ADVOCACY WORKER
_THE ORGANISATION_
The Traveller Counselling Service was set up in **Apply on the
website** to provide one to one counselling and therapeutic support to
members of the Traveller community. Overseen by a Board of Management,
the service is run by Travellers for Travellers and works from a
culturally inclusive framework which respects Traveller culture,
identity, values, and norms.
The experience of the Traveller Counselling Service since its
inception is that many Travellers who attend our services need
advocacy support. For many reasons, such as being educationally
disadvantaged, feeling discriminated against or excluded by mainstream
services, or due to other difficulties or problems, some people find
they are unable to assert themselves and need the support of another
to do so.
_?Advocacy is a means of empowering people by supporting them to
assert their views and claim their entitlements and where necessary,
representing and negotiating on their behalf?_
Advocacy Guidelines, Citizens Information Board, **Apply on the
website**
The underlying principle of advocacy is one of empowering people to
speak for themselves, providing unbiased representation and support to
Travellers whose voices have been excluded. We are now recruiting for
an Advocacy Worker to expand the work in this area. It is intended
that the advocacy worker will support the development of a culturally
appropriate advocacy service, tailored to the needs of the Traveller
community, and also support mainstream services to become more
culturally inclusive of Traveller culture.
_PERSON SPECIFICATION_
* An understanding and knowledge of the background and operation of
advocacy
* An understanding of the implications of social exclusion, racism,
poverty etc on mental health
* Ability to represent, negotiate and communicate on behalf of
others
* Respect and empathy for clients and their carers
* Ability to maintain confidentiality
* Good judgement
* High degree of personal integrity
* Ability to work on one?s own initiative, and to plan and set
goals
* Desire to assist people to achieve their rights and entitlements
* Commitment to capacity-building and empowering Travellers
* Understanding of and a commitment to the promotion of equal
opportunities and cultural diversity (anti-racism stance)
_DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES_
* The development of an advocacy strategy particularly geared to the
needs of the Traveller community
* Collaborate with project director and line manager on developing
procedures, case management, records management, models of service
provision and best practice guidelines, conflict protocols and
complaints procedures for the service
* Support members of the Traveller community in a range of settings
to make informed decisions about their lives and have their voices
heard
* Support and empower individuals and families in securing their
rights, such as accessing services
* Enable and empower people to self-advocate and represent
themselves
* Keep records and observe data protection and confidentiality
protocols
* Assist with evaluation, internal and external
* Assist with financial planning where required
* Liaise with key stakeholders and participate in relevant networks
* Undertake promotional work on advocacy and the service
* Assist in training relevant staff and/or volunteers in the
principles and practice of advocacy
* Develop and share knowledge of legislation and appeals/redress
mechanisms which impact on advocacy activities
* Assist research and/or social policy initiatives as required
* Undertake appropriate training, as required
* Undertake other advocacy duties as assigned by the line manager
* Capacity to travel to different locations as the role requires
_EXPERIENCE_
* Qualification in a relevant discipline such as social work, social
policy, community development, communications, advocacy or equivalent
* Previous experience of engaging with organisations and services in
a range of settings
* Previous experience of supporting Travellers to access services,
particularly services that promote good mental health
_SKILLS_
* Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to
develop good working relationships
* Attention to detail and strong organisational skills
* Proficient IT skills (Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and
PowerPoint)
* Case management skills
* Effective communication skills, both oral and written
* Ability to give presentations to local and national groups and
statutory agencies
* Ability to review and monitor projects
* Ability to research and analyse information in relation to
people?s rights
* Ability to work calmly under pressure and within a small dynamic
team
* Flexibility in adapting to changing and developing roles
* Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to identify
opportunities
* Problem-solving skills
* Ability to plan and prioritise own work
* Ability to communicate clearly and transfer complex information in
a concise and accessible form to a broad range of people
* Full driver?s licence with access to own transport
This is a 1-year fixed term contract with continuation dependent on
funding. The role is based in the Traveller Counselling Centre in
Dublin with some options for flexible/hybrid working. The position is
full time (**Apply on the website** hours/week) with a salary of
?**Apply on the website**,**Apply on the website** - ?**Apply on
the website**,**Apply on the website** DOE.
To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your suitability for
the role and a CV including two referees to **Apply on the website**
before 5pm on Friday May **Apply on the website**th **Apply on the
website**. Interviews will be held the week beginning Monday May
**Apply on the website**th **Apply on the website**.
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health
