It is a very busy and super exciting time at Solas Project, as we announce 3 vacancies on our team:

JAS - Junior After Schools Youth Cultivator

Compass (Prison Programme) - Youth Cultivator

Please see below for further details:

YOUTH CULTIVATOR - JUNIOR AFTER SCHOOLS:

The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society. Through programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development we support young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about leading within a demanding youth work environment.

Job Title: Youth Cultivator

Duration: initial 11 month contract

Hours of Work: 24 hours a week (4 afternoons and 2 mornings during school term, flexibility required during school holidays)

Start Date: 14th August 2017

Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate

Reports to: After School Team Leader

Background

Our After School Programme has been running since 2007, and was born out of a desire to provide a safe, encouraging home-like environment after school for children living in challenging circumstances. In 2012 we launched our Junior Club (6 – 8 year olds) as a response for the need for earlier intervention. The Club runs from Monday to Thursday 2.30pm to 6:15pm. Each day there are three main components: a warm nutritious meal, assisting children with their homework and a constructive, fun activity. Through all its activities the programme strives to build up each child’s self-worth and confidence, and to help each child discover his or her gifts and abilities.

Role Description

Programme Delivery (Junior After School Club)

Overall responsibility for the day to day running and development of our Junior After School Club in accordance with the objectives of the programme, and show flexibility in meeting this responsibility.

· Provide a structured and loving home like environment where children feel safe and boundaries are clear.

Build trusting relationships with children and their families. After initial meeting, meet parents at least once more during the school year.
Create and implement an individualised development plan for each child including specific learning goals relating to academic, social development and life-skills.
Plan programme and activities each term with support from the After School Team Leader.
Lead and/or willingness to take part in outdoor activities and adventure sports.
Play an active part in the After School team including attending weekly meetings, supervision sessions and assisting with the Service Return in October.
Plan programme and activities each term with support from the After School Team Leader.
Liaise with parents, teachers and other community / statutory agencies.
Meet regularly (at least twice a year) with the teachers of each child in the programme.
Organise holiday projects and end of term trips within set budget.
Manage volunteers and interns supporting the Junior After School Club and meet with the Volunteer Co-ordinator on regular basis, giving feedback on volunteer performance.

General

As required assist with the running of any of the other project’s programmes or activities.

· Provide supervision to interns and students involved in the Club through regular meetings.

Provide Cultivation Manager with reports (verbal/written) on individual children as required.
Be familiar with and abide by the project’s policies, including child protection and health and safety guidelines for workers and volunteers.
Contribute to the wider strategic development of the project by playing an active role.
Ensure that the values and ethos of the project are reflected in a consistent manner in all activities.

The ideal candidate will have:

· Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people (primary school age).

· A recognised qualification in one of the following: Education, Social Work, Social Care, Child Development or related discipline.

· Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour and children with additional needs.

· Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes involving young people.

· Understanding of educational disadvantage and the challenges young people face.

· Proven track record of ability to attract, motivate and manage volunteers.

· Experience in first aid and food safety would be an advantage

· The ability to identify and develop new ways to develop the programme that will further the Project’s mission.

· Full appreciation and active support of the ethos and values of Solas Project

· D1 Driving licence would be an advantage

Required Attributes and Skills:

Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, Process Improvement, Developing Standards, Reporting Skills, Innovation, Adventurous, High Emotional Intelligence and Resilience.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to:

Amy Carey, Solas Project, 40 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by Monday 22nd May.

Please note interviews will take place the week of the 29th May with second round interviews taking place the following week.

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JUSTICE PROGRAMME - TEAM LEADER

Team leader required for a new and innovative Youth Justice Initiative. The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential.

We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society.

The programme’s target groups is young people who have a high or serious level of offending (14 – 18 years) but have not yet been in prison. As this is a new initiative a key part of this role is to shape the content of this work. There will be a heavy focus on individual mentoring and also small group work and skill based activities. The Team Leader will also have responsibility for managing The Yard, our skills based training workshop.

We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people in Ireland, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about leading, managing and monitoring performance within a challenging environment.

Job Title: Youth Justice Programme Team Leader - Youth Cultivator

Duration: Initial 11 month contract

Hours of Work: 35 hours a week with weekend and evening work required

Start Date: June 2017

Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate

Reports to: Cultivation Manager

The ideal candidate will have:

Minimum of four years’ experience of working with young people in a disadvantaged context.
A recognised qualification in: Youth Work, Social Work, Education or related discipline.
Extensive experience of the not for profit sector in a disadvantaged context
Proven track record of ability to manage and motivate both staff and volunteers
Experience of designing and implementing new innovative programmes.
Broad understanding of the criminal justice system
Clean driving licence and use of own car
Appreciation and support of the ethos and values of Solas Project

Required Attributes and Skills:

Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, High Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Process Improvement, Reporting Skills, Change Management, Coaching, Supports Innovation, Developing Standards, Administrative Writing Skills and People Skills.

Job Description:

Manage the day to day running of the programme including holding regular team meeting and one to one’s with staff.

The team leader will ensure effective engagement with new target group and the development of trusting relationships with the young people and their families. Including working directly with young people in a mentoring capacity and supporting the team with their caseloads.
Develop and implement a programme for new target group including both a one-to-one element and group work. Inclusion of engaging skill based and personal development activities. Ensure appropriate programmes to cater both for those in the formal education system and those who have been excluded from formal education.

Manage and develop The Yard (skills based training workshop), with a focus on managing staff and oversight of a small social enterprise

Manage the record keeping of all staff and ensure all records are kept in an orderly and up to date manner.
Develop, manage and support an effective team of volunteers

Deliver desired outcomes for each stage of the programme in line with the programme’s strategic objectives.

Manage relationships with relevant stakeholders including both statutory bodies and community organisations.

Review the programme’s existing policies and update where necessary. Draft any necessary policies that the programme does not currently have and which under best practice guidelines would be required or appropriate.
Be familiar with and abide by the Project’s child protection policy.
To contribute to the wider strategic development of the Project by playing an active role and assisting in the Project’s other programmes as required.
To ensure that the values and ethos of the Project are reflected in a consistent manner in all activities.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to: Clodagh O’Reilly, Solas Project, 40 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by Wednesday 24th May.

Please note interviews will take place the week of 29th May.

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COMPASS - PRISON PROGRAMME - YOUTH CULTIVATOR

The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society. Through programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development we support young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

The aim of Compass is to “love every young prisoner in Ireland away from re-offending and towards a new life”. This is achieved by running meaningful activities in the prison which then enables relationships to be built and continued in a mentoring capacity in the community. This main focus of this role is the co-ordination and running of the in-prison activities. The Youth Cultivator will also work as part of the Compass team and be involved in community mentoring as required.

We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people, have a creative approach to working with our target group (Young people within the justice system aged 16-24), and are enthusiastic about working within a demanding youth work environment.

Job Title: Youth Cultivator – Compass (Prison Programme)

Duration: 11 months

Hours of Work: 35 hrs a week with some weekend and evening work required

Start Date:

Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people in a disadvantaged context
A recognised qualification in one: Youth Work, Social Work, Education or related discipline.
Extensive experience of the not for profit sector in a disadvantage context
Proven track record of ability to attract, motivate and manage volunteers
Innovative spirit with the ability to identify and develop new and fresh ways to expand the programme that will further the Project’s mission.

Clean driving licence and use of own car
Broad understanding of the criminal justice system
Appreciation and support of the ethos and values of Solas Project

Required Attributes and Skills:

Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, High Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Process Improvement, Reporting Skills, Change Management, Coaching, Supports Innovation, Developing Standards, Administrative Writing Skills and People Skills.

Role Description

The person will have specific responsibility for the running and development of Compass’ in prison activities and relationships as well as supporting the community work of Compass.

Programme Delivery and Development

Deliver desired outcomes for each stage of the programme in line with the programme’s strategic objectives.
Develop and implement prison based meaningful activities that will engage and attract participants.

Collaborate with other agencies and/or individuals in the development of meaningful activities within the prison.

Build trusting relationships with young people in prison in order to enable Compass to continue supporting them upon release.
Initiate, manage and develop pre-release tailored care plans with participants who have engaged with the programme and who are willing to be supported in the community on release.
In the process of developing tailored pre-release care plans with each participant, identify, engage and liaise with all necessary and required third parties to properly assess the needs of participants on release.
As required support the Compass team by mentoring participants in the community on their release as per the standard community support care plan
Manage and support a team of volunteers for the in-prison activities.
Review the programme’s existing policies and update and/or amending same where necessary.

Other

As required assist with the running of any of the other project’s programmes or activities.

Be familiar with and abide by the project’s policies and procedures, including child protection and health and safety guidelines for workers and volunteers.

Contribute, as requested, to Solas Project’s communications team including regular updates and ‘Stories of Impact’

Work with and respond to queries from any 3rd parties requesting information on the programme.

Contribute to the wider strategic development of the project by playing an active role.

Ensure that the values and ethos of the project are reflected in a consistent manner in all activities.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to: Clodagh O’Reilly, Solas Project 40

Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by 24th May

Please note interviews will take place the week of 5th June.

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