Homeless Services New Projects Manager

Job Title:                        Homeless Services New Projects ManagerReporting to:                  Head of Homeless ServicesThe RoleCOPE Galway Homeless Services is currently recruiting a New Projects Manager who will be deployed to manage the establishment and operationalising of new projects and services including the seasonal Cold Weather Response and Severe Weather Response services which operate in the winter period. We are seeking a creative, dynamic and diverse person to lead on this and other projects.The New Projects Manager will initially be deployed to the seasonal Cold Weather Response and will have overall responsibility for the setting up, coordination and delivery of the Response for the winter of 2024/25, focusing on ensuring the provision of a high-quality service and leading, supporting and supervising our staff to work to their fullest potential. This role will involve mentoring and supporting colleagues with an aim of collaboratively embedding the values of COPE Galway and a trauma informed approach within the service. The Manager will also lead the team in mapping out successful exit routes from the service for and with clients and will foster strong collaborative relationships within COPE Galway and with our partners.Our Values, Our Work, Our People Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life. We work to achieve this by providing essential supports for people at challenging times in their lives, and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequity and disadvantage that constrain the wellbeing and development of individuals, families and communities.  Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. We understand, respect and respond to the needs of our clients who are always at the forefront of our work.  COPE Galway is committed to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation through an implementation plan that includes training for all team members across all roles and departments. Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) aims to support us to recognise trauma and to react and respond to it in ways that minimise triggering and retraumatising people, so that we continue to provide the best possible services to those who need us most. TIP also encourages us to focus on our organisational culture and how we each interact with one another to create psychologically safe environments for clients, volunteers and staff. It encourages us to reflect on our own triggers and responses and considers personal and organisational responses to staff wellbeing to ensure that our people are supported to deliver the best services they possibly can to those who need them most.  Everything we do is guided by the COPE Galway Approach to help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.  This assets-based and person-centered approach recognises that each person has attributes and strengths that can make positive differences in their own lives. We achieve results for the people we work with because of our Approach.  The COPE Galway Approach is built on:  Understanding - Deep listening, storytelling, learning, developing, openness, connections.  Respect - Valuing the whole person, empowering, trusting, believing in the potential of others, drawing on strengths and abilities.  Response - Quality, professionalism, making an impact, challenging ourselves, continuous improvement.  Strong human relationships form the basis for the COPE Galway Approach. These relationships are established on how we understand and respect those we work with and how we respond so that we positively impact people’s lives.  Our Team is supported by regular support and supervision, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme. Our people receive a wide variety of on-the-job training, with core training including Trauma Informed Practice, First Aid Responder, MAPA (Management of Actual and Potential Aggression), Overdose Response and Naloxone Administration and additional trainings including Values Workshops, Diversity Workshops and Harm Reduction Workshops.The Cold Weather Response Service  COPE Galway’s Cold Weather Response aims to reduce the risks of harm associated with rough sleeping in cold weather, including the risk of death due to hypothermia, through the provision of temporary supported accommodation. The service also acts as a referral point to housing and health supports to help to identify solutions to homelessness and to improve outcomes for and with clients.The Manager has overall responsibility for the coordination and delivery of the Response, focusing on ensuring the provision of a high-quality service in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services) and leading, supporting and supervising our staff to work to their fullest potential. They have a role in mentoring and supporting their colleagues with an aim of collaboratively embedding the values of COPE Galway and a trauma informed approach within the service. The Manager will also lead the team in mapping out successful exit routes from the service for and with clients and will foster strong collaborative relationships within COPE Galway and with our partners.This response will be in operation from December 2023 until March 31st, 2024. Beyond these dates, there will be ongoing management work in our Homeless Services for the successful candidate who will remain a part of our management team.Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Manager is responsible to the Head of Homeless Services. Their (not exhaustive) key duties are:Leadership and managementTo lead the Cold Weather Response Team and to build capacity within the teamTo participate in the recruitment and induction of staff and volunteers as appropriateTo manage and provide support and supervision to the staff and volunteers of the serviceTo support the rollout of Trauma Informed Practice in the serviceTo model leadership behaviours and embed a positive value led cultureTo contribute to the development of reflective practice in the serviceTo identify gaps in service provision and work to reduce theseService ManagementTo ensure the day-to-day operations of the service run smoothly and in accordance with the policies and procedures of COPE GalwayTo carry out administrative and financial procedures in accordance with organisation policiesTo ensure that administration and recording systems are developed and in place and appropriately operatedTo oversee the use the database systems in place including PASS (Pathway Accommodation & Support System)To ensure that all incidents, emergencies, events and handovers are recorded using the recording systems in placeTo ensure that clients are consulted and involved in the operation of the project to the greatest practical extentTo work in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services)To process and deal with complaints in line with policy and procedureTo provide regular reports on performance and other issues, as requiredClient servicesTo ensure a safe, welcoming and friendly environment is established and maintained in the operation of the serviceTo develop and imbed a proactive and flexible approach to client engagement including increasing the focus on families at risk of homelessnessTo ensure that assessments are carried out in a professional, sensitive and appropriate mannerTo ensure that the service operates a care and case management primarily focused on assisting and supporting clients’ exit from emergency accommodation and homelessness into long-term housing and accommodationTo work actively to reach people rough sleeping in Galway utilising a health-led, rights based and harm minimisation approachTo support the key working process ensuring it supports clients to access local services such as housing, childcare, welfare, medical, education and training and employment servicesTo be proactive in addressing difficult or problematic situations as they arise in a sensitive and direct manner within the framework of the organisational policies and proceduresTo ensure that appropriate and effective procedures are in place for communication and consultation with clients including supporting the organisations policy of encouraging client involvement in a wide variety of ways.InteragencyTo work effectively and in collaboration with Galway City Council and the HSETo communicate effectively and respectfully with colleagues and clientsTo develop and maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agenciesTo contribute to the fostering of positive relations with the local community and in particular with those living in the immediate neighbourhood by responding to enquiries made to the projectTo report on work and activities to funders as appropriateHealth and SafetyTo ensure that health and safety standards are maintained and adhere to COPE Galway Safety Statement and related policies and procedures at all timesTo ensure that domestic, health, and hygiene standards in CWR premises are safe and maintained to the highest standards.To contribute to the development and operating of Health and Safety procedures and practices across the CWR premises, including office spaces and accommodation unitsGeneralTo work positively and effectively as a member of a team and the wider OrganisationTo attend and contribute to Homeless Services Managers and Leads team meetings and other meetings as requiredTo participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and assist in job-related training needsTo continue to learn and develop professionally through participating in training and workshopsTo ensure adherence within the service at all times to the COPE Galway Child Protection and Welfare Policy & Procedure and the Children First Guidelines  To ensure that confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the COPE Galway Data Protection Policies and Procedures and agreed information sharing protocolsTo adhere to all of COPE Galway’s policies and proceduresTo carry out any other reasonable duties as requestedThis job description will be subject to review to take account of any changes necessary in response to changing needs and development of the services over time. Key Terms and ConditionsFrequency of Work:                   37 hours per week, roster to be agreed with line manager Contract Period:                         2 years, fixed termSalary/Pay-scale:                       €53,068Method of Pay:                           Monthly by credit transferAnnual Leave:                             27 days per annum pro rata Person SpecificationThe ideal candidate will have:EssentialA minimum of two years’ experience of working in a management role in a comparable area of work (homeless services, community services, addiction services etc.)A minimum of three years’ experience of working with vulnerable communitiesA recognised third level qualification (minimum level 8) in Social Care or equivalentA minimum of two years’ specific experience of working with people experiencing social disadvantageA commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of COPE Galway and to the achievement of the Organisation’s strategic goalsA thorough understanding of the nature of homelessness and of the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness Core competenciesAn ability to develop and promote a culture of understanding, ownership and delivery of the Organisation’s visionA commitment to collaborating with other agencies and services in the delivery of this organisational visionAn ability to build, maintain and positive effective relationships and networksAn ability to take responsibility for service delivery and outcomesA commitment to encouraging and promoting a healthy working environment which fosters trust, respect and hard workInnovation in identifying new ways of work with, liaise with and engage with clientsAn ability to solve complex problems, creating effective and innovative solutionsProfessionalism and role modelling positive professional behavioursPromotion of a culture of high-level trust and integrityEncouragement of staff to identify strengths and focus on progress, despite the challenges they faceAn ability to remain calm and composed within a demanding and stressful environment and situations, focusing on tasks and goals and role modelling effective management of challenging situations to staffAn ability to model the highest standards of professional practice and encourage others to strive for the same