SICAP Job Coach & Business Mentor
(Part-time, Fixed-Term Contract) 

The Position 

The successful candidate will become part of the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) team, providing various personal and professional development services with a specific emphasis on employment and business mentoring supports to disadvantaged individuals in Co. Meath. The SICAP Programme addresses a wide array of thematic areas and concerns relating to social inclusion. 

Applicants should be adaptable and dynamic in their work approach. This role is administrationheavy and highly audited, requiring exceptional attention to detail, efficiency, and compliance with programme regulations. 

Key Accountabilities 

Reporting to the Social Inclusion Manager, the SICAP Job Coach & Business Mentor will be directly responsible for: 

1. Caseload Management: 

• Ensuring clients referred are scheduled for appointments within one week of referral. 
• Conducting regular one-to-one meetings to track client progress, assess needs and ensure all required paperwork is completed accurately. 
• Maintaining a structured follow-up system to monitor employment or self-employment sustainability and provide ongoing support. 

2. Employment Coaching & Labour Market Activation: 

• Providing structured job coaching to SICAP clients, assisting them in developing employment pathways through CV preparation, interview skills, and career planning. 
• Facilitating workshops on employment readiness, professional skills development, and job-seeking strategies. 
• Establishing relationships with employers, training providers, and community organisations to enhance employment opportunities. 
• Supporting clients in accessing employment-related grants, training schemes, employment activation initiatives and funding supports (e.g., BTWEA, CE, Tús, and INTREO programmes). 

3. Business Mentoring & Self-Employment Support: 

• Providing specialist business mentoring for individuals exploring self-employment, with a particular focus on clients availing of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. 
• Assisting clients in developing: 
  • Business plans (market research, feasibility assessments etc.). 
  • Financial projections (profit and loss, cash flow forecasting, cost analysis etc.). 
  • Strategic business growth plans (marketing strategies, competitive analysis etc.). 
• Helping clients understand business structures, tax obligations and regulatory requirements. 
• Guiding clients through the funding process, including grant applications and selfemployment supports. 
• Assisting clients in developing digital skills for managing social media marketing, ecommerce and online presence. 

4. File Management & Compliance: 

• Maintaining an organised and up-to-date filing system for all client records. 
• Updating client files with progress reports, business documentation and compliance related information. 
• Completing all SICAP administrative and reporting requirements in line with programme requirements and internal audit standards. 
• Ensuring full compliance with SICAP programme requirements, DSP BTWEA processes and Meath Partnership’s internal Standard Operating Procedures while working under high levels of accountability and scrutiny. 

5. Soft Skills, Resilience & Problem-Solving: 

• Providing motivation, encouragement and confidence-building support to clients throughout their journey of personal and professional development. 
• Helping clients overcome obstacles to their progression into education, training, employment opportunities and business operations. 
• Encouraging resilience, adaptability and proactive problem-solving to ensure sustainability employment and self-employment opportunities. 

This job description is intended to outline the key accountabilities and responsibilities attaching to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or activities to be attended to. SICAP operates in a fast-changing environment, where staff may need to shift focus to respond to emerging social and economic needs. A flexible approach to programme or company related tasks which may arise and which are not specifically detailed in this job description will be required. 

Educational Qualification or Professional Attainment 

• Possession of an educational or professional qualification relevant to Recruitment, Coaching, Career Guidance, Labour Market Activation, Community Development or related field. 

Essential Knowledge and Experience 

• Prior professional experience in client development. 
• Proven track record in designing and executing labour market activation projects and programmes, with a focus on results. 
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership development. 
• Skilled in organising, creating and managing events that support client development and progression. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written). 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including all SICAP target groups; People with Disabilities, Lone Parents, Travellers, Roma, Migrants (suffering from socio-economic disadvantage), the Unemployed (including those not on welfare), Low-Income Workers and Households, People living in Disadvantaged Communities, People with a Criminal Conviction (current or former offenders), Homeless Individuals and Families and People Affected by Substance Misuse. 
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills with experience of working in a fastpaced environment and to monthly deadlines. 
• High levels of accuracy and veracity with evidence of being precise, accurate and detail oriented. 
• IT literate in CRM systems and Microsoft Office. 
• Self-motivated, capable of independently organising and delivering on comprehensive work plans and objectives. 
• Solution-oriented, results-driven and dynamic in approaching the role. 

Desirable Skills, Abilities and Experience 

• Ability to interpret and execute operational plans and organisational policies. 
• Skilled in managing caseloads efficiently, adhering to timelines, reporting requirements and budget constraints. 
• Knowledge of the dynamics and characteristics of the local and regional job markets. 
• Previous experience in delivering training directly. 
• Strong commitment to the values of community participation, social inclusion and diversity. 
• Experience in the management of sensitive data and confidential information. 
• Capable of absorbing, analysing and evaluating data and information from diverse sources. 
• Possess knowledge and understanding of the variety of social inclusion supports and services, including both SICAP and non-SICAP information and advice, offered by Meath Partnership. 
• Additional EU languages are an asset, but not a requirement. 

Terms of Employment 

One part-time, fixed-term position is available, working 18.75 hours per week. 
The nature of the work will require working some unsocial hours i.e. evenings and weekends. A full driving licence and access to own transport is essential due to the outreach services associated with the position. This post may be subject to Garda Vetting in line with Meath Partnerships policy. 

Duration 

This is two year, fixed-term contract. Any extension to the contract of employment will be subject to the availability of funding and continuation of SICAP programme services. 

Location 

Successful candidates will be based in Meath Partnership’s Head Offices, located at Units J & K, Kells Business Park, Cavan Road, Kells, County Meath. 

Meath Partnership is committed to ensuring a satisfactory work-life balance for its employees. As such, hybrid-working and flexi-time arrangements will apply to this position. There is also flexibility for the successful candidate to work either five mornings per week or Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with one of these days being a half-day, subject to agreement. 

Salary 

The salary range on offer is €40,000.00 - €42,000.00 per annum (pro-rata), commensurate with experience. 

Leave 

The annual leave entitlement is twenty (20) days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for Public Holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Meath Partnership closes for five (5) days at Christmas; this time is additional to the annual leave entitlement detailed above. 

Application Process 

To apply, please submit the following to info@meathpartnership.ie: 

• A brief cover letter including personal statement demonstrating how you meet the abovementioned requirements for the position (no more than 500 words) which must communicate your relevant experience 
• A curriculum vitae summarising your qualifications and work experience to date.

Applications should be clearly marked “SICAP Job Coach & Business Mentor”.  Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of information provided in their application. 

Closing Date 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, 18th April 2025. Late applications will not be considered. 

Meath Partnership is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage these individuals to bring their experiences and perspectives to Meath Partnership. All information will be held in line with Meath Partnerships GDPR policies.