Job Title: Project Worker Ballinfoyle UBU (x2)

Job Reference: FRGJOB_1176
Type of contract: Ongoing, Subject to Funding
No of hours: 35 hours per week minimum/28 hours per week minimum
Location: 50 Baile An Chóiste, Ballinfoyle, Co. Galway, H91 YA38

About Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs 500 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high quality services to young people through the operation of over 500 Foróige Clubs and over 200 General Youth Services and Special Projects. These community-based and community-supported initiatives are run throughout the country, in rural and urban environments, and generally in partnership with various voluntary and statutory agencies.

The organisation is a registered charity and is supported by a combination of statutory, philanthropic and corporate funding.

Foróige is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices.

Project information

The Ballinfoyle UBU Youth Development Project is funded by the Department of Education and Youth through the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (G.R.E.T.B.). The Project aims to support young people ages 10-24 years who have identified needs additional to the general population. This Project will be guided by the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which is informed by the D.C.E.D.I.Y. Value for Money Report. The aim of the service is to give young people an opportunity to overcome adversity and reach their full potential in a safe and supportive environment. The successful candidates will work as part of the Foróige team in Galway city and will have responsibility for delivering a service to targeted young people in Galway city. The Project will provide a range of targeted interventions/services, including

• Development of community based youth groups
• The operation of intensive group work programmes
• Individual programmes
• Special interest preventative programmes
• Supporting establishment of volunteer led Clubs

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidates will be employed by Foróige and will be given a contract of employment. It must be understood however, that if the positions become redundant at any time during the period of the contract or if the funding for the post is discontinued or a post holder fails to perform satisfactorily, employment may be terminated. The duties of the Project workers in carrying out any functions, which may be involved in or arise out of the appointment, shall be as notified by the board of Foróige and/or its Chief Executive and/or the nominee of the Chief Executive from time to time. These duties will include but are not limited to:

• Facilitating and supporting the identified needs of young people in Galway
• Plan, implement and evaluate all programmes including school holiday programmes for young people in the target group. These programmes will primarily be run out of school and after school, including evenings and weekends. Programmes will be run into the evening at least 3 times a week
• Deliver programmes and supports to young Travellers experiencing marginalisation and lacking opportunities to come together in a safe social space with their peers which contributes to isolation, communication issues, behavioural problems, violence, bullying and mental health difficulties.
• Deliver programmes to immigrants (or migrants) from different ethnic backgrounds, aged 10-24 experiencing marginalisation, contributing to social isolation, communication issues, behavioural problems, violence, bullying and mental health difficulties.
• Deliver programmes to young people aged between 10 and 24 in Ballinfoyle at risk of not flourishing and needing support with mild mental health difficulties.
• Deliver programmes to young people experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and who are at risk of early school leaving
• Deliver programmes to young people experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and not in Education, Employment or Training
• Meet the reporting standards required by the funders by maintaining records and observing professional standards in respect of confidentiality and data protection.
• Networking and liaising with other agencies/organisations/referrers and community groups in the area in order to initiate and contribute to responses to meet youth needs. In particular liaise with the G.R.E.T.B. Youth Officer to ensure the Project meets the targets of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme.
• Promote the service to potential users and the wider community.
• Any such other relevant duties as the board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive Officer shall deem necessary for the effective implementation and the policy and programmes of Foróige and the Eastside Youth Service.

Note: These roles will require flexibility and adaptation to new and changing situations on an ongoing basis.

Professional Qualifications and Experience 

(E) = Essential, (D) = Desirable

• Education to Degree standard (note: candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications) (E)
• Access to car and full driving licence (D)
• High level of motivation / ability to work on own initiative (E)
• Ability to work as part of a team of staff (E)
• An understanding of youth and community work methodologies (E)
• A creative approach to working with young people i.e. an ability to engage young people through educational activities such as music technology/S.T.E.A.M./circus skills/outdoor education/creative arts etc (D)
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with relevant funders and local agencies (D)
• Good communication skills including oral and written (D)
• Experience in managing budgets (D)
• A working knowledge of the area (D)

Person Specification 

(all Essential)

• 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
• Good written communications skills, including ability to draft summary information and correspondence, good report writing skills
• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.
• Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, Internet, PowerPoint and Social Media

Requirements of all Foróige staff 

(all Essential)

• 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 may be required.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
• To undertake other duties as may be requested by the Board of Foróige and /or the Chief Executive Officer of Foróige or their nominee from time to time.

Additional Considerations

Funding: It must be understood that if the funding for the post is discontinued that the post holder’s contract may be terminated.

Medical: The successful candidate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire / undergo a pre-employment medical.

Garda vetting: As our work involves contact with young people, candidates under consideration for employment in Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.

References: The successful candidate will undergo 2 reference checks before commencing employment with Foróige.

Annual Leave: 29 days annual leave pro rata plus public holidays. The needs of the job must be considered when applying to take this leave.

Hours of work: Minimum of 35/28 hours per week. Please note this position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that the Project Workers will work some late evenings and some weekend work.

Salary: This will be based off of the Foróige Youth Officer Salary scale: €37,436, €38,994, €40,552, €42,113, €43,671, €45,235, €46,798, €49,127, €51,457.

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

Base: 50 Baile An Chóiste, Ballinfoyle, Co. Galway, H91 YA38

Applications: 

Applications should be made by way of the Foróige job application form only which is available here.

Closing Date - 1st of May at 12pm

Foróige is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices

A panel may be formed to fill future vacancies