Community Liaison Officer

Responsible For: Community Liaison for Home Together project with Neighbourhood Network

Reporting to: Project Manager, Neighbourhood Network

Location: Dublin or Wicklow office, Hybrid

About the Role:

Neighbourhood Network is seeking one new Community Liaison Officer to join our growing team. If you are an experienced networker, relationship builder and doer who enjoys working with people this could be a great opportunity for you to join the team. Community Liaisons will need to be available to travel to the estates involved in the Home Together project. Locations include: Kildare, Greystones, Donnybrook, Newcastle.

The Community Liaison will lead the community engagement and development of participation in the Home Together initiative. Looking after 3 communities of varying locations all at varying levels of development. The role holder will provide leadership, support, signposting and networking opportunities for participants as they develop their own ideas and work towards hosting a local Street Feast as well as driving hands-on community activities.

This role is about increasing participation in all aspects of the Home Together programme, increasing connections between neighbours, developing a “welcoming” environment for new neighbours and being a regular source of support and a catalyst for community engagement. The post holder will build networks for those who take part at in-person events, defining and developing engagement and support models that will work within the context of the individual communities. This includes raising awareness, developing activity, networks and spaces with a view to this becoming sustained more locally by those people involved.

About Neighbourhood Network:

Neighbourhood Network (legal entity: Street Feast CLG) is an Irish not-for-profit originally established as Street Feast in 2010.

In 2020 we expanded our mission, developed a range of new projects and activity programmes, and adopted a new name for the organisation - Neighbourhood Network.

Neighbourhood Network aims to promote social inclusion and integration, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods in new and older communities across the length and breadth of Ireland. We run national campaigns, coordinate local neighbourhood projects and facilitate a nationwide network of neighbourhood leaders.

Our team currently consists of a CEO and Project Manager and four part-time staff, including another Project Manager and three Community Liaisons. We have a voluntary board of eight trustees.

Neighbourhood Network is currently in the process of registering as an Irish Charity.

Key responsibilities/accountabilities

• Travel between Home Together estates. Locations include: Kildare, Greystones, Donnybrook, Newcastle.
• Act as lead representative for Neighbourhood Network in the community and at events, develop regular contact with Neighbourhood leaders & go door-to-door to meet community
• Coordinate local volunteers
• Develop relationships with local businesses, local Garda, local community centre etc
• Lead on compiling resources for residents
• Write reports on community engagement and impact measurement
• Attend regular meetings to plan and execute on community led projects
• Implement our community engagement strategy and the project plan
• Work with your line manager, the Project Manager, to design neighbourhood specific interventions
• Participate in organisational strategy and operations planning

Support the Project Manager

• Write, edit, format and proofread funding applications, sponsorship proposals, reports and emails
• Participate in meetings, conferences, and project team activities, and the taking of minutes.
• Assist the Project Manager in reporting

General support

• Respond to enquiries and complaints from the public.
• Support marketing initiatives, e.g. through the maintenance of contact databases, preparation of emailing lists etc.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative processes in Neighbourhood Network
• Maintain the company’s filing system in Google Workspace
• Provide administrative support to the Neighbourhood Network team
• Schedule and implement organisation’s staff meetings, events and off sites
• Review and update company policies and ensure they are observed.

Financial

• Support CEO in maintaining budgets
• Support the bookkeeper
• Staff timesheets and recording staff leave

Other

• Attend weekly 1hr Monday meeting
• Attend Wednesday & Monday stand-up meeting for 15 mins
• Provide short weekly communications report
• Attend monthly review and planning meetings

Further commitments to this position with Neighbourhood Network require that the Community Liaison Officer will;

• Work in good faith and in the interests of the organisation as a whole.
• Carry out his/her functions with due care, skill and diligence

Person Specification - What You Bring to The Role:

Requirements:

• You’ll need access to a car and a full driving licence
• You need to be familiar with Google workplace
• A minimum of 3 years relevant experience in the community
• Will have worked with or supported a Project Manager previously

Desirable Requirements

Skills & Attributes

• Is highly organised, accurate and fastidious with their attention to detail
• Demonstrates ability to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and to prioritise their work
• Proficient in the use and administration of Google Workspace
• Trained and experienced to intermediate level in Excel and preferably Google Sheets.
• Permission to work in The Republic of Ireland.
• Educated to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent.
• Have excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication skills.

Contract Details:

• Part-time: 15 hours per week. Hours are flexible to an extent.
• Work Days: Monday - Friday, some weekends for community events
• Salary: €19.30 per hour / €35,126 pro-rata
• Contract Length: The position is for a one-year contract, subject to funding, that includes a 6-month probationary period.
• More hours available: As this project expands - there may be scope to increase hours per week.

Terms and conditions of employment:

• Annual Leave: Annual leave at Neighbourhood Network is 20 days pro-rata in addition to the standard 10 public holidays.
• TOIL: We operate a time off in lieu (TOIL) system, where staff can work pre-approved additional hours and receive compensatory time off in lieu.
• Training & Development: Continuous professional development, training & further education courses, study & exam leave and professional membership fees are paid for at Neighbourhood Network’s discretion where relevant.
• Travel & Subsistence: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid similar to public sector rates.

How to apply

Interested candidates may apply by sending a one-page letter outlining their suitability for this role along with their CV to operations@neighbourhoodnetwork.ie under the subject of “Community Liaison Officer”

Closing Date for applications is 5pm on Saturday 27th April 2024.

Neighbourhood Network is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.