Project Worker (Drug & Alcohol Worker), Midlands Service

• Job Title: Project Worker (Drug & Alcohol Worker) Midlands Service

• Report to: Regional Service Manager

• Objective: To effectively deliver services about the Provision of Community-based Drug & Alcohol treatment support family support and harm reduction service for individuals over 18 years and their families for County Offaly

• Location: Tanyard Tullamore Co Offaly

Who We Are

Merchants Quay Ireland is a national voluntary organisation who helps people who are Homeless and those caught in addiction. We provide frontline services practical supports pathways towards recovery and innovative responses to the issues of drug use and homelessness in Ireland.

Our Vision is one of an inclusive society where the integration and well-being of all is supported and everyone is treated with Dignity and Respect. Our Mission is to work as a collaborative community to reduce the harm caused by addiction and homelessness. We provide accessible high quality and effective services which meet the complex needs in a non judgemental and compassionate way.

MQI Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS) What is it

MQI DATS delivers a community-based drug and alcohol prevention and treatment support service to those over 18 and their families. This service is provided across the four counties of the Midlands; Laois Offaly Westmeath and Longford.

Each county has a dedicated drug and alcohol worker that supports individuals experiencing problems due to drug and/ or alcohol misuse. Each drug and alcohol worker will provide a wide range of interventions delivered through evidence based best practice.

Service Delivery:

• Provide a mobile needle & syringe exchange programme across the Offaly region.

• Provide a range of rehabilitation and aftercare supports targeting service users from the region including those exiting drug and/or alcohol treatment programmes or exiting prison.

• Provide education information advocacy and treatment support to service users and their families as required.

• Target engage and establish a relationship with local drug and/or alcohol users to link them to relevant services who are not currently in contact with services.

• Assess the needs of service users and match their needs with the appropriate evidence-based interventions and arrange input from other relevant agencies where necessary.

• Have an individual integrated care plan which is based on a comprehensive assessment of their needs with appropriate treatment rehabilitation and recovery goals agreed upon with the service user. Ensure service users are case-managed and tracked as they move through the continuum of care.

• Formulate and implement a referral pathway and plan for those transitioning from the service.

• Provide a range of therapies including brief interventions motivational interviewing relapse prevention cognitive behavioural therapy and any other therapies as appropriate.

• Support service users who are engaging in a detoxification programme

• Work closely with the community voluntary and statutory services to ensure that service users can access support in relation to other needs i.e. housing employment and education etc.

• Provide care and support that offer both a harm reduction and recovery ethos reflecting a person-centred approach to care

• Deliver a range of harm reduction interventions in group one to one and outreach settings to include safer injecting practices infection control etc.

• Work with street drug users and local agencies to ensure drug related waste and litter is collected and disposed of safely for the purpose of promoting community safety

• Support the work of the Midland Regional Drug Litter Committee

• Provide psycho-social support for persons leaving drug and/or alcohol treatment services or released from prison or moving from one point on the continuum of care to another

• Establish and deliver structured therapeutic support group-work sessions one to one interventions and activity-based sessions

• Deliver a range of stabilisation programmes to service users

• Ensure regular service user reviews take place where appropriate with probation health services and any other agency the service user is engaged with

• Support service users through the process of regaining their capacity for daily life from the impact of problem drug and /or alcohol use and reintegrating into their communities.

• Responsible for working in partnership to maximise benefits that can be achieved for individuals and families by utilising wider resources and support networks that are available locally.

Reporting:

• Produce standard monthly and quarterly reports for the Regional Service Manager and/or Deputy Head of Operations in line with funding agencies requirements and compile any ad hoc information requests relating as required.

• Compile and report on complaints and compliments received as required

• Responsible for ensuring that statistics/data are kept updated on the CRM system at all times and provide reports to the Regional Service Manager in keeping with all required deadlines and on an ad hoc basis as required.

• Responsible for maintaining a complete accurate and up-to-date record for each treatment episode on the HRB on-line web-based system.

General Responsibilities:

• To oversee the support and supervision provided to volunteers and placements in the Midlands service.

• To work with the People & Culture Department in relation to all HR processes including recruitment performance management disciplinary processes etc.

• Comply with all verification visits by funding agencies

• To support and participate in all audits and/or evaluations

• To comply with all requirements in relation to all the appropriate paperwork for the service such as client files accident reports service user complaints minutes of meetings etc.

• To communicate effectively and to maintain appropriate accountability to the Regional Service Manager / Deputy Head of Operations for the Regions

• Keep up to date with developments in the midland region

• Attend and participate in relevant committees as advised by the Regional Service Manager

• In conjunction with the Regional Service Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all aspects of the service are managed effectively and in line with service requirements

• To become familiar with and ensure that all MQIs policies and procedures are being adhered to particularly those relating to Health & Safety HR Confidentiality Boundaries and staff code of conduct etc.

• Compile and report on complaints and compliments received as required

• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Regional Service Manager / Deputy Head of Operations for the Regions and his/her nominee when required.

Required:

• Relevant qualification (minimum Level 7 or equivalent) in social care addiction nursing community or youth work.

• Training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Relapse Prevention.

• 2 years relevant work experience in addiction community development health and social care education or related fields.

• Experience in crisis support key working case management and group facilitation.

• Understanding of the current National Drugs Strategy Substance Misuse Strategy National Drug Rehabilitation Framework logic model reporting QUADS and/or Safer Better Healthcare (SBHC) Standards.

• Access to a full clean drivers license to drive company vehicle.

Desirable:

• Additional training in CRA/CRAFT.

WHAT MQI OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Fulfilling and challenging environment

• Sick pay scheme

• Flexible working arrangements

• Minimum 23 days annual leave

• Option to join defined contribution pension scheme from commencement

• Death in Service (from commencement of employment)

• Line management supervision

• Learning and development

• Group VHI scheme

• Paid Family leave

• Education assistance (study and examination leave scholarship foundation)

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Hours: 37.5 Hours per week

Days: Mon Fri

Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration Full-Time

If you are interested in this position please apply by the 2nd of October 2026.

Management reserves the right to amend as appropriate and in line with operational requirements. This Position is subject to Garda Clearance

MQI is an equal opportunity employer.