Job Title: DAVINA lived experience Project Worker

Accountable to: Head of Services

Managed by: Davina Programme Coordinator

Terms: Part-time (20hrs/week), 12 months fixed term role, with possibility of extension/renewal, subject to funding. Salary is €39,000 pa pro rata (51%).

The Employer: SAOL Project Ltd. Dublin 1

SAOL was the first women-specific, drug rehabilitation community project in Ireland. Working in Dublin's North East Inner City, SAOL is focussed on improving the lives of women affected by addiction and poverty. SAOL is a feminist-based project which provides both peer-informed and trauma-informed care and aims to create positive meaningful change in the women’s lives through an integrated programme of education, rehabilitation, advocacy, childcare provision (with a focus on early childhood education), progression and aftercare supports. The project’s ethos is informed by respect for the dignity of each woman.

The Programme: The DAVINA Project

Recognising the high prevalence of DV in women who use substances and the lack of an appropriate response and access to services from both Addiction and DV services. The project is both direct frontline service provision and developmental. Developing an evidence-based model of support co-created with those with first-hand experience of both issues and informed by research undertaken by TCD.

We believe that women who use substances deserve access to DV services. We believe that healing is a realistic possibility for the women we work with, and with the right supports intergenerational cycles of trauma can be challenged.

Our overarching goal is to increase awareness and capability within addiction and DV services to respond to women facing the dual issues of substance use and domestic abuse.

The DAVINA programme, combines 1-1 support with group work, specifically designed to work with women dealing with the dual issues of addiction and DV. This model will be rolled out to all addiction and DV services nationally, supported by training from SAOL.

Overarching Goals

1. Have the Davina approach mainstreamed by other addiction services
2. Put women with addiction on the DV sectors agenda
3. Ensure the Davina approach is embedded sustainably within SAOL
4. Secure the resources to support roll-out of Davina within services nationally.

Purpose of the job:

To facilitate psycho educational programmes and provide case management to women with the co-occurring issues of domestic sexual and gender-based violence and substance use.

The Role

1. Manage a caseload working directly with women impacted with both substance use issues and domestic, sexual, gender-based violence.
2. Group facilitation and delivering training on the Davina Model.
3. Continuous personal and professional development of the volunteer peer mentors
4. Other services and supports to support the development of the Davina Project and SAOL as required.

The DAVINA project worker will work to support the programme coordinator and work directly with women who have lived experience of substance use and domestic sexual and gender-based violence. The work will involve facilitating peer partnered psycho educational and advocacy programmes.

The project worker will work as part of the SAOL Project team, reporting directly to the DAVINA programme coordinator. The Project worker ensures a holistic, trauma informed radically compassionate response to the needs of women through signposting and joint working.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 years direct paid employment with vulnerable populations and communities.
• Informed by a lived experience of DSGBV and/or Substance Use
• Experience of working with women who use substances and alcohol and Domestic Sexual Gender based violence is highly desirable.
• Experience of group facilitation.

Knowledge:

• Level 6 or above qualification in Social Work/Social Care/Youth Community and or related field.
• Lived expertise

Skills and abilities:

• Strengths based, solution focused dynamic individual.
• Excellent verbal, non verbal and written communication skills
• Facilitation skills
• Excellent demonstrable interpersonal skills
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with women who have multiple challenges and complex needs.
• Passion and commitment to work with women who have experienced substance use and a desire to improve the circumstances with a commitment to social justice and equality.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work, use own initiative.
• Willing to be flexible and a team player in terms of working hours.

What we offer:

1. Competitive salary
2. Annual leave is 12.5 days per annum pro rata
3. Support and supervision
4. Paid sick leave
5. Opportunity to work with a dynamic team in a cutting-edge service that’s always innovative.

Application by cover letter and CV and any queries and questions to davina@saolproject.ie

SAOL believes that your history does not prevent you from applying for this position.

Deadline Monday 29th of April 2024 5pm