Job Description

Employer: The Matt Talbot Community Trust

Kylemore Road

Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

Job Title: Senior Project Worker

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Hours: 38 hours per week

Overview of Employer:

The Matt Talbot Community Trust is a drug free community education programme endeavouring to create change from a grassroots level in Ballyfermot. We tackle the unique social issues that lead to problem drug use and criminal behaviour through the provision of a quality education system and structured, person-centred supports.

Overview of the role:

The Matt Talbot Community Trust is recruiting for the position ofSenior Project Worker with specific responsibility to coordinate the Future Options Process and take a lead role in overseeing new programme initiatives. The successful candidate will work in conjunction with the Community Employment staff to achieve the above aims and their duties include

Working one to one with each participant

Delivery of soft skills and project based learning initiatives

Supported work placements

Mentoring and career coaching opportunities linked to our business partners

Follow up support on exit from our programme

Participants can be placed on our programme for up to three years which affords us the opportunity to create a clearly defined pathway from entry and exit point based on the individual’s interest, skill development and identified work area of choice.

The role will entail working with our participants, staff and employers to ensure that each participant has a clear employment and training goal to work towards and to facilitate them to achieve necessary training and experience through use of skill and project based learning to encourage analytical and problem solving skill development.

The ambition for each participant is that they step off our programme into employment, an internship or further education.

Principle duties and responsibilities:

  1. To develop clear progression paths for participants into employment or further education through assessment and on-going monitoring of agreed and realistic goal setting.
  2. To develop and ensure an effective step down approach to participant’s moving on options both while attending programme and in post-completion support.
  3. To take a lead role in the development and delivery of soft skills and project based learning workshops to focus on
  • Analytical skill development
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Team work
  • Problem solving
  • Conflict resolution
  • Maintaining employment
  1. To take the lead in delivering the Supported Work Placement Programme, with the support of other team members, and develop participant’s move-on options within the programme.
  2. To develop and deliver the QQI level 3/4 work experience module in compliance with QQI and MTCT quality assurance policy.
  3. Working with our partners in industry to ensure participants secure relevant, effective skill development work placements.
  4. To establish and maintain networks of employers to facilitate work placements, and provide support to employers as necessary.
  5. Support of participants who are on work placement to ensure that they are gaining relevant employability skills through liaising with the employers and participants on a regular basis. Recording and evidencing development of work placements; including all issues arising from same
  6. To develop and maintain an updated employer information pack to reflect compliance with best practice. Ensure that the information pack and data systems are relevant and up to date.
  1. To maintain established relationships with external organisations through meetings, relevant to the on-going development of the future options process, mentoring and career coaching support and supported work placement programme.
  1. Continue to develop and adapt the Future Options Programme through use of logic model and evaluation of the process and use this framework to ensure a multidisciplinary and client centred approach with participants
  1. Work with business organisations to create opportunities for employment internships and other government employment schemes, ensuring positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
  1. Represent the Trust and liaise with key internal and external stakeholders including the Board of Trustees, Local Area Drugs Task Force, and Corporate Partners.
  1. Support the team in meeting strategic goals. Work within the team in a flexible and supporting manner to further the aims of the organisation in terms of funding, education, support programmes and fundraising.

General

  1. To be vigilant in adhering to Children’s First and MTCT Child Protection policies.
  1. To attend, participate and contribute in a positive way at all staff team meetings.
  1. To be a supportive team member, work as part of the overall team towards shared goals and assist in general tasks as required
  1. To share relevant and pertinent information concerning participants with staff team.
  1. To take responsibility to update knowledge and understanding in best practice in areas of responsibility relevant to role.
  1. To be familiar with and adhere to all relevant policies and procedures, including Health and Safety and HACCP compliance policies and procedures.
  1. To respect and operate within the framework of the tradition, character and ethos which governs the practice of the organisation.
  1. To carry out other relevant duties which may be assigned from time to time by management.
  1. Ensuring the incorporation of principles of the work of the MTCT in the everyday work of the project.
  1. The post-holder will also assist in the development and implementation of a strategic plan to ensure the Trusts long-term sustainability.

These duties are a guide to the general range of responsibilities and are neither definitive nor restrictive.

Person Specification:

This role is a full time position on a 12month contract dependant on continued funding. There will be a six month probationary period with regular reviews.

Appointment to the role will be subject to Garda vetting

The successful candidate will work 38 hours per week. The Matt Talbot Community Trust is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3.30pm on Friday.

Salary: €37,500

Prospective candidates will be asked to prove their experience at application and interview stages.

Essential / Desirable
Qualification / Minimum Qualification:
QQILevel 8 qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline / Specific qualifications in recruitment/work environment
Knowledge / Understanding of addiction, mental health, adult education and the needs of our participant group.
Comprehensive understanding of the challenges, blocks and gaps to adults impacted by addiction and/or imprisonment in gaining and maintainingsustainable employment
Impact of convictions in securing employment.
Knowledge of Employment and Education Programmes for adult learners and those re-entering education / Strong knowledge of the ethos of the Matt Talbot Community Trust and the identity of our participants through the provision of a drug free programme.
Experience / 2 years paid/voluntary employment in a relevant setting
Record keeping, report writing.
Previous experience of delivering work placement/ employability skills programmes.
Use of logic model or similar monitoring and evaluation tools / Experience in other community education programmes, social welfare and/or addiction programmes would be an advantage.
Proven experience creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
Experiencing creating and maintaining strong networks of employers
Core Competencies / Ability to understand and effectively respond to the needs of our participant group and work from a client-focused position.
Exceptional communication and relationship management skills
Track record of achievement in a previous working role of a similar nature.
Ability to work well on own initiative.
Ability to work well to support the work of a small team.
Ability to work under pressure, prioritise multiple tasks and be flexible
Ability to deal with challenging behaviour and ambivalence.
Ability to advocate on behalf of participants.
Ability to act as an ambassador for the Matt Talbot Community Trust with employers in order to facilitate work placements.
Advanced computer and presentation skills / Understanding and commitment to the not-for-profit sector