Applications have now closed for our RA programme for 2023/2024.
Applications for 2024/25 will open in March 2024.
RA Team 2022/2023
Volunteer Resident Assistant (RA)
An opportunity to live in Dublin city centre rent free
The YWCA Ireland Resident Assistant (RA) programme provides an exciting opportunity for four women to enhance their work experience, hone their leadership skills, and live in a dynamic and intercultural environment in Dublin's city centre. This can be done while pursuing education or during a gap year.
overview of the role
Overview of the Resident Assistant Role
The YWCA Resident Assistant (RA) programme provides an exciting opportunity for 4 women to enhance their work experience, hone their leadership skills and live in a dynamic and intercultural environment in our residence in Dublin city centre. The programme runs for a period of 12 months (July-July) with a possibility of extension into summer 2024. The RAs support the Residence staff team in the daily running of the student residence and provide an important link between residents and YWCA management. The Residence recently moved to a self catering model and RAs are instrumental in overseeing and supervising the operational aspect of this. The role includes evening and weekend work and the RAs are provided with free accommodation and a small allowance for the duration of the programme.
The primary role of RAs is to build a safe, inclusive, friendly and welcoming environment for our guests, assisting them in practical ways and offering peer support. RA’s are assigned operational, reception and ‘on call’ duties in the residence. RA’s lead and facilitate YWCA social events for guests staying in the YWCA Residence and for members of the local community. In line with YWCA’s ethos these events are often targeted at women and have a Christian faith component.
The programme also includes a Leadership Collective programme which aims to empower young women to be engaged, connected and transformed and to lead and effect change. This is achieved through monthly equipping sessions, mentoring and an advocacy project. As a result of participating in the Leadership Collective, you will be:
● Equipped to identify and use your gifts to lead with empathy, courage and self-awareness;
● Empowered with a greater understanding of gender justice issues and how to advocate with a hope-filled response;
● Inspired to transform culture by leading change on issues impacting girls and young women in Ireland and beyond.
To find out more about the Leadership Collective please see our website.
Applicant Criteria
The ideal applicants will be:
● Women currently studying in Dublin or taking a gap year.
● Available from the 26th June 2023 to 30th June, 2024 to live in the YWCA residence, Dublin 2.
● Available to attend 5 training days beginning 26th June, 2022
● Interested in growing their hospitality and leadership skills, enhancing their CV and engaging with the wider work of YWCA Ireland, European YWCA and the World YWCA
● Interested in volunteering as part of a team in an intercultural and diverse environment
● Have experience or interest in developing skills in social media and marketing, hospitality, women’s leadership, event management, advocacy and community development.
Duties and Responsibilities
Hospitality duties
● Welcome new arrivals and assist with departures
● Reception desk cover
● Assist with daily practical COVID compliance requirements
● Provide supervision on the use of the communal kitchen and laundry, and ensure all common areas are kept in a clean and tidy condition
● Room preparation for new arrivals when required
● During busy periods assist with customer service, hospitality and housekeeping duties
● Respond appropriately to any breach of Terms and Conditions issues, for example, noise complaints
● Set up meeting rooms for groups and events
● Issue replacement keys and fobs where necessary
Out of hours and Emergency duties
● Be accessible to residents at rostered times. Be responsible for evacuation, in
cases of emergency, acting as first point of contact for guests and the emergency services.
● Ensure premises are secured properly at the end of each day
● Monitor CCTV and respond to any alarms
● Document all accidents, incidents and breaches of the Residence Terms and Conditions and ensure all such matters are reported to the Development and Operations Manager.
Developing Residence Community
● Administrate content for the Residence social media pages and blog. Keep Residents informed of important dates and activities by maintaining a neat and up to date notice board and WhatsApp group.
● Introduce and orient students to the YWCA Residence community, local area, facilities and staff.
● Foster an environment that embraces diversity and celebrates differences within the community
● Plan, implement, and evaluate social programmes each term that encourage the development of a fun, supportive, caring community
● Encourage and support resident’s active wellbeing through behaviour and provision of activities that have a positive impact on wellbeing eg. running club, nutrition classes, gardening.
● Produce monthly progress reports to the Development and Operations Manager
Peer Support
● Build a rapport with residents to help facilitate open lines of communication for questions, problems, and concerns
● Model behaviour and values, both in the residential community and beyond, which are consistent with YWCA Ireland’s values
Skills, Experience, Qualities Required
Essential
● Excellent spoken and written English
● Culturally sensitive
● Friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming
● Team player and committed to acting as a role model
● Reliable, honest and respectful
● Ability to problem solve and use own initiative
● Able to manage time efficiently and effectively
● Understanding of confidentiality
● Familiarity with social media platforms
● Respectful of YWCA Ireland’s Christian ethos
Desirable but not essential
● Experience of working/volunteering in the youth work and/or hospitality sector
● Experience of motivating, supporting or mentoring young people from across a variety of cultural backgrounds
● Experience of working/volunteering in an intercultural environment
● An interest in the wider work of YWCA Ireland, European and World YWCA
● Additional linguistic skills
● First Aid training/Fire Safety training
● Experience of working/volunteering in a faith based organisation
Training and Induction
An extensive induction and training process applies to this role and is mandatory. This includes COVID Induction training, hospitality, boundaries, First Aid, HACCP Food Hygiene, Health and Safety, risk assessment and further operational sessions.
Our Leadership Training series runs throughout the year and includes mandatory sessions including leadership mapping, self care, sustainable leadership, leading change, leadership challenges, inspiring and motivating others.
Support and Supervision
Residents Assistants will report directly to the Development and Operations Manager. The RAs will have regular support meetings with their Supervisor and mandatory team meetings every Tuesday. Pastoral Care support is available from an organisation affiliated with YWCA.
Benefits
● Free accommodation in Dublin city centre for 1 year
● Training, supervision, mentoring and pastoral care
● Opportunity to volunteer with people from across a multitude of backgrounds, courses, ages and experiences
● Develop your leadership skills
● Develop your problem solving skills
● Help and support new students arriving in Dublin
● Opportunities to participate in other YWCA Ireland activities and programmes
● Opportunity to use your skills and gifts to build a supportive and thriving community.
The Application Process
To apply please complete this application form by Monday 22nd May, 2023.
The application process includes;
● Volunteer Application form
● 2 References
● Those successful at the application stage will be invited for interview on 29th or 30th May, 2023
Time Commitment
TBC. As assigned by the Development and Operations Manager prior to the start date of the programme.
4 hour reception cover once per week
Point of contact (On Call) duties one day Mon-Thur with one further shift at weekends. Please note that the team member on duty is not required to stay awake overnight and is rarely contacted during these hours
It is envisaged that team meetings will be every Tuesday and Leadership Collective sessions are once per month. Attendance at each of these is essential to the role.