Inner City Employment Service Mediator(part-time)

Inner City Renewal Group

57 Amiens Street Dublin 1

18 Feb 2008

Stuart Duffin

linda@icrg.ie

(01) 855 7207

If you would like an informal discussion about the post of Mediator, please give Stuart Duffin a call on (01) 855 7207.

If you wish to apply for the post please submit your CV and a covering letter, which should outline your strengths and what you can bring to the team, to Linda Costello, ICRG, 57 Amiens Street, Dublin 1 or linda@icrg.ie

The closing date for applications is 8.30 am Monday 18 February 2008.

Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place on Tuesday 26 February between 12 noon and 4pm.

All short-listed candidates will be contacted by Wednesday 20 February 2008.

If you have not been contacted to attend an interview your application has been unsuccessful and we wish you well in future applications.

Our mission-We are dedicated to strengthening the work-force, focusing on people, employers and education. We advocate for an environment that supports people and employers and works to help the community flourish by promoting access to employment, education and skill development possibilities.

Our goals

1. Improve the opportunities for education, skill development and employment
2. Strengthen the capacity of people, employers and organizations to get things done
3. Build support for our services
4. Strengthen our ability to deliver

Our values

1. Facilitative not directive
2. Value people
3. Diversity as strength
4. Evidence based and solutions focused
5. Authoritative and reliable
6. Transparent in our decision-making
7. Problem-solving
8. Professional in relationships
9. Proactive
10. Collaboration-seeking in our approaches

Job Description: Mediator

Key objectives of the mediation service: To assist unemployed clients in accessing appropriate employment and training opportunities and to implement a career action plan.

Knowledge

The mediator will require

• A clear understanding of the aims and approach of the Local Employment Service
• An understanding of the issues affecting unemployed adults seeking employment, training and education opportunities and of the effects of unemployment and disadvantage on people’s self image, behaviour patterns and approach to job search
• A realistic understanding of the job skill requirements at the lower to lower middle end of the labour market
• A good knowledge of all statutory, private and voluntary organisations providing services and opportunities to unemployed people
• An understanding of and commitment to promising equal opportunities

Personal Description

The mediator should

• Possess a well-developed sense of empathy in order to work with a diverse range of individuals
• Possess a high level of personal integrity to ensure that a positive and professional approach is employed in the delivery of the service
• Display a positive attitude to client’s abilities and employment potential
• Be creative in his or her approaches to working with clients
• Be self-motivated and capable of offering continuous support to clients
• Have a personal capacity to manage own well being in what can be a stressful field of work

Work Experience

The successful applicant is likely to have work experience in one of the following areas

• Job placement in a statutory agency or community based organisation
• Work with unemployed adults in a vocational training, educational or community setting
• Counselling/Vocational Guidance experience
• Work experience in management/supervision of temporary work schemes, community workshop or Youth reach centre

Duties

Client Caseload

• Operate a caseload of clients who are unemployed
• Conduct individual exploration sessions to enable clients to recognise skills and become aware of opportunities
• Ensure that clients make informed decisions about employment and training
• Conduct individual job search sessions with clients
• Enable clients to develop and implement career action plans by making referrals to and from the Employment Guidance Adviser
• Assist clients with CV and interview preparation

Employer Work

• Locate employment and training opportunities for clients
• Build a base of local employers, who provide work at the level appropriate to clients’ aspirations, experience and education background
• Liaise with local employers to establish understanding of job requirements to ensure accurate matching
• Advocate of behalf of clients and encourage employer to adopt positive attitudes towards LEC clients

Administration

• Maintain accurate caseload records – both manual and computerised
• Produce weekly/monthly reports outlining client profile, interventions and placements
• Ensure efficient distribution of CVs to employers

Networking and Development

• Maintain and develop relationships with organisations in public, private and voluntary sectors in order to build referral networks
• Maintain and develop knowledge of opportunities available to and issues affecting specific client groups
• Liaise with employees in other Inner City Employment Services (ICES) offices
• Contribute to the development of the service delivered

Outline Terms & Conditions of Employment

Mediator (Part-time) Employer: Inner City Renewal Group (I.C.R.G.)

Place of Work: 57 Amiens Street, Dublin 1

Days of Work: Wednesday (12 noon to 5pm); 9 am to 5 pm Thursday; and
9 am to 4.30 pm on Friday

Salary: There is a 24 point wage scale for this position. The part time scale starts at €13,221 to €22,263
The point at which an employee enters the scale is commensurate with experience, skills and qualifications.

Holidays: 11 days per annum

Contract Period: The contract of employment is not fixed, however, it is dependent on the continuation of funding and is subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period and performance review.

Report to: Manager