Leitrim Development Company CLG is a Local Development Company that delivers a range of social inclusion, employment, enterprise and community development programmes for individuals and communities in County Leitrim. Leitrim Development Company has been awarded the contract to deliver the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028 by the Leitrim Local Community Development Committee for County Leitrim. SICAP is a targeted, holistic programme for those who are most disadvantaged, which provides supports directly to beneficiaries and links them into existing services. It is a multi-faceted programme that provides supports to respond to individual and community needs, aiming to ensure that beneficiaries receive quality, tailored supports, while also allowing flexibility to adapt actions to local needs.

Job Title: Community Development Worker (SICAP)

Role: Employed as Community Development Worker under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

Reports to: Social Inclusion Manager or delegate

Contract Type: Full time position (35 hours per week) one-year fixed term contract initially, with a view to continuation to 31st December 2028. This post will be subject to a six-month probationary period.

Purpose of the Post:

• Promoting social inclusion in local communities through effective use of community development principles and practice
• Engaging and building the capacity of local community groups and social enterprises particularly those in disadvantaged areas
• Engaging and building capacity of SICAP target groups particularly local priority target groups and thematic focus areas
• Supporting local communities to address issues through community development initiatives
• Linking individuals and groups to resources available through LDC including SICAP, RDP, Tus, RSS, Community Employment, PPN

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supporting local communities in disadvantaged areas to address their needs: carry out needs assessments, develop strategic plans and implement projects through community development approaches
• Support local communities in collective action to address local issues and develop community initiatives
• Pre-development and capacity building work to develop new groups in response to identified needs
• Implement actions under the 2024 SICAP annual plan and manage and monitor budgets and effectively reach KPI targets
• Carry out predevelopment work in designated disadvantaged areas and support the development of community groups in these areas
• Carry out capacity building, facilitate the development of new groups, provide training support to a wide range of SICAP target groups including new communities, Travellers, people with disabilities and others
• Complete community support plans in conjunction with community groups
• Assist local community groups to apply for SICAP grants and support them to access other sources of funding including LEADER, CEP for local projects and activities
• Deliver and source relevant training programmes aimed at people living in disadvantaged areas and amongst target groups of the SICAP programme.
• Maintain records and train staff on the IRIS database system specific to the SICAP programme
• Participate on all relevant team meetings and attend monthly meetings of SICAP sub-committees.
• Link and develop collaborative responses with other agencies in response to community needs, in particular Leitrim Co Council, HSE, MSLETB, Leitrim Volunteer Centre and others
• Organise events and workshops including Leitrim Inclusion Week, seminars, workshops etc on topics relevant to community groups including funding, volunteering, strategic planning, governance
• Build the capacity of local community groups and target groups to engage in decision making structures linking with Leitrim PPN
• Submit reports, including plans, end of year reports, case studies and achieve KPIs agreed by Leitrim LCDC
• Linking individuals especially those from the local priority groups to SICAP individual supports and to other programmes including employment programmes in LDC.
• Complete all administration requirements including file maintenance and monthly reporting duties as set out by the programme guidelines
• Adhere to the guidelines of the SICAP programme and operational procedures with Leitrim Development Company
• Keep appropriate and up to date records of all project activities
• Identifying new projects to meet needs and identifying funding streams for same
• The above duties and responsibilities are not intended to be a complete list of all duties involved in the role, and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as deemed appropriate. Such duties may be assigned from time to time by the Programme Manager and/or CEO.

Essential Qualifications and Previous Experience:

• A relevant 3rd level qualification in Community development, Rural Development, Business or Enterprise or a related discipline
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the area of Community Development/Rural Development in a similar role
• Excellent facilitation and organisational skills
• Be highly motivated, with the ability to work independently in a team setting
• Excellent IT skills and experience of Microsoft applications
• Good level of data processing and data entry experience
• Be flexible and willing to carry out a wide range of tasks.
• A full clean driving licence and access to a car for work purposes
• Knowledge of the IRIS system would be an advantage.
• Have empathy with and understanding of the barriers facing target groups, particularly those who are most socially excluded
• Ability to liaise with and to establish good relationships with a wide range of clients, agencies and staff
• Garda Vetting will apply

Required Competencies for the Position

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Excellent IT skills
• Planning, organisational and budgeting skills
• Teamwork and ability to work on own initiative

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time position) between the hours of 9-5pm. However the nature of work requires flexibility in working hours outside the norm from time to time.

Location: Drumshanbo and Manorhamilton

Salary: €35,490 per annum

Application Process: Please email your CV and letter of application titled ‘Community Development Worker’ to admin@ldco.ie The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 16th of April at 5pm. Shortlisting will apply. Canvassing will disqualify.

Leitrim Development Company is an equal opportunities employer

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021- 2027