WHO WE ARE
DIGNITY4PATIENTS is an independent charity providing Support, Advocacy & Information to victims-survivors of sexual abuse. We work with people who have experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual behaviour in medical, healthcare, or therapeutic environments. We aim to assist victim-survivors in dealing with various reporting, justice, and healing pathways for their well-being. We intend to treat those accessing healthcare who have experienced negative sexualised behaviour by healthcare staff with the respect and dignity they deserve.

POSITION INFORMATION
DIGNITY4PATIENTS is hiring a Support Officer across our Justice and Advocacy Service. We seek a dedicated individual to join our team to provide support to individuals and families who have experienced sexual abuse (in any of its forms) in Ireland's healthcare services. Ideally, we require someone with experience in supporting victims & survivors or providing information on individual rights, legal processes, or available supports. As a frontline worker, this important role seeks to support and empower victims. Your work will be underpinned by our core values of confidentiality, professionalism, respect, empathy, integrity, and accountability.

Our office is based in Drogheda, and the Support Officer will be required to attend our office due to the sensitivity of the subject and for client confidentiality. Remote working is not available for this particular role.

MAIN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To answer and address helpline calls, emails, text messages, and web contacts in a respectful manner.
• To incorporate support practice into assessments and intervention programmes 
• To arrange appointments and meet victims on a one-to-one basis in a professional and empathetic manner.
• To be familiar with the support services available for victims of sexual violence and refer where required.
• To risk assess the helpline callers' needs and to offer appropriate support services.
• To escalate any matters of concern to the Advocacy Officer to ensure safe client engagement.
• To enter & maintain detailed client records in Dignity4Patient’s database, with timely casework follow-up. 
• To ensure detailed records of work undertaken are maintained in line with organisational policy 
• To support the Operations Manager in ensuring health & safety and compliance requirements are fulfilled.
• To attend regular supervision to ensure your mental health and self-care are a priority.
• To attend internal meetings and attend mandatory training, and any future related training
• To offer support and backup to colleagues in the Advocacy Team as and when required.
• Carry out other roles or duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the post, as requested
• To attend and participate in such meetings in the internal and external work environment as may be required for the efficient development of advocacy service. 

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post, which may be assigned to him/her from time to time, and to contribute to the development and success of the post.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to listen to and show empathy when working with victims and survivors. 
Strong IT skills, comfortable using a CRM database and/or Proficiency in MS packages e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook 
At ease with daily contact with victims and survivors via helpline telephones, texts, emails, and webchats. 
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative. 
Comfortable in managing and dealing with the topic of sexual abuse. 
Fluent Communication in the English Language. 

Desirable:
Prior proven track record of victim/survivor support. 
High standards of organisational skills and attention to detail. 
Confidentiality is the bedrock of our work; discretion and sensitivity should be your core values. 
Have a positive, can-do attitude; a self-starter with the ability to work in a team. 

BENEFITS & TERMS 
Job Type: Part-time, permanent role, with a 6-month probationary period. 
Hours: 
Option 1: 22 hrs per week over a 4-day week Monday through Thursday (10.00 – 16.00) + unpaid lunch. 
Option 2: 16 hrs per week over a 4-day week Monday through Thursday (10.00 – 14.00) 
Annual Leave: Standard pro rata entitlement plus Good Friday, Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve. 
Sick Leave: Generous entitlement of 5 days certified sick leave paid at 100% of daily salary. 
Counsellor: Access to quarterly work supervision/counsellor support for staff well-being. 
Parking: Free on-site parking is available at the office. 
Location: Drogheda outskirts.
Salary: The salary for this role, depending on the option chosen, is:- 
Option 1: 22 hrs per week at €17.00 p/hr totalling approximately €19,448 per annum
Option 2: 16 hrs per week at €17.00 p/hr totalling approximately €14,144 per annum
This is the pro-rata rate of a full-time equivalent of €33,150 per annum.