‘Empower and Educate’ Programme Co-ordinator

Uniting Holding; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization is seeking a Programme Co-ordinator to facilitate workshops for parents of Autistic children. This role involves delivering an education series aimed at transforming family dynamics and supporting community understanding. A professional qualification in a relevant field and experience in group facilitation are essential. The position offers a 2-year fixed term contract with a hybrid working arrangement available.

Benefits

Annual leave allowance of 23 days

Pension Plan

Healthcare Benefit after probation

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' post-qualification experience supporting Autistic children and families.
• Current registration with CORU or relevant professional body.
• Experience delivering parent education or training.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate engaging online and in-person workshops for parent groups.
• Develop supplementary resources for program participants.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and support programme participants.

Skills

Excellent facilitation skills

Warm communication style

Strong organisational abilities

Empathy

Education

Relevant professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, or related discipline

Job description

Empower and Educate Programme Co-ordinator

AsIAm is Ireland’s National Autism Charity based in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. AsIAm is a fast paced, growing organisation with a vision to create a society where every autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued, and respected. The organisation’s purpose is to advocate for an inclusive society for Autistic people that is accessible, accepted and affirming. AsIAm works to support the Autistic community and our families to fully engage in Irish life and build the capacity of society to facilitate true inclusion.

Our Values

A key expectation of everyone who works for AsIAm is that they demonstrate our values.

• Perseverance: we persistently work toward meaningful change.
• Same Chance: we believe in equal opportunity for all.
• Service: we are dedicated to serving our community with excellence.

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic clinician to join the AsIAm National Supports Team to deliver our acclaimed ‘Empower & Educate Parent Programme’ – a post-diagnosis, evidence-informed education series that transforms how parents and guardians support their Autistic children. The 'Empower and Educate' Programme will deliver eighteen complete workshop blocks over the 2-year contract period. Each block consists of six workshops of 90 minutes duration.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference during a critical time in families' journeys, building parent confidence, understanding, and advocacy skills through structured educational workshops.

Reporting Line

Child and Family Support Programme Manager

Team Support

Child and Family Support Officer and National Supports team.

The role is ideal for an experienced professional who combines clinical knowledge with strong facilitation skills and a neurodiversity affirming approach.

Impact You'll Make

• Empower parents during the crucial post-diagnosis period.
• Build community understanding of neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
• Transform family dynamics through evidence-informed strategies.
• Contribute to systemic change in how autism is understood.

We particularly welcome applications from within the autism community.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery

• Facilitate engaging online and in-person workshops for parent groups.
• Create a supportive, neurodiversity-affirming learning environment.
• Deliver content on communication, sensory processing, advocacy, and school partnerships.
• Provide practical strategies that parents can implement immediately.
• Build parent confidence in understanding their child's unique needs and promote positive family-centred practice.

Programme Development

• Contribute expertise to curriculum refinement based on emerging research.
• Develop supplementary resources for participants.
• Incorporate participant feedback for continuous improvement.
• Participate in regular supervision and reflective practice sessions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Administration

• Collaborate with team members to identify and support programme participants.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for evaluation purposes.
• Uphold AsIAm's high standards for safeguarding and data protection.
• Build relationships with community stakeholders to extend programme reach.
• Consistently attend Child & Family Support, National Supports, and 'All Hands' meetings to ensure integrated project alignment.

Key Requirements

Experience, Education, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Relevant professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, or related discipline
• Current registration with CORU or relevant professional body (where applicable)
• Minimum 3 years' post-qualification experience supporting Autistic children and families.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering parent education, training, or group facilitation.
• Comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity-affirming approaches and autism-specific supports
• Experience working within community or disability services (desirable)
• Lived experience of autism or neurodivergence (particularly valued)

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent facilitation skills that engage and inspire participants.
• Warm, empathetic communication style that builds trust and rapport.
• Ability to explain complex concepts in accessible, practical ways.
• Strong organisational abilities and attention to detail.
• Independent worker who maintains consistent programme quality.
• Proficiency with virtual meeting platforms and digital collaboration tools.
• Commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice and continuous learning.

Contract Duration

This is a 2 Year fixed term contract.

Salary & Benefits

Salary will align with HSE Consolidated Pay Grade for relevant clinical qualification. In addition we offer:

• Annual leave allowance of 23 days p.a., with incremental increases based on length of service
• Additional paid time off (company days) as approved by Management
• Inclusive and neuro-affirmative team environment
• Pension Plan (initially through “My Future Fund” and transitioning to Company Pension Plan on completion of probation)
• Healthcare Benefit available after successful completion of probation

Location / Working Hours

The role is based in AsIAm’s head office in Blackrock, Dublin and is Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with a requirement for travel. As with all AsIAm team members, the role holder is required to have a degree of flexibility regarding working hours as the role will require some evening and weekend work.

Given the specific nature of this role flexibility will be of particular importance to enable the delivering of workshops in the evening time. Where evening facilitation is required, we can offer an adjusted working schedule which allows for a later starting time. Workshop dates will be agreed in advance, providing the role holder with as much notice as possible where evening attendance is required.

Hybrid working arrangements can be facilitated for this role in agreement with the line manager.

Closing Date

The closing date for receipt of applications is 28 November 2025.

All candidates must be willing to undergo Garda Vetting should they be successful.

AsIAm actively supports inclusion in the workplace and will endeavour to provide reasonable accommodations as requested by candidates throughout the interview process for this position.

AsIAm is an equal opportunities employer which reserves the right to practice positive discrimination as set out by the Employment Equality Act, 1998.