Outreach and engagement advisor jobs in Belfast

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach, Wheelchair Skills and Wider Engagement

· Engage the widest possible range of people with spinal cord injury to sign up for further contact with Back Up, through organising and/or delivering wheelchair skills training sessions and talks for patients and families at the spinal cord injury centre in the region, general hospitals and with other key partners or locations as identified.

· Coordinate, support and manage volunteer trainers who are helping to deliver sessions and talking to patients and families.

· Lead, sustain and develop strong and effective working relationships with a wide range of health professionals and other charity representatives e.g. through presentations, calls and meetings, to ensure that people access seamless support.

Proactive Contact with People Affected by Spinal Cord Injury

· Maintain and support relationships with a large number of people affected by SCI (adults, children and young people and their parents) through regular proactive contact. This could be in person in the spinal cord injury centre, other settings or through events, telephone contact or other interactions.

· Explore their feelings, wishes and needs and provide tailored peer support to help them feel supported, access relevant services from Back Up and elsewhere through proactive referrals, and become more aware of the possibilities of life after SCI.

Networking, Partnerships and Sustainability

· Develop and maintain a map of touchpoints in the region, where people with an SCI will come into contact.

· Develop partnerships, referral routes and signposting processes to develop reach beyond the spinal cord injury centre.

· Develop and manage a network of community ambassador volunteers to support the wider work and sustainability of Back Up through fundraising and other related activities.

· Take a lead on encouraging localised fundraising activity; working towards wider income targets that support ongoing sustainability.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

· Maintaining accurate records on the database.

· Work as a team, consulting with others to ensure you give and receive high quality support.

· Keep Back Up informed of the issues affecting the people you are supporting and of developments at the spinal cord injury centre, general hospitals and other settings.

· Input into team planning and activities.

· Manage the budget relating to activities in your region.

· Help recruit new volunteers as needed to ensure a diverse team representing Back Up.

· Other duties as required by the Regional Outreach & Engagement Team Leader.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Experience of working to support vulnerable people to achieve goals/move forward in life
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High standard of IT including experience of using databases and MS Office
• Self-starter; highly organised, able to drive own workload
• A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a 'can do' attitude, in line with the charity's values
• Commitment to delivering a high-quality service
• Respect for confidentiality
• Suitable to work safely and appropriately with children and vulnerable people
• Strong team working orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organisation, a real people person
• Respect for others; able to work in a way that respects diversity and values equality
• Great listener, warmth, empathy, respect for everybody. Able to be non-judgmental and focus on the individual and their needs
• Willing and able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends including overnight stays
• GCSE Maths and English A-C or equivalent

Desirable:

• Spinal cord injured person or family member
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
• Experience of working with people in trauma
• Presentation skills and the ability to manage a group
• Proactive approach to own support needs, health & wellbeing
• An understanding of the needs of people adjusting to life with spinal cord injury