Deputy Manager - Homeless Health Peer Advocacy, Cork
12-Month full-time contract with a view to permanency
35 hours per week, on-site
€46,699.91 per annum
1. Purpose of Role:
To Manage and oversee the development and delivery of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy programme (HHPA). The HHPA Deputy Manager will deliver an efficient and high quality service to the participants in the Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Programme, evaluate outcomes and support peer-led initiatives. This role will oversee the line management of the Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Service which includes the support and supervision to the Peer Advocates.
2. Key Areas of Responsibility:
1) GENERAL MANAGEMENT
The Deputy Manager will support the Manager in the efficient, effective management of the project, and will work within the principle of harm reduction with a peer led viewpoint. In conjunction with the Project Group Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of your project, providing care and support to the particular project’s client group.
2) STAFF
- Responsible for provision of staff support, supervision and training and manage staff performance through probation, JARS and supervision
- Recruitment of Homeless Health Peer Advocates
- To be the main contact who will liaise with the internal/external agencies to promote referrals and to support in the day to day running of the service.
- To ensure that the Peer Advocates are inducted, trained and supported to adhere to all Depaul HHPA policies and procedures particularly those relating to Confidentiality, Code of Practice, Boundaries, Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Lone Working
- To provide regular support to the staff in carrying out their tasks and empower individuals in the community to engage with health care supports.
- Facilitate relationships building so staff can work effectively in healthcare settling such as hospitals and with relevant other medical professionals
- Peer Training, Support and Performance Management:
- In conjunction with the Inclusion Health and Depaul’s Health Initiative: organise, design, and facilitate HHPA training courses and additional training where needs arise.
- To organise and facilitate HHPA team meetings on a weekly basis
- To provide link in’s and line management support to all HHPAs in their role, and act as on-call support while HHPA’s on visits.
- To support HHPA skills development, coordinate appointments/transport and provide cover for visits where necessary
- Manage all HHPA appointments that come in and ensure all service users are assessed before supporting.
- To oversee, inform and collaboratively resolve with management any issue that appears to compromise any Depaul Policy, Procedure or practice.
- To inform line manager and escalate complaints by HHPAs and those receiving support if required
- To adhere to all Depaul Policies and procedures.
3) SERVICE DELIVERY
- Provide reports to Senior Service Managers/Inclusion Health and funders on developments and delivery of the project and ensure the programme is run to reflect the standards and ethos of Depaul
- Provide monthly and quarterly reports to senior service managers and funders, and work with Steering Group to ensure KPIs being met
- To represent the project internally and externally at development forums, conferences and keep informed of relevant changes to policies and procedures that are relevant to the development and success of the project (e.g. fundraising & communications)
- Working in collaboration with the inclusion health programme and other healthcare professionals which may include managing staff working in a healthcare setting.
- To attend Inclusion Health forum meetings and Service Delivery Planning meetings as required
- To build up good working relationships with other projects and agencies in the homeless sector and attend where possible relevant networks
4) OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
In conjunction with the LMT and the PGM ensure service policies and procedures are established and operating correctly and communicated to teams.
5) HEALTH AND SAFETY
Responsible together with the PGM and the LMT for ensuring the project operates as defined by the Health and Safety Statement.
6) THE BUILDING
Responsible for overseeing building maintenance and that repairs are attended to and ensure health & safety standards relating to the building are managed
7) FINANCE
Be involved in financial planning for project, manage the project budget with LMT, prepare monthly payroll and ensure cash procedures are followed
8) FUNDRAISING & COMMUNICATIONS
Facilitate the requirements of the F & C team and liaise with project staff as required.
9) VOLUNTEERS
Oversee the management and support of volunteer peer advocates within the project
10) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of Depaul.
- To ensure that all Depaul policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice, Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities
- To undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with Vision, Mission and Values of Depaul.
- Responsible for overseeing health and safety obligations- Ensuring health and safety standards are always upheld.
- To ensure the programme and participants are aware and adhering to GDPR regulations.
- Responsible for the financial expenditure and budgets of the HHPA programme. Prepare monthly payroll and ensure cash procedures are followed
- Develop/manage an operational and well-functioning team and ensure team meetings along with external meetings where required are undertaken.
- Run/ participate in the planning and delivery of team days and review days as required
- Oversee the management and support of staff & volunteers within the project
- Carry out project appraisals and report findings to the senior service teams
- Represent Depaul externally with a wide range of other voluntary agencies, statutory partners and other funders as agreed with the Senior Services Manager
- Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role in consultation with the manager.
The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility both in relation to tasks and direct reports may be added over time.
3. Person Requirements:
1) QUALIFICATIONS
- A secondary level education is essential.
- Third level qualification in relevant area is desirable.
2) EXPERIENCE
- An understanding of the need of vulnerable people to have strong social networks and support in the community
(essential)
- Experience working with vulnerable people and related health issues (essential)
- Minimum two years’ experience working in homelessness, health, social care, employment and training, addiction or treatment services field or another related area (essential)
- Experiencing of key working or case management (essential)
- Experience in delivering training and/or group facilitation (Desirable)
- Experience of supervision, managing people and strong administrative skills (desirable)
- Be secure in recovery if relevant
- Lived experience of homelessness and/or related issues will be taken into special consideration
3) KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- An understanding of why people become homeless, their presenting health needs and the barriers to accessing health services.
- Experience of risk management systems and working within a process of risk reduction/control as part of the
daily operations of the programme.
- Capacity to engage with and gain the trust of participants.
- An understanding of the benefits of peer programmes and the ability to support and motivate participants to work in innovative ways
- Ability to deliver training to volunteers and staff.
- Experience of the challenges involved in lone working and how this may impact on the training needs of Homeless Health Peer Advocates
- Knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector resources and referral pathways to health care.
- An interest in peer led initiatives, research and a commitment to supporting HHPAs into further education and employment opportunities
- Ability to be a flexible, participating and co-operative member of a team.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and good listening skills.
- Ability to use initiative, apply sound decision making skills and to make rapid assessments of the needs of HHPAs
and participants.
- Ability to act calmly in emergencies and respond in a professional manner to challenging and stressful situations.
- Ability to liaise effectively with staff at all levels as well as outside agencies and to advocate on behalf of HHPA
and participants.
- A good knowledge of Health and safety and risk management systems.
- Strong organisational, administrative and data collection skills including experience in report writing or policy
development
- Strong sense of advocacy and commitment to health equity and social justice
4) ATTITUDE
- A commitment to and an understanding of equal opportunities and diversity issues.
- A belief in the value and potential of peers working in the area of health and homelessness
- Respect for the values and beliefs of Depaul and the founding partners.
- To work professionally with clear boundaries at all times
WHY WORK FOR US?
Depaul is a cross border charity supporting some of the most marginalised individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it. Would you like to help us to meet our mission?
We are a values led organisation and aim, at all times, to live and breathe these values in our everyday work. Our values are based on four key principles:
- We celebrate the potential of people
- We put our words into action
- We aim to take a wider role in civil society
- We believe in rights and responsibilities If you choose to work for Depaul we offer:
Our Benefits
- Annual Leave Up to 3 years' service: 25 days per year
- 3 years' up to 5 years' service: 27 days per year
- Over 5 years' service: 30 working days per year (Exclusive of bank and statutory holidays)
- 10 public holidays each year with Good Friday as discretionary day.
- Day off and day pay for Christmas Day, St.Stephen's Day, and New Year's Day worked for shift workers.
- Non-Shift Workers: Paid day off on public holidays.
- Shift Workers: Expected to work on public holidays; receive an additional day of annual leave in lieu.
- Non-Rostered Employees: May be entitled to one-fifth of the normal weekly rate of remuneration for the public holiday.
- Pension Matched by the employer
- Health Assistance Each staff member gets access to a health cash plan so you can claim money back, up to set limits, on a number of treatments. This includes dental, optical, acupuncture and many more. Your children under 16 are also included on the plan.
- Life Assurance Four times salary
- Maternity /Adoptive Leave 18 weeks full pay
- Paternity Leave 2 weeks full pay
- Sick Leave Entitlement to sick pay starting from day 1 with level of entitlement increasing with length of service (subject to policy terms)
- Employee Assistance Program EAP is a confidential counselling service that provides support to company employees and their family. It is available 24/7, 365 days a year covering; Counselling, legal advice, financial information, career guidance, life coaching, mediation, health information, cancer support, autism support, infertility and pregnancy loss, elder care support, parent coaching and international employee support.
- Learning and Development Depaul’s Vision, Mission and Values course, this involves travel to meet the Depaul International family.
- Emerging Leaders, supporting workers that would like to develop their leadership skills and to progress to a management role.
- Online learning resources within Depaul’s award nominated online learning platform, Moodle. Mandatory training including, MAPA, Health and Safety, Child Protection, Fire Safety, and First Aid
