Development & Engagement Officer - South Eastern Health and Social care Trust

Specific Aims:

To increase Childminding Provision throughout Northern Ireland

To improve and enhance the quality of Childminding provision.

To support currently Registered Childminders.

To represent Childminding in the community.

To provide a Childminding Information Advice and Guidance Service.

Key Duties

1. To increase the number of Registered Childminders and Approved Home Child Carers both out of school and full day-care in areas identified as being in need.
2. To effectively communicate and promote NICMA’s services.
3. To identify and provide training opportunities for childminders both pre and post registration, in liaison with NICMA’s Regional Development Manager and according to NICMA’s Training policy.
4. To assist in the implementation of a retention strategy.
5. To be the first point of contact by actively engaging with prospective registered childminders and approved home child carers, and provide a high level of internal and external customer service, including taking ownership of queries and complaints and following issues through to completion.
6. To analyse childminding provision across Northern Ireland and identify areas of low provision, and assist in the implementation of a recruitment publicity campaign in identified areas of need.
7. To assist with the delivery of NICMA’s recruitment and retention plan.
8. To facilitate and structure the development of new and current childminding peer support group models according to identified need.
9. To improve and enhance childminding provision and support the long term sustainability of existing services.
10. To liaise with local HSC Trusts in order to provide information and support to Childminders during the process of registration.
11. To provide information, advice and support services for childminders, parents, families, community groups and other relevant stakeholders.
12. To promote NICMA’s services throughout Northern Ireland through representation at seminars and conferences.
13. To liaise with Community, Statutory and Voluntary Groups throughout the locality to identify areas of need and share information.
14. To provide qualitative and quantitative reports on their activities for their Line Managers as and when required.
15. To represent the childminding sector on local committees and locality groups Early Year Fora in negotiation with NICMA.
16. To ensure work undertaken includes and meets the needs of all sections of the Community.
17. To adhere to NICMA’s Health and Safety Policy in regard to personal safety and that of others.
18. To perform office duties including answering queries and operating a fully computerised management information system
19. To manage membership information in compliance with General Data Protection Regulations and confidentiality including; Verify and cross check member’s details for accuracy, amend details (cancellations, personal details), and follow strict compliance with data retention and disposal schedule.
20. Other ad hoc duties when required.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

1. The post holder will carry out any other duties as appropriate to the post and as requested by the Regional Development Manager and CEO.

Essential Criteria

You must be able to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

1.            At least NVQ Level 2 or three years’ experience in a relevant area.

2.            Ability in organizing and monitoring progress

3.            Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

4.            Proficiency in all Microsoft Office platforms

5.            Ability to deliver training and workshops.

6.            Strong customer focus, establishing the needs of customers and striving to ensure these are met.

7.            Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise and delegate tasks effectively

8.            Ability to cope under pressure, in a calm and efficient manner to set deadlines

9.            Ability to establish effective working relationships with people at all levels through communication, consultation and interpersonal skills

10.          Self-driven and able to manage delivery with minimal supervision

11.          Motivation to continually improve services and processes that impact on members

12.          Ability to achieve objectives, and plan ahead to ensure goals are achieved in terms of excellence in service delivery

Conditions of Service

 The nature of the job will change over time as the needs of the business change. It is a requirement of the job to contribute to the development of the role to reflect the changing needs of the business.

 The job requires a considerable degree of commitment, flexibility and adaptability on the part of the jobholder to meet the demands of the job.

This job description is for information purposes and does not form part of the contract of employment.