North Tipperary LEADER Partnership
POST OF RESETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
6 Month Temporary Part time CONTRACT – May be extended for a period, subject to funding
Thurles has recently been selected as the resettlement location for approximately 12 families from Syria within Ireland’s commitment to the UNHCR. The project is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, Department of Justice; and the Thurles Resettlement Interagency Working Group (TRIWG) - that are service providers such as the housing authority; the health sector; the education sector, An Garda Siochana and so on.
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, on behalf of TRIWG, seeks to employ a Resettlement Project Support Worker to provide day to day support to the refugees post resettlement in Thurles and to assist service providers to identify and address gaps in service provision.
The Resettlement Project Support Worker will provide the link between service provider agencies and the community; and will co-ordinate the project from the viewpoint of the needs of the 12 refugee families. They will assist service providers to identify and address gaps in service provision.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Character:
Each candidate shall be of good character.
2. Health:
Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of
ability to render regular and efficient service.
3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.
Each Candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms have the qualifications, experience and skills etc. as follows:-
· Have a third level degree in a relevant area.
· Possess a satisfactory knowledge and experience in managing projects preferably in the area of minorities; social inclusion; integration.
· Possess a successful track record of initiating, managing and developing community projects.
· Be a highly motivated individual, with an ability to establish, develop and sustain partnerships.
· Demonstrate flexibility in their approach to work and have excellent communication skills.
4. Possess a current full driving licence and access to private transport.
POST OF RESETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
PARTICULARS OF POST
1. The Post:
The post of Resettlement Project Support Worker is part time and temporary.
2. Pension
No employer pension contribution will apply to this post.
3. Salary:
The salary for the post ranges from point 1 to point 3 of the Pobal Project Worker Salary Scale currently €32,182 to €36,335 pro rata to the part time nature of the position. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to North Tipperary LEADER Partnership any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.
4. Duties:
Coordinate appointments with service providers at a local level in consultation with the service
Providers and the Resettlement Team from the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration
ensuring the most efficient use of interpretative support
Ongoing Day to Day duties:
· Provide day to day support (as appropriate) to assist the refugees to manage their daily lives.
· Through day to day interaction and research identify cultural differences that may lead to conflict and misunderstandings.
· Where issues arise, assist the refugee to interact with appropriate authorities on the basis of “Don’t do, teach”.
· Ensure that their payments arrive on time, that they attend appointments etc.
· Assist the refugees to complete application forms etc. and follow up
· Provide a weekly drop-in service, where refugees can come for information and guidance.
· Teach the refugees how to use mainstream services such as the Citizens Information Service, Banks, Post Office, public transport etc.
· Assist the families to interact with the schools and adult education providers.
Working with Service Providers and advocate for the refugees:
· Support the work of the Thurles Resettlement Interagency Working Group.
· Assist key service providers to develop strategies for the provision of services to the group in an appropriate manner.
· Alert Service Providers and advocate on behalf of the refugees where issues arise that are not addressed
· Identify where short-term targeted initiatives may be required and work with mainstream service providers to develop same.
· Monitor, record and evaluate the quality of services delivered to the refugees on a continuous basis. Develop findings into periodic performance reports for dissemination to management and the Thurles Resettlement Interagency Working Group for direction.
· Learning from the experience of working with this group, advocate for long term change in service provision so that services are delivered in a culturally appropriate manner not only to programme refugees but refugees and legally resident immigrants.
POST OF RESETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
PARTICULARS OF POST
· Liaise and support the Education and Training Board with regard to the English Language Programme.
· Liaise with and support the Youth Services with regard to the teenage programme
· Coordinate training and development in intercultural competencies at a local level.
· Liaise with and support the Volunteer Service in the organisation and implementation of the volunteer support service.
· Network with other resettlement community organisations to identify and transfer models of good resettlement practices at a local level.
Working with Refugee Group:.
· Work with the community to build their confidence to act independently.
· Introduce the community to cultural norms with regard to accessing services.
· Build intercultural competence in the refugee community.
· Motivate, encourage and promote participation in activities to develop competency and skills that will facilitate their active participation in the workforce and the local community.
· Link the group with training, education and personal development programmes to develop their skill sets in the areas required.
· Assist the refugees to have their qualifications recognised.
· Advocate with local employers for full or part-time work or for work experience for the refugees.
· Link children with key groups and services including sporting bodies.
· Identify other resources that will support the development and integration of the refugee group.
General:
· Develop cross cultural supports within the project as the needs emerge.
· Record issues arising, responses, gaps, challenges both for the service providers and the refugees, and the solutions for future learning.
· Prepare financial and progress reports as required to the Inter-Agency Working group and the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration.
5. Recruitment:
Selection shall be by means of an open competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of North Tipperary LEADER Partnership. Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the interview. A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. The life of the panel will not be more than one year from the date of interview.
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to the competition, to carry out a shortlisting procedure. Shortlising procedure may take the form of desktop shortlisting of candidates on the basis of information contained in their application form. The number of persons to be invited in these circumstances to interview shall be determined by North Tipperary LEADER Partnership.
POST OF RESETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
PARTICULARS OF POST
6. Taking up Appointment
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered, to take up such appointment within a period of not more than four weeks, and if he/she fails to do take up appointment within such period or such longer period North Tipperary LEADER Partnership in its absolute discretion may determine not to appoint the person.
7. Work Base:
The position of Resettlement Project Support Worker is assigned to North Tipperary LEADER Partnership and may work from various locations including office and community venues. North Tipperary LEADER Partnership reserves the right to assign him/her to any premises now or in the future. It is envisaged that the initial office location for the position will be company offices in Kickham Street Thurles.
Changes in desk location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.
8. Working Hours:
The working hours at present provide for a thirty five hours working week. As this post is part time the hours of work will be a 17.5 hours working week subject to change in accordance with Public Service Agreements/legislative requirements. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by North Tipperary LEADER Partnership. The post will require flexibility in attending meetings and working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities, but time off in lieu may operate on an agreed basis.
9. Report To:
The Resettlement Project Support Worker will report to the CEO of North Tipperary LEADER Partnership or such person as may be determined from time to time.
10. Travel:
Holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, as employer, must be indemnified on your motor car insurance policy.
Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded at the appropriate rates and subject to the regulations applicable in North Tipperary LEADER Partnership.
11. Probation:
The following probationary provisions shall apply:
a) There shall be a period after such appointments takes effect during which such persons shall hold the post on probation.
b) Such period shall be six months but the CEO may at his discretion extend such period.
c) Such persons shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the CEO has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.
POST OF RESETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
PARTICULARS OF POST
12. References/Documentary Evidence:
Each candidate will be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom he/she is well known but not related, at least one of whom must be a former employer.
Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to North Tipperary LEADER Partnership in support of their application.
13. Garda Vetting:
This post is subject to Garda Vetting and there being no disclosure of convictions which North Tipperary LEADER Partnership considers would render the candidate unsuitable to work with children/vulnerable adults. This process will be completed prior to appointment.
14. Child Protection:
The Resettlement Project Support Worker will undertake Child Protection Training, if not already completed.
CLOSING DATE Thursday 19th February 2015 at 3.00 pm