Youth Engagement Officer

Youth Engagement Officer

EPIC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation which advocates for the rights of children and young people in care or with care experience.

We are currently seeking to recruit a Child and Youth Engagement Officer. The purpose of the role is to further develop child and youth engagement within EPIC, to reach a wider audience of children and young people in care and with care experience and to enable these children and young people to actively engage on issues of importance to them.

Contract:1 year fixed term contract with a 3 month probationary period

Based at 7, Red Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7

Reporting to: CEO

Job Purpose

·  To support the ongoing development of engagement and participation strategies, aimed at ensuring EPIC engages and includes young people in care and with care experience in all areas of its work

·  To collaborate closely with communications to develop appropriate integrated media, technology and communication channels to provide an interactive forum for young people in care and aftercare through which to engage on issues and access information about their rights, the care system, EPIC’s services and other issues of importance to them

·  To maximise the engagement of young people within the wider care community and

those who have left the care system to elicit their views and experience, and enable their voices be heard on issues affecting young people in care and in aftercare

·  To develop work in the area of youth advocacy and participation to advance positive

policy change

·  To support and promote the development of local participative structures e.g.* child and youth Fora for children and young people in care

·  To continue the development of an EPIC Council increase the level of participation

of young people within EPIC and to inform the policy, advocacy and influencing work of the organisation in order to influence change in policy, practice and legislation in the Irish care system

·  To develop high quality content for EPIC media and publications, ensuring interaction via the web and social media channels, to provide a strong campaigning platform for EPIC to

further its advocacy and influencing work, to effect positive change in legislation, national

policy and practice in relation to children in state care

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAIN TASKS

Working directly with children and young people

·  To develop strategies to increase EPIC’s engagement with children and young people across the wider community of care

·  The day to day management of the EPIC Council including the recruitment and support of Council members and the development of structures, policies and protocols for the on-going recruitment for and development of, the council

·  The day to day management of the Peer Education team including the recruitment and support members of the team and the development of structures, policies and protocols for the on-going recruitment of Peer Education team members

·  The development and management of an LIT (Leader in Training) programme to enable young people engaging with EPIC through child/youth foras, the EPIC Council, Peer Educators or otherwise, to train and mentor other children/young people to take up roles within EPIC or in other fora

·  To develop a support network within voluntary and statutory sectors through which to promote the engagement of children and young people on issues of interest to or affecting them

·  To support and develop capacity of members of the EPIC Council through training e.g. media skills, presentation and communication skills.

·  To seek and co-ordinate opportunities for Council members and other young people to participate in other fora such as national and international events, consultations and conferences and to voice their opinions and speak out on issues of importance to them.

·  To seek opportunities for EPIC council members to contribute to regional, national and international forums

·  To increase the level of participation of young people within EPIC, to ensure that their views inform the influencing, advocacy and knowledge development of the organization in order to contribute to changes in policy , practice and legislation in the Irish care system

·  Act as coordinator for EPIC work-experience placements for young people in line with our internal policies

·  To ensure that the views and concerns of young people are central to EPIC’s strategic planning and service development

·  To provide young people with appropriate training and support to create change in their own lives and to provide them with opportunities to develop their interests and skills.

·  To lead and manage projects which contribute to greater engagement of young people

·  To assist in developing and delivering social media activities to provide information to young people, to seek their views on care issues

·  To support the development of traditional and web based content and publications to engage with and inform young people on issues of importance to them

·  To coordinate regular and ongoing engagement between the EPIC Council and the EPIC Board of management

Strategy and Policy

·  To work in close collaboration with the Participation Development Coordinator to develop and implement EPIC’s engagement and participation strategy

·  To provide input into EPIC’s strategic plan and other planning processes as appropriate

·  To promote awareness of EPIC and of issues affecting children in state care among public representatives, professionals, academics, students and the wider public

·  To develop strong collaborative relationships and networks with public representatives, stakeholders, partners, professionals and academics working within the sector

·  To participate as part of the EPIC team

·  To carry out other duties as may be requested from time to time

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required

Experience and Education

·  Relevant 3rd level qualification or equivalent

·  At least 3 years’ experience of working directly with vulnerable children and young people.

·  Demonstrable experience of management, training and support of young people.

·  Demonstrable experience of ensuring the voices and opinions of young people are carried through to implementation in work plans and processes

·  Experience organising events to engage with young people to inform, educate and inspire young people

·  Experience & knowledge of child protection legislation, policy and practice.

·  Experience in producing analytical and well-presented reports and publications

Knowledge and Values

·  An understanding of the legislation and policy as it relates to care experienced children and young people.

·  An awareness of issues facing children in care and aftercare

·  A commitment to and experience of user involvement in the planning and delivery of services.

·  A strong commitment to EPIC’s values and principles

·  A strong commitment to children’s rights

·  An understanding and strong commitment to children and young people’s meaningful participation, inclusion and social justice.

Skills and Attributes

·  Excellent organisational and project managementskills. This may include supervision and management of interns

·  Excellent communications skills, both oral and written

·  Good interpersonal skills: the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels

·  An interest and understanding of the care system, and social media as a tool for child and youth engagement

·  Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders across multiple sectors (Government, Business, Media, Youth)

·  Demonstrable understanding of the not for profit sector

·  Knowledge of ICT and social media engagement

·  Proficient IT skills

·  Ability to work in a small, inter-dependent team and willingness and capacity to work on own initiative

·  Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines as appropriate to the needs of the role (these may occur outside regular office hours)

·  Willingness to undertake international travel when required

Desirable

·  Hold a current driving license and have access to a vehicle. This criterion may be waivered, if a disability prohibits driving. In this case, please demonstrate how you would meet the mobility requirements of the role

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo Garda Vetting.

*Child and youth fora are groups of children and or young people, in care or with care experience, which are organized on a local or regional basis to develop projects and engage on issues of importance to them