The focus of this role, funded under the Empowering Communities programme, will be to directly address social exclusion and the negative impacts of poverty and marginalisation within the Arranmore community. 

To do this, community representatives on Arranmore have identified the need for better coordination and promotion of health and wellbeing activities on the island.

Arranmore has good facilities (incl. a gym, community centre, pitches, tennis court, beaches, and a day centre for older people). However, additional support to coordinate health and wellbeing activities would be hugely beneficial. This would result in islanders becoming more active, particularly outside of the busy tourist season. 

The ‘Active Arranmore’ Coordinator will support and empower individuals and community groups in Arranmore to enhance and improve health & wellbeing of inhabitants, thus addressing the negative effects of poverty and marginalisation.

The coordinator will do this by, among other things, organising health and wellbeing activities, building the capacity of local community groups to offer health and wellbeing activities, and identifying underutilised health and wellbeing facilities on the island and promote their use.

While the role will coordinate activities for all islanders, there will be a particular emphasis on activities for young people, Ukrainian refugees, and people over 65 (all of whom make up a disproportionately high percentage of the island’s population). 

• The ‘Active Arranmore’ Coordinator will be required to work 21 hours per week. This role is par time fixed-term to 31st December 2026 and is subject to funding. Hours may increase subject to funding and programme needs.
• The role will be based on Arranmore Island. Flexibility will be required to work outside the work schedule to fulfil duties.
• Salary for the part time role is €21,000 (full time equivalent is €36,000).
• A probationary period of 6 months will apply and performance in role will be discussed throughout the period of cover.

• Benefits include: 

  • Eligibility for a 6% employer-contributed pension scheme
  • 15 days annual leave for part time & other leave options
  • Flexible working arrangements are available
  • Travel and subsistence allowance
  • Learning and development opportunities 
  • Employee Assistance Programme.

Main Duties

You will be required to...

1

Key Responsibilities

• Organising health and wellbeing activities
• Building the capacity of local community groups to offer health and wellbeing activities
• Identifying underutilised health and wellbeing facilities on the island and promote their use
• Assist local organisations (e.g. schools, day centres, community centre) to coordinate health and wellbeing activities
• Advising islanders how to access health services – GPs, acute, mental health, etc.
• Participate in, and deliver, community information fairs inclusive of health.

2

Planning, Report Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Facilitate a collaborative approach and develop a coordinated response with the community and other stakeholders in developing a clear work plan –
  • mapping out needs and services of the targeted area with associated resources
  • to put required supports and structures in place to address any weaknesses and strengthen the capacity of the local community to engage meaningfully with existing community structures and the ECP.
• Provide oral and written reports to your line manager, and relevant Steering Groups on progress and issues of relevance.
• Maintain up to date records related to required supports & referrals
• Ensure files are set-up to monitor community-based activities & ensure all necessary documentation is on file for all actions.
• To work with relevant community structures, i.e. Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and leaders in scoping out the strengths and weaknesses in the capacity of local community representative infrastructure
• To collaborate with other Community Engagement Workers and ECP at a national level in the development of a programme monitoring framework and ensure that all local reporting and planning mechanisms are in line with this framework
• Positively promote health services and liaise with external agencies and relevant statutory bodies.
• Work closely and establish effective working relationships with a range of community organisations and agencies to facilitate closer working relationships
• Broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services.
• Develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies, including cross border partner organisations
• Participate in both internal and external working groups as are relevant to DLDC.

3

Engagement and Partnerships 

• To work with relevant community structures, i.e. Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and leaders in scoping out the strengths and weaknesses in the capacity of local community representative infrastructure
• To collaborate with other Community Engagement Workers and ECP at a national level in the development of a programme monitoring framework and ensure that all local reporting and planning mechanisms are in line with this framework
• Positively promote health services and liaise with external agencies and relevant statutory bodies.
• Work closely and establish effective working relationships with a range of community organisations and agencies to facilitate closer working relationships
• Broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services.
• Develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies, including cross border partner organisations
• Participate in both internal and external working groups as are relevant to DLDC.

4

Miscellaneous

• Report to and action objectives as agreed with the Community Food & Nutrition Worker and Head of Operations
• Attend and input to staff meetings as appropriate
• Carry out any other function relevant to the position as indicated from time to time.
• Be willing to work evenings as required.
• Have access to car, and full clean driving licence in order to fulfil the duties of the role.
• This list of job duties is not exhaustive and may be amended in order that all role duties are fulfilled.

1

Work experience in a role that has involved health promotion and improvement within the community. Experience of delivering community development approaches, local needs analysis, planning and addressing social exclusion issues.

2.

Interpersonal & Liaison Skills

3.

4.

Ability to support and motivate others and inspire trust. 

The coordinator will be required to be a flexible, motivated self-starter who can communicate effectively. They will work well as part of a team and also on their own initiative. They will have good report writing and presentation skills.

5.

Communication Skills

6.

7.

• Ability to communicate effectively in Irish.
• Relevant Third Level qualification (e.g., Degree) or equivalent in Community Development is desirable

DLDC reserves the right to enhance criteria, dependent on the responses received to the advertisement.