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Job description

The Families Voices Forum (FVF) is a regional forum for people bereaved and affected by suicide. Reporting to the Clear Project Manager, the post holder will coordinate, facilitate and develop the Forum, supporting members to have a meaningful voice in local and regional decision-making on suicide prevention, postvention, mental health and emotional wellbeing. The role will support effective participation, member development, safe governance, stakeholder engagement and delivery of the Public Health Agency funded FVF programme in line with agreed quality, monitoring and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate Families Voices Forum meetings, events and activities, ensuring clear agendas, actions and appropriate follow-up.
• Champion and advocate for meaningful involvement of people with lived experience.
• Work with Forum members to develop, maintain and review an action plan setting out agreed priorities, objectives and delivery timescales.
• Support & engage members to participate actively and effectively through appropriate administrative, mentoring, facilitation and practical support.
• Complete and review training needs analysis and arrange suitable training or development opportunities in response to identified and emerging needs.
• Create an inclusive and supportive environment which enables people with lived experience to contribute safely and effectively.
• Ensure the Forum is represented at relevant local and regional meetings.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with people and communities affected by suicide, public representatives, community and voluntary organisations, Health and Social Care organisations, Public Health Agency staff, universities, PSNI.
• Ensure delivery is consistent with Public Health Agency Quality Standards, DHC policies and procedures, and agreed funder requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of membership, participation, activity, equality monitoring, outputs, outcomes and progress against agreed objectives.
• Work closely with the designated DHC communications colleague to promote the Forum, membership opportunities, events and agreed key messages.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Degree or recognised professional qualification, or equivalent qualification at Level 6, and a minimum of 2 years’ experience of project or programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development OR
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience of project or programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development or mental health environment.
• Experience of working with people or groups experiencing vulnerability. Knowledge of strategy and policy relating to mental health, suicide prevention and drugs and alcohol. Knowledge and understanding of the impact of suicide bereavement.
• Understanding of the nature and impact of traumatic bereavement. Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies and policies. Knowledge of budgeting for programmes, services and activities.
• Previous experience of working in the field of health and social care. Experience of public participation approaches, user engagement and community development work.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Group management skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and accounts using manual and computerised systems.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Hold a full current driving licence valid for use in the UK and Ireland and have access to a car. This criterion will be waived where disability prevents driving, provided the applicant has access to a suitable form of transport.
• Ability to work flexible hours when required, including evenings and weekends.

Desirable Skills

• Accredited suicide prevention or mental health first aid trainer.
• Experience coordinating and implementing emotional health and wellbeing programmes.
• Experience of intersectoral working and/or supporting partnerships.
• Experience of project monitoring and evaluation, including outcomes and impact measurement.
• Knowledge of community, voluntary and statutory sector services in the fields of suicide, mental health, drugs and alcohol.
• Broader understanding of suicide and the impact of bereavement by suicide.
• Evidence of working on a significant or regional project requiring the application of a broad range of project skills.
• Evidence of working successfully with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve agreed outcomes.