the L&D Business Partner, implement initiatives to support organisation’s needs, training, and professional development. This would involve an initial Training Needs Analysis – and this to be regularly reviewed.
• Support the development of training content for Learning Management System (LMS, known as GRASP Academy) online system, in line with key stakeholders.
• To design and build creative and engaging online training programmes using content creation software such as the Articulate suite and Vyond packages.
• To maintain the day-to-day management of Grasp Academy and to troubleshoot and explore creative solutions to technical problems which may arise.
• To deliver / Co-deliver in-person training such as ‘Understanding Autism’ and the ‘Practice Development Course’
• Support the development of an annual learning and development plan to assist in meeting Organisational objectives and to support continuous learning and development of employee skillsets and expertise across service styles. This includes the review of mandatory training requirements for each service style.
• To support the planning of a learning and development budget and ensure the function operates within set budgetary constraints.
• To ensure that all learning and development programmes are in line with Gheel’s standards and relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.

• To further support the development of a fit for purpose induction/onboarding programme for new employees, which fits with established processes.
• To work alongside the L&D Business Partner to ensure that an effective Performance Management Process is in place where learning and development requirements are determined and followed up on as part of a systematic cycle. This includes supporting the development and delivery of training for same to leaders within the organisation.

Human Resources (HR)

• To work collaboratively with the HR team to ensure an effective Talent Management Process and Operational Plan is in place, that is consistent with the mission, values, and strategic objectives of the organisation.
• To understand the culture of the organisation and the staff roles within it, on an ongoing basis, and as the organisation evolves.
• To support the creation of a culture which inspires people through continuous learning, which is aligned to the organisation's values.
• To support the creation of The Future Leaders Programme.
• To work collaboratively with Location Managers to track Grasp Academy dashboards and reports for organisational training efficacy and compliance.
• To support the design and development of continuous learning and development programmes (CPD) for different staff grades, which are in line with the mission and values of the organisation, throughout the service.
• To ensure that there are regular open communications/reports to Line Managers to feed into staff performance management reviews and feedback.
• To support the development of career pathway guidance documents within Gheel to support the ongoing focus on supporting staff to progress within the organisation.
• To support the development of a suite of L&D specific policies.
• Sit on the Elective Education Training Fund committee and develop guidance for individuals looking to progress their careers that will be shared on the Gheel website and internally.

Housing

• Support the Housing Department in Gheel to build capacity for housing practice and supports across the organisation.
• Support with the implementation of Gheel’s Housing Strategy in line with Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
• Support the Housing Department to ensure compliance with the regulations for Approved Housing Bodies.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or professional qualification, or equivalent means of demonstrating ability in L&D or a related discipline
• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle

Desirable Qualifications:

• Have a qualification in HR or leadership/management.
• IITD Membership

Essential Experience:

• An ability to lead and manage projects
• Experience of designing, creating and delivering learning programmes
• Experience of planning, budgeting, and forecasting
• Demonstrable leadership skills, through line management and/or project leadership.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of working in voluntary or third sector organisations
• Member of CIPD or other learning organisation
• Experience and knowledge of the Social Care sector and Housing sector

Essential - Professional Knowledge:

• Ability to use and manage a Learning Management System (LMS) such as GRASP Academy
• Strong IT skills with the ability to troubleshoot technical problems and explore creative solutions to these problems
• Ability to work autonomously, using own initiative, with ownership of outcomes for key projects.
• Experience of using appropriate IT suite and level of programmes associated with the role, including Microsoft office - SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, Word & PowerPoint.

Gheel Autism Services CLG is proud to be an inclusive employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require any adjustments or support to participate fully in any stage of the process, please contact us at recruitment@gheel.ie.

Ready to Apply?

To join our team, submit your cover letter and up-to-date CV. Applications will be shortlisted based on the evidence provided. The application deadline is Thursday, 31st of July 2025 at 5pm, with interviews scheduled shortly after. Garda Vetting is required, and late applications will not be accepted.

Be Part of Our Vision

Join Gheel Autism Services and help create a culture of inclusive, independence-focused support. Together, we can empower individuals to live fulfilling lives and achieve their dreams. Apply today to make a difference!