Developing Healthy Communities wish to recruit a Project Coordinator to support the Bereaved by Suicide Project.
This is a part-time post (25 hours per week) fixed term initially until December 2025 (with possible extension until December 2029).
Salary is £23,088 p.a.
Please forward your CV to: edel@dhcni.com
Closing date for application is Friday 14th March.
Interviews are planned for w/c 24th March.
Key Role
The Families Voices Forum (FVF) is a regional group of volunteers bereaved by suicide which was formed in 2016. The Forum is managed by a Project Coordinator who supports the members to ensure their views are represented at local and regional level and aligned to regional PPI policy requirements. The FVF contract commenced in 2013 and is funded by the PHA who re-awarded the contract to DHC for three years commencing in January 2023, with the possibility of four further 12-month extensions.
In recent years there has been an increasing recognition of the critical need to bring the voices, needs, interests and experiences of individuals, families and communities who have experienced the loss of a loved one through suicide, to the ongoing delivery of suicide prevention and mental health and emotional wellbeing work. Through the input of the Families Voices Forum, the voices and experiences of its members can help shape change and improvement to implementation of suicide prevention initiatives with the aim of reducing suicides in the community.
Job Purpose:
To provide coordination, facilitation and development skills and strategies which build capacity within Families Voices Forum through:
1. Supporting the Families Voices Forum to actively contribute to regional debates and decision making in relation to emotional health and wellbeing and suicide pre and postvention strategies and related implementations and evaluation structures.
2. Ensuring there are appropriate policies and procedures in place to support safe and effective management of the Forum and its membership and activities.
3. Developing and completing training needs analysis to identify and facilitate appropriate training where there are emerging needs.
4. Taking a lead role in the coordination and facilitation of Families Voices Forum meetings and events.
5. Ensuring Families Voices Forum is represented and actively participates in relevant regional and local meetings, both as a coordinator but where possible through supporting member participation.
6. Promoting Families Voices Forum as a group for all those impacted by suicide by improving communication links with local and regional groups who have been bereaved by suicide, with those who work with the bereaved and through growing Forum membership across all trust areas in the region.
7. Contributing to the development of DHC’s planning, team meetings and events.
Duties
Collaborative Working
The post holder will work collaboratively with a wide range of key stakeholders, including:
1. People and communities bereaved/affected by deaths by suicide, public representatives, community & voluntary sector organisations, HSC organisations, Public Health Agency staff, Universities, PSNI, politicians and government officials in various departments.
2. Communication strategies must be assessed, developed, and adapted to meet a wide range of stakeholder needs, through competent use of a variety of relationship and communication skills to review and instigate change and improvements to policy and service delivery.
3. The postholder will actively find and act upon opportunities to develop and strengthen the engagement of Section 75 and other minority groups in engaging in Forum work, monitoring, and reporting on this through PHA guidelines and documentation.
Quality and Governance
1. Ensure the service is provided in adherence to PHA Quality Standards.
2. Develop an action plan with the Families Voices Forum to identify key priorities and steps to ensure objectives are met, reviewing, and evaluating progress annually.
3. Utilise appropriate strategies for reviewing and developing enhanced policy support of the group, including a communication strategy.
4. Provide, update, and maintain a public website to provide information about the Families Voices Forum and how to join or participate in Forum work.
5. Develop and implement procedures for the safe onward referral of members who identify immediate mental health needs and report any instances to the PHA through quarterly monitoring reports.
People Development
1. Support the co-ordination, development, and enhancement of the Families Voices Forum membership through leadership, facilitation and communication skills and strategies.
2. Create opportunities for members to be able to participate, actively and effectively, through providing administrative and mentoring support strategies.
3. Provide both groups and individual opportunities for development through the post traumatic growth environment.
Finance & Resource Management
1. Carry out administration of PHA Families Voices funding programme money.
2. Monitoring project resources, budget, and expenses in relation to the needs of the group.
3. Ensure that proper financial records of programme development are kept up to date, including the recording and reporting of spending and in the development of financial cases for increased funding where required.
Research and Development
1. Support members to participate in an effective way through sharing information, facilitating training, and providing networking and event opportunities that complements and enhances lived experience with a wider evidence base for change.
2. Support the Families Voices Forum to participate in research strategies that enhance and develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the pre and postvention concerns around suicide.
3. Support the development of policies and procedures that safely and effectively engages those bereaved by suicide in research work.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
The personnel specification shows essential skills, abilities, knowledge and/or qualifications required to be able to carry out the duties of this post. When completing the application form, please address each criterion listed in the specification, drawing upon all your experience, whether at work or on a voluntary basis.
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE
1. Degree or recognised professional qualification or equivalent qualification (NQF Level 6) and a minimum of 2 years’ experience of project/programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development or mental health environment.
2. Experience of working with vulnerable groups.
3. Knowledge of Strategy and Policy relating to Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and drugs and alcohol.
4. Knowledge of the traumatic impact of suicide bereavement.
OR
1. A minimum of 5 years’ experience of project/programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development or mental health environment.
2. Experience of working with vulnerable groups.
3. Knowledge of Strategy and Policy relating to Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and drugs and alcohol.
4. Knowledge of the traumatic impact of suicide bereavement.
Accredited suicide prevention/mental health first aid trainer.
Experience in the coordination and implementation of emotional health and wellbeing programmes.
Experience of working on an intersectoral basis and/or servicing partnerships.
KNOWLEDGE
* Mental Health and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies and policies.
* Budgeting for programme services and activities.
* Cross sectoral project working.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
* Previous experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders at community and statutory level.
* Experience of working with public participation approaches, user engagement and community development work.
* Able to efficiently organise and manage time and activities that are planned, as well as for those which are responsive to more immediate external changes.
* Excellent verbal, written and presentational skills including report writing, minute taking, etc.
* Experience of working with and mentoring vulnerable people within a group setting and on a 1-1 basis.
* Ability to keep accurate records and accounts using both manual and computerised systems.
* Ability to use Microsoft Office applications.
* Ability to work autonomously and use own initiative and drive.
* Can evidence working with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation, to achieve measurable outcomes.
* Completion of detailed Monitoring Reports.
OTHER
The successful application must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car upon appointment. These criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by DHC which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
Ability to work flexible working hours when required, including evenings and weekends.
DHC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
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