Job Summary
Vulnerability Assessment Officers will have the responsibility to conduct vulnerability assessment interviews with new arrivals who have been received by the IPO or persons who may have been in the country for some time. They will explain to the individual the purpose and process of the assessment interview. At the entry or first contact preliminary screening level, a few very basic questions will be asked to help identify those who may have formal protection needs and should be understood as asylum seekers, and who may require immediate assistance. On concluding interviews, Vulnerability Assessment Officers will compile a comprehensive report and handover all reports and interview scripts to IPAS.
Duties & Responsibilities

• Paying careful attention and interest in the detail of a person’s situation
• Embracing an evidence-based approach to screening and assessment
• Showing respect, empathy and discretion, including consideration of cultural, age and gender factors
• Seeking advice whenever appropriate
• Respecting the “do no harm” principle – avoiding action that could endanger the individual and questions that are invasive
• Understanding of International human rights and refugee law frameworks
• Understanding of Ireland’s national asylum and migration governance system
• Understanding of the adverse effects of prolonged and uncertain detention and asylum or migration procedures
• Understanding of the principles of duty of care, informed consent and best interests of the child and their application
• Characteristics of specific situations of vulnerability and gender inequality
• Understanding of the factors that affect a person’s ability to share information and to be clear about their situation, and how these factors may affect the interview
• Understanding of Factors that cause people to fear disclosing situations of vulnerability and personal information to authority figures (such as a women at risk in the presence of her partner, a dependant in the presence of her/his carer, or a person’s potential involvement in activity that may exclude her or him from refugee status)
• Understanding of Strengths and coping strategies that help people to deal with adversity, increase safety, aid in recovery and maintain hope
• Understanding of Social Protection systems and placement options

Education & Training:

• A degree level 7 or 8 qualification in Counselling/Social Work/Nursing/Social Care / Social Studies /Teaching/ Psychology/Human Resources or other empathy-centric disciplines that require interaction with people is a requirement for this position.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 months experience in the field of social care is essential.
• Proven competence in the care and support of the adults in vulnerable situations and a genuine interest in this area is required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• A sound knowledge and proven ability to interpret and apply legislation such as immigration law and international protection law.
• Applicants must have excellent communication skills & time management skills and be highly motivated.
• Capacity to work effectively with people of diverse cultural and language backgrounds who newly arrived with complex needs
• Capacity to explain the purpose of vulnerability screening and to safeguard privacy and confidentiality
• Communication and interviewing strategies that build trust, obtain reliable information and clarify vulnerability in a cross-cultural context, and manage expectations
• Capacity to identify (by questioning, observation and review of available reports) vulnerability factors as well as strengths
• Capacity to identify and respond to the impact of trauma, as well as the ability to recognise and deal with vicarious trauma in oneself and others
• Capacity to recognise and delineate immediate, medium and longer-term needs for support
• Strategies to ensure that appropriate follow-up assessment and intervention is undertaken
• Ability to follow reporting procedures in cases of retrospective or current child abuse
• Being mindful that personal history and background will influence the interview
• Excellent record keeping skills are required.
• Proven ability to develop positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Competencies and Values:

• Human Rights Based Approach
• Resilience, Positive Attitude & Openness to Change
• Effective Communication & Working Relationships
• Planning, Organising & Reprioritising
• Innovation, Creativity & Problem Solving

Personal Specification:
A strong commitment to caring and an empathetic understanding of those going the International protection system are essential attributes for this role. The successful candidate should possess excellent people skills, be flexible and have experience with rapid and complex changing work environments.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From €15.00 per hour
Expected hours: 39 per week
Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kill, CO. Kildare: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• Social Care: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person