Longford Women’s Link

Longford Women’s Link (LWL) is an organisation based in Longford Town which focuses on identifying and addressing key inequalities that prevent women in Longford achieving their full social and economic potential.

LWL operates a Domestic Violence Service which provides a range of supports to women and children experiencing domestic violence. The service operates Monday-Friday and is non-refuge-based.

The organisation now wishes to recruit a

Domestic Violence Specialist (Migrant Women) – (DVS)
Full Time 35 hours per week

The DVS will be responsible for the provision of support services to LWLDVS clients (specifically migrant women) who are experiencing domestic violence and coercive control. These services include risk assessment, safety planning, court attendance with victims, support on housing and legal options and service planning. Longford’s population is one of the most diverse in the country. Migrant women face additional layers of complexity when dealing with domestic violence, particularly in relation to cultural issues. This position would provide support to migrant women, children and young people and would ideally have the associated language skills to facilitate this level of critical support.

This is a full time, fixed term contract to 31st December 2025 with potential for renewal subject to funding. The successful candidate will be required to go through the Garda Vetting process.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have

• A Degree/diploma in social sciences/social care/counselling or community development disciplines
  and/or
• Recent and relevant experience working directly with women as an advocate or supporting vulnerable women and children in the community.

Experience of working within the voluntary, social services or community sector would be a distinct advantage.

Key Skills & Competences

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact on women and children. They will be familiar in implementing self-care practices and maintaining personal/professional boundaries.

The DVS must:

• Be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people from all areas of the community and be comfortable working with clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Have experience of managing caseloads, with an understanding of crisis response
• Have proficient IT skills
• Be able to assist with the monitoring and evaluation of the work of LWLDVS for management and external funders. The successful candidate will be required to attend relevant meetings and will provide regular reports.
• As part of the LWLDVS Team, participate in undertake talks and presentations to local groups and agencies, developing networks and partnerships and increasing the role of the service in the community.

Proficiency in a second language would be an advantage.

Understanding of Family and Criminal Law as well as rights and entitlements would be an advantage but full training and mentoring will be provided in this area.

The DVS will be required to travel mainly within Longford and must have their own transport and a full clean driving licence.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment to this position. Part-time options may be available for suitable candidates.

Letters of application which must be accompanied by a current detailed CV should be submitted to: Natalie O’Reilly, DVS Manager, Longford Women’s Link, Willow House, Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford or by email to natalie@lwl.ie by Friday September 20th 2024. Interviews will be held the week of September 23rd/30th.

Longford Women’s Link is an equal opportunities employer.