DEVELOPING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES (DHC) LTD
Families Voices Forum Project Coordinator
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post
Families Voices Forum Project Coordinator
Reporting to
CLEAR Project Manager
Salary
£22,000 PA
Hours
3 Days per week (DHC equivalent)
Contract
Fixed until December 2027 (Potential for extension depending on funding)
Location
Remote Working arrangements on offer with a requirement to report to Developing Healthy Communities Office for Team meetings, 1to1s and sporadic events.
Address:
Developing Healthy Communities
83, Ledwidge Avenue,
Ebrington
Derry/Londonderry
Overall Purpose
The Families Voices Forum (FVF) is a regional forum for people bereaved and affected by suicide. Reporting to the Clear Project Manager, the post holder will coordinate, facilitate and develop the Forum, supporting members to have a meaningful voice in local and regional decision-making on suicide prevention, postvention, mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The role will support effective participation, member development, safe governance, stakeholder engagement and delivery of the Public Health Agency funded FVF programme in line with agreed quality, monitoring and reporting requirements.
Main Duties
Forum Coordination and Member Development
· Coordinate and facilitate Families Voices Forum meetings, events and activities, ensuring clear agendas, actions and appropriate follow-up.
· Work with Forum members to develop, maintain and review an action plan setting out agreed priorities, objectives and delivery timescales.
· Support& engagemembers to participate actively and effectively through appropriate administrative, mentoring, facilitation and practical support.
· Complete and review training needs analysis and arrange suitable training or development opportunities in response to identified and emerging needs.
· Support the continued development and growth of Forum membership across all Health and Social Care Trust areas, strengthening links with local and regional groups supporting people bereaved or affected by suicide.
· Create an inclusive and supportive environment which enables people with lived experience to contribute safely and effectively.
Voice, Influence and Representation
· Champion and advocate for meaningful involvement of people with lived experience, ensuring that the voices of families bereaved and affected by suicide influence decision-making and contribute to improved outcomes across suicide prevention and postvention services.
· Support the Forum to contribute to relevant local and regional debate, policy development, decision-making and evaluation relating to suicide prevention, postvention, mental health and emotional wellbeing.
· Ensure the Forum is represented at relevant local and regional meetings, both through the Project Coordinator and, where possible, by supporting members to participate directly.
· Support members to combine lived experience with relevant evidence, research and policy information to inform improvement in policy, services and suicide prevention activity.
· Build and maintain effective working relationships with people and communities affected by suicide, public representatives, community and voluntary organisations, Health and Social Care organisations, Public Health Agency staff, universities, PSNI, government departments and other relevant stakeholders.
· Adapt engagement and communication approaches to meet the needs of different members and stakeholders.
· Identify and act on opportunities to strengthen engagement with Section 75 and other underrepresented groups, maintaining appropriate monitoring and reporting evidence.
Quality, Governance and Member Wellbeing
· Ensure delivery is consistent with Public Health Agency Quality Standards, DHC policies and procedures, and agreed funder requirements.
· Maintain and review appropriate policies and procedures which support the safe and effective management of Forum membership, meetings, activities and participation.
· Identify project risks and raise safeguarding, wellbeing or delivery concerns through the appropriate DHC procedures.
· Maintain procedures for the safe onward referral of members who identify immediate mental health needs, and record and report relevant instances through agreed Public Health Agency monitoring arrangements.
· Ensure appropriate standards of confidentiality, consent and secure handling of member information are maintained.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
· Maintain accurate records of membership, participation, activity, equality monitoring, outputs, outcomes and progress against agreed objectives.
· Monitor delivery against the Forum action plan, contract requirements and agreed performance measures.
· Prepare timely quarterly and other monitoring information for the Public Health Agency and internal DHC reporting.
· Review and evaluate progress with Forum members at least annually, using feedback and learning to strengthen future delivery.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
· Work closely with the designated DHC communications colleague to promote the Forum, membership opportunities, events and agreed key messages.
· Provide accurate project information and content to support the Forum website and other communications channels, while maintaining appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality.
· Maintain effective communication links with local and regional bereavement groups, relevant services and networks to strengthen participation and awareness of the Forum.
Finance and Resource Management
· Work with the Finance & Operations Manager to monitor the Families Voices Forum budget, expenditure and use of project resources in line with DHC and funder requirements.
· Maintain accurate project financial and supporting records and provide information required for monitoring and reporting.
· Contribute to the development of financial cases or proposals for additional resources where required to support agreed Forum priorities.
Research and Development
· Support members to participate effectively in relevant research through information sharing, training, networking and appropriate preparation.
· Support the Forum to contribute to research which develops knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention and postvention issues.
· Support the development and application of policies and procedures which enable people bereaved by suicide to engage safely and effectively in research activity.
Organisational Contribution
· Contribute to DHC planning, team meetings, organisational events and relevant cross-project activity.
· Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to support effective delivery of the Forum and wider DHC objectives.
Please Note
· The duties outlined in this job description provide a guide to the current and main responsibilities of the post.
· The job description will be reviewed in light of changing circumstances, project requirements and funding conditions.
· Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the role and grade may be assigned from time to time.
· All duties must be carried out in line with DHC's policies and procedures, statutory requirements and organisational values.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification sets out the essential and desirable qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and other requirements for the post. Applicants should address the relevant criteria using examples from paid employment, voluntary work or other appropriate experience.
FACTOR
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Either
• Degree or recognised professional qualification, or equivalent qualification at Level 6, and a minimum of 2 years’ experience of project or programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development or mental health environment.
OR
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience of project or programme management within a health improvement, public health, nursing, education, community development or mental health environment.
AND
• Experience of working with people or groups experiencing vulnerability.
• Knowledge of strategy and policy relating to mental health, suicide prevention and drugs and alcohol.
• Knowledge and understanding of the impact of suicide bereavement.
• Accredited suicide prevention or mental health first aid trainer.
• Experience coordinating and implementing emotional health and wellbeing programmes.
• Experience of intersectoral working and/or supporting partnerships.
• Experience engaging and working with people experiencing vulnerability in a mental health context.
• Experience of project monitoring and evaluation, including outcomes and impact measurement.
KNOWLEDGE
• Understanding of the nature and impact of traumatic bereavement.
• Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies and policies.
• Knowledge of budgeting for programmes, services and activities.
• Understanding of multi-agency working.
• Understanding of cross-sector project working.
• Knowledge of community, voluntary and statutory sector services in the fields of suicide, mental health, drugs and alcohol.
• Broader understanding of suicide and the impact of bereavement by suicide.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Previous experience of working in the field of health and social care.
• Experience of public participation approaches, user engagement and community development work.
• Ability to organise and manage planned activity efficiently while responding appropriately to changing or immediate external demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong facilitation or group management skills.
• Presentation and report writing skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and accounts using manual and computerised systems.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage competing priorities.
• Evidence of working on a significant or regional project requiring the application of a broad range of project skills.
• Evidence of working successfully with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve agreed outcomes.
OTHER
• Hold a full current driving licence valid for use in the UK and Ireland and have access to a car. This criterion will be waived where disability prevents driving, provided the applicant has access to a suitable form of transport which enables them to carry out the duties of the post.
• Ability to work flexible hours when required, including evenings and weekends.
DHC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
