Community Food and Nutrition Worker

Full Time Position

Location: Tallaght

Reports to: Senior Manager Health and Wellbeing

Contract: 1 Year Contract

South Dublin County Partnership:

South Dublin County Partnership works with people who experience poverty and social exclusion. SDCP promotes social cohesion, active citizenship and labour market participation with a focus on the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the area.

We offer a range of integrated activities in Community Development, Lifelong Learning, Enterprise and Employment Family and Early Childhood and Health and Wellbeing.

SDCP Health and Wellbeing:

We aim to provide people with the information, guidance, support, skills, and services that will empower them to strengthen their health and wellbeing. In SDCP we base our work on the Social Determinates of Health, we offer a large range of health initiatives to help our communities help themselves maintain good health and prevent ill health. We have a multi-disciplinary team whose skills and knowledge ensure that we are meeting the Health and Wellbeing needs of the people we support.

Purpose and scope of post

Food poverty is the inability of individuals and households to secure an adequate and nutritious diet. It can affect those living on low incomes, with limited access to transport and poor cooking skills. Although the cost of healthy food is a major factor, the inability to access a healthy diet is a complex issue that incorporates education, transport, literacy, culture and environmental planning. Poor diet is a major public health issue linked with increased rates of obesity and chronic disease. In Ireland, poor diets are low in fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and oily fish, and are high in energy, saturated fats, salts and sugars due to high intake of confectionary and processed foods. The Irish population is reflects this dietary pattern; with 34% of people consuming “unhealthy foods” on a daily basis and just 37% of the population consuming the recommended 5+ portions of fruit and vegetables.

The purpose of the post is to provide capacity for the Sláintecare Healthy Communities to improve community health and wellbeing in the designated Healthy Community areas by addressing the issues of poor diet and food poverty. This is not a clinical role.

The post-holder will:

• work within the SDCP Health and Wellbeing Team to support the needs of the local communities within the allocated Slaintecare Healthy Community Sites. Work with colleagues to pilot or improve programmes tackling food poverty and other relevant issues affecting disadvantaged groups;
• work with and support a range statutory and community organisations to develop and implement evidence based effective responses to improving the food environment in communities, addressing food poverty and reducing health inequalities as part of Sláintecare Healthy Communities and where appropriate in collaboration with safefood funded Community Food Initiative;
• support the delivery of Healthy Food for Life guidelines focused workshops and community programmes including Healthy Food Made Easy, weaning workshops, healthy eating for older adults to develop the health awareness of individuals, groups and organisations and empowering them to make healthier food choices;
• co-ordinate the activation of agreed national campaigns that address healthy lifestyles and Healthy Food for Life guidelines in local communities; and
• work with the HSE national coordinator to identify and respond to training needs and resource development arising from strategic national and local agendas, and participate in agreed networks and collaborations.
• This is not an exhaustive list of duties and as this is a newly developing role it is expected that the duties will evolve and change.

Qualifications and eligibility criteria

The minimum eligibility criteria for the post include that candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Qualifications

A minimum of a Level 8 qualification in the area of nutrition and health. See below:

Institute - Course

• Athlone Institute of Technology - BSc Hons Nutrition and Health Science
• Institute of Technology Sligo - BSc Hons Nutrition and Health Science
• Munster Technical University (previously Cork Institute of Technology) - BSc Hons Nutrition and Health Science
• Technological University Dublin - BSc Hons Public Health Nutrition
• University College Dublin - BSc Hons Human Nutrition
• University College Cork - BSc Hons Nutritional Sciences
• Dublin Institute of Technology - BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• Technological University Dublin - BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• University College Dublin - MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
• University of Limerick - MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Candidates must demonstrate all of the following as relevant to the role:

• Significant work experience in a role that has involved health promotion and improvement
• Experience in the area of health behaviour change
• Experience of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Have the requisite knowledge for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

2. Experience

At least 3 years experience in a role that has involved:

• health promotion and improvement, specifically in a community setting an advantage.
• health behaviour change,
• working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, and
• Experience working with pilot/Innovative programmes

3. Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Renumeration Package & Benefits:

• The salary for this position will be based on the successful individual’s qualification and experience.
• Excellent Pension of 10% employer’s contribution after successful probation period.
• Access to HSF private health insurance.
• Opportunity to apply for up to two days remote working as per SDCP policy.
• 35 Hour per week (full time)
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Application Process:

Applicants should pay particular attention to the essential and desirable criteria in the job description, your suitability and why you are the best candidate for this post in question.

Please send three copies of your up-to-date detailed CV (no more than 2 pages), cover letter accompanied with completed confidential application form marked:
Community Food and Nutrition Worker Ref: 138/2024 to:
Administration & Operations Department,
South Dublin County Partnership
Unit D1 Nangor Road
Nangor Road Business Park
Dublin 12

OR alternatively email your application to jobs@sdcpartnership.ie – subject box to be marked Community Food and Nutrition Worker Ref: 138/2024

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 17th May at 5.00pm
Note no late applications will be accepted.

South Dublin County Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applicants from a diversity of backgrounds.