GATEWAY MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT

A PROJECT OF MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND

Job Specification
Position Title: Administration Officer
Reports to: Project Co-ordinator
Location: Dublin

Gateway is a community-based, member and peer-led social support organisation for people with self-
experience of recovery and mental health issues. Gateway works to promote positive mental health, recovery
and social inclusion in the community. It was founded in 2004 upon community development principles of
participation, empowerment, collective action and equality. Gateway has over 200 members living across
Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6w, 8, 12, 14 and 16 who work together for social support, positive mental health and recovery
and to address experiences of stigma, social exclusion and inequality. Gateway is supported by a Management
Committee and is a project of Mental Health Ireland.

POSITION SUMMARY
Working as part of a team, the Administration Officer will support the day to day operations, communications
and administration of the organisation. The Administration Officer will report to the Project Coordinator, or in
the absence of the Coordinator, the Development Worker. The Administration Officer will work directly with
the Gateway team and members to support operations and progress the strategic aims of the organisation in
accordance with community development values. Gateway has a flexible working environment which could
provide the Administration Officer with opportunities to explore some development work with members given
interest and capacity.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have at least two years experience in administration or office management. A
recognised qualification in office administration or a related discipline would be an advantage.

ESSENTIAL:
Proven organisational, report writing and record keeping skills;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
Fluency in English (verbal and written);
Good IT skills with an ability to access information quickly;
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook;
The ability to manage and to build positive working relationships;
Commitment to the values, ethos and practices of the organisation - including equality, anti-
discrimination, collective action, participation, social justice;
A high level of motivation and interest in life-long learning;
A capacity to work alone on own initiative and also within a team working environment;
An empathetic and non-judgemental approach.

DESIRABLE:
Expertise resulting from lived experience of mental health difficulties;
Experience and/or knowledge of community work and community development practices;
 Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Powerpoint, and Publisher;
The ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders and community, voluntary and statutory organisations
and the media as required.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide administration support for day to day operations of the project
This will include:
Maintenance of the contacts database (MS Access) and management of corresponding contact lists
(Excel & MS Outlook);
Providing administrative support for Gateways education, training and development activities (Word &
Excel);
Updating and maintaining accurate records and data management which may include data gathering,
data entry, report writing, and management of project filing;
Operation and maintenance of financial systems such as petty cash records, donations, course fees,
contractor invoices and lodgements;
Maintaining office supplies and carrying out ordering;
Processing post to and from the project;
Providing administrative support for event management;
Assisting with fulfilling requirements of the Governance Code, regulatory requirements and of
Gateways funders;
Assisting with the maintenance of Gateways human resources recordkeeping and organising the
administration of recruitment;
Supporting the organisation of meetings and taking minutes.

2. Support the development of Gateway

The Administrative Officer will:
Work with and provide support to the Gateway team in the organisation and delivery of the drop-in
and broader operations which may include participation in meetings (internally and externally), team
development sessions, workshops, IT liaison and provision of cover for Project Workers and for drop-in
from time to time;
Work with the Gateway team to support the Gateway Project in promoting community development
as a way of working which will include promoting critical thinking, collective action, participation and
empowerment practices;
Support development activities in Gateway encourage member participation and leadership in the
Project through involvement in members meetings, development workshops and any other relevant
opportunities.

3. Provide communications support and information provision

This will include:
Compiling monthly schedules for the project;
Answering enquiries by phone and email and being the first-port-of-call for contacts;
Organising and responding to requests for information, monitoring Gateways email account;
Maintenance of the Gateway blog;
Maintenance and printing of relevant literature and information;
Liaising with members, staff and community, voluntary and statutory sector organisations as well as
members of the public;
Supporting Gateways fundraising activities.
4. Organisation
This will include:
Working within the framework of the overall ethos, objectives, policies and practices of Gateway;
Contributing to the promotion of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, diversity,
individual rights and choice in all aspects of work;
Engaging in supervision and mentoring sessions on a regular basis with the Project Co-ordinator;
Participating in relevant training courses as agreed with the Project Co-ordinator;
Undertaking such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with
the Project Co-ordinator;
Being vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bringing any concerns to the
attention of the Project Co-ordinator or Health & Safety Officer.

The Administration Officer will be based in Rathmines, Dublin 6 and employed by Mental Health Ireland on
behalf of the Gateway Project. The position is part-time, with flexible working hours including potential for
evening work and occasional weekend working. Hours may be negotiable with the right candidate, but will be a
minimum of 22 and a half hours per week.

The contract is for 1 year, subject to Garda Vetting and including a 6 month probationary period. The fulltime
equivalent salary will be a maximum of 26,250 - the actual salary will reflect agreed part-time hours and will
be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Mental Health Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply: Applications by CV and cover letter to be submitted by email to Gateways host organisation,
Mental Health Ireland to: recruitment@mentalhealthireland.ie
Shortlisting will apply for this position.
For informal enquiries, contact Gateways Interim Co-ordinator, Ali Rochford on 01-4977005 or 085-7521220.

For more information on Gateway see http://projectgateway.blogspot.ie/