Learning Advocacy Officer Overall Responsibility AONTAS is first and foremost a membership organization. The membership is broad and varied encompassing statutory, voluntary and community based organizations as well as individuals from a broad range of backgrounds. AONTAS is currently engaged in the development of its next strategic plan, a key theme of which is Voice, in particular that of the learner. The Learning Advocacy Officer will build the capacity of learners through various projects including the establishment, development and sustainability of an action-focussed National Adult Learners’ Forum, which reflects the diversity of learners and their changing voice. S/he will work collaboratively with AONTAS Staff, External Agencies and Learners to develop evidence based research on current trends and issues affecting Adult Learners and will represent Learners at relevant fora. S/he will work as part of the Membership Development and Policy/Promotion teams to progress identified issues and trends to National level. The key responsibilities of the role are described under three headings.
Key areas and tasks National Adult Learners forum: (NALF) Develop a national learners forum Develop, implement and create an effective, representative steering group to guide the work of the Learners’ Forum Develop, implement and evaluate a work plan for the Forum in line with agreed management objectives Ensure that learners forum activities are well organised Provide reports from each learners’ forum activity Ensure systems are in place to maintain communications with learners’ forum (e.g. online discussion forum, website, blog support) Establish, develop and maintain a range of partnerships to reach learners and gain support for NALF Represent the voice of learners at seminars/external boards etc Participate actively as a member of the membership development team
Policy/Research Develop and maintain methods of collecting, collating and disseminating statistics and evaluation data Identify and collate trends/policy issues from AONTAS Information Referral Service, Forum and external agencies Build alliances with, and maintain links with external agencies in particular those who have a commitment to lifelong learning Develop case studies through STAR Awards, Membership and NALF Develop and maintain Learners Section on website Contribute to AONTAS resources and publications i.e. Explore, Website, E-Bulletin as appropriate Support promotional work with statistical information Participate actively as a member of the Policy/Promotion team Prepare submissions as agreed with Policy/Promotion team
Other duties and responsibilities Uphold the aims and principles of AONTAS and its HR policies Agree and review work targets with Head of Membership Services Establish and maintain effective and efficient administration systems for the delivery of the work plan Use IT for statistical recording, record keeping and document production Carry out administrative tasks related to the role Contribute to the organisational work of AONTAS i.e.: Conference/Seminars/Regional Meetings etc Provide support to and develop work in relation to the Adult Learners Festival in line with Management objectives Contribute to the organisational development of AONTAS through attendance and participation in: Staff meetings Team meetings Planning days Review days
Executive meetings (as appropriate) Relevant training (as per staff training and development policy) Attendance at AONTAS functions and events Undertake other duties as may be assigned by Management The Learning Advocacy Officer will be directly responsible to the Head of Membership Services and ultimately to the AONTAS Director.
Person specification: Ability to collect, analyse and present data Excellent report writing skills Excellent facilitation/negotiation and presentation skills Ability to set up and use systems to collect, collate and share information on achievements and outcomes Experience of establishing and developing partnerships with other organsiations/agencies and joint working Understanding of theory and principles of adult learning and development Ability/experience of planning and developing learning activities Ability to sensitively empower and engage with adults who have had poor prior learning experiences A willingness to learn and develop and reflect on practice Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to relate to and work with a large variety of different people Ability to monitor and maintain own standards An ability and willingness to work both on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to self-motivate and organise diverse workload Excellent skills in IT applications to record statistics (SPSS), produce documents and trainings materials (if required) and keep accurate records