Assistant Manager - Sectoral Lead, G7 Adult Literacy for Life (3 Year & 1 Year FTC) 2 posts ref no:558
SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, was established on 27 October 2013 and its mission is to fund, co-ordinate and monitor a range of Further Education and Training (FET) provisions that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers. It is an agency of the recently formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. SOLAS works in close collaboration with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland on provision of high-quality further education and training, equipping learners with relevant skills and knowledge, and providing a pipeline of talent into employment and to the Irish economy and society.
At SOLAS, we put the learner, employers and communities, which FET serves, at the heart of everything we do. Working with sister agencies, SOLAS leads actions in key policy and strategy documents including the most recent Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020 – 2024, the evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes (2019), the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the People Strategy 2020-2024 and others.
The Family Literacy and Health Literacy Leads will be integral roles in the National Programme Office. Family Literacy is central to breaking intergenerational disadvantage and literacy issues and improves health and wellbeing. It is proven to be a valuable route into education for adults with unmet literacy needs, and a route to a variety of ‘new’ literacies, including digital and health. It is the key link between the ALL Strategy and the Department of Education’s Literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy for children and young people. Having lower levels of health literacy is associated with poorer outcomes related to lifestyle, income, health status and health and wellbeing, as well as higher use of certain health services. 17% of adults in Ireland understand little of the information they receive from their family doctor, nurse or pharmacist (ALL commissioned research, November 2023).
• The Family Literacy Lead will have specific responsibility for the Family Literacy thematic group. This group has representatives from across statutory and NGO stakeholders. The group was established by the ALL National Programme Office in 2024 to coordinate a national family literacy response. The Family Literacy Lead will lead and support the work of the thematic group
• The Health Literacy Lead will continue the work of the ALL National Programme Office in developing health literacy across the three key areas of personal, organisational and community health literacy. They will represent ALL on the Department of Health’s Health Literacy Liaison Group and build on and maintain links with key health stakeholders such as HSE, Slaintecare, Healthy Ireland, health and social care services, professional bodies and others
The 2 positions are 3 & 1 year fixed term contracts for which the salary scale ranges from €72,970 to €92,343 per annum (inclusive of two long service increments) for a 35-hour week. Starting pay will be at the minimum point of the scale as per Government Circular E100/8/82. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current service in the Civil/Public service.
SOLAS offers an excellent benefit package including a contributory pension scheme and the opportunity for further training and development.
Applications, using the SOLAS Application Form, quoting reference number 558, should be e-mailed to recruitment@solas.ie
Applicants are requested to indicate which of the two sectoral lead roles they wish to apply for. If they wish their application to be considered for more than one role, they are asked to indicate their order of preference.
The closing date is 12pm, Friday, 11th April 2025
A Blended Working policy is in place and an arrangement is available to request with this role, a minimum requirement of 2 days per week in the office (Castleforbes House, Dublin 1). One of the days being the SOLAS Anchor Day - Wednesday.
Please note that as a public sector employee, you must reside in the Irish jurisdiction to avail of blended working, and in accordance with Department Public Expenditure and Reform (DPENDR) requirements, you must be available to attend in person if and when required.
SOLAS is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will disqualify.