OPEN Grow Your Own Future Project – Development Worker

 OPEN is the national network of one parent families. We are the only national support organisation for one-parent families that has both nation-wide coverage and is led by a Board made up exclusively of people parenting alone. As part of the Mount Street Trust _ Employment Initiative we are currently delivering the Grow Your Own Future Project. A key action in this project is the delivery of the GYOF Certificate in Organic Horticulture – a FETAC Level 5 Major Award – to 16 lone parents. The training programme is also funded by the FAS Local Training Initiative. The programme schedule runs for three full days each week for a duration of 48 weeks in total. The programme is based in two locations – our Finglas Land Base and the OPEN National Centre in Smithfield. The first Organic Horticulture programme concluded on the 20^th October, 2011, and the second GYOF Organic Horticulture Programme is commencing on the 22^nd November, 2011. The GYOF team currently comprises the project manager, two Horticulture tutors, and a support Community Employment position. We are currently seeking a Development Worker as an additional member for the team:

 Job Function

In liaison with the GYOF project team and reporting to the GYOF project manager:

•  To co-ordinate the communication and administration aspects of the programme
• To provide both group and one to one support to lone parent participants on the programme

 Specific Responsibilities

 Co-ordination

• Preparation of and submission of all paper trails to FAS to include time sheets, attendance sheets, pay roll for training allowances, weekly and monthly statistics, and monthly reports
• Organising and minute taking of GYOF team meetings
• Preparation and circulation of programme schedules to participants and staff
• Monitoring of attendance, time keeping and submission of assignments by participants
• Co-ordination of study time and study support
• Overseeing and co-ordinating all paper work required for certification
• Co-ordination of progression related inputs
• Liaison with external trainer for Start Your Own Business module
• Planning and communication of once off events
• Management of all general paper trails

 Support for Participants

• Holding of six weekly group maintenance sessions with the participants
• Providing one to one support for participants as needed with regard to both personal and programme related issues
• Co-ordinating general check ins with the group and carrying out quarterly evaluations

 General

• Attend meetings, training, and other events as appropriate and agreed
• Maintain all appropriate records
• Actively participate in team and staff meetings and contribute to the development of your area of work, the project, and OPEN
• Undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
• Undertake all areas of  work in a manner that is friendly, flexible, effective, and collaborative

 The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and will have:

•  At least two years experience in a relevant position – community development role; training and education role; and/or labour market support role
• A relevant qualification in community development work or related discipline
• Excellent group work and facilitation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to recognize and work within professional boundaries
• Ability to write clear and accurate reports and to maintain appropriate records
• Previous experience in delivery of certified training will be an advantage
• A commitment to the ethos of OPEN

 Conditions of Employment

Contract:         Fixed term contract from 9^th January, 2012 to 31^st December, 2012 subject to satisfactory probationary review and continuation of funding.

Salary:             €23,250 for 21 hours per week.

Location:         Office base will be OPEN National Centre for Lone Parent Groups which is located in Smithfield, Dublin 7. The post will also require working in the Finglas Land Base. 

Telephone GYOF project manager at 01 8148860 re enquiries. To apply, please send a covering letter outlining your relevant experience, skills, and suitability for the post, and a copy of your curriculum vitae by email only to recruit@oneparent.ie. Closing date for applications is 5pm, Tuesday, 29^th November, 2011.

 PLEASE NOTE that interviews for this post will be held on

Thursday, 8th December, 2011, in the OPEN National Centre.