Summary of the role
Waterford Leader Partnership (WLP) delivers the South East regional hub of this national network. You will be required to maintain and develop in a structured manner the Social Farming Ireland Network (SoFI) in the South East Region (Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary) among the many stakeholder groups, which include the farmers and growers in the region, the groups of potential participants, providers, agencies and advocates particularly in the Intellectual Disability, and the Mental Health Sector. You will be required to facilitate / broker Social Farming placements on
farms in line with the SoFI quality Framework for Practice and seek continuous improvement and development of these. As outlined above, a significant part of your work will be working with many different service and funders including Health and Social Care Providers to inform them about Social Farming and build relationships towards commissioning, i.e., contracting Social Farming support on farms.
The work requires someone with commitment to inclusion and a good understanding of Social inclusion, Health and Social Care Provision (Social Farming), Rural Development and the issues pertaining to both the service users/project participants and farming families.
Responsibilities of the role
Social Farming Regional Coordinator (RC) – key responsibilities
• Work closely with the existing Regional Coordinator, Management and staff of Waterford Leader Partnership to deliver on their contract to deliver the regional hub of the national Social Farming network.
• Work closely with the National Project Manager / National Project Coordinator and Research/Policy officer in Leitrim Development Company in the implementation of the project work packages.
• Encourage the active participation of many local and regional stakeholders in the key project activities.
• To engage with people with disabilities and mental ill health and others who wish to choose Social Farming and also to engage with their families, advocates, professionals and services who work with them.
• Develop, facilitate and drive strategic collaborative partnerships and networks focused on developing appropriate initiatives to support the development of Social Farming in the region.
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the health & social care sectors.
• Provide support to farmers & farm families to participate in the network, which may include leading, participating in, or assisting with various elements of the project such as provision of information, guidance, mentoring.
• Administer participant placements on Social Farms and ensure that all requisite records are maintained and also available on the CRM system.
• Administer available budgets for Social Farming placements and prepare reports for funders.
• Plan/organise regional network events (workshops, meetings, seminars and study visits) associated with the development work in all counties of the region.
• Understand, be aware of and comply with all issues regarding safeguarding and health and safety for farmers and social farming participants.
• Attend any compulsory training organised by the WLP and Social farming Ireland team and participate in other training events or courses relevant to your role.
• Communicate and report to WLP and the project management on all aspects of the Network Development and attend Management and team meetings usually held online and in Tullamore.
• Any other duties as designated by WLP and the National Project Manager / National Project Coordinator under the Contract.
Requirements
Requirements:
− Third Level qualification or equivalent in health & social care / rural & community
development / social inclusion.
− Some relevant experience of working in health & social care / rural & community development/ social inclusion.
− A strong understanding of and commitment to inclusion and equality.
− Able to work outside of normal office hours on occasions and travel across the region
frequently (travel expenses at the appropriate rate will be paid in respect of travel necessarily performed in the discharge of duty).
− Full clean driving licence with own transport.
Placeholder
Location: Position will be based in the company’s office in Lismore Co Waterford with a significant remote/outreach and travel element across other counties in the region.
Hours per week: 37.5 hours /week
Duration: A fixed term contract for minimum of a 12-month period, which will be renewed subject to funding and completion of satisfactory probation period.
Remuneration: Starting Salary Range: €34,142 – €36,630 depending on experience.
Pension: Company pension available to join upon successfully completing the probationary period
Shortlisting may apply. A panel may be formed from which future positions can be filled.
Garda vetting is required for the successful candidate
To apply email a letter of application and current CV, to [email protected]
Before 5pm Monday 12 October 2026
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| Social-Farming-Regional-Coordinator.pdf | PDF - 0.3Mb |