Wednesday News Issue 30

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 Upcoming Events and Conferences

(1) UCD and African Development Bank conference: Accelerating Food Security and Sovereignty in Sub-Saharan Africa - 11-12 September

UCD’s Centre for Sustainable Development and the African Development Bank are co-organising a conference on Accelerating Food Security and Sovereignty in Sub-Saharan Africa: Innovation, Inclusion, and Transformation for a Resilient Future (Dublin, 11-12 September). It will bring together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society to address key issues related to the transformation of food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. We particularly encourage contributions from practitioners and welcome both qualitative and quantitative papers. Abstracts of 200 words can be submitted for consideration here by 5 August. Find out more here.

(2) NYCI: From Conflict to Connection: Youth Work in Ireland - 8 September

This event is designed for those supporting young people through increasingly complex realities, both at home and globally. Whether it’s navigating tensions in your local community or responding to international conflicts that shape how young people see themselves and the world, this space is for you. This is not just another training. It is a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, connect and build practical tools that help youth workers face conflict without fear. It will offer creative approaches to holding difficult conversations in your work, with a focus on community, care and justice. Find out more here.

Vacancies

(1) Trócaire: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Trócaire is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Various closing dates apply. Find out more and apply here.

(2) Oxfam Ireland: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Oxfam is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Various closing dates apply. Find out more and apply here.

(3) Concern Worldwide: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Concern Worldwide is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in Ireland and internationally. Various closing dates apply. Find out more and apply here.

(4) GOAL: Vacancies in Ireland and internationally

GOAL is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Various closing dates apply. Find out more and apply here.

(5) Irish Red Cross: Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

The Irish Red Cross is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Various closing dates apply. Find out more and apply here.

(6) Habitat Ireland: Partnership & Philanthropy Manager (Hybrid - home/Dublin office-based) - 8 August

The Partnership and Philanthropy Manager will support the organisation's growth strategy, working independently and collaboratively with the Chief Executive and fundraising teams across Europe to achieve ambitious income targets. The individual will build key relationships across Ireland with companies and major donors, growing the number of five figure gifts in support of local and global impact. Find out more here.

(7) The Irish Refugee Council: Fundraising Officer - 8 August

The Irish Refugee Council are looking for a part-time or full-time Fundraising Officer. The Fundraising Officer will take on a central role acting as the key point of contact for supporter enquiries, information, and donor care. The ideal person will be a natural general fundraiser and people person, who is able to hit the ground running and work with colleagues in the Irish Refugee Council. They will support the successful implementation of national fundraising campaigns, in addition to managing day-to-day administration of ongoing fundraising activities. Find out more here.

(8) Christian Aid Ireland: Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager - 22 August

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement, the Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager will be a key member of the Fundraising and Supporter Engagement team helping to shape the culture and the strategy of the team.The post-holder will be responsible for the work of the Partnerships & Philanthropy sub-team including building, identifying, maintaining and managing long-term relationships with a variety of donors and influencers across Ireland. The post holder will be expected to secure significant and sustainable income and reach agreed fundraising targets. For more information, click here.

(9) Plan International Ireland: Desk Officer – Irish Aid Unit - 13 August

Plan International Ireland is looking for a Desk Officer to join the Irish Aid Unit, with a focus on managing the humanitarian funding streams within our Irish Aid ICSP programme. The role involves close coordination with Plan Country Offices to ensure effective grant implementation and strong donor compliance. The Desk Officer will also contribute to funding proposals and support strategic country-level planning. Fluency in French is essential to effectively support our work in French-speaking countries. The role requires international travel. The link to the full advertisement can be found here.

(10) A Partnership with Africa: Chief Operating Officer - 22nd August

A Partnership with Africa is looking for a Chief Operating Officer who can be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the organization and support the CEO in shaping and executing APA’s strategic plan and organisational priorities. The postholder will oversee core functions including finance, risk management, compliance, human resources, and governance support. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in a senior leadership role within the charity or voluntary sector. Find out more here.

(11) Habitat Ireland: Multiple Positions in the Habitat ReStore Glasnevin - 22nd August

Habitat for Humanity Ireland is delighted to launch Habitat ReStore in Glasnevin and is recruiting for three roles: ReStore Manager, Donation Collection Driver/Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator. All details and application forms available on the Habitat website here.

Calls for Tender

(1) Dóchas: Terms of Reference: EU Presidency Project Consultancy Services - Proposal Development - 18 August

Dóchas connects, strengthens and represents a network of international development and humanitarian organisations who have a shared vision of a just, sustainable and equal world. Comprised of 47 full members and 8 associate members, Dóchas plays a unique role in safeguarding Ireland’s reputation of punching above its weight due to its long-standing commitment to global development.Ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency (July - December 2026), we are embarking on a Presidency Project with two other national platforms in Lithuania and Greece, together with CONCORD Europe. This Presidency Project will run from April 2026 to March 2028.  In Autumn 2025, we will submit a multi annual proposal for this project to the European Commission with the Development Education and Awareness Raising Programme (DEAR). Dóchas will be the lead agency. Find out more here.

(2) Rosminians (Institute of Charity): Consultancy for developing a system for skills training - 2 September

The Rosminians are an international congregation running parish, educational, health, community and capacity strengthening programmes. These have expanded in our East Africa Province (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda), together with a growth in the number of students for the priesthood. This short consultancy will expand our effectiveness by developing a system for skills training of Rosminian personnel as part of their formation. This will equip them with skills to implement and manage projects benefitting communities in the global south. Thanks to support from Misean Cara under their capacity strengthening policy. To find out more, email missionoffice(at)rosminians.ie

(3) Irish Development Education Association: Auditing Services Tender - 11 August

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is inviting tender submissions from interested auditing service suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2025. IDEA is seeking to engage an experienced auditing service firm that will provide the full range of auditing services required to fulfil its statutory obligations, to comply with relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practice. Find out more here.

(4) Animator/Video Production Tender - 6 August

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is looking for a video production company/animator for an upcoming video project. We have funding available to create a short animated educational video resource for members as part of The Code of Good Practice. The video will help viewers understand what quality GCE is and why it matters in the world today. The intended audience for the video are people who are connected to the Code of Good Practice and GCE in their work but not yet very familiar with it — e.g. non-GCE staff in member organisations, board members of member organisations, teachers, youth workers, European partners, new members to the Code and new staff to IDEA member organisations. Find out more here.

Volunteering Opportunities

(1) UNHCR: The UNHCR Irish Refugee Advisory Board is recruiting - 4 August

Are you a refugee interested in advocating for your rights and the rights of refugees living in Ireland? Are you interested in deepening and broadening your knowledge and expertise for advocacy on asylum, inclusion and integration? Do you hold refugee status or subsidiary protection in Ireland? UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is looking for 7 passionate individuals to join our Refugee Advisory Board for a period of one year with the possibility for extension for up to 3 years. This is a voluntary and unpaid position, ideal for someone who wants to contribute their time, skills, and voice towards change. Find out more here.

Courses and Training

(1) Maynooth University: International Justice LLM programme - 13 August

The International Justice masters programme provides students with vital practical and conceptual insights into issues of human rights, equality and social justice under international law. It provides deep, critical engagement with how the international legal order works and how it seeks to advance rights and justice for economically marginalised communities, migrants and racialised groups, victims of gendered violence, people with disabilities, and global south peoples. The masters is open to applicants with legal and non-legal backgrounds alike. It includes special guest lectures from UN Special Rapporteurs and other leading figures, a trip to the Hague to visit international courts and institutions, and the option of a placement module to work part-time at one of our partner organisations. Find out more here.

(2) United Edge: Justice Based Approach Foundation Course - 29 August

Our flagship course invites those in humanitarian, development, and social/environmental justice spaces to radically rethink and transform aid. Open to staff at any level, this global learning journey challenges power dynamics, nurtures strategic and personal leadership, and equips participants to create lasting systemic change through their work. We explore systems thinking, localisation, decolonisation, ethical leadership, participatory decision-making, innovation-based program design, justice-centred M&E, and more. If you are looking for practical tools for accountable, transformative action grounded in justice with the power to shape the future of aid, please register by 29 August at subsidized rates here.

Watch and Listen

(1) IRLI: Irish Rule of Law International's New Podcast Episode

What’s the future of overseas development aid? On Irish Rule of Law International's latest podcast, Dr. Patrick Paul Walsh of University College Dublin and the SDG Academy, who is currently on secondment at the UNSDEN, explores shifting global aid dynamics. With donor support down 7% in 2024 and USAID dismantled, Walsh warns of the consequences for life-saving programs, but also offers hope. He outlines alternative finance models, like intergovernmental banks and insurance-backed risk tools. Despite rising global tensions, he stresses the need for multilateralism and a rules-based international order. The path to achieving the SDGs remains clear, he says, poverty reduction, better health, education, and climate action must not be abandoned. Listen here.

Other News

(1) Africa Agri-food Development Programme: The 2025 Call for Applications is now open - 15 August

The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is Ireland’s flagship initiative supporting the role of the private sector in sustainable food systems development. It acts as a catalyst to enable Irish and African businesses to explore and seize exciting opportunities to bring their expertise to Africa – to develop new markets and to contribute to strengthening mutual trade between Ireland and Africa. The AADP, which opens once a year for funding applications to support projects and feasibility studies, enables Ireland’s agri-food sector to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals that aim to tackle poverty, eradicate hunger, fight inequality, and make real and sustainable changes that better the lives of the world's most vulnerable communities. To apply and find out more, click here. 

(2) Plan International Ireland: Feargal O'Connell appointed CEO of Plan International Ireland 

Plan International Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Feargal O’Connell as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from mid-August 2025. Mr O’Connell joins Plan from Self Help Africa where he has served as CEO for the past two years. He will replace Paul O’Brien who retires at the end of July after eight years leading the development and humanitarian organisation. Feargal O'Connell has over two decades of experience in senior roles in the INGO sector including with Concern Worldwide and the International Rescue Committee, as well as serving as CEO for Sightsavers Ireland and the aforementioned Self Help Africa.

(3) Centre for Global Education: Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review Issue 42 Call for Contributors - 26 September

The Centre for Global Education invites contributions to Issue 42 of its bi-annual, peer reviewed and open access journal, Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review on the theme Pedagogical Responses to the Meta Crisis: The Role of Development Education. Authors interested in contributing an article to this issue should submit a 300-word article abstract by 5.00pm on Friday, 26 September 2025. Find out more here.

Email submissions to the Wednesday News here.

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