We're hiring: Student Engagement and Development Officer

The ISSU Student Engagement and Development Officer will manage the ISSU National Office and will have responsibility for the communications, student engagement, research and developmental strategies of the organisation.SALARY: €24,000 pro rata p.a.CONTRACT LENGTH:  Reporting to the Board of Directors and to be employed on a permanent contract, and subject to completion of a 6-month probation period - subject to continued funding for the role.WORKING HOURS: 35.00 hours (on a flexi-time basis).  Occasional out-of-office hours may be required.OVERVIEW:The successful candidate will manage the daily business of the Head Office of the ISSU and coordinate the execution of ISSU policy with responsibility for communications, student engagement, research and development. The successful candidate will be tasked with supporting the continued development of the organisation through increasing ISSU membership, working to build on existing regional structures and supporting the work of the ISSU National Student Executive.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaising with schools and student councils to develop and expand the membership of the ISSU
• Engagement with the ISSU’s membership base through nationwide school visits, student council training sessions and regional events
• Coordinating Student Council consultation sessions and other events
• Development of resources for student councils
• Education and student welfare policy research and report writing
• Updating and maintaining the ISSU’s social media outlets
• Assisting the ISSU National Student Executive in fulfilling their remit
• Promotion of the iConnect Card
• Supporting the development and growth of the ISSU
• Advocacy and representation including attending events on behalf of the ISSU, where necessary
• Maintain ISSU’s databases
• General administration and office management

PERSON DESCRIPTION:

• A minimum of one year’s experience with a youth or student organisation;
• Enthusiasm and commitment to ISSU’s objectives;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent proven relevant experience;
• Some knowledge and experience of the Irish education system and the voluntary/non-profit/youth work sector;
• Project management experience;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Comprehensive grasp of modern media and communications;
• Motivated and driven;
• Demonstratable track record of building and developing relationships;
• Excellent drafting, proofing, and information delivery skills;
• Excellence in communicating in English in a variety of contexts;
• Excellent ICT proficiency;
• Ability and initiative to work independently and as a self-starter;
• Demonstrable ability to work well in a team;
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Attention to detail especially online and in other communications;
• Full clean driver’s licence preferable.

The position is based at ISSU’s national office in Dublin. Hours are based on a 35.00 hour week and 21 days of holidays p.a. This post involves travel within the State with time off in lieu of working evenings/at weekends.A high level of integrity, accountability, confidentiality, responsibility and flexible, constructive engagement is required in carrying out these duties.The ISSU Child Protection Policy and Garda Vetting Procedures for the safeguarding of young people apply.The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is an equal opportunities employer.APPLICATIONSApplications should be in the form of a letter of application and CV submitted online via http://careers.issu.ieDEADLINE : 5pm Monday 18^th July 2016

Leaving Cert Geography

Aoife - Higher Level

The day after the storm arrived, after yesterdays shock on the English Paper we were left wondering would there be any surprises on the Geography Paper today. I felt prepared before I went into the exam; the countless numbers of SRPs were learned and ready to be used in whatever way possible. Also the fact that the written paper is 80% of the grade eases a bit of the pressure!When I first got the paper and looked through it I thought it was a fair paper, there were a few questions that were tricky but achievable. In the short questions the Aerial Photograph seemed to throw a few people as you had to turn it upside down and work on it from there relating to the Ordinance Survey Map of Carrick-on-Shannon. Other than that the short questions were straight forward and approachable, no surprises.The Physical Geography questions covered a wide variety from earthquakes, folding to the ever present mans interaction. However to the dismay of some of my classmates there was no option for geothermal or for the well rehearsed feature of erosion of the Waterfall. I answered question 3, it was a question about how chemical weathering creates a limestone pavement in a karst region and how folding creates a distinctive landscape.Next it was onto the Regional Geography, I was surprised to find that there was no Sketch Map of the Ordinance Survey Map as that is usually a very attainable 20 marks. In the Regional I did a question on how the physical landscape can define a region and how a primary economic activity, location, or transport has affected the development of an urban area in a European Area outside of Ireland. I felt that I was able to adapt material I had to these questions as they were quite broad.I then had the Elective to choose from, we did the Patterns and Processes in the Human Environment so I had the lovely task of choosing between 10-12. I chose to do the question which was to pick out three functions of Carrick-on-Shannon from the aerial photograph and how the development of Technology has led to the growth of population. This was a very interesting question and after a quick brainstorm I found I had plenty to write on the subject.Next it was onto the Geo-Ecology for me. The dreaded 80 marks. I was delighted to see that question 17 was asking how mans interaction has accelerated soil erosion. I had this essay in particular well rehearsed and I was very content as I finished up on my paper.

ISSU Commentary

The Euro crisis hit the Leaving Cert. yesterday as students were asked to explain the problem to examiners of the higher-level geography paper. Nearly half of all Leaving Cert students took geography at higher or ordinary level yesterday, and most reported satisfaction with the paper.In the Higher Level Paper, the regional geography section was more specific than previous years. The elective section also saw the examiner depart from the usual treatment of regular topics, the question on European Union policy and its influence on regional development required very specific knowledge, according to many. The popular geo-ecology option also featured a slight departure from the norm. There were longer sections on trade and economics, the euro crisis, greenhouse gases and geographical history. There were also several map-reading and graph-analysis exercises.Ordinary level was described as ‘as expected’

 Please note: blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. Blogs are updated daily by 6.30 pm on scheduled examination dates.

Protect our Education. Protect our Future.

Irish Second-level Students’ UnionPRESS STATEMENT *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*Protect our Education. Protect our Future. 03/11/'10The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union has today urged policy makers to stand up for our future. Speaking today, an ISSU spokesperson said:“Recalling the words of Walt Disney ‘Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children’. Our country, our democracy, our society is at a crossroads. Difficult challenges face us, but what will define us as a nation is how we act and react to the decisions we must make. Investment in education should always be a priority, especially given the current unfavourable economic climate. Frontline education services, that affect the quality of the learning for our young people should be protected.Imposing any barrier to the access for education is reckless. It is unfair to further burden a generation, who ultimately will shoulder the brunt of the turbulent times that came before us. The ISSU is calling on the Department of Education and Skills to exhaust all possibilities in ensuring the learning of individual students or their access to education is not impinged.”__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:-To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.-To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.-To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.-To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.-To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.-And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies.Contact:www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.