The Community Health Promotion Officer will work to implement the Irish Cancer Society’s strategic goal to Reduce the risk of cancer.  This role will focus on developing community-led projects designed for specific areas identified as being high priority. He/ She will build capacity and mobilize communities around cancer prevention. They will coordinate a team of Community Health Education Programme volunteers and seek to extend the health promotion work of Daffodil Centres and local cancer support services to particular communities. REPORTS TO: Senior Health Promotion Officer DEPARTMENT: Health Promotion LOCATION: Based in Cork HOURS: Full Time (35 hours/week) flexibility required. CONTRACT TYPE: One Year Fixed Term Contract About the department The Health Promotion Department is responsible for the delivery of evidence based, high-impact cancer risk reduction programmes using a combination of national programmes and community based projects informed by the European Code Against Cancer.  Overall Responsibility:            Responsibilities:

• Coordinate a range of projects which will increase peoples’ skills and motivation to make healthy choices that will reduce their risk of cancer.
• Work in partnership with community organisations and other relevant agencies to develop and deliver a range of evidence informed programmes to respond to the specific needs of target groups within their community.
• Assess community needs and highlight risk factor statistics and trends in the uptake of prevention interventions including screening rates.
• Develop Cancer Action projects which will act as demonstration projects and showcase best practice in cancer prevention, addressing key areas in the EU code against cancer.
• Work to build the sustainability of projects which have demonstrated impact and delivered key outcomes.
• Work with local groups to ensure that cancer prevention is incorporated into community action plans.
• Coordinate the Community Health Education Programme in the Munster area. This involves recruiting, training and supervising a team of volunteers.
• Work in conjunction with the Patient Support Services Department and the National Daffodil Centre manger to identify and progress potential Community health promotion opportunities with Daffodil Centres and local cancer support services affiliated to the Irish Cancer Society, Relay for Life Mission committees and Community Fundraisers.
• Implement agreed Society policies and procedures to support volunteers in the region.
• Using the Society’s evaluation framework; develop and adapt current measurement tools and report on key indicators agreed for each area of work.
• Ensure the suitable monitoring and evaluations of projects undertaken.
• Build a bank of appropriate resources relevant to each community project.
• Work with other departments in the Irish cancer Society as necessary to achieve strategic objectives.
• Other duties as required by manager.

Selection Criteria:  Essential factors:

• Degree or professional qualification in Health Promotion / Community Health or related area
• Minimum of two years’ work experience in Health Promotion / Community Development / Capacity building or related area
• Skills in needs assessment, project planning and evaluation methodology
• Facilitation and training skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• An excellent understanding of issues related to the community settings based health promotion, and strategies to address health inequalities
• Excellent organisational, administration and communication skills;
• Excellent  IT Skills
• Proactive and flexible approach required
• Ability to effectively partner and collaborate with other community organisations, to maintain and build partnerships, and access community resources.
• Attention to detail
• Full clean driving licence required

Desirable:

• Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in a relevant field
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector
• Experience of the Health Sector in Ireland
• Experience of working with different groups including disadvantaged groups

 General

• The Irish Cancer Society operates a no-smoking policy and the post holder must not smoke in the office or when on Society business outside the office.
• Have access to a vehicle and be willing and able to travel provincially, and be willing to work outside of normal working hours
• All employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety and to adhere to fire regulations.
• This job description is not exhaustive.  It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Society at any time after discussion with the post holder.

HOW TO APPLY:  If you are interested in applying for this position, please send curriculum vitae and cover letter including current remuneration package to:  Aoife Foley, HR Assistant, Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Rd., Dublin 4. Email: recruitment@irishcancer.ie. The closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 10^th February 2014.  The Irish Cancer Society is an equal opportunities employer.