Cancer Champions Project Officer

Principal Role

The Cancer Champions Project Officer will play a key role in the delivery of Rainbow Project’s new Macmillan funded Cancer Champions service. The postholder will have the opportunity to play a key role in developing this pioneering new service, working with relevant stakeholders, improving service development, and supporting service users. The post holder will receive training from Macmillan Cancer Support to work a Macmillan Professional within the Rainbow Project, as well as contribute to the core duties of all Rainbow Project staff.

Base

The Rainbow Project has two bases, Belfast and Foyle. The post is open to being based in either office. We also welcome applications regionally from across Northern Ireland and will discuss remote working from further afield, especially in the Western Area including Fermanagh and Omagh. 

Key responsibilities

• To deliver the new Cancer Champions Service to ensure the maximum impact for the LGBTQIA+ community, their families and friends who have been impacted by cancer.

• To raise awareness and educate on available cancer services, dispel myths and seek to increase the uptake of screening programmes by LGBTQIA+ people.

• To understand and record the experiences of LGBTQIA+ Community across Northern Ireland who are impacted by cancer.

• To work with stakeholders to improve services and help them to understand the barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ people accessing screening and treatment services, and in particular the barriers faced by trans people.

• To develop LGBTQIA+ support groups for people impacted by cancer across Northern Ireland.

• To provide LGBTQIA+ awareness training sessions and other events to help service providers and acute heath careers to understand the myths and barriers LGBTQIA+ face and to support them to become more inclusive.

Demands

• The Cancer Champions Service will address issues that are sensitive and at times in need of delicate management. The post holder will need to handle issues astutely and with the appropriate level of care. Relevant training from Macmillan will be provided. 

• The post holder will represent the Rainbow Project professionally and effectively to external stakeholders at both a local and national level. This includes with the HSC/NHS, private healthcare providers and individuals impacted by cancer.

• The post holder will be expected to handle a varied workload which may require some evening and weekend work.

• In this Northern Ireland role, the post holder will undertake regular travel between Rainbow Project’s offices and to other locations as required.

• The post holder will undertake any other tasks that may be requested, commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

General responsibilities

• To work collaboratively as part of the Rainbow Project staff team to develop and achieve shared goals and objectives.

• To contribute to the general administration, good running and development of the Rainbow Project, while adhering to safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety, equality and other organisational policies.

• Monitor your own continuing professional development and identify training, growth and development opportunities.

• To maintain good relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and other stakeholders, while also upholding high standards of professional accountability.

This job description is subject to change in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Essential

1. A track record of excellent service delivery as part of a wider team.

2. An understanding of the barriers LGBTQIA+ people face in accessing healthcare.

3. Demonstrated commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a passion for promoting the well-being and rights of LGBTQIA+ people.

4. Demonstrable experience of establishing/developing peer social and support groups.

5. A strong history of training delivery to create change.

6. A good record of building and maintaining relationships with a broad range of key stakeholders and organisations.

7. Strong written, oral communication skill and organisations skills.

8. Strong interpersonal skills, including:

• the ability and flexibility to work cooperatively and collaboratively

• rise above personal, ideological and other differences

• build relationships and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and colleagues.

9. An ability to work on your own initiative and organise and develop concurrent work within an agreed budget including in fast changing situations where flexibility is required.

10.A full drivers licence and car or reliable access to a vehicle for regular transportation to events. 

Desirable

1. Some experience of delivering campaigns, especially around the theme of health.

2. An understanding of available cancer services and the impacts of cancer on everyday lives. Macmillan training will be provided to the post-holder.

3. An understanding of intersectional equality issues.

4. Relevant experience in establishing a new project or service.