Bereavement Support Line 1800 80 70 77

Support Officer – Bereavement Network

Background

At Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) our mission is to work towards the best end-of-life and bereavement care for all. We believe that support through bereavement nurtures healing and resilience, among individuals, households, communities and workplaces. As a national leader in developments in bereavement care, we provide information, programmes and interventions, both to the public and to professionals, informed by an understanding of the wide-ranging impacts of grief. The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) is hosted at IHF and is supported by Tusla.

IHF and ICBN are seeking to appoint a Network Support Officer to support and develop our adult and childhood bereavement networks.

Through our networks we are committed to working with local and national stakeholders to support best practice in the area of bereavement care in Ireland and to promote a better understanding of bereavement supports for children and adults.

Our networks include professionals and volunteers who provide bereavement support to adults, children and/or families as well as others who encounter bereavement in their work occasionally. Participants come from community, health, education and voluntary sectors across Ireland.

Working closely with the national coordinators of the adult and children’s networks, and as a part of the bereavement team, you will be responsible for a programme of supports and engagements which connect individuals, communities and expertise in bereavement across Ireland. You will play a key role in ensuring the smooth day to day running of our networks. This will include providing project and event management support; administrative support; and practical operational support.

Responsibilities

IHF is open to applications from candidates who have experience in most but not all of the following areas. The successful candidate will be supported through their induction to increase their knowledge and ability to deliver on the responsibilities outlined here. Further training and ongoing support will be available.

Reporting to the Adult Bereavement Development Coordinator and working closely with the ICBN National Coordinator.

Systems and administration

  • Manage, monitor and develop the administration systems for the two networks, which includes managing the network contact database.
  • Maintain records and track engagement with stakeholders
  • Prepare quarterly and annual reports (with direction)
  • Maintain calendar of activities, events, deadlines relevant to the networks
  • Manage a system for invoicing and receipts with respect to membership subscription fees, workshop charges, conference fees etc

Communication

  • Contribute to, format and disseminate communication updates and newsletters
  • Oversee the content updates and operations of the ICBN website and input to bereavement section of IHF website
  • Respond to queries and information requests from network participants
  • Events and meetings
  • Plan, book, organise and evaluate network activities, such as professional and public online and face-to-face events, conferences and campaigns.
  • Schedule and attend network meetings as required
  • Attend internal and external meetings as required

Other

  • Represent the work of IHF/ICBN at external fora as required
  • Any other work that has been reasonably requested

Skills and criteria

Essential

  • Minimum of 3-5 years of development or administration or equivalent experience
  • Ability to plan, organise and develop a project, to work independently and to deadlines, with some flexibility around working hours
  • A demonstrated interest in community development, family support and or health and social care
  • Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office and managing contact lists
  • Excellent administrative and organisational skills
  • Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills
  • An ability to think creatively and to find ways of sharing information to support and empower people
  • Empathetic attitude and a keenness to work as a member of a team
  • An understanding of the work of Irish Hospice Foundation and the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network ICBN National Coordinator

Desirable

  • A suitable qualification in project management, events, administration or community development
  • Demonstrated proficiency in developing and managing databases/ contacts databases
  • Experience of using WordPress
  • Experience in formatting documents to a high and publishable standard (e.g. reports, newsletters)

Terms and Conditions

Salary Range: €36k-€45k depending on experience, skills and fit.

Standard office base is at Irish Hospice Foundation, Nassau St, Dublin 2. In light of the recent lifting of government guided restrictions, a phased return to office based work is taking place. A hybrid working structure which combines office and home-based work will be introduced over the coming period.

Other benefits include:

  • A 10% employer’s contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to a 5% employee contribution).
  • Annual leave of 23 days.
  • Closure of the office on Good Friday, half day Christmas Eve and time between Christmas and New Year in addition to annual leave entitlement.
  • Life Assurance and Death in Service benefit.
  • Further Education & Training support.
  • Travel supports (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets).

Application

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 16th February 2022.

Applications by e-mail to [email protected] under the heading: Bereavement Network Support Officer.

  • Applicants should submit a CV (max. 2 pages) detailing relevant experience, along with a covering letter outlining the reasons they believe they are suitable for this role.
  • Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of information supplied.
  • Interviews will be held in the week commencing 21st February 2022.
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it, or if an additional vacancy arises, IHF may, at its discretion, select and recommend another person for appointment on the results of this selection process.

Irish Hospice Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

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