1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB 2. ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB 3. GUIDANCE AND AUTHORITY

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1 Society of St Vincent de Paul JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: National Member Job Holder: Vacant Support Manager Reports To: National Secretary Location: National Office Region: National Office Date of Job Description: June PURPOSE OF THE JOB To resource the development and delivery of a national programme of support and development for SVP membership, quality home visitation, and Young SVP development. 2. ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB The SVP is a large, national, voluntary organisation with extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people who experience poverty and exclusion. Through its network of over 12,000 volunteers and 800 staff, it is strongly committed to working for social justice and advocates the creation of a more just and caring society. SVP employs people to support volunteers in a variety of settings including housing and hostels, community care, shops, administration and other specialist areas. The Society is Christian based with a strong sense of Gospel values. The founder of the Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, was a devout Catholic and his legacy of spirituality remains a key element for volunteer members of the Society and underpins the conduct of conference meetings. It can often therefore be normal practice within the Society that prayers are said at the beginning and end of Conference meetings or at meetings where members are in attendance as this underpins the ethos of the Society. There is no requirement for staff members to actively participate in the saying of prayers but to respect the ethos of the Society and be aware that this practice may occur. 3. GUIDANCE AND AUTHORITY The principal responsibility of the National Office is to support the development and implementation of policy approved by the National Management Council (NMC) and National Council. Within this broader context the role reports to the National Secretary but also has an indirect reporting line to a senior member of the NMC and is based in the National Office. The job holder will have a close working relationship with Regional Presidents and Regional Coordinators. The job holder will have a close working relationship with other members of National Office management team and other Function Heads to ensure a coordinated approach to the implementation of programmes originating from other functional areas. The job holder has the following direct reports: -National Youth Coordinator

2 -National Member Support Development Officer x2 -Member Support Administrator The post holder is expected to operate with considerable autonomy. The nature of matters which may be referred upwards are those: Where significant resistance is experienced in the development of good practice and implementation of policy. Where practice or proposed practice places stakeholders in a position of risk e.g. a child, a vulnerable adult, members, volunteers, the reputation of the Society. Where decision will have a significant impact on the workload of others, particularly within the National or Regional Offices or other Function Heads. 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES ACCOUNTABILITIES 1. Maintain, develop and manage national systems and processes which support the delivery of consistent and quality home visitation. 2. Manage and support the work of the Member Support Officers throughout the regions in conjunction with the Regional Coordinators. HOW ACHIEVED Development of the Area President /Area Council structure as an active support to home visitation conferences. Promote the use of the CRM system as System owner and develop it as a management information system Generate timely reports on the range, volume and patterns of home visitation work Supporting conferences and regions to respond to and resolve client complaints. Manage the distribution of grants to regions and subsequent reporting to government and other donors Drafting policy papers for consideration by the National Visitation Committee/NMC Provide a link between home visitation and Social Justice. Provide guidance and direction in line with SVP s National Strategy to deliver a programme of support and development to the voluntary leadership within each region In collaboration with senior members and Regional Coordinators implement an agreed plan of work focusing on National/Regional priorities

3 3. Maintain, develop and manage national processes and systems for the recruitment, retention, development and support of members. Develop the reporting mechanisms to allow for clear oversight of progress in each agreed priority area Maintain and update the Best Practice and Guidance notes to enhance good visitation practice throughout the Society in collaboration with the NMDT&R committee and the National Vice President, Develop and maintain a resource pack for conference presidents for the recruitment of new members Implement and manage the pilot project for the on-line recruitment of new members Oversee the membership recruitment process, identify areas of non-compliance and propose actions to ensure compliance. Promote the use of the Membership system as System owner and appointing a Super user and develop it as a management information system. Generate timely reports on the profile, levels of engagement and retention of membership Develop membership guides which set out and clarify the role and responsibilities of members and what they can expect of the SVP and what SVP can expect of its members. Develop good communications between your dept. and regional offices Develop processes/supports to address areas of conflict in respect of members.

4 4. Build the capacity of members to undertake quality home visitation through the provision of information resources and training. Promote within the Society the development and sharing of good practice in the delivery of services. Work with the National Member Development, Training and Recruitment committee (NMDT&R) to ensure the delivery of training programmes for members including the development of content for all training. Work with NMDT&R committee to develop blended learning in SVP for new and existing member training Explore methods of introducing alternative methods of delivery and communication e.g. e-learning etc. Provide information resources on specific topics, training and develop guidelines on ways of working with specialist groups e.g. ethnic minorities, on specific thematic areas e.g. lone parents, education opportunities Collaborate with the National MDT&R committee in the delivery of training across the regions Promote and development the concept of Area Gatherings to support on-going member development in SVI Maintain and update the Best Practice and Guidance notes to enhance good visitation practice throughout the Society in collaboration with the NMDT&R committee and the National Vice President. 5. Maintain, develop and manage a national youth programme Young SVP Work with the National Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver a programme of work with students in Transition Year, 5 th year, students in 3 rd level colleges. Line management of National Youth Development Co-ordinator.

5 6. Manage, support and develop the staff in the Membership Support function and Young SVP Provide a proactive programme of support and professional supervision to enable the achievement of agreed objectives. 7. Be part of and contribute to the work of the National Office Team Attend team meetings and collaborate with other functions in the development and delivery of the national office programme of work. 8. Manage, support and develop the Support Services function Ensure appropriate level of support as required in relation to membership support and wider support within National Office in relation to Core work. 9. Continually reassess the operational risks inherent in the provision of services, taking account of changing legal and regulatory requirements, and best practice. By addressing any areas of concern in conjunction with line management and or the appropriate department / function and to highlight any material issues to senior members, National Secretary, HR or Internal Audit as appropriate.

6 5. CHALLENGES There are a number of challenges in this role, largely determined by the scale, complexity, voluntary nature and high levels of local autonomy within the Society: Acceptance of the dynamic of a complex, national, membership organisation and an understanding of how this both contributes to and constrains the work. Resilience and persistence in the face of barriers and organisational roadblocks encountered. Management of ambiguity and complexity. Influencing others not under direct authority. Influencing stakeholders to recognise and to act upon, the need for accelerated change. 6. OTHER INFORMATION In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the job holder may be required from time to time to perform other duties as deemed reasonable and necessary by the employer. Although the post is located in the National Office the job holder will be expected to be available to travel extensively within Ireland and be available for regular evening and weekend work.

7 7. EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS TO UNDERTAKE THE ROLE AT A FULLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL EDUCATION Job holder should be educated to degree level in a relevant discipline. KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of the Society and of its mission and values Knowledge of needs and issues of those living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage Knowledge of best practice in the development and delivery of support to volunteers would be an advantage Knowledge of volunteer led services. Knowledge of Safeguarding issues and best practice would be an advantage Knowledge of recent developments in Ireland in the planning and delivery of services for people who experience poverty and social exclusion. Knowledge of Youth Development EXPERIENCE At least 5-10 years experience at a senior level in an organisation or organisations, with an element of complexity. Experience of managing and developing teams. Experience of strategic planning and change management. Experience of case management and supervision. Experience of inter-disciplinary and inter-agency working at an operational and strategic level. Experience in researching, analysing, developing policy papers and gaining support for a particular course of action. Experience of successful development, management, implementation and evaluation of complex project plans. Experience of lone working and ability to use own initiative SKILLS Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, in individual and group situations. Ability to gain rapport with and to relate to a wide variety of audiences both internally and externally. Leadership and strong organisational skills Original thinker with strong client focus. Empathetic and pragmatic approach An ability to critically reflect in a conscious way on experience and to apply that awareness, using concepts and models, to good effect. Additionally, the ability to lead others in such reflective practices. A positive outlook with resilience and persistence in the face of barriers and setbacks.

8 An ability to establish and foster excellent working relationships with many different people across different functions and locations. Project Management skills An ability to write reports in a clear, concise and structured manner. Other Flexible in approach to working life, with additional hours where required Willing to consult widely Willing to travel Own Car/ access to a car and clean driving licence The person must also demonstrate the following personal attributes: be honest and trustworthy be respectful possess cultural awareness and sensitivity be flexible demonstrate sound work ethics

9 8. MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS Contract Type: Hours: Pension: Salary: Permanent 37.5 hours per week but flexibility required to fulfil needs of the role 5% employer contribution 5% employee contribution 70,000 per annum 9. STRUCTURE CHART Member of the National Membership Council National Secretary National Member Support Manager Regional Coordinators Member Support Administrator National Youth Development Coordinator National Member Support Development Membership Support Officers Officers The information contained in this job description is a true and accurate reflection of the job as at the date specified... Job Holder... Line Manager