Advocacy Support Worker (London) Re-Advertisement

Background

SEFF was founded in 1999 to provide support to the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism in South East Fermanagh. SEFF was a constituted Group until 11th March 2011 when it became a company Limited by Guarantee, Company Number NI606566. It is a recognised charity by the Northern Ireland Charities Commission. Charity Number NIC100538

Mission statement

The Group’s mission is to promote, advocate and address, where possible, the needs of victims of the ‘Troubles’ in Fermanagh in order to achieve health, peace of mind, security and the foundations for personal growth. The Group is committed to addressing the real and practical needs of those bereaved and injured as a result of terrorist activity, and ensuring that victims are afforded the respect and consideration they deserve.

Organisational activities

SEFF aims to provide support, information and referrals to its members, and its main operational aims are:

• Relief of poverty, sickness, and disability of victims
• Advancement of education and protection
• Raising awareness of needs and experiences of victims, and the effects of terrorism
• Welfare rights advice and information
• Improving conditions of life for victims

The above aims are reflected in the work of SEFF in its core activities which are:

• I.T. training courses
• Assistance with form filling
• Archiving of historical material relating to terrorist atrocities both nationally and internationally
• Befriending
• Carers Programmes
• Comprehensive Social Activity Programme
• Complimentary Therapies
• Counselling
• Collaborative working with voluntary, community & statutory Organisations
• Monthly social activities
• Research projects
• Lobbying
• Youth work
• General advice and information for those seeking services and support.
• Re-skilling Victims & Survivors for employment enhancement
• Diversification programme to meet need required

The Post

This post has been developed as part of the PEACE IV Programme which provides investment for cross-border health and wellbeing services by increasing the quality of care in the sector for victims and survivors and their families.

Purpose of the Role

This project (funded through PEACE IV) offers support, advocacy and advice in relation to Truth, Justice and Acknowledgment to families bereaved as a result of the Troubles. The post holder will be required to support, advocate on behalf of, and advise families who wish to engage with statutory and other bodies in respect of their bereavement.

Job Description

The key elements that constitute the role of the Advocacy Support Worker are as follows:

Advocacy Services

• Provide families with information about relevant statutory and other organisations to help them make a properly informed judgement on engaging with such organisations, and to help them to consider all options available to them.
• Prepare families for and facilitate meetings with relevant organisations and witnesses.
• Maintain and update files on each case, and ensure all files are properly archived and recorded into a single publicly accessible record.
• Research individual cases to ensure that families and South East Fermanagh Foundation are fully prepared for meetings with relevant agencies.
• Correspond with any relevant bodies to gather information on each case.
• Organise meetings with client groups and/or families for the purposes of sharing information or planning events.
• Conduct research with families to document the impact of the Troubles related incident and broader issues that provide a contextual background to cases.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Collate and edit the information from official and family sources into a single publicly accessible record.
• Represent South East Fermanagh Foundation at public meetings, conferences and subgroups.
• Plan and organise conferences, meetings etc as relevant to the work of South East Fermanagh Foundation.
• Undertake further training as required.

The foregoing is a broad range of duties and is not intended to be a complete description of all tasks. It is important to note that the responsibilities may change to meet the evolving needs of South East Fermanagh Foundation.

Role Competencies

Essential Criteria:

By the closing date for applications, candidates must be able to demonstrate:

1. A relevant University degree, or equivalent qualification plus 1 year’s experience providing advocacy and advice to vulnerable clients engaged in legacy processes.

Or

4 years’ experience providing advocacy and advice to vulnerable clients engaged in legacy processes.

And

2. A minimum of 2 years’ practical experience collating and analysing complex information, and writing reports.

3. A minimum of 2 years’ practical experience of effectively managing complex client interactions.

4. A minimum of 2 years’ experience working and building relationships with multiple stakeholders.

5. Hold a full license valid in the UK with access to a car. This criterion will be waived in the case of an applicant whose disability prohibits driving but who is able to make alternative arrangements.