About Anam Cara

Anam Cara is an all-Ireland charity dedicated to providing support services to parents who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. Established in 2008, the organisation was founded by parents who had themselves endured such loss and recognised the need for accessible, compassionate support networks. We work to support parents through the intense grief, deep challenges and difficult milestones, to ensure no bereaved parent or sibling feels alone after the loss of a child.

What Anam Cara Does

Anam Cara offers a range of services aimed at addressing the emotional and practical needs of grieving parents, including:

1. Peer Support Groups:  Safe and understanding environments, facilitated by professional specialist facilitators and supported by volunteer parents, where parents can connect with others who have experienced similar losses.
2.  Information Evenings and Resources:  Expert-led sessions on grief, coping strategies, and other relevant topics, with dedicated public resources available both in physical form through partners and via our team, and on website and digital platforms.
3. Online Support Groups:  To ensure accessibility, especially for those unable to attend in person.
4. Family and Individual Support:  Programs and events, such as our family remembrance events, bereavement support tailored to address the unique needs of parents and their families.
5. Referrals and Signposting: We facilitate links to other relevant organisations who specialise and provide professional support including after Neo Natal Death or Suicide Bereavement.

Core Philosophy

We believe that no parent should have to face the loss of a child alone.  We emphasise empathy, understanding, and creating a non-judgmental space for grieving parents to express themselves and heal. Anam Cara believes deeply in our values of quality, compassion, empathy, inclusivity, trust and collaboration.

The name Anam Cara translates to "Soul Friend" in Irish, reflecting the charity's mission to provide deep, meaningful companionship and support during the hardest of times.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a compassionate, purpose-driven team making a real difference in the lives of grieving families.
• Flexible and empowering working environment.
• Huge scope for professional growth.

About the Role

We are a small, committed team with a big mission: to ensure no bereaved parent feels alone. The Services Support Administrator will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of Anam Cara's support services, events, and outreach activities. This role is vital to maintaining high-quality service delivery, supporting the team, and helping us meet the needs of bereaved parents across Ireland.

The successful candidate will be passionate about people, compassionate, highly motivated, and organised, and bring strong proficiency and comfort in data management and CRM optimisation. They will be comfortable driving work independently as well as collaborating as part of our small, dynamic team, and demonstrate an empathy and commitment to Anam Cara's mission and the impact of our work.

Key Responsibilities:

1.      Administration:

• Provide day-to-day administrative support for the Services department, including monitoring our info@ email account and information line.
• Maintain accurate records of services, events, and participant information.
• Lead on administration and management of Anam Cara's CRM system for Services, optimising our CRM use to consistently improve efficient tracking and reporting.
• Be the lead administrator across the organisation for our CRM system, coordinating access and training for other users.
• Manage overall data quality, proactively testing and cleaning invalid data to ensure information is up to date, accurate and GDPR compliant.
• Continuously review and look for improvements in automating and streamlining data.

2.      Event Coordination:

• Assist in the organisation and coordination of online and in-person support group meetings, Bereavement Information Evenings, workshops, and national events.
• Liaise with parents, partners, suppliers, and facilitators to ensure events run smoothly.
• Manage event materials, including preparation of services packs, and ensure their availability on-site or for distribution.
• Participate in and/or assist with relevant Anam Cara Group events as required, to include Professional seminars and workshops, Volunteer Training Events, and Anam Cara Training Workshops. 

3.      Communication and Outreach:

• Respond to enquiries from parents, service partners, and volunteers via phone and email with sensitivity, compassion, and professionalism.
• Distribute informational materials and manage correspondence for upcoming events and services.
• Support the preparation of newsletters, email campaigns, and social media updates.

4.      Volunteer Coordination:

• Support the Operations Manager in the induction and training of volunteer parents, as well as the annual training and review workshops and other training initiatives for professional facilitators and volunteer parents. 
• Provide support to volunteers, including managing schedules and distributing resources.
• Maintain communication with volunteers to ensure they feel supported and engaged.

5.      Data and Reporting:

• Compile service usage and feedback reports for internal review and funding requirements
• Assist in the development and extraction of CRM reports across the organisation for analysis, segmentation, and reporting.
• Become Anam Cara's Data Protection Officer (training provided and funded), ensuring compliance with GDPR and confidentiality protocols.

6.      General Support:

• Participate in team meetings and contribute to the development of services and strategies.
• Provide general office administrative support, including ordering supplies and managing mail.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  The Services Support Administrator may perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the organisation. As this is a newly developed role within Anam Cara, this role may evolve over time.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in an administrative role a significant advantage, ideally in a nonprofit or services-focused organisation. However, all levels of education and experience will be considered.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent IT skills with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong expertise in data management and optimisation of CRM systems. 
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection best practices.
• Experience with Salesforce and Canva an advantage.
• Experience supporting events and/or working with volunteers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive enquiries.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a compassionate, empathetic approach.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise time and resources and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic working environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential.
• Familiarity with the charity sector or bereavement support services is an advantage.

Personal Attributes:

• Demonstratable passion and commitment to Anam Cara's values of quality, compassion, empathy, inclusivity, trust and collaboration.
• Genuine understanding of and sensitivity to Anam Cara's mission and the needs of bereaved families.
• Discretion, professionalism, and emotional resilience when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Willing and able to work outside of normal hours to attend occasional evening or weekend events.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a small team environment.
• Warm, compassionate, collaborative, and enthusiastic.

Terms

• This is a permanent 4-day per week or equivalent (28 hours worked flexible across the week) role, following a 6-month probationary period. 
• Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time or flexible hours. Please talk to us about the flexibility you need. We cannot promise to be able to accommodate every request, however we will do our best to find a working arrangement that works for both you and Anam Cara.
• Anam Cara currently operate a hybrid working model, with flexibility to work part of the week from our office base Tallaght and the remainder of each week working from home. Please note that due to the nature of the role and our commitment as an all-island charity, some travel and weekend work may be required.
• Salary €32-€36k pro-rata (€25,600-€28,800 for 4-day week), commensurate with experience.
• 20 days annual leave.
• Additional discretionary leave days for Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
• Up to 5% matched contributory Pension following completion of probationary period.
• Support for professional development and training.
• Free car parking on site.
• Paid sick leave entitlement.
• Bike to Work Scheme.
• Employee wellbeing support program, including supervision.

How to Apply

Please email your CV and tailored cover letter outlining your suitability and experience for the role to m.reynolds@anamcara.ie by 5pm on Monday, 21st April 2025. All candidates will receive a confirmation of application. Candidates will be contacted with next steps by Wednesday, 23rd April 2025.

Informal enquiries welcomed and will be treated with strictest confidentiality. Please contact Michelle Reynolds, CEO, at m.reynolds@anamcara.ie. 

Position is subject to reference check.  Candidates must be resident in Ireland and legally entitled to work in Ireland, at the time of application.