JOB TITLE: CLUB DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Job Reference Number: FRGJOB_1191
AREA COVERED: Co Kerry
CONTRACT TYPE: Ongoing, Subject to Funding
RESPONSIBLE TO: Volunteer Development Manager
HOURS: 35 Hours per week minimum
ANNUAL LEAVE: 29 Days per year pro rata

About Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs some 600 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high quality services to young people through the operation of 400 Foróige Clubs and over 200 General Youth Services and Special Projects. These community-based and community-supported initiatives are run in almost every county in the state, in rural and urban environments, and generally in partnership with various voluntary and statutory agencies. The organisation is a registered charity and is supported by a combination of statutory, philanthropic and corporate funding. Foróige is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices.

Role information

The aim of the Club Development Worker is to develop and support community based and volunteer led Foróige Clubs for young people in County Kerry. The role involves engaging with local communities, identifying and recruiting suitable adult volunteer leaders, training and supporting them to operate clubs in partnership with young people, providing training to young people and implementing and developing a range of non-formal education programmes in partnership with the volunteer leaders.

This is a unique role that has huge opportunities for skills development, provides a wide range of work experiences and has the opportunity for flexibility and creativity. The role includes full training in all aspects, supports for the successful candidate(s) and is suited to graduates and/or those with experience in youth or community development. The Club Development Worker will be employed by Foróige and will be given a contract of employment. It must be understood however, that if the position becomes redundant at any time during the period of the contract or if the funding for the post is discontinued or the post holder fails to perform satisfactorily, employment may be terminated.

Key Responsibilities

The duties of the Club Development Worker in carrying out any functions, which may be involved in or arise out of the appointment, shall be as notified by the board of Foróige and/or its Chief Executive and/or the nominee of the Chief Executive from time to time. These duties will include but are not limited to:

• Developing – Establishing volunteer led Foróige clubs and groups in partnership with local communities through the recruitment of volunteer leaders and members.
• Organisation – Assisting volunteers, to organise themselves effectively and efficiently to engage in youth development activities including interclub programmes and events and establishing new Foróige clubs and other volunteer led options and recruiting adult leaders.
• Training – Training of adult volunteers and young people to enable them to perform their tasks more effectively.
• Programme Development - Developing education programmes as aids to adult volunteers in their task of youth development and enabling adult volunteers to devise their own programme.
• Consultancy - Consulting with adult volunteers in relation to problem solving and other areas of concern and interest to them in youth development.
• Promoting – Promoting Foróige volunteer led options in local communities and organisations.
• Implementing - Best practice policies and procedures in relation to volunteer recruitment, retention and selection.
• Interacting - with other Foróige projects and services in the area as appropriate.
• Any such other relevant duties as the Board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation and the policy and programmes of Foróige.

Key Performance Indicators

• Establish new Foróige volunteer led Clubs in the county
• The retention of those clubs through provision of the above duties / services to clubs.
• The quality implementation of the Foróige club model

Professional Qualifications and Experience

(E) = Essential, (D) = Desirable

• Education to Degree standard (note: candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications) (E)
• Experience of volunteer recruitment, development and retention methodologies (D)
• A minimum of 1 year relevant work experience (D)
• Access to car and full driving licence (E)
• Ability to engage target group (E)
• Paid or voluntary, experience working with young people (D)

Person Specification 

(all Essential requirements)

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with adult volunteers and young people
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts in communities and build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment
• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team
• Good written communications skills, including ability to draft summary information and correspondence, good report writing skills
• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes
• Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, Internet, PowerPoint and Social Media

Requirements of all Foróige staff 

(all Essential requirements)

• Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation
• To act consistently in a professional manner at all times
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours in the evening and some weekends will be required
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• To undertake other duties as may be requested by the Board of Foróige and /or the Chief Executive Officer of Foróige or their nominee from time to time

Additional Considerations for the Role

Funding: It must be understood that if the funding for the posts is discontinued the post holders’ contract may be terminated.

Medical: The successful candidate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire/undergo a pre-employment medical.

Garda vetting: As the role involves contact with young people, candidates under consideration for employment will be subject to Garda vetting.

References: The successful candidate will undergo 2 reference checks before commencing employment with Foróige.

Annual Leave: The Club Development Worker will be entitled to 29 days annual leave, pro rata, plus public holidays. The needs of the job must be considered when applying to take this leave.

Hours of work: It is expected that the Club Development Worker will work a minimum of 35 hours per week. Please note that the position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that the Club Development Worker will regularly work late evenings (up to 11pm) and some weekend work.

Salary: Salary will be notified to the successful candidate upon appointment and will be based on the Foróige Youth Worker scale €37,436, €38,994, €40,552, €42,113, €43,671, €45,235, €46,798, €49,127, €51,457
It is envisaged that the appointment will be at the lower points of the scale. Salary will be notified on appointment.

Travel: This post will involve travel within Ireland. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate Foróige rates.

Base: The employment base will be at a Foróige office within county Kerry

Applications: 

Please complete the Foróige Application form online here

Closing Date - 15th of May at 12pm