Job Title: Senior Youth Officer, NYPD

Job Reference Number: FRGJOB_1152
Number of Posts, Contract Type: 1 Ongoing
Location(s): Navan, Meath

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation enables young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs over 500 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high quality services to young people through the operation of over 400 Foróige Clubs, the Big Brother Big Sister Programme and over 140 General Youth Services and Special Projects - including over 40 Youth Diversion Projects.

We are currently recruiting 1 Senior Youth Officer (SYO) for Navan Young People’s Development Project (NYPD), a Youth Diversion Project (YDPs). This is a leadership position responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the NYP youth diversion project and associated services in the locality, and in the direct support and supervision of a large NYPD team. The SYO will be responsible for the support and supervision of up to 8 full time youth justice staff.

This post will be part of a network of Youth Diversion Projects; funded by the Department of Justice and Equality and by the European Social Fund 2014 – 2020 and Dormant Accounts funding through the Irish Youth Justice Service, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and will be managed by Foróige.

Working in a YDP, regardless of the role, will allow you to take a journey with young people and families, who are often the most marginalized and disadvantaged. Many have faced great obstacles, tragedy and adversity in their lives, yet are inspiring in their ability to cope, bounce back and often flourish, once given the appropriate opportunities and supports. Foróiges philosophy underpins all of our work and this supports our passionate belief in the importance of giving second chances and opportunities to young people regardless of their circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading, guiding and supporting the work of the Youth Diversion Project, in conjunction with the Area Manager, including project expansions where applicable.
• Recruiting, Supporting and supervising project staff.
• Delivery of youth justice interventions to young people.
• Identifying the needs and strengths of young people and their families, and developing case plans to respond to them effectively.
• Ensuring that the YDP interventions are needs led, evidence based and outcomes focused.
• Working in partnership with local agencies, in responding to the needs of young people at risk of offending or reoffending.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with An Garda Síochána.
• Coordinating and supporting the development of the YDP Advisory Committee and Referral Assessment Committee.
• Ensuring compliance with Foróige policies, procedures and guidelines, and YDP Operational Requirements.
• Ensuring that plans and reports are completed in line with the expectations of the funder.
• Initiating and contributing to local, regional and national initiatives, committees and structures in relation to responding more effectively to the needs of young people.
• Building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, particularly An Garda Síochána and other services engaged with young people in the catchment area.
• Administration, budget and resource management including compiling plans and reports as required by the funder and ensuring that deadlines are adhered to.
• Any such other relevant duties as the board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation and the policy and programmes of Foróige and the Youth Diversion Project.

Professional Qualifications and Experience 

E=Essential; D=Desirable

• Education to minimum Degree level (Level 7 NFQ) in a relevant discipline (E)
• Previous line management and supervision experience (D)
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience of working with young people and families experiencing adversity in their lives and in planning interventions in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. (E)
• Experience working with families and parents particularly in delivering parenting and whole family programmes (E)
• Experience in establishing, leading and coordinating new and innovative responses to youth needs. (E)
• Ability to work in an efficient manner and to lead and motivate others. (E)
• Car owner with full driving licence. (E)

Person Specification 

(All Essential requirements)

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with young people
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment
• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team
• Excellent written communications skills, including report writing and the ability to draft summary information and correspondence.
• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.
• Good computer skills, including Word & Excel, PowerPoint and Social Media skills

Requirements of all Foróige staff 

(All Essential Requirements)

• Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation
• To act consistently in a professional manner at all times
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required

About Youth Diversion Projects

Now is an exciting time in the development of youth justice services and interventions in Ireland. The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 to 2027 brings with it more opportunities than ever to make a difference in the lives of young people, families and communities.

The vision of the Strategy is “Collaborating across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm”. The Strategy focuses on maximising the opportunities for promoting positive behaviour change in young people who are at risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system. The Strategy is grounded in the real life experiences of these young people in Ireland, having been developed following a comprehensive process of consultation with a broad range of stakeholders invested in the lives of at risk young people, their families and communities. It takes a rights based approach to working with young people at risk, and is underpinned by a “no wrong door” principle outlining a commitment to child centred wrap around services. The Strategy emphasises the development of evidence informed programmes, interventions and supports, across all areas of the youth justice system including court processes, detention and legislation, as well as early intervention and diversion measures.

The Strategy prioritises implementation of measure to enhance the existing Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). YDPs are community based, multi-agency, youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people involved or at risk of becoming involved in criminal/anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. A significant development is the expansion of YDPs, ensuring full geographical coverage, so that every young person who requires a service, will have access to it. In addition, comes the development of a range of more specialised interventions integrated into the YDPs, including initiatives for Early Intervention, Family Support and working with harder-to-reach children and young people. It is as a result of these developments that the current vacancies arise in Foróige YDPs.

All interventions delivered through Foróige YDPs, are needs led, evidence based and outcomes focused with a view to reducing the likelihood of a young person offending or re-offending. As such, the interventions vary from project to project and initiative to initiative, based on the individual needs and circumstances of the young people, their families and their communities. Interventions can take place in both group and one to one settings, on site in a project premises, or reaching out to the community and other suitable spaces.

Benefits

Salary: Senior Youth Officer Scale: €52,883, €54,851, €56,823, €58,793, €60,759, €62,725
Starting point this role will be at Point 1 and Point 3, based on experience

Annual Leave: 29 days annual leave plus Good Friday

Pension: Contributory pension benefits.

Training & Development: Structured onboarding together with a 9 day Foróige Induction Programme. Ongoing CPD.

Study Leave: Up to 5 days paid Study Leave per year of course.

Organisation Culture: Support & Supervision policy and practises that supports your professional development.

EAP: 24/7 Employee Assistance

Career Break: Up to 2 years Career Break after 3 years service.

Unpaid Leave: Up to 6 months Unpaid Leave Break after 1 year service

Flexible Work: Flexible work practices that support work life balance.

Maternity and Paternity Benefit: Top up Maternity and Paternity Benefit pay.

Other Information

Garda vetting: Candidates under consideration for employment in Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.

Hours of work: You will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. The position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that you will work some late evenings/ nights per week and some weekend work.

Travel: This post will involve domestic travel within Ireland and occasional meetings. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate Foróige rates.

Applications: 

Please complete the Foróige Application form online here.

Closing Date - 10th of April at 12pm