DASH Project Worker (Night-time)

Full Time, Specific Purpose Contract

The Sexual Health Centre, in partnership with Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force and the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, is seeking an exceptional, positive individual to join the team to undertake the delivery of DASH (Drugs, Alcohol, Sexual Health), with a specific focus on delivering health promotion to people as they socialise.

The purpose of this particular role is to establish, implement and develop the DASH project with a specific focus on health promotion to people as they socialise. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the overall strategy of the Sexual Health Centre. The successful candidate will develop a strategy of delivery that supports equitable access, by means of a mobile health unit within the Cork and Kerry region, to sexual health, drug and alcohol services to individuals and groups from vulnerable or marginalised communities and to those who may feel disconnected from society. This roll will have a particular focus on the night-time economy (potentially 6pm to 6am). Although this economy is defined as a 12-hour block, this specific nighttime role will focus on the social hours of 8 pm to 1 am time frame. However, there will be a need for flexibility around these hours. This will include mainly weekend work. It is expected that the project will have a presence within the night-time economy 4 nights per week. The projects also plans to support festivals (i.e. Electric Picnic), sporting events (i.e. National Ploughing Championship), whether there are large pre planned social events. This may suit someone who weekend work primarily suits.

If you are a strategic and driven professional with strong planning, analytical and stakeholder co-ordination skills, this could be the ideal role for you. This novel project combining the work of Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force and the Sexual Health Centre focuses on delivering additional outreach sexual health, drug and alcohol information and support direct to communities across Cork and Kerry. These enhanced services to communities, delivered through an inclusive lens will enable access to information, signposting and support to enable behaviour change opportunities and improve outcomes for service users with particular emphasis on delivering health promotion to people as they socialise.

This is a full time, specific purpose contract until March 2027. Applicants will require a full clean driving (regular B licence) and be available for an immediate start.

Responsibilities of your role will include:

  • Implement an assertive outreach programme, utilising a mobile unit (specialised adapted van) which combines drugs, alcohol and sexual health services across the Cork and Kerry region with a specific focus on social spaces and times

  • Communicating with clients or employers about project, event or campaign expectations and goals.

  • Carry out a mapping exercise of the current provision of Drugs, Alcohol and Sexual Health services in the Cork and Kerry region and identify gaps e.g. geographical, cost related, time etc.

  • Implement the legal and practical requirements associated with service delivery including but not limited to risk-registers, permits, workplans, health and safety audits associated with utilising DASH within and during social times

  • Undertake comprehensive risk assessments and ensure relevant policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines are devised under the guidance of the management team at the Sexual Health Centre and in conjunction with Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force

  • Ensure a healthy and safe working environment for clients and other staff

  • Enable effective partnership with all agencies and stakeholders involved with the delivery of the DASH Project with particular care for those working in primary and secondary care

  • Co-ordinate a suitable working schedule with partners to ensure the smooth delivery of the project while maintaining client needs at the forefront

  • Proactively source opportunities to communicate and advertise the project to drive overall stakeholder and client engagement

  • Deliver a service that provides equitable access to information and resources as well as one-to-one support services in the Cork and Kerry region

  • Support and provide, where appropriate, brief intervention / motivational interventions to clients in relation to their sexual health, drugs or alcohol use

  • Create an awareness of the DASH project and the wider services of the Sexual Health Centre and Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force and their services to relevant stakeholders, clients and service users

  • Support the delivery of one-to-one interventions, drop-in services, condom demonstrations, condom distribution and helpline calls within the organisation

  • Establish and maintain an excellent rapport with partners and stakeholders

  • Provide testing (Rapid HIV, Hepatitis C, Pregnancy) opportunities as relevant to the role

  • Provide day-to-day office and administrative duties as required

  • Complete data collection and collation for a variety of funders and services as required

  • Work within the Sexual Health Centre’s internal pathways to refer clients to the appropriate professional team member or external service

  • Work within the Policies, Procedures Protocols and Guidelines and also within the remit of the Employee Handbook of the Sexual Health Centre

  • Represent the Sexual Health Centre at events, conferences, meetings etc.

  • Achieve volume, activity and income targets as agreed with the Head of Operations

  • Actively seek new opportunities to promote awareness of the services offered by the Sexual Health Centre

  • Establish and maintain an excellent rapport with clients to create a respectful and trusting relationship whilst providing ‘persistent and challenging support’

  • Adhere to the goals and targets of the Strategic Plan for The Sexual Health Centre

  • Assist with the provision of health promotion work, including information stands where required

  • Participate in the overall administration of the Health Promotion team

  • Perform other duties commensurate with the nature of the post. It is important that all members of staff are prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain efficient running of the organisation. All roles will develop, and the Sexual Health Centre may change the role scope in consultation with the post holder

Education / Professional Qualifications:

  • A relevant qualification in health promotion, social care, community development or other relevant area (Level 7 NFQ, desirable)

  • Excellent communication and project development skills, with the ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders

  • Excellent IT skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office

  • Suitable experience in developing, evaluating and managing projects

Requirements

  • A full clean driving licence is essential (regular B licence)

  • Relevant experience in the area of sexual health and/or drugs and alcohol is desirable

  • An ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds in a variety of settings

  • The ability to work as part of a team and in partnership with other organisations and individuals

  • Have a “can do” attitude and a positive solution focused approach to problem solving and conflict resolution.

  • Uses assertive behaviour, demonstrating dignity and respect for self and others at all times.

  • Is open to appropriate challenges and confrontation from clients at the required time and place and is open to feedback and appraisal from colleagues and management.

  • Is not afraid or unwilling to take on the work or responsibilities that are expected from a client resident.

  • Capacity to work effectively under pressure.

  • Committed to meeting the needs of excluded and marginalised people.

  • Flexible working style and the ability to respond effectively to emerging/unexpected needs

  • Innovative thinking, self-motivated and project planning skills are essential

  • Terms and Conditions

Salary: €32,000 – €40,000 commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

Contract: Contract to March 2027 (subject to continuation of funding).

Hours: Full time, specific purpose contract based on 37 hours, 5 days per week, Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the post, evening or weekend work will regularly be required.

Holidays: 24 Days annual leave

Garda Vetting: please note that any offer of employment will be subject to Garda Vetting.

The Project Worker will report to the DASH Co-Ordinator of the Sexual Health Centre.

For a successful candidate who lives in Kerry a base in Kerry will be considered.

To apply, please e-mail your cover letter and CV to Dr. Martin Davoren, Executive Director via martin@sexualhealthcentre.com

The closing date for applications is Friday, March 29th 2024

Sexual Health Centre is an equal opportunities employer.