Project Co-ordinator

Job Purpose

The Project Co-ordinator is responsible for the ongoing development and management of Family Support, Family Resource Initiative, and Afterschool services on behalf of Barnardos and the Youghal FRI Steering Group.

The Project Co-ordinator works on behalf of Barnardos, the Lead Agency. The Project Co-ordinator is responsible for reporting to Tusla, Pobal, and Barnardos, updating the Youghal FRI Steering Group, and working with them to develop and continue to support the development of a Youghal Family Resource Centre (FRC).

Core Job Requirements

• Supervise and develop project staff.
• Collect, maintain data, and prepare reports as required by the Steering Group, Barnardos, and the funders.
• Ensure family information is recorded accurately and in a timely manner into Barnardos' Electronic Record Keeping (ERK) System.
• Foster and develop a sense of community cohesion in Youghal.
• Facilitate a culture of service user consultation and involvement in all aspects of the work.
• Identify and address training needs to ensure learning is promoted within your area of responsibility.
• Organise and manage the recruitment, induction, and supervision process for any new staff (possibly in relation to staffing of the Afterschool service).
• Ensure all case, financial, and administrative records and files are maintained to a high standard and that case records are accessible to service users, seeking permission from third parties as appropriate.
• Undertake the duties of Designated Person for the project under the Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
• Ensure that the protection and welfare of children is a primary concern of all staff and that, when child protection issues arise, Barnardos policies and procedures are fully adhered to.
• Maintain appropriate relationships with external agencies to ensure that the needs of children, families, and the programme are met in an integrated and co-ordinated manner.
• Ensure identified programmes are planned, delivered, and evaluated in response to the needs of the children, families, and services in Youghal.
• Complete ongoing analysis of local needs and service gaps to ensure the service remains responsive.
• Develop appropriate relationships with external agencies to ensure that the needs of children and families in the Youghal area are met in an integrated and co-ordinated manner.
• Participate at regional management level and other appropriate groups to contribute to the development of strategies and policies within the organisation.
• Represent Barnardos and Youghal, as appropriate, at local, regional, or national level. This may involve media and advocacy work.

Requirements Specific to this Post

• Report to the Project Leader in Barnardos Knocknaheeny.
• Take a strong community development approach and work in partnership with, and support, the Youghal Steering Group and the local community to progress the work of the project.
• Attend Steering Group, Subgroup, or funder meetings as required.
• Support the pursuit of funding opportunities and capital development projects, work with other agencies to submit grant applications, and pursue other opportunities as they arise in line with the development of the project.
• Engage with the Regional Management Team.
• Manage the Afterschool service, including supervision of staff and volunteers in line with Barnardos policies, and manage reporting relationships with Pobal and the School Age Childcare Inspectorate.
• Ensure all Health and Safety requirements are met and maintained.
• Manage the building/base, including Health and Safety compliance and balancing premises with service needs.
• Liaise and engage with IPAS partners to offer an integrated service.
• Agree a balance of universal and targeted services with the Project Leader in response to local needs and funder requirements.

Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.

Project Coordinator Person SpecificationPersonal Attributes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the management role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop, manage, and maintain complex internal and external relationships with a range of stakeholders relevant to the service.
• Ability to manage in a dynamic and busy environment with competing demands.
• Ability to work with families experiencing significant disadvantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to lead and manage the staff team.
• Ability to work autonomously while seeking advice when appropriate.
• Ability to manage complexity and diversity within the service.
• Ability to assess needs and identify appropriate service responses.
• Ability to work to standards and within policy frameworks and legislation.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to write clear reports as required.
• Flexibility, creativity, enthusiasm, adaptability, and perseverance.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience and demonstrated management capacity is essential.
• Experience in a lead or supervisory role is highly desirable.
• Experience of working in disadvantaged areas is highly desirable.
• Community development experience is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Relevant third-level professional qualification is essential, for example:
• Management training is highly desirable.

Additional Requirements

• Flexibility around working hours is required. Evening and weekend work will be a feature of this position.
• A full clean driving licence and access to the use of a car are essential.
• The postholder is initially assigned to work in Youghal but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the Cork area in line with organisational needs.