RITA KEARNEY
ROSCOMMON
Summary
SUMMARY I have worked as a professional manager in the non-profit sector for most of my working life. Over the past 10 years I have become increasingly involved in training design, delivery and assessment - particularly programmes certified at QQI6 level. I have also developed several tailor-made management and leadership programmes for commercial and non-commercial clients. I am an External Authenticator for QQI modules and involved in quality assessment and control. I have developed learner handbooks, tutor handbooks, referencing guides and an extensive range of learning materials. I am familiar with learning management systems. My management, leadership and administrative experience is considerable having built a range of skills and competencies over the past 30 years. I am solutions-focused, very organised, systematic and have strong communication and interpersonal abilities. I am an excellent multi-tasker and strategic in how I plan and complete my work portfolio and am capable of working on my own initiative and in team environments. In my career, flexibility and adaptability have been key requirements with a primary focus on professionalism tempered by reality .
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
Work history
Principal Consultant & Trainer
Kearney Consultants & Trainers Ltd
Bantry
01.1998 - Current
- Designing and delivering training in variety of QQI Level 4, 5 and 6 programmes and courses and at university level as well as several non-certified courses for non-profit sector
- Participating in a team involved in QQI re-engagement for a commercial training company
- Preparing Governance Documentation, Policies & Procedures and delivering training in best practice to Voluntary Boards of Directors and Senior Staff
- Running a consultancy and training business undertaking feasibility studies, strategic/business plans, review and evaluation activity for community-based organisations involved in development and social inclusion work around Ireland
Manager
Dunmanway Family Resource Centre
Dunmanway, Cork
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Overseeing transition to new management structure
- Networking & building relationships in community and further afield
- Leading team of staff and volunteers (and streamlining processes)
- Development of Governance Matters, policies and procedures
- Leading organisation through C-19 pandemic while maintaining all services
Manager
St. Michael's Centre
Bandon
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Establishing and managing a new community-based service to provide support to older people in Bandon and hinterland
- Establishing administrative support systems in centre in line with best practice and management requirements
- Working with board members to set up & run a new social housing development for older people & liaising with bodies including ICSH, Cork Co
- Council, government department
- Liaising and building relationships with funders, government and non-government organisations and other appropriate bodies
- Setting up a staff team (including volunteers) on behalf of management to deliver on their respective briefs and including developing staff policies and procedures
- Preparing funding applications and preparing a funding strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation
- Working on transforming existing financial system to ensure compliance with regulatory and funders' requirements
Interim Coordinator
West Cork Women Against Violence
Bantry
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Coordinating and managing project through transition phase
- Mentoring staff and volunteers to deliver on their work objectives in crisis Domestic Violence situations or in longer term support of clients
- Building relationships with funders, with the Gardaí, with health professionals and other service providers and the wider community to garner continued support
- Preparing funding applications and delivering on contractual obligations
Coordinator
Bandon Family Support Group Ltd
Bandon
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Developing family resource centre services and supports to respond to short-term/crisis and development situations
- Preparing funding applications for small and large projects to achieve the organisation's objectives
- Managing staff team (including volunteers) to deliver on their respective briefs and including developing staff policies and procedures
- Representing and building relationships with funders, other service providers and the wider community
Support Worker
South, Mid, West Community Development Support Agency
Limerick
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Mentoring and supporting family resource centres and community development projects in South-West in line with organisational objectives and government requirements
- Providing training and capacity-building activities to members of boards of management and sub-committees in organisational compliance, strategic planning, evaluation, team leadership, conflict resolution and variety of other activities as required
Lecturer
Cork ETB, Kerry ETB
01.2009 - 01.2012
- University College Cork (Adult Education) while working full-time
- ETB - Preparing Course Content & Delivering FETAC VI Courses - project management, entrepreneurial skills, train the trainer, business management & administration, supervisory skills to adult learners
- UCC - Teaching on 3 Diploma Courses - on campus & outreach - community development, research skills, group facilitation
Assistant Field Director
- Haiti - requested to set-up and develop new operation in Haiti (post Hurricane); support staff, build relationships with government officials and departments, other NGOs, local communities and individuals, resolving conflicts and reporting to Head Office, logistics and procurement, dealing with challenging situations including accidents, emergency building works, health issues, Tanzania - supporting Field Director on all administrative matters, preparing funding applications, reporting to funders, building relationships with government departments, logistics and procurement, staff (local and volunteer) support and supervision, dealing with emergencies, food relief, HIV, agriculture and local development activities
Community Coordinator
Ballyhoura Development Ltd
Kilfinane
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Supporting fifty community organisations in Ballyhoura country to prepare community plans, to access funding, promoting social inclusion through community development practices and approaches
- This involved working with some local groups to set up voluntary housing associations
- Representing organisation at various fora in Ireland and EU
- Mentoring individuals and groups to prepare funding applications, collaborating with senior staff to develop strategic plan for general development and social inclusion programmes including consultations with local individuals, agencies and organisations
Desk Officer
Concern Worldwide
Camden
01.1987 - 01.1995
- Overseas' Division - involved in grant management for various overseas' fields, designing reporting template for long-term development grant aid and emergency grant aid; volunteer induction and representing Concern at various fora, fundraising activities and involvement in range of other activities promoting Concern's work
Executive Officer, Pensions
Department of Health, Dublin
Lombard
01.1979 - 01.1987
- Managing pension plans for individuals and small companies, identifying new business opportunities in line with Department guidelines and business requirements
Library Assistant, Tutor
NUI Maynooth
Maynooth
- Working in various departments and worked part-time throughout full-time honours' degree and postgraduate degree
Education
QQI 6 Life and Business Coaching -
2019
Instructional Leadership Programme Participant - undefined
2014
Train the Trainer - undefined
FETAC
2013
Approved Training Provider -
FETAC
2013
Master of Arts (Honours) - undefined
NUI
1990
Certificate - Development Studies
Centre for Development Studies
Dublin1989
Diploma - Introduction, Computer Programming
1987
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
NUI
1984
Diploma - Library & Information Studies
UCD
1980
Diploma - Secretarial Studies
Goff St
1979
undefined
1976
Skills
- PRINCIPAL RELEVANT SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and empathetic support of others
- Solid presentational skills using variety of approaches & comfortable in conference/large-scale settings
- IT skills - high level of competence in all Microsoft packages, familiarity with Sugar CRM & Sage Small Business & trouble shooting ICT software problems
- Excellent tender and other proposal and report writing skills - preparation of strategic plans/reports/funding plans to suit many requirements
- Specific knowledge development in business development, management, administration, project management
- Principled and value-driven approach to activities, projects and programmes
- Strategic thinker & decision-maker
- Preparing and delivering strategic plans, programmes & projects on behalf of non-profit organisations
- Well-developed ability in project management techniques and development
- Designing, delivering and assessing certified and non-certified training
- Sourcing funding for large scale and smaller initiatives
- Knowledge of world issues and challenges
- Undertaking research and analysis to inform approach and practices
- Building networks & relationships to progress objectives
Affiliations
Secretariat Member, Roscommon PPN
Board Member, Roscommon Women's Network
Board Member, West Cork Counselling & Support Services CLG (resigned due to moving house)
Board Member, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí (retired)
Management Committee member, Gaelscoil Bheanntraí (retired)
Chairperson, Bantry Hospital Patients' Forum (resigned due to moving house)
Chairperson, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí Parents' Association (retired)
Member, Concern Worldwide and sometimes Debate Adjudicator
Interests
Irish social history especially since beginning of 19th Century
Sometime short story writer and contributor to local writers' group
Family outings including walking, visits to historical places, coastal areas
Additional Information
- INTERESTS & HOBBIES
Languages
English
Native
Irish
Intermediate
French
Elementary
Timeline
Manager
Dunmanway Family Resource Centre
01.2020 - 01.2021
Manager
St. Michael's Centre
01.2014 - 01.2018
Interim Coordinator
West Cork Women Against Violence
01.2011 - 01.2012
Coordinator
Bandon Family Support Group Ltd
01.2009 - 01.2010
Lecturer
Cork ETB, Kerry ETB
01.2009 - 01.2012
Support Worker
South, Mid, West Community Development Support Agency
01.2005 - 01.2008
Principal Consultant & Trainer
Kearney Consultants & Trainers Ltd
01.1998 - Current
Community Coordinator
Ballyhoura Development Ltd
01.1995 - 01.1998
Desk Officer
Concern Worldwide
01.1987 - 01.1995
Executive Officer, Pensions
Department of Health, Dublin
01.1979 - 01.1987
Assistant Field Director
Library Assistant, Tutor
NUI Maynooth
QQI 6 Life and Business Coaching -
Instructional Leadership Programme Participant - undefined
Train the Trainer - undefined
FETAC
Approved Training Provider -
FETAC
Master of Arts (Honours) - undefined
NUI
Certificate - Development Studies
Centre for Development Studies
Diploma - Introduction, Computer Programming
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
NUI
Diploma - Library & Information Studies
UCD
Diploma - Secretarial Studies
Goff St
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