Safeguarding Specialist

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Montserrat Multi Agency Safeguarding Specialist, within the Royal Montserrat Police Service.

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Montserrat Multi Agency Safeguarding Specialist, within the Royal Montserrat Police Service.

JOB PURPOSE

With a background as a qualified social worker and a keen understanding of current working together best practice, the successful candidate will support police and other professionals to implement safeguarding policies and procedures to improve person centred responses to vulnerability. 

Although flexibility will be essential, duties are expected to include:

Training and continuous professional development of others 

• Continuous professional development of staff to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent crime, recognise risk factors earlier, protect the public, improve health and wellbeing and build public trust and confidence
• Develop an overarching multiagency framework/approach to support strengthening the safeguarding approaches, including supporting the Government of Montserrat to consider governance mechanisms as required.  
• Identify and establish talent progression initiatives to ensure local talent management and career development opportunities
• As is common in small communities, it can be challenging to develop the depth of capability required to tackle challenging situations when incidents may be few and far between to enable learning through exposure. The successful candidate will support to develop training tabletop exercises to promote long term professional development and resilience where regular exposure to challenging situations may not be sufficient to embed upskilling.

ESSENTIAL AND DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Essential:

• Degree or professional equivalent qualification in social work or relevant subject matter
• High level of commitment to equality and managing diversity, sensitive to the needs and views of diverse groups and individuals including children and young people
• Highly developed leadership skills, able to command confidence and commitment to delivery
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, capable of applying these to supporting and working closely with senior Government of Montserrat officials as well as experience working with multi-agencies
• Significant expertise, knowledge and understanding of safeguarding legislation, policy and best practice which relates to area of operation and broad understanding of wider service area
• Strong understanding of working together requirements with ability to engage and motivate partner agencies within the safeguarding space
• High level research and analytical skills to inform professional judgement and recommended interventions 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a management team with colleagues from a wide range of professional disciplines 
• Keen ability to adapt best practice to unique situations, with a pragmatic approach and recognition of resource constraints
• Ability to reflect, adapt and implement change based on experience and the unique context of Montserrat

Desirable:

• Experience of safeguarding improvement in small island states or the Caribbean region
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Strong understanding of the criminal justice system and the value of social worker intervention and engagement throughout
• Engagement with governance and oversight boards to drive continuous improvement
• Experience of carrying out or supporting serious case reviews

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TEAM

• Passion for delivering services with an emphasis on responsibility, community and health relationships, quality, professional growth for staff and growth for the people you will support
• Ability to use initiative and work independently
• Strong organisational skills to manage a range of priorities whilst meeting deadlines
• Subject matter expertise
• Good judgment, integrity and discretion when handling confidential information with strong communicating and negotiation skills
• Excellent technical, analytical presentation, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills 
• Evidence of harnessing the strengths and talents of team members and stakeholders to support them to realise their full potential and achieve area goals

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Fixed Term - 12 months initial with potential for extension

MORE INFORMATION FOR RECRUITMENT APPLICANTS

The successful candidate will be supported to secure work permit, locate housing and open a Montserrat bank account as needed. An allowance package is provided, including a return flight to your home nation at the start and end of your contract, and allowance for housing and incidentals.