- Title
Community Resource Officer (Maternity Leave) - Location
National Role - office based flexibility, hybrid working in place - Hours of Work
28-32 hours per week over 4/5 days (specific hours to be agreed with the Director of Services) within office hours with some flexibility for evening and weekend work required. - Travel:
There is a requirement for occasional travel - Reporting to:
Director of Services - Nature of post:
This is a fixed term contract for 12 months
About Epilepsy Ireland
Epilepsy Ireland was established in 1966 and is the national organisation working for people with epilepsy and their families. Our vision is to achieve a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Our work encompasses:
- Information, training and support services for people with epilepsy and their families, delivered from head office in Dublin and 9 regional offices
- Education and training for health professionals
- Raising awareness and improving public understanding of epilepsy
- Advocating on behalf of people with epilepsy
- Funding and supporting epilepsy research
Role Summary
This role involves delivering community services to people with epilepsy, their families and carers, and to health professionals and the wider community. The services that we deliver in each region include one-to-one support, information & advice services, support groups, regional support groups, workshops, talks and seminars, training to health care professionals, and epilepsy awareness talks in schools. Services are delivered both in person and virtually.
This is an important role which will provide you with an opportunity to work in an organisation where your skills and values will make a measurable difference every day. You’ll be part of a supportive, professional team committed to continuous improvement.
Duties
One to one support work (face to face and online):
- To provide appropriate information and support services to individuals on a one-to-one basis – including people with epilepsy, parents of children with epilepsy, family members and carers, and health professionals and wider community.
- To facilitate the Living Well with Epilepsy ‘Toolkit’ programme for those with a new diagnosis.
- To provide hospital and community outreach services on a one-to-one basis.
- To provide a listening and understanding ear.
- To provide advocacy and case management approaches where a service user is unable to advocate for themselves or refer to national advocacy services where appropriate.
- To act as a resource to the service user and advise them of entitlements, education, employment and other areas of their social and economic life and signpost / make appropriate referrals to other relevant services.
Support Groups, Education & Awareness Raising (face to face and online):
- To deliver self-management programmes
- To facilitate in-person and online support groups for service users, parents, and young people as appropriate to the region.
- To deliver Epilepsy Awareness & Buccal Midazolam Rescue Medication training to healthcare professionals and teachers (training will be provided).
- To deliver Epilepsy Awareness & Buccal Midazolam Rescue Medication information /demonstration sessions to parent’s/family members of people with epilepsy.
- To engage with schools and deliver talks and training to teachers and students.
- To raise awareness of Epilepsy and the work of EI through information stands, publicity, information evenings and other appropriate activities.
- To provide or to organise and manage talks, seminars, conferences and events as required.
- To provide training programmes, courses, workshops and other group work as required.
- To assist planning and organisation of EI national conference and other events.
External Networking
- To network with other relevant agencies and organisations in the region and to participate as required in community related activities, meetings and seminars etc.
General Responsibilities
- To work with colleagues to ensure cover in all regions when required.
- Maintain accurate records relating to all aspects of the role.
- Produce clear written reports, data/activity records and programme evaluation as required.
- To assist in statutory funding applications, such as the national lottery funding, and to identify and access local sources of funding as appropriate to the region.
- To provide local media support regarding awareness raising activities by contacting media and giving - or arranging for others to give - interviews with media as appropriate in the region.
- To assist in local and national fundraising activities.
- To contribute to the Epilepsy Ireland newsletter and website and engage with social media – as appropriate.
- Report incidents and accidents as appropriate. Maintain vigilance of Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention to the Health & Safety Officer. Assist in ensuring that the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act are implemented.
- Be familiar with and adhere to the Epilepsy Ireland’s policies and procedures.
- Engage with Quality Mark processes as required.
- Participate in the Epilepsy Ireland performance management system and engage in regular supervision and appraisal.
- Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with line manager.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the work of Epilepsy Ireland and carry out the work of the organisation in an efficient and effective manner.
- Carry out all other reasonable duties as directed by line manager.
- The above is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive.
- This job description will be reviewed from time-to-time, in line with the organisation’s needs.
This is not an exhaustive list of all duties but is rather a guide to the role, the organisation may add other duties over time.
Person Specification:
Minimum
- Degree in a relevant discipline - e.g. community work, disability, social care, social work, public health, education, psychology, mental health, nursing or other relevant qualification at degree level
- Minimum 3 years’ post-qualification experience in disability, health education, voluntary / community sector or care sector work or similar.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely.
- Strong interpersonal skills to foster relationships with stakeholders, including healthcare providers, educators, and families.
- Experience of one-to-one work and group facilitation skills
- Excellent computer literacy including experience in CRM systems (Salesforce)
- Excellent co-ordination and administration skills
- Flexibility and adaptability and to be able to learn and work as part of a wider team
- Ability to self-motivate, self-manage and plan own workload
- Awareness of and ability to work within appropriate professional boundaries
- Proficient in both oral and written English language
- Have the legal right to work in Ireland and currently hold valid work authorisation for Ireland
Preferable
- A train the trainer qualification (specific Epilepsy training will be provided).
- Work experience directly related to epilepsy education and knowledge / experience of Epilepsy will be a distinct advantage.
- Experience delivering education / training / presentations to groups
- Experience in administration and co-ordination role
- Full clean driving licence, valid in Ireland and access to a car
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE
Please send your Curriculum Vitae plus a detailed covering letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position and highlighting your relevant skills and experience to Catherine Powell at recruitment@epilepsy.ie. Applications received without a cover letter will not be progressed.
Please use the reference ‘CRO National Cover’ when applying.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 1pm on Wednesday 25th February.
Shortlisting for interview will apply and will be based on the information contained in the CV and cover letter. The first interview will reduce the initial short list and remaining candidates may be invited for a second interview.
Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th March.
Additional Information:
A panel may be formed from this campaign from which current and future; permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full and part-time duration may be filled. A probationary period will apply. Successful Garda Clearance, verification of qualifications and reference checks will be required for all prospective employees. Canvassing will disqualify.
EPILEPSY IRELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
For the moment, we do not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.