WATERFORD AREA PARTNERSHIP CLG

wishes to recruit a

Community Intercultural Health Worker

Waterford Area Partnership CLG is a leading dynamic organisation developing creative and innovative responses in social inclusion across Waterford City & County. In developing local community responses, we seek to empower communities and individuals who experience social, economic and educational disadvantage in Waterford City and County by implementing person-centred programmes and activities supporting social inclusion, equality and lifelong learning through community development and collaborative practices.

This Intercultural Community Health Project is focussed on the Roma Community living in Waterford City & County and the successful candidate will work as part of a team with Waterford Area Partnership’s Atelier Roma Project in supporting the community to access health services and address their holistic health needs aligned with the Social Determinants of Health.

Role of the Community Intercultural Health Worker

The primary role of the successful candidate is to enhance the quality of life for Roma individuals and their families through accessing relevant services including healthcare to increase their health and wellbeing. In working collaboratively with the Atelier Roma Project, HSE Social Inclusion Southeast Community Healthcare, Waterford Roma Interagency Group, health services and relevant partners the worker will deliver supports in response to existing and emerging needs within the community. The projects actions will align with and local/national policies including National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy and HSE Social Inclusion Southeast Intercultural Health Strategy for Roma, Waterford Migrant Integration Strategy.

Position is full-time (35-hours per week) subject to continued funding. Probationary period will apply

Key duties and responsibilities:

• To complement existing supports provided by the Atelier Roma Project team and HSE Social Inclusion Roma Lead.
• Provide in-person advocacy supports to enhance access and signposting to health information and health services to improve health outcomes, ensuring individual and family needs are met.
• Implement actions and links to existing services aligned with Social Determinants of Health, ensuring a quality-of-life approach and self-agency through engagement with appropriate services e.g. childcare, social welfare etc.
• To initiate, organise and deliver activities and programmes aimed at meaningful integration to strengthen inclusion within local communities.
• Raise awareness within the health sector and other partners on the cultural sensitivities of the Roma Community through information and training.
• A solution focussed approach addressing identified inequities in accessing services.
• Advocate for language supports within services.
• To work collaboratively with other organisations and agencies in meeting identified needs.
• Attend and participate on relevant local networks and forums as required.
• Maintain appropriate and up-to-date records of all project activities in adherence with funding requirements, data protection policies and national strategies.
• Prepare reports on programme activities, actions and KPI’s as requested by Community Development Manager and/or CEO.

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not intended as a complete list and the successful candidate will be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post and assigned from time to time in the development of the project.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• A relevant third-level qualification in health care, social sciences/social care, community development (desirable)
• Practical experience or knowledge of working with marginalised communities who experience complex issues and are at risk of social exclusion, poverty and discrimination, preferably migrants and/or Roma
• Practical experience or knowledge in the delivery of culturally sensitive initiatives and outreach work to promote equality and human rights.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and person-centred approaches with emotional intelligence, respecting human rights, building trust through empathy and active listening.
• Excellent written communication skills including report writing, collation and presentation of information to enhance access to services
• Practical skills in the delivery of actions and supports responding to existing and emerging marginalised community’s needs.
• Practical experience and knowledge in advocacy, information provision and engagement with services and agencies aligned with the Social Determinants of Health
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals.
• A commitment to equality and human rights-based approaches through the application of community development practices and principles.
• Practical analytical, planning, organisational and evaluation skills
• Successful candidates must satisfy Citizenship Eligibility requirements (including any person holding an official letter confirming they have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC)
• Knowledge of health services and systems
• Practical experience of working in partnership with other organisations and services to deliver collaborative responses in addressing inequalities.
• Knowledge of local and national policies on social inclusion and integration
• Experience of working with interpreters and communicating with people whose first language is not English.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent skills in providing practical in-person supports with compassion and empathy.
• Highly organised, with strong time management skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
• A flexible and adaptable work approach – evening and weekend work may be required from time to time.
• High level of professional integrity and confidentiality.
• Well-developed IT and report writing skills.
• Comfortable working in a busy, dynamic, multi-cultural environment

Driving license and access to own car is required.

Salary is aligned with Waterford Area Partnerships Development Worker Scale (Pt 1 of €32,182 to Pt. 13 €51,980) based on relevant experience.

To apply:

Please send your Curriculum Vitae and letter of application no later than 11a.m. on Thursday October 10th to:
Catherine Power
Community Development Manager
Waterford Area Partnership CLG
Unit 1 -2 Neptune House, Canada Steet, Waterford, X91 F5KE
or via email to info@wap.ie

Please note: Late applications will not be considered. Candidates will be shortlisted based on the letter of application and Curriculum Vitae submitted which must be aligned with above criteria outlining your relevant/transferrable experience and stating driver licence with access to own car.

Waterford Area Partnership CLG is an Equal Opportunities Employer