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Job description

Organisational Context Holywood Family Trust (HFT) is a community organisation with charitable status, which subscribes to the Faithworks Charter. We deliver a range of services for young-people, children, families, vulnerable adults, and the wider community in partnership with a range of statutory bodies. The youth provision has two inter-linked projects: 1. Holywood Youth Centre (HYC), providing local youth-work through a junior youth club, senior drop-in, curriculum development, street outreach, school-based programmes, and community activities. 2. Young People Leading Change (YPLC), providing leadership development and dialogue programmes for young people across NI in schools, youth organisations and international youth exchanges. Purpose of Job The purpose of the role is to lead and coordinate the OUR Project, which is a new provision to the youth work at Holywood Family Trust. The project will involve working with young people between the ages of 16-25 years from the Holywood and surrounding area. The purpose of the project is to develop increased opportunities for development for young people within areas they have identified. This will include on-going training, mentoring, community action and volunteering. The Co-Ordinator role will be responsible for the overall implementation and successful delivery of the project, working in partnership with young people.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead the development, facilitation, and implementation of a needs-based programme for young people between the ages of 16-25 years old. Collaborate with young people using youth work methodologies to develop relationships.
• Design and write youth work programmes and workshops, based on the needs of young people. Oversee and deliver a one-on-one mentoring programme for participants. Plan and deliver over-night residential opportunities for young people.
• Motivate and support young people to play an active role in the project, within our models of youth participation. Help young people to express their goals, develop positive pathways of development and realise their full potential.
• Build your awareness and knowledge of the issues affecting young people, in particular young people in the Holywood, North Down and East Belfast areas. Provide information and support to young people on relevant issues that support development.
• Support young people in their understanding of the risks and challenges within their lives and particular circumstances and support them to take-action to address these key issues. Manage project budgets effectively.
• Line management and/or supervision of other youth work staff and volunteers. Work with (young adult) volunteers including recruiting, inducting, and supporting their involvement and maximising their potential.
• Understand youth work policy in NI and other relevant policies and strategies that impact upon youth work and young people. Working alongside and build sustained relationships with stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing leadership pathways for young people including delivering internal training and accessing external trainers Provide access to qualifications and accredited courses for young people and supporting them to finish.
• Coordinate community events alongside young people, which are based on community needs and the interests of young people. Implement HFT’s Child Protection Policy and work with the young people to safeguard their welfare and the welfare of others
• Attend regular team meetings along with the Youth Team Leader, other youth support staff and volunteers. Actively lead setting up and clearing physical spaces (including equipment) for youth work activities. Any other duties
• Strictly follow HFT’s confidentiality policy, particularly around not sharing any information about young people. Maintain records and documentation pertaining to the programmes and the young people targeted.
• Submit reports and relevant paperwork on time. Conduct monitoring, evaluations and quality assurance of youth work activities and contribute towards funder reports and an annual youth needs assessment.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• 3rd Level qualification or working towards their degree qualification (must have completed 1st year) in youth work or relevant field of study (applicants will need to clearly demonstrate the relevance of a qualification outside of youth work).
• 3 years experience of working with young people in youth settings, between the ages of 16-25 years old, and developing medium-long term relationships with them.
• Experience working in partnership with other youth, statutory, community, educational and faith-based organisations. Experience of developing, facilitating, monitoring, and evaluating youth work programmes and interventions.
• Experience leading other staff/volunteers to deliver youth projects. Experience of managing youth project budgets, including managing monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes.
• Up to date First Aid Training. Up to date Child Protection Training. Willingness to attend training events connected with this programme funder and any other relevant for the position.
• Competent computer skills and use of Microsoft and AI software. Ability to write session plans and programmes, organise group work and design projects in a range of topics and areas. Presentation skills (to any size group). Small group-work
• Motivated by working with young people, able to take the initiative and lead with a positive attitude. Strategic planning skills, ability to access the needs of young people and make short and long term decisions to meet assessed needs.
• Competent in using social media platforms appropriately to engage young people. Effective leadership of teams of staff and volunteers. Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to create and manage financial budgets.
• Understanding of cultural, community and social issues affecting young people within the Holywood, North Down & Ards area. Understanding of models of participation, person centred approaches, strengths-based approaches and trauma informed practice.
• Understanding of the issues affecting young people particularly within the North Down and Ards area. Understanding of child protection legislation, confidentiality, GDPR and other policies relevant to youth work.
• Clear knowledge of risk assessment and health & safety regulation, when working with at-risk young people. Understanding of the NI youth sector and an awareness of current issues and policies within the sector.
• Committed to uphold the values of HFT, including working within the Faithworks Charter. Sensitive to the need for confidentiality and discretion regarding young people and family situations.
• Good general health. Ability to participate in physical activities relevant to youth work and be able to negotiate flights of stairs.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible/unsociable hours including evening, weekends, and holidays, as agreed by your Line Manager.

Desirable Skills

• Existing relationships with statutory agencies and/or youth agencies/organisations, across the North Down and Ards area. Experience writing funding applications, developing relationships with funders, and reporting to funders.
• Designated Officer training. Training in Trauma Informed Practice. Completed the Circle of Courage training. Qualification or training in peer-mentoring.
• Manage databases of information. Creative and able to present information in a professional format. Problem solving capabilities

Further Information

The applicant is required to have an AccessNI Enhanced with Barred List Check to work in this post. The post in funded by the National Lottery and the contract is fixed term