Job Title:Locum Cook Reports To:CateringManager Location:LimerickCity Rate of Pay:This role is paid at a rate of €14.76 per hour + €1.48 holiday = €16.24 Purpose of the Job TheroleoftheLocumCookisvitaltothesuccessfuldeliveryofqualitynutritiousmealsand food in NOVAS services for our clients. The Locum Cook will support the clients of the NOVASLimerick/Mid-WestResidentialandOutreachServices(McGarryHouseandBrother Russell House). The Locum Cook will report directly to Catering Manager, will be a member of, and work collaboratively with the Catering team and Limerick services, wider NOVAS services, external service providers and local authorities in the region. TheLocumCookisresponsibleforparticipatinginthedutiesofthecateringteamtodeliver a safe, effective and high-quality food service, and responding to the needs and requests ofclients.Thisincludesassistingclientswithaccesstonutritiousmeals,supportingthemto developlifeskillsinmealpreparationandplanning,andensuringtheirwellbeinginrelation to food. TheLocumCookwillworkcloselywithothercateringstaffandservicemanagerstosupport theimplementation offood-relatedplansandcontributetothesmoothday-to-dayrunning offoodservices.Thisincludesmaintaininghygiene,healthandsafetystandardsinlinewith legislationandorganisationalpoliciesandassistingwiththedeliveryofmealstotheLimerick STA services as required. TheroleisbasedinLimerickCity:McGarryHouseandBrotherRussell,withtransporttothe widerLimerickservicesasrequired.Standardworkinghoursare7:00AMto3:00PM,across sevendaysperweek.Flexibilityisrequired,ashoursmaybesubjecttochangetomeetthe needs of the service. The Locum Cook will have a background in the catering industry, trainedinHACCP, of working with clients in a respectful, non-judgmental way and will be expected to work within the relevant frameworks of quality standards, health and safety, and legislation. This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review. Environment of the Job NOVASisanot-for-profitorganisationandApprovedHousingBody,weworkwithsingleadults, couples, and families, and who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. We also provide a service for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. We provide a range of services and accommodation. Our first service was established in Limerick in 2002 which was a temporary low-threshold emergency homeless accommodation, and we have grown from there. We now have over 300 employees, and more than 30 services in Limerick, Dublin, Clare, Kerry, Cork, and Tipperary including emergency homeless accommodation, transitional homeless accommodation, social housing and community-based services for tenancy sustainment, homelessness prevention, mental health and recovery. NOVASisaTraumaInformedPracticeorganisation,andtheprinciplesofcollaboration,diversity, respect, and trust are embedded in our way of working together. OurservicesareprovidedthroughsupportofourpartnersinlocalgovernmentthroughtheLocal Authorities, HSE, and other donors and funders. Delegation and Reporting TheLocumCookhasdecisionmakingremitfortheareasofidentifying,planning,LocumCooking and delivering quality food provision, whilst supporting the needs of NOVAS clients in theabsence oftheline manager,orattimes,the LocumCook may be required to consultwith and take direction from the relevant Service Manager, Senior Services Manager or Head of Operations. Oversight for the work in this role is provided by the Quality Services Sub Committee of the NOVAS Board of Directors. TheLocum Cookwillalwaysoperatein aprofessionalandrespectfulmanner,maintaining high quality standards of work in accordance with the values and mission of NOVAS. Their decision making will always be informed by the best interests of the clients and ensuring cost effective value for money, use of donations and public money. Challenges Thenatureofourworkinvolvessupportingthemostvulnerablepeoplewhooftenhavecomplex needs and may be survivors of trauma. As a result, during the course of your work you may engage with sensitive and confidential matters that require empathy, compassion and pragmatism. You may also encounter clients or tenants who are in distress, displaying challenging behaviours or struggling to moderate their behaviour. Patience, respect, and an ability to remain professional and focused on deescalating is essential. Further training will be provided in Trauma Informed Practice or Crisis Prevention. Asanorganisationthatislargelyfundedbypublicmoney,effectiveuseofresourcesisa continuousfocusandchallenge. Key Accountabilities Accountability Quality Client Service Delivery Achieved by Engage with clients in a way that is trauma informed, person-centred, respectful, and responsive to their needs, supporting independence and wellbeing through food and nutrition. Where appropriate under the direction of the Catering Manager or Service Manager: assist in planning menus, preparing meals, and ordering stockaccording to agreed menus and nutritional guidelines. take responsibility for guiding the workofcateringassistantsor maintenance workers in the kitchen. assist clients with activities to progress their goals in meal preparation, nutrition awareness, and healthy eatingas outlinedin theirSupportPlans,ensuringaccuraterecordingof all actions. Assist with the delivery of mealstotheLimerickServicesasrequired and recorded in line with policies and procedures. Encourage participation by clients in food-related group activities, such as Locum Cooking workshops, meal tastings, or client coffee mornings, to gather client feedback and enhance engagement. Where appropriate, actively participate in case or support planning review meetings,sharing observations, challenges, and feedback regarding clients engagement with meal-related activities. Support clients to raise concerns or complaints or to provide feedbackrelating to catering services when necessary, and work proactively and collaboratively to resolve issues andmaintain positive relationships. Follow organisational policies and procedures for confidentialityand any safeguarding concernsrelatingtovulnerableadultsorchildren in the service. Safe & Effective Service Delivery Maintain attention to your own Health & Safetyand remain vigilant to any Health & Safety risks in the kitchen, dining areas, or service environment that could impact colleagues, visitors, or clients. Correctly log and report any Health & Safety risks, equipment faults, or required repairs and maintenanceissues in line with organisational procedures. Assist in maintaining kitchen, dining, and food preparation areas to a high standard, including cleaning, sanitising, and organisingworkstations, storage areas, and high-touch surfaces. Ensure familiarity with contents of kitchen risk assessmentsand notifytheCateringManagerorServiceManagerofanynewlyemerging risks related to food safety or operational hazards. Ensure incidents, accidents, or near missesin the kitchen or service areas are appropriately recorded according to established procedures. Be proficient in basic first aidforcolleaguesandvisitorsasrequired, with necessary training provided, including use of CPR and AED devices where appropriate. As delegated by the Catering or Service Manager, support the implementation of fire safetymeasures in kitchen and dining areas, ensuringregularchecksareconductedandpromptlyescalatingissues. Support compliance with food safety, hygiene, and infection prevention measures, including HACCP standards, daily cleaning schedules, and proper storage of food and equipment. Participate in Health & Safety and food safety auditsandassistin implementing any recommendations. Maintain all required trainingand certifications relevant to food safety, health & safety, and operational compliance. Teamwork Whennewteammembersarerecruitedactivelyparticipateintheir induction and trainingtohelpthemsettleintotheteam. Communicateclearly with colleagues during handovers, in records and in relation to clients. Proactivelyreport any concernsabout the service or suggestions for more effective practices, equipment or resources to the Catering Manager. Applying Trauma Informed Practiceto colleague relationships as wellasclients.Assumegoodintent,becuriousabouttheirexperiences and support one another. Support effective running of the service by being mindfulof the impact of absence or lateness on colleagues and providing as much notice as possible to the management team. SafeCash Handling Ensure all cash in the service is handled safelyand in line with procedures. Ensure donorsreceive receipts when donations are made directly to the service and that the fundraising team is informed. Ensure the accrual of expensesis agreed in advance with your line manager when required and that the correct process for applying to receive expenses is followed. Ensure no unauthorised expenditureis made in the service without authorisation from the budget holder (Catering Manager). Report any concerns about use of fundsto the Catering Manager or a member of the Finance Department. External Collaboration Be responsive to queries from service fundersfor information in line with our data protection policy, mindful of appropriately protecting information,clientprivacyandclientconsent.KeepyourLineManager informed of any communication with service funders. Establish good working relationships with NOVAS teamsin other services to share learning and best practice. Establish good working relationships with local externalservice providers. Ensure your line manager and colleagues are awareofyour appointments if required to leave the service during duty. Reporting& Record Keeping Ensure no sensitive information is accessiblebypersonsnot authorised to see it. Ensure records no longer requiredare safely destroyed(shredded) in line with NOVAS policies. Participate in Service Audits and Environmental Health Inspectionsas requested. Prepare and provide reportsof your work to your line manager asrequested. Complete organisational documentsasrequested. Supervision,Support & Development Engage in regular supervisionwithyourlinemanager. Work under the direction of and in collaborationwithyourline manager and the wider management team. Worktohelptheorganisationachievetheaimsandobjectivesofthe strategic planinlinewith ourvaluesandmission. Participate in teammeetings,casemanagementmeetings,and other organisational events as required. Familiarity and compliance with all relevant policies and standards. Participate in relevant and required trainingevents. Information Management Ensure data and personal informationrelating to clients, tenants, colleagues, and other members of the organisation or its stakeholders, are kept safe and secure using the correct systems and procedures, is collected for legitimate purposes, and is safely destroyed when appropriate. Person Specification EssentialCriteria Documentary evidence of qualifications and eligibility will be confirmed atthe end of any recruitmentprocess,candidateswhodonotpossesstheessentialrequirements,onthedateofapplicationwill notbeofferedaposition.Itistheresponsibilityoftheapplicanttoensuretheymeettheessentialcriteriaofthepersonspecification. The appropriate candidate will have: A minimum of two years experienceworkinginakitchenorfoodservice environment. Knowledge of HACCP principlesand experience applying food safety proceduresin practice. Previous Experience of planningmenusandpreparingmeals,orderingstockaccordingtoagreedmenusandnutritionalguidelines. A good working knowledge of hygiene,healthandsafety,andinfection prevention and control standards. The ability and willingness to follow direction,policies,andprocedures. The ability to work effectively as part of a kitchenteam,aswellastoworkindependentlywhen required. Administrative skills sufficient to accurately complete HACCP records, cleaning schedules, delivery checks, and other required documentation. An understanding of the needsofvulnerableadults,includingpeopleexperiencing homelessness, and the ability to work in a respectful, non-judgmental, and professional manner. A commitment to maintaining high standardsof customer care, professionalism, and service delivery. Willingness to engage in required training,includingfoodsafety,health&safety, and safeguarding, and to keep all certifications up to date. A full drivers licence,with the ability to assist with deliveries or transport between services as required. DesirableCriteria Itwouldbean advantageforthecandidatetohave: Previous experience working within thehomelesssectororasimilarsocialcare or community-based setting. Additional experience in catering or food servicesbeyond the minimum required, including high-volume or service-based food preparation. Familiarity with working in regulatedorcompliance-ledenvironments,including adherence to policies, procedures, and quality standards. Experience of working in a fast-pacedorflexibleserviceenvironment,withthe ability to adapt to changing service needs. Experience and knowledge in the area of vulnerable adult or child protection and associated legislation and guidelines. Experience of working in, or a strong interest in the charity or not-for-profit. NOVAS Employment Benefits NOVAS iscommittedtoattractingandretainingthebesttalentinserviceofourclientsand tenants and values the hard work and commitment of our employees. Detailed below are a range of benefits you receive as a NOVAS employee. Support & Supervision Every employee will have regular planned one-to-one meetings with their line manager as well as Team Meetings and Monthly All Staff Town Hall meetings in order to ensure you are connected to and supported by your colleagues and the organisation. Learning & Development NOVAS will fully fund a wide range of required training programmes, or role specific training, including First Aid, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Trauma Informed Practice. CareerProgression NOVAS is committed to supporting the development and careerprogressionofouremployees bybuildingskillsforroletransitions, leadershippreparation,andmanagement development. Salary Scales NOVAS has defined salary scales and has committed to awarding annual incrementsto employees depending on sustained funding. Annual Leave 26 Days annual leave plus bank holidays. Pension A direct contribution pension with a 5% employer and employee contribution totalling 10%. Employee Assistance Programme Our Employee Assistance Programme provided by Inspire Wellbeing gives employees access to free confidential counselling andasuiteof onlinementalhealthandwellnesstools. Further Education Support Withthehelpofyourlinemanager,youcanapplyforfinancial support,studyleave,orexamleavedaystocompleteexternal professionalqualifications tohelpfurtheryour career. Sick Pay 2 Weeks full and 2 weeks half sick pay certified. Maternity Leave 18 weeks full pay which can be pro rata across duration.
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