The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities is seeking to recruit an Advocate for Maternity Cover/Specified Purpose contract. The post will be based in Wexford.

The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities provides an independent, confidential and free, representative advocacy service that works exclusively for the person using the service and adheres to the highest professional standards.

The National Advocacy Service has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services and have limited informal or natural supports.

The National Advocacy Service has recently moved from five Citizens Information Services, who have had responsibility for the delivery of an advocacy service for people with disabilities across their region, to one National Service under a National Advocacy Service Board. The National Advocacy Service is provided through four regions and a National Office which is based in Dublin.

The four regions are:

Region                              Including
    
Greater Dublin                      Dublin, Fingal and Wicklow
    
Northeast & Midlands Region         Cavan, Laois, Longford, Louth, Kildare, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Westmeath,

Western Region                      Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo.

Southern Region                      Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford
    
Reports to:  Regional Advocacy Manager

Salary: €42,658-46,915 (It is anticipated that new entrants to the National Advocacy Service will be appointed on the 1st point of the scale however, incremental credit, should it be awarded, will be based on previous relevant experience as set out on application form).

Location: Southern Region (Wexford)

Hours: The position is full time (35 hours per week) and may involve working some unsocial hours.

The position entails travel; therefore access to use of a car is a requirement for the post.

Advocate will be asked to obtain Garda Clearance before they begin work.

A panel may be formed of qualified candidates from which temporary and permanent, part-time and full time Advocate Posts which arise within the next 12 months will be filled, should vacancies arise in this period.  These posts will be located in the Southern Region.

Advocate: National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities
Application Procedure

Four (4) copies of the application form along with 4 covering letters (with ‘Advocate, Southern Region’ marked on the envelope) should be posted to:

Administrator
National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities,
37 Lower Yellow Road,
Waterford.

AND

The completed application form and a covering letter should be emailed (as an attachment) to AnneMarie.Collins@advocacy.ie (stating Advocate, Southern Region in the subject line)

Shortlisting may apply.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Applications and covering letter must be typed. CVs, late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATION:

Tuesday 12th January 2016 at 1pm

The National Advocacy Service is an equal opportunities employer.

Funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Service Provision

Assist, support and represent people with disabilities to seek a service, negotiating on their behalf and pursuing any right of review or appeal as required
Work with people in residential and day service settings and with service providers to ensure people’s rights, dignity, choices and decisions are safeguarded
Advocate on behalf of qualifying persons under the Citizen information Act (when commenced) as requested by the Regional Advocacy Manager
Work as part of the regional advocacy team and share learning to improve practice and effect policy change
Ensure that people with disabilities who need information, advice and advocacy are provided with the service that best supports their needs and that those with the capacity to self-advocate are supported to use mainstream services in their local community
Identify and record issues that arise for people with disabilities to inform systemic changes in both the delivery and policy of public services
Adhere to standardised policies, practice and quality standards
Provide peer support within the advocacy team and develop specialist expertise as required
Work in co-operation with other advocates across the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities
Maintain effective and co-operative relationships with key stakeholders including service providers without compromising the independence of the advocacy service.
Effectively manage a caseload and keep accurate records using the electronic case management system, adhering to case management requirements
Report on advocacy activities, and undertake review and evaluation as required by the Regional Advocacy Manager
Observe data protection legislation and good practice in service provision
Offer occasional back-up to self-advocacy and other support groups.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in special projects and joint working arrangements in consultation with the Regional Advocacy Manager
Participate in mentoring activities
Undertake promotional work on the National Advocacy Service as directed by the Regional Advocacy Manager
Develop and share knowledge of relevant legislation, appeals/redress mechanisms and social policy and practices in relation to advocating on behalf of people with disabilities
Undertake appropriate training as required and ensure continuing professional development
Undertake supervision of practice in line with service requirements
Represent the National Advocacy Service at conferences etc., as decided by the Regional Advocacy Manager
Participate and work within a Performance Management Development System (PMDS) process
Undertake other duties assigned by the Regional Advocacy Manager

Person specification

An understanding and knowledge of the philosophy, background and operation of advocacy
Awareness of the needs of people with disabilities and the barriers experienced in accessing rights and services.
Ability to represent, negotiate and communicate on behalf of others
Ability to understand and maintain confidentiality
Ability to respect and promote people’s right to make informed decisions/choices
Excellent judgement
High degree of personal integrity
Ability to organise one’s own workload, plan and set goals
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Commitment to the rights of people with disabilities
Flexibility of approach and flexibility to work unsocial hours when required and ability to travel efficiently throughout the region as requested.

Required competencies for position

Educated to graduate level in one or more of the following areas: social sciences, humanities, law, training and development.  Equivalent experience and training will also be considered.
Advocacy qualification desirable
Previous experience of working with people in a service-delivery role
Knowledge of relevant disability legislation, disability rights and issues, developments in disability services
Effective communication skills both oral and written
Ability to negotiate effectively on behalf of clients
Competent IT skills
Good written English
Experience of and commitment to building up personal skills
Case management skills
Ability to give presentations to a variety of audiences
Ability to review and monitor projects