(+353) 21 461 3432
info@secad.ie

Search site

Development Officers x 2 – Asylum Migration and Integration Fund

Closing Date: 17-06-2024

 

SECAD Partnership has vacancies for two Development Officers to support the delivery of our recently approved Asylum, Migration and Integration project through the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027.  The Development Officers will support relevant target groups at multiple locations in two geographic areas including at International Protection Centres in 1. East Cork (based in Midleton) and 2. Mid Cork (based in Macroom).

The Asylum Migration and Integration Fund

SECAD Partnership was approved for funding through the AMIF in 2024.  The call focused specifically on Objectives a and b only.

The overall objective of the EU Asylum Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027[1] is to promote the efficient management of migration flows and the implementation, strengthening and development of a common EU approach to asylum and immigration.  The Fund has four Specific Objectives:

a) Strengthening and developing all aspects of the Common European Asylum System, including its external dimension;
b) Strengthening and developing to support legal migration to the Member States in accordance with their economic and social needs, and promoting and contributing to the effective integration and social inclusion of third country nationals;
c) Contributing to countering irregular migration, enhancing effective, safe and dignified return and readmission, and promoting and contributing to effective initial reintegration in third countries; and
d) Enhancing solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility between the member states, in particular in regards to those most affected by migration and asylum challenges, including through practical co-operation.

AMIF in Ireland

The European Commission first approved Ireland’s National Programme AMIF 2021-2027 on 19th December 2022.  The Funds Administration Unit in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is designated as Ireland’s Managing Authority for the AMIF.  The funding available to Ireland under the AMIF will be used over the lifetime of the Programme to support actions that will help to achieve the Specific Objectives set out in the Programme.

AMIF Roles

The Development Officers will work as part of SECAD Partnership’s Integration Response Team providing supports to new migrants/refugees/asylum seekers in South Cork (East Cork and Mid Cork).

 A broad range of supports will need to be provided including:

  • one to one and group supports for employment, enterprise start-up, sectoral skills training;
  • supporting individuals in accessing community based social, health & wellbeing supports;
  • assessing and referring clients to appropriate statutory services.

The overall aim is to support and facilitate social and economic integration and active community engagement across the South Cork area.

Roles may be full time or part-time (no less than 0.6FTE / 3 days per week).  12-month posts with potential for additional extensions for the project duration, depending on on-going funding.

Duties of the role:

  • To provide support in a variety of areas affecting newly arrivals to South Cork
  • To work closely with SECAD’s wider Integration Response Team, providing information and access to a range of education, enterprise and employment, health and wellbeing, and family supports
  • To provide individual and group supports to people seeking training, upskilling and employment supports and services e.g. the development of personal action plans
  • To deliver individual and group supports on CV preparation, interview skills, career development, technology for work skills, social welfare guidance etc.
  • To provide culturally appropriate referral and introduction service to specialist services
  • To deliver on actions included in the AMIF project plan e.g. community integration events, annual food festivals, volunteer based English language learning hubs, etc.
  • To understand the barriers to integration that exist for some migrants and find appropriate mechanisms for over-coming these barriers
  • To effectively represent SECAD at relevant external fora as well as contributing to SECAD team and Board meetings
  • To ensure that detailed records of all group / one on one work is maintained and reported, in a timely and efficient manner in line with the reporting requirements and CRM systems
  • To work collaboratively with other organisations and networks where appropriate
  • To maintain strict confidentiality of personal information of service users and adhere to SECAD policy and procedures
  • Travel to locations in the service delivery area of South Cork as required
  • Other related duties as required by the needs of the project and CEO

Person Specification

 Qualifications:

  • A relevant third-level qualification e.g. social sciences / social care, psychology, community development or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
  • Successful candidates must continue to 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)
  • Have verbal and written fluency in English

Experience/Knowledge:

  • A minimum of two years experience in a similar position or in community services / employment / education / social care setting
  • Experience of providing individual support and group supports, ideally to migrants / refugees / asylum seekers
  • Experience of providing individual and group supports to people seeking employment supports and services
  • An understanding of immigration policies, practices and legislation in Ireland
  • An interest and knowledge of the issues facing asylum seekers, migrants and refugees in Ireland, particularly those who are at risk of social exclusion, poverty and discrimination
  • Knowledge of social welfare policies and practices
  • Experience in information provision and advocating for rights and equality
  • An understanding and ability to relate to and work with people across cultures and backgrounds
  • Experience of report writing
  • Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of organisations

Skills/Abilities:

  • Ability to engage with compassion and empathy
  • Highly organised, with the ability to work well under pressure
  • Have a flexible and adaptable work approach
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills
  • Good listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication skills
  • Appreciation of the need for confidentiality and integrity
  • IT skills with capacity in software applications and database and caseload management
  • Ability to work as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals
  • Comfortable working in a busy, dynamic, multi-cultural environment

Terms & Conditions

Post: Development Officer – Initial contract for 12 months, may be renewed depending on performance and funding availability.

Location: Posts require outreach work with travel required throughout the service delivery area. One Development Officer to cover the East Cork area (based in Midleton) and one to cover the Mid Cork area (based in Macroom)

Reporting to: Social Inclusion Programme Manager / other

Salary: Salary will be based on the Development Officer scale depending on experience.

Transport: Full and clean driver’s licence is required with own means of transport.

 Application Process

Applicants should pay particular attention to the job description and your suitability to the role.

Please email your application (CV & Letter of Application) to: info@secad.ie marked ‘AMIF Development Officer 2024’.

Closing date for receipt of Applications (CV & Letter of Application) is Monday 17th June 2024 at 12 noon.

Note: no late applications will be accepted

Shortlisting will take place. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on or before June 20th. Interviews scheduled to take place on June 24th 2024. A panel may be formed.

 

SECAD Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer

 

 

About SECAD Partnership

SECAD Partnership CLG (SECAD) is a Local Development Company established in 1995. Our main office is located in Midleton, Co. Cork. SECAD’s main development objective is to promote and enable sustainable development through our Rural Development and Social Inclusion programmes. SECAD has a voluntary Board of Directors and a staff team of c. 50 people.

SECAD works with individuals, community and voluntary groups, business, academia and other stakeholders to create a more vibrant, sustainable and inclusive society. SECAD manages a wide range of funds and services including social investment and employment support programmes, implemented on behalf of various Government Departments, State Bodies, the European Commission and the private sector. SECAD currently delivers a number of major programmes along with other smaller schemes and initiatives.

SECAD is delivering the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP 2024-2028) throughout South Cork including the Muscrai Gaeltacht. SECAD is an implementing partner for LEADER 2023-2027 on behalf of the South Cork and West Cork LCDC’s. SECAD has vast experience in administering Irish government and European funds, as well as transnational co-operation projects including LEADER / Rural Development Programmes, Social Inclusion Programmes, the Local Area Employment Service (LAES), Rural Social Scheme and Tús (Employment Schemes), INTERREG, Intelligent Energy Europe, Erasmus + and the Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning (gender equality). SECAD was recently approved funding for WorkAbility (ESF+ 2021-2027) and the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund.

Wild Work is a SECAD initiative with a social ethos. Wild Work supports employment activation, educates and raises awareness of nature and biodiversity and benefits society as a whole. To read more about Wild Work see www.wildwork.ie.

As a Grant Making Organisation (GMO), SECAD manages community benefit funds throughout Ireland on behalf of various sustainable energy developers, infrastructure providers and others. A key area of expertise is community engagement – developing positive, effective links with communities, supporting them to access and maximise funding and services.

For more information on SECAD see www.secad.ie

[1] The Asylum Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 is a follow on from the 2014-2020 AMIF and the general programme “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows” (SOLID Funds 2007 – 2013).  This General Programme consisted of four instruments: External Borders Fund (EBF), European Return Fund (RF), European Refugee Fund (ERF) and European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals (EIF)