The Role
Catalyst is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Co-ordinator to deliver our Shared Education for Positive Innovation* (SEPI) programme with schools and teachers on a cross-border cross community basis.
The SEPI programme aims to foster cross community and cross-border collaborations between participants by providing a structured programme of best practice exchange, shared learning and collaboration on the tackling of environmental challenges.
The programme will be delivered to 500 schools over a 4-year period through two concurrent and complementary elements of activities.
- Core Student Programme – The core programme aims to promote dialogue and positive exchanges between young people while also facilitating the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking.
Key activities include: Teacher and student training days, virtual courses, impact day design sprints and a cross-Island Climate Summit and awards ceremony.
- Transformational Schools Leadership Programme – This provides opportunities for school leaders and educationalists to develop joint approaches to shared leadership issues across schools through a structured development programme.
Key activities include: Once large scale annual conference and smaller thematic or regional seminars/workshops.
SEPI is delivered jointly with Co-operation Ireland to engage with 4000 students and 900 educationalists. This project will enhance cross-community and cross border engagement, develop student skills and relationships, build networks for schools, facilitate positive peacebuilding and climate action initiatives and promote digital and innovative learning.
This project is designed to energise the imaginations and aspirations of young people by increasing their awareness of future careers in tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship. As a Programme Co-ordinator, you will be responsible for designing and facilitating impact day design sprints to students aged 16-18 years old on a cross-border and cross community basis.
You will work closely with the Youth and Ambition Programme Manager and provide support on any other activities needed to deliver the programme. The role will require a large amount of travel (claiming for fuel is permitted).
Key Information
- Full time, fixed term contract ending April 2028.
- Attractive benefits package – including flexible working options
- Competitive salary up to £29,000
- Office based at The Innovation Centre, Queens Road, Belfast
- Reporting to Programme Manager
Closing on Monday 1st September at 12noon.
*SEPI is funded by SEUPB PeacePlus Programme Area 3.1 Shared Learning Together (North/South schools exchange).
Working at Catalyst
A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development, Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, Catalyst is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting employers.
With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do.
Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst
Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working spaces.
We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to progress to Gold.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individual’s ability to perform the role, and that’s allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.
Essential Criteria:
- Two years’ experience working within a similar role
- Proven experience of organising successful events and/or programmes for young people (14- to 18-year-olds), including creative design and delivery
- Working knowledge and experience using the Design Thinking methodology
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal
- Strong public speaking skills and ability to present to large audiences
- Experience of working with and motivating young people
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset
- Ability to organise and plan work to achieve performance targets and deliver to strict deadlines
- A proven team player
- Passionate about inspiring young people to innovate
