Women’s Engagement Officer

**Employer: TGP Cymru**

**Position: Women’s Engagement Officer**

**Location: North Wales**

**Contract: Temporary until 30th June 2025**

**Hours: 21**

**Salary: £23,900 FTE**

**Closing Date: 28/10/2024**

**Interview Date: w/c 04/11/2024**

The Travelling Ahead project provides an advocacy service working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities around Wales (children, young people and adults) supporting access to rights and entitlements, addressing inequalities and tackling discrimination.

Our Irish Government funded project aims to engage with Irish Traveller families and deliver outreach and wider advocacy support in community drop-in settings and to work alongside families to support better access to services such as health, education, accommodation.

The project also aims to support increased participation and confidence of Irish Traveller families in developing this project as well as tackling barriers such as discrimination and involvement in service design and delivery.

This temporary Engagement Officer post (18.5 hours) will develop work specifically with Irish Traveller women across North Wales alongside our existing team. The work will include providing direct support and advocacy one to one as well as in group settings and support women in developing skills for self-advocacy and confidence-building.

**This post is funded on a temporary basis until June 30th 2025.**

**Accountabilities / Responsibilities**
- Take responsibility for the development of elements of the Service’s work as directed by the Team Manager
- Provide advice, advocacy and opportunities for Irish Traveller women alongside other Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) community members to access rights and entitlements and participate in decision making that affects them.
- Develop, support and work in partnership with Irish Traveller women across North Wales ensuring their voices are central to service provision and planning that affects their communities.
- Raise awareness, understanding and enthusiasm for the Service’s work, amongst Irish Traveller communities and relevant professionals.
- Liaise and negotiate with relevant professionals to ensure that roles, responsibilities, expectations and contributions are clearly organised, understood and acted upon.
- Ensure that equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice is maintained, and that TGP Cymru’s standards in this respect are applied.
- Assist the Team Manager to assess the Service’s outputs against the framework of agreed outcomes by the monitoring of activity and the collection of appropriate information including feedback from service users.
- Ensure that Safeguarding concerns which arise are identified and appropriate decisions are made regarding risk assessment and referral to Social Services / other appropriate agencies under the supervision of the Team Manager
- Ensure that Interventions are managed within their agreed allocation.
- Comply with the Service’s financial and administration systems in accordance with TGP Cymru’s policies and procedures.
- Ensure that records are kept in accordance with TGP Cymru’s policies and procedures on recording, data management and child protection.
- Maintain confidentiality in respect of the information from service users and professionals in line with TGP Cymru’s policies.
- Network appropriately within the community.
- Contribute to local policy and planning forums as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues.
- Take responsibility for own professional development and undertake appropriate training as required.
- Such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required by the organisation and which are consistent with grade.

**Qualifications**
- A professional qualification in social work, youth and community work, or related discipline such as Health and Education (Desirable)
- Independent Advocacy Qualification (or willingness to work towards) (Essential)

**Skills and abilities / competencies**

The post holder will be able to:

- Work in a culturally competent and empowering way with all clients
- Plan and organize work and manage time effectively
- Work well with colleagues and partners and acknowledge the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds of others
- Communicate effectively i.e. express information and ideas in a clear, concise and accurate manner; listens actively and ensures information is shared.
- Be open to new approaches and ideas, respond positively to change and adapt quickly to new situations
- Seek opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth

**Knowledge / Experience**

The postholder will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and record of achievement in the following:

- Knowledge and awareness of issues facing Irish Traveller women or wider Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- Direct work with Irish Traveller or other communities facing discrimination and exclusion
- Experience of providing advocacy, advice or suppo