The Board of the Ballyfermot / Chapelizod Partnership invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following Post: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Community Development Officer (35 hours per week)

Our Mission: The Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Company Limited aims to collectively work to increase the economic base and resources of the community, and to develop and sustain the education, work and life opportunities of all the people of the area.

The Purpose of the Job: The role of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Community Development Officer is to deliver the Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership SICAP community development programme(s)

Main duties and responsibilities:

To deliver the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme including the delivery of Goal One actions in close collaboration with the Community Development Co-ordinator.  To work in an integrated way with the staff team to deliver on the SICAP goals. The following actions areas will be the primary focus of work for the Community Development Team.

Key actions areas:

1. Information provision and dissemination to enable disadvantaged communities and community organisations to engage and participate in local decision-making

Targeted information provision and dissemination for disadvantaged and very disadvantaged communities, to include: people with disabilities, older people, new communities, young people in disadvantaged communities with a particular focus on those unemployed, lone parents, and Travellers, to include information on actions and opportunities across all SICAP goals.
Specific targeted measures for communities in Cherry Orchard including the full range of information tools, and including the development of an information hub in the Cherry Orchard Equine Education and Training Centre.
    Supporting local groups by being a central point for the dissemination of local information

2. Area-based planning in Cherry Orchard with community groups to address disadvantage

Support the development of the Cherry Orchard Restorative Forum by developing the participation of community members and community organisations and coordinating the forum.
Support the development of an area-based plan for Cherry Orchard, leading on to developing collaborative strategic action
Explore opportunities for using creative tools for community engagement with a focus on young people
Engage young people, Travellers and people with disabilities in pre-development work through initiatives that could link in with labour market activation measures
Support for the Community Garden in Cherry Orchard.

3. Capacity building and development of community leadership to support increased participation in decision-making as a means of tackling social exclusion.

Pre-development/capacity-building work with groups most marginalised from decision-making in partnership with representative groups (e.g. Travellers)
Support for the roll out of the ‘Our Service – Our Say’ capacity-building programme for people with mental health issues
Continued support and development of the Access group (disabled people) in strategic planning and participation in local, regional and national decision-making structures
Continued support and development of the Senior Citizens group in strategic planning and participation in local, regional and national decision-making structures
Support and capacity-building for community groups to facilitate their active participation in community responses to tackling social exclusion, for example, groups wishing to engage with D10 Be Well, Restorative Practice network, and other community-wide collaborations.
Identify areas with lowest voter turn-out and work with local organisations to develop creative approaches to engage people in decision-making.
Continue to support the development of the skills and practice of the past participants of the Fetac Level 5 community development courses.
Bring women together to explore women’s leadership, participation in decision-making and to explore enterprise options for women.
Build leadership and capacity among young people (across Dublin 10, there will be focused capacity building under action one of the area-based plan)] through 1) Active Citizenship Workshops in Schools, and 2) Community Development Course for LCA and youth services.
Support community groups to participate on and engage with Public Participation Network (PPN)
Technical support and advice to any group in developing their work around equality, anti-discrimination and social inclusion.

4. Support and technical expertise for strategic collaborative frameworks and networks in addressing local needs of disadvantaged communities and those experiencing social exclusion

Continued support, development and building capacity of the D10 Be Well group
Continued support and development of the Restorative Practice initiative
Continued support and development of the Community Development sub-group
Support the Dublin 10 Childcare Network to continue capacity-building and strategic development work with local childcare services in order to promote early intervention and positive outcomes for children and families.

Reporting

Keeping project files including on line reporting tools up to date to effectively manage a computerised client caseload system (IRIS) to ensure that the appropriate tracking mechanisms are in place.
Developing and implementing evaluation systems to assess the impact of the programme
The principal duties and responsibilities as outlined above indicate the main functions and responsibilities of the post and are subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the designated line manager.

Key Skills/Competencies:

The Officer will have a number of years’ experience in the community development   arena  or in a related field (three years minimum)
Excellent standard of education including a relevant third level qualification (e.g. community development or related field)
Clear understanding of Community Development Principles, and working to a Community Development Ethos
Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship building, organisational, report writing, ICT, and time management skills
Capacity to effectively interact and take a leadership role with a broad range of stakeholders
Capacity to work well within a team, ability to adopt a flexible and responsive approach to working in a community context
Ability to plan an think strategically in the delivery of the programme(s)

Term of the Appointment

This is a fixed term contract from April 2015 to the 31st of December 2015
The salary will be €36,081 depending on qualifications and experience (may be amended subject to funding)

Hours 35 per week, over five days Monday-Friday with some level of work flexibility expecte

Reporting Structure: The Community Development Worker will work within the Community Development staff team and will report on a day-to-day basis to the Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Community

Development Co-ordinator.
6. Application Process:

Applications must be made by way of an Application Form only, with  a detailed cover letter to the Office Manager Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Company Ltd, 4 Drumfinn Park, Ballyfermot Dublin 10.
Closing date for receipt of applications is the 10th of April 2015 at 5.00p.m. (no late applications will be accepted)
Interviews will be held week ending the 17th of April 2015
Job description, application from : mshelley@bles.ie or telephone: 01-6235612
Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Co Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.

This post if funded under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, supported by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, The Local and Community Development Committee and the European Social Fund.