English Language / Integration Support Roles x 4 (July to December 2024)

 

SECAD Partnership was recently allocated additional funding to support new arrivals into Ireland.  As a result, we have four short term contracted roles to fill.  The English Language / Integration Support contractors will work as part of SECAD’s Integration Support Team and will focus on English language conversation and local integration actions.  We are seeking four contractors to work with the community and new arrivals in the following locations:

1. Millstreet
2. Macroom
3. Cobh
4. Youghal / Midleton (with a focus on Youghal)

A persisting barrier to new arrivals progressing and integrating into the local community remains English language capacity (particularly beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection Applicants and those arriving through the Resettlement Programme).

These part-time roles (focusing on the facilitation of English conversation and integration actions) will seek to do the following in the period July-December 2024:

• Actively recruit committed community volunteers to run English language conversation clubs or work with existing volunteers currently running clubs
• Set up sustainable English conversation clubs, including venue selection, scheduling etc in conjunction with volunteers
• Work with volunteers to set up a suitable communication system and roles for the volunteers
• Liaise with relevant staff from agencies and organisations currently providing support to New Arrivals (particularly International Protection Applicants and Ukrainian beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) such as Cork ETB, Family and Community Resource Centres etc
• Access English language support resources as well as training (e.g. Third Age teaching booklets, online training for tutors)
• Meet with voluntary groups in the town to promote English conversation clubs
• Promote the English conversation clubs with new arrivals in relevant areas
• Provide support for integration events in each location (e.g. food / craft / art / music etc) in conjunction with SECAD staff working on other relevant programmes e.g. the AMIF (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and SICAP (Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme)
• Provide support to promote the involvement of New Arrivals in the lead up to these events
• Link this project with another videography initiative whereby more accomplished ‘New Arrival’ English speakers become champions through short documentary film clips, by advocating to other New Communities to join the conversation clubs as a stepping stone to other opportunities
• Contribute ideas and creative solutions as part of shaping future supports
• Ensure detailed records of all work is maintained and reported, in a timely and efficient manner in line with the reporting requirements and CRM systems for programmes
• Work collaboratively with other organisations and networks where required
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the geographic service delivery area of SECAD Partnership
• Maintain strict confidentiality of personal information of service users and adhere to GDPR and SECAD policy and procedures in this regard
• Effectively represent and promote the mission, vision and values of SECAD
• Other related duties as required by the CEO

Qualifications and Experience

The suitable candidate(s) will have:

• A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar position or in a community setting i.e. in a voluntary or paid capacity in working with and supporting volunteers
• Experience of providing individual and group supports, preferably some experience in working with new communities
• Direct experience of volunteering within the locality over past 10+ years
• Held / been elected by a community volunteer group into a position of responsibility with a volunteer group within the locality at some point in the past
• A strong interest in and knowledge of the issues facing new arrivals into Ireland
• An understanding of immigration policies, practices and legislation in Ireland
• Be motivated to work independently and as part of a small team
• Some experience in group facilitation
• A good understanding of the principles of social inclusion / rural development
• Some experience of working in partnership with other organisations
• Some knowledge of the Failte Isteach programme

Successful candidates will ideally reside in close proximity to the geographic areas outlined.

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)

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to engage with community and voluntary groups
• Ability to engage with target groups with compassion and empathy
• Well organised, with the ability to work to deadlines
• Have a flexible and adaptable work approach
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Strong listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication skills
• Appreciation of the need for confidentiality and integrity
• Good report writing skills
• Good IT skills
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and independently on own initiative
• High level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals and deadlines
• Comfortable working in a busy, dynamic, multi-cultural environment
• Have a full clean driving licence and own transport

 Terms & Conditions

• Working Hours – part time roles of 12-15 hours per week e.g. 10-1pm daily. Additional hours may be considered depending on contractor availability and local needs
• Contract duration: 6 months i.e. July to December 2024
• Location: Requires outreach work with travel throughout the service delivery area
• Reporting to Social Inclusion Programme Manager and CEO (or their designate).
• Self-employed contractors will be paid €22 per hour

Full and clean Irish/Irish Qualified driver’s licence is required with access to own vehicle

Application Process

Please email your application (CV & Letter of Application) to: info@secad.ie – subject line “English Language and Integration 2024”. Please specify the geographic location in which you are interested in working and the reasons why.

Closing date for receipt of Applications (CV & Letter of Application) is 12 noon on 19^th June 2024.

Shortlisting will take place.  Candidates selected for interview will be informed by 20^th June and must be available for interview on June 25^th 2024.

 

SECAD Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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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 Múscraí 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 about SECAD and for Job Descriptions for all positions vacant within SECAD, visit www.secad.ie  OR go directly to Job Opportunities – SECAD Partnership CLG