Vulnerability Assessment Officer, International Protection (Ukrainian& Georgian Speakers)

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to Manager, Vulnerability Assessments

Working Relationships

• You will work with a multidisciplinary team at City West including the IPAS Welfare Team, Dept of Social Protection, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Job Summary

Vulnerability Assessment Officers (VAO) will have the responsibility to conduct vulnerability assessment interviews with new arrivals who have been received by the IPO or persons seeking International Protection who may have been in the country for some time. VAOs will explain to the individual the purpose and process of the assessment interview. At the entry or first contact preliminary screening level, some questions will be asked to help identify those who may fall under the vulnerability categories outlined in S.I. 230/2018. Those that require formal protection, those requiring additional supports and who may require immediate assistance will be identified. On concluding the 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

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

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.

Professional Expectation

You will be expected to keep abreast of current developments and best practice in the area of International Protection. In this respect you may from time to time be required to attend appropriate courses and seminars.

The Project Worker/ Reception Officer must be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to the sector including:

• Vulnerability assessment policy
• Good People Services agreed Policies and Codes of Good Practice.
• Diversity, Equality, Cultural Awareness and Anti-Racism;
• Children First Training &Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse.
• Confidentiality Guidelines.
• Data Protection Guidelines (GDPR).
• Equal Opportunity Principles.
• Health & Safety requirements in compliance with Good People Services instructions.
• Be fully familiar with fire precautions and fire drills.
• Notification of accidents, incidents, and other reportable events.
• Code of Practice for Persons working in Reception Centres;
• First Aid Training Basics and Beyond Customer Care;
• Conflict Management;
• Resilience Training

Confidentiality

In the course of your employment, you may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of service users or staff or other centres business. Such records and information are strictly confidential. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them.

Location: City West/ Dublin City Centre

Salary: €30,420 per annum

Languages Required: Ukrainian/ Georgian (fluent English as well)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From €15.00 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

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

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• Social care: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English, Pashto, Urdu, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Bengali (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 14/07/2025