Job Title: DAVINA Project Domestic Violence Advocate x 2

Accountable to: Head of Services

Managed by: DAVINA Programme Coordinator

Terms: Part-time (25hrs/week), 12 months fixed term role, with possibility of extension/renewal, subject to funding

Pro Rata Salary is €26,923

The Employer: SAOL Project Ltd. Dublin 1

SAOL was the first women-specific, drug rehabilitation community project in Ireland. Working in Dublin's Northeast Inner City, SAOL is focussed on improving the lives of women affected by addiction and poverty. SAOL is a feminist-based project which provides both peer-informed and trauma-informed care and aims to create positive meaningful change in the women’s lives through an integrated programme of education, rehabilitation, advocacy, childcare provision (with a focus on early childhood education), progression and aftercare supports. The project’s ethos is informed by respect for the dignity of each woman.

The Programme: The DAVINA Project 

Recognizing the high prevalence of DV in women who use substances and the lack of an appropriate response and access to services from both Addiction and DV services. The project is both direct frontline service provision and developmental. Developing an evidence-based model of support co-created with those with first-hand experience of both issues and informed by research undertaken by TCD.

We believe that women who use substances deserve access to DV services. We believe that healing is a realistic possibility for the women we work with, and with the right supports intergenerational cycles of trauma can be challenged.

Our overarching goal is to increase awareness and capability within addiction and DV services to respond to women facing the dual issues of substance use and domestic abuse.

The DAVINA programme, combines 1-1 support with group work, specifically designed to work with women dealing with the dual issues of addiction and DV. This model will be rolled out to all addiction and DV services nationally, supported by training from SAOL.

Overarching Goals

1. Have the Davina approach mainstreamed by other addiction services
2. Put women with addiction on the DV sectors agenda
3. Ensure the Davina approach is embedded sustainably within SAOL
4. Secure the resources to support roll-out of Davina within services nationally.

Purpose of the job: 

To support the day to day running of the DAVINA project within SAOL, and to be part of the wider SAOL team, ensuring women who attend SAOL have access to domestic abuse support as part of the service. This work will include managing a caseload offering support and advocacy services to women who access the DAVINA Project.

The Role

1. Develop and maintain safe and meaningful relationships with women who access SAOL.
   Conduct brief interventions with women who access the SAOL project either on a day-to-day basis or in moments of crisis ensuring that their immediate basic needs are met, and seeking opportunities for assessment, engagement and discussion.
2. Work with women to develop personalised safety plans, which consider the unique challenges and risks associated with substance use.
3. Assist and support women to access public, private and statutory services within their community. This to include Court accompaniment, accompaniment to garda stations, SATU, health centres, appointments with department of social protection or any relevant service to a woman’s care plan.
4. Manage a caseload working directly with women impacted with both substances use issues and domestic, sexual, gender-based violence.
5. Group facilitation or 1:1 delivery of the DAVINA Psycho-educational programme
6. Other services and supports to support the development of the Davina Project and SAOL as required.
7. Administrative duties record keeping and report writing

The DAVINA domestic violence advocate will work to support the programme coordinator and work directly with women who have lived experience of substance use and domestic sexual and gender-based violence.

The domestic violence advocate will work as part of the SAOL Project team, reporting directly to the DAVINA programme coordinator. The successful applicant: ensures a holistic, trauma informed radically compassionate response to the needs of women through signposting and joint working.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years direct paid employment with vulnerable populations and communities.
• Experience of working with women who use substances and alcohol and have experience of DSGBV is highly desirable, however an understanding and awareness of the intersectionality of substance use and DSGBV is essential.
• Experience of risk assessment and safety planning with women who have sever and multiple disadvantages.
• Experience of group facilitation including, needs assessment, response to need, group dynamics and evaluation.

Knowledge:

• Level 7 or above qualification in Social Work/Social Care/Youth Community and or related field.

Skills and abilities:

• Strengths based; solution focused dynamic individual.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and a commitment to social justice through a gendered lens.
• Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills
• Facilitation skills
• Excellent demonstrable interpersonal skills
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with women who have multiple challenges and complex needs.
• Passion and commitment to work with women who have experienced substance use and a desire to improve the circumstances with a commitment to social justice and equality.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work, use own initiative.
• Willing to be flexible and a team player in terms of working hours.

What we offer:

1. Competitive salary €26,923
2. Annual leave is 16.5 days per annum pro rata
3. Support and supervision
4. Paid sick leave
5. Opportunity to work with a dynamic team in a cutting-edge service that’s always innovative.

Application by cover letter and CV and any queries and questions to Head of Services, Réidín Dunne at reidin@saolproject.ie

Deadline December 2nd at 5pm.

Interviews Monday and Tuesday 9th and 10th of December 2024.