The Community Intercultural Health Outreach Worker role is an exciting opportunity to work with us in complementing our other programmes supporting migrants and refugees.
In collaboration with HSE Social Inclusion South East Community Healthcare, this project will aim to reduce inequalities in health and improve access to mainstream and targeted health services for vulnerable and excluded groups in Kilkenny city and county.
Role of the Community Intercultural Health Outreach Worker
The key role of the Community Intercultural Health Outreach Worker is to improve the health outcomes of refugees and international protection applicants by supporting their access to health services, information and meeting emerging needs.
The project will provide essential supports to the community in addressing their holistic health needs aligned with the Social Determinants of Health.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provide in-person advocacy supports to enhance access to health information and health services to improve health outcomes.
2. Provide advocacy supports to enhance signposting and access to a range of services to ensure individual and family needs are met.
3. Implement actions and links to existing services aligned with Social Determinants of Health, ensuring a quality-of-life approach and self-agency through engagement with appropriate services e.g. childcare, housing, social welfare etc.
4. To initiate, organise and deliver activities and programmes aimed at meaningful integration to strengthen inclusion within local communities.
5. Raise awareness within the health sector and other partners on the cultural sensitivities of the Community through information and training.
6. A solution focussed approach addressing identified inequities in accessing services.
7. Advocate for language supports within services.
8. To work collaboratively with projects, HSE Social Inclusion and other relevant partners in meeting existing and emerging needs for refugees and international protection applicants.
9. Attend and participate on relevant local networks and forums as required.
10. Maintain appropriate and up-to-date records of all project activities in adherence with funding requirements, data protection policies and national strategies.
11. Prepare and present timely reports on programme activities, actions and KPIs as requested by Community Development Manager and/or CEO.
Person Specification:
Essential Criteria: A relevant third-level qualification in a health promotion or community development discipline or equivalent combination of relevant education. Practical experience or knowledge of working with marginalised communities preferably migrants who have complex issues and are at risk of social exclusion, poverty and discrimination. Excellent verbal communication skills and person-centred approaches with emotional intelligence, respecting human rights, building trust through empathy and active listening.
Desirable Criteria: Knowledge of health services and systems. Presenting and collating information to enhance access to services. Practical experience of working in partnership with other organisations and services to deliver collaborative responses in addressing inequalities.