Overview of the role

The Community Development & Housing Officers role is to develop the aims and objectives of the programme and fulfil the programme of activities. The development worker will deliver the NIHE project working closely with the Community Engagement Capacity Building Programme within Castle Community Trust abiding by the policies of the Castle Community Trust.

Summary of main responsibilities:

· Support community cohesion across Lower North Belfast.

· Promote Good Relations across Lower North Belfast.

· Provide advice on housing issues, work with NIHE, other agencies and operate regular housing clinics in lower North Belfast. Secure appropriate venues.

· Engage in inter-agency groups and establish a Lower North Belfast interagency group.

· Provide support and guidance to tackle anti-social behaviour across Lower North Belfast.

· Carry out any surveys or reports relevant to Housing and Environmental issues relating to the Lower North Belfast.

· Engage in community development activities including planning, implementation and evaluation.

· Support and deliver OCN accredited and non-accredited courses.

· To develop positive relationships with relevant individuals, groups, organisations statutory and government agencies in lower North Belfast. Seek opportunities for engaging partners, partner groups, other communities, to support the development of the programme.

· Through outcome-based initiatives deliver the strategic aims and objectives of the programme. To support, enable and sustain the process of community engagement.

· Target social need and promote equality of opportunity.

· Promote economic development, re-skilling and training opportunities within the community of lower North Belfast.

· Have a positive impact on the development of social justice initiatives and regeneration of the North Belfast area.

· Plan with the steering group for the delivery and achievement of the project objectives, outcomes and related project budgets producing a work plan and related reports. Work closely with the Community Engagement Officer.

· Utilise a person centered approach cognitive of the need for participant’s confidentiality and inclusion. Break down barriers to participation.

· Raising and managing funds in conjunction with the Operations Manager and Finance & Administration Officer

· To support and facilitate the engagement of individuals, groups, young people, statutory bodies and others relevant to the project.

· Community Safety & Good Relations events

· Preparing relevant reports and performance related data and monitoring current methods and approaches with a view to improvement

· Working closely with the finance & administration officer to in relation to preparing, monitoring and reporting of budgets and finance reports to funders as required

· Working to strict deadlines and be available for work outside normal office hours as required

· Ensuring that programs/services are monitored, evaluated and audited adequately

· Participating in relevant and appropriate training

· Attending staff meetings as required

· Undertaking such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time

· To operate safely in the workplace.

· To attend supervision sessions with designated Line Manager and prepare work report for same and undertake any relevant training

· To carry out such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably requested.

· This Job Description is not intended to comprehensively list the responsibilities of the post, but to indicate the main areas which at this stage appear to be the essential requirements of the post.