Parish Administrator – Public Assistance (SWG/PS 3) – (St Thomas Local Office)

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Parish Manager – Social Security, the Parish Administrator - Public Assistance, is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the Public Assistance Division at the Parish level. This Senior Officer in the Local Office, monitors and guides the work of the Public Assistance Team of Professional Social Workers, Social Service Administrators, and Records Information Management Officers, to ensure efficient customer service delivery, and that socio-economic assessments of applicants and beneficiaries are conducted in accordance with established standards. The Parish Administrator also ensures appropriate social interventions, timely delivery of benefits, case referrals and follow-ups, in accordance with case management guidelines. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Holds supervisory responsibility for PA processes in Local Office, including those related to: 
  • PATH and PATH Appeals 
  • Rehabilitation Assistance Grant 
  • Compassionate Assistance Grant 
  • Emergency Assistant Grant 
  • Education and Social Intervention (ESI) Grant 
  • STEPS to Work 
  • Entrepreneurship Grant 
  • Confirmations for Adjustment to families on BMIS 
  • Social Pension 
  • Social Intervention Programme 
  • Tertiary Grants 
  • Any other contributions/benefits/claims assigned by MLSS to PA portfolio; 
• Assigns and monitors case load of cadre of Social Workers within the Local Office; 
• Ensures that Treatment Plans are prepared by Social Workers, for clients requiring short, medium and long-term task centered interventions; 
• Ensures the development and documentation of Individualized Development Plans for at-risk PATH beneficiaries that identify their priorities, desired outcomes and the strategies 
• and resources that will be needed to attain these outcomes; 
• Co-ordinates, guides, monitors and evaluates activities relating to operations of PATH and other social intervention programmes, and implements corrective measures, when necessary; 
• Ensures selection of clients, in accordance with eligibility criteria established for the respective Programmes; 
• Monitors and evaluates activities related to PATH and Compassionate, Emergency Relief, and Rehabilitation Programmes; 
• Ensures the timely provision of information, counselling and career development support to guide clients in selecting the best course of action to meet their individual development needs; 
• Ensures that beneficiaries of PATH and other social intervention programmes of the Public Assistance Division, are identified and linked with the referral services, resources and opportunities identified, as appropriate for addressing their needs; 
• Ensures that case management support is provided to clients of each programme in the assigned parish, including home and field visits; 
• Ensures that assistance to beneficiaries of PATH and other social intervention programmes is delivered on a timely basis and in accordance with eligibility criteria established; 
• Plans, guides, monitors and evaluates the work of the cadre of Social Workers, to ensure performance is in accordance with standards established; 
• Plans, guides, monitors and evaluates the social work case management functions of the Division within the Local Office, to ensure compliance with established case management standards; 
• Conducts spot checks through field visits, to evaluate Social Work related activities within the Parish; 
• Represents the Ministry at workshops, seminars, health fairs and meetings of community groups and other organizations, to promote PATH and other social intervention Programmes of the Ministry; 
• Provides mentoring, coaching and knowledge transfer to team of Social Workers and Social Services Officers, within the Local Office; 
• Attends and participates in training for disaster management; 
• Assists the Parish Manager in co-ordinating and monitoring the distribution of relief supplies to victims of disasters; 
• Participates in policy formulation by making recommendations for improvement in the delivery of programmes; 
• Verifies and approves Travelling and Subsistence claims submitted by Social Workers;
• Prepares monthly progress reports for submission to Parish Manager;
• Liaises with the National Insurance Division and other agencies, to ensure that benefits are not duplicated; 
• Ensures safe custody of cheques related to benefits and grants under portfolio;
• Identifies training needs of staff and ensures implementation of appropriate training programmes; 
• Performs any other duties and responsibilities that may be determined from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Strong administrative skills 
• Ability to motivate others 
• Strong leadership skills 
• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 

Technical: 

• Computer literate 
• Knowledge of Social Work Principles and Practices 
• Understanding of case management and social intervention strategies
• Ability to analyze reports and data 
• Competent in public education and outreach activities 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work; 
• Five (5) years progressive work experience, two (2) of which should be at a supervisory level; 
• Training in Leadership and Change Management, would be an asset;

OR 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration and/or Management; Certificate in Social Work; 
• Five (5) years progressive work experience, two (2) of which should be at a supervisory level in the Private or Public Sector; 
• Training in Leadership and Change Management, would be an asset;

OR 

• An equivalent combination of qualifications and experience relevant to the job. 

Special Conditions Associated with Job

• May be required to work long, irregular hours, including during natural disasters and on public holidays; 
• May be required to travel to remote/volatile areas or long distances, alone, to conduct work assignments, including in a post-disaster environment. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.