ALEX PETROVICS

• Led community integration and social inclusion initiatives for diverse communities, including International Protection Applicants, refugees, and minority ethnic groups.
• Provided one-to-one support, advocacy, and outreach services to individuals and families experiencing social exclusion, homelessness, and barriers to accessing services.
• Built strong partnerships with local authorities, healthcare providers, schools, NGOs, and community organisations to improve access to supports and entitlements.
• Coordinated and facilitated community clinics, workshops, and engagement activities to promote participation, wellbeing, and independent living.
• Supported clients with applications for housing, income supports, medical cards, education, training, and employment opportunities.
• Promoted intercultural awareness and community cohesion through effective communication, cultural mediation, and inclusive practices.
• Managed complex caseloads while maintaining accurate records, reports, and compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Responded effectively to vulnerable client needs, safeguarding concerns, and crisis situations in a professional and solution-focused manner.
• Represented the organisation at interagency meetings, community forums, and partnership networks to strengthen collaborative working relationships.

• Developed strategic partnerships with government agencies and NGOs to promote inclusivity.
• Managed and coordinated community-based programmes and services supporting vulnerable families, minority groups, and individuals experiencing social exclusion.
• Led staff, volunteers, and interagency collaboration to ensure effective service delivery, community engagement, and positive outcomes for service users.
• Developed strong partnerships with statutory agencies, schools, health services, and local organisations to strengthen family and community supports.
• Oversaw programme planning, reporting, budgeting, and compliance while contributing to strategic development and organisational objectives.
• Demonstrated leadership in advocacy, crisis support, conflict resolution, and culturally responsive practice within a community development setting.
• Supported the delivery of family support initiatives, community participation projects, and inclusive outreach programmes aligned with the values of a Family Resource Centre.
• Experienced in supervision, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining high standards of professional practice and safeguarding.

• Mapping and reporting on the Roma population, age and family groups, nationalities (and languages spoken), situations, health and information needs of Roma for the purpose of service planning;
• To support Roma community families to access health services and health information and to provide general advocacy supports in order to support Roma engagement
• Coordinated community health initiatives to improve access to services and resources.
• Developed and implemented health education programs tailored to local needs.
• Identify training needs of Roma community and liaise with Carlow Development SICAP staff members to refer and/or establish programmes and workshops in line with clients' needs
• To support specific capacity building and developmental supports to international protection applicants, refugees, non-nationals, members of the Travelling, Roma community and all other SICAP target groups in Co Carlow.
• Refer clients to Company's employability training to include cv workshops, interview skills and other client supports to enhance Roma members with their job prospects
• Work in conjunction with education providers and community organisations in planning activities and programmes that assist Roma individuals to develop personally and professionally
• Network and liaise with INTREO regarding client referrals, and supporting clients through financial support applications.
• Complied with all health and safety regulations for worker welfare.
• Participated in weekly team meetings to discuss progress and targets.

• Coordinate and lead the Roma & Intercultural Health Advocates
• Directly provide and support Roma & Intercultural Health advocates in the provision of appropriate and accurate Health Information to Service Users in accessible and culturally appropriate ways
• Directly provide and Support Health Advocates in the provision of health advocacy enabling Service Users to access and to navigate health services with primary purpose of improving their health outcomes

• Identify inequalities that may exist in healthcare access for Roma and International Protection Applicants

• Develop collective health initiatives in response to identified and emerging needs

• Support representation on health fora

• Attending meetings and represent as agreed and appropriate Providing regular structured support and supervision to all Health Advocates, as appropriate and agreed

• Support a team based approach to the work including regular team meetings

• Developing annual plans and reporting structures: Facilitating the development of annual operational plans

• Managing quarterly reporting systems based on template

• Facilitating mid and end of year reviews of operational plans

• Submitting plans and reporting to HSE Social Inclusion Lead Provide leadership in service development and delivery consistent with health research, defined framework, standards and policies

• Managing stakeholder working relationships and representation of collective responses

• Enhancing the provision of culturally competent health services Participating in trainings and Supervision as agreed Led staff meetings to delegate tasks, assign workloads and communicate changing priorities

• Managed and mentored team of 11 to deliver exceptional service

• Supported and led the Roma staff team to support Roma Community in County Wexford to access mainstream services (social welfare, education, employment, health) and undertook direct work with Roma
• Secured resources from Department of Justice, DCEDIY, and Tusla for key Roma workers, oversaw development of new services using logic model
• Built the Roma Community Inclusion Programme from 1 staff to a team of 5 over the past 7 years, including planning, supervising, reporting and identifying and delivering training
• Developed staff recording and reporting systems during COVID-19 to address remote working
• Provided support and supervision to 5 Roma staff
• Composed grant proposals to raise capital for non-profit events and activities for Roma adults and young people
• Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater inclusion of Roma Community in Co Wexford
• Managed stakeholding working relationships for the Roma Community Inclusion Programme
• Acted as Roma Lead in partnership with HSE Social Inclusion who funded 2 part time workers
• Developed, planned and coordinated activities and services based on annual work plan to promote greater community independence, inclusion, skills and social interaction and improved health outcomes
• Responded proactively to changing circumstances for optimised service user care and new emerging needs, including those identified by U.L Research
• Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service users support
• Used compassion and communication skills to build positive and trusting client relationships
• Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
• Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
• Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.

• Supported HSE Social Inclusion to establish the Tipperary Health Project and current member of interagency steering group
• Oversaw development and management of Regional Roma Mentoring Hub with HSE Social Inclusion as funding agency
• Active member of Regional Intercultural Health steering group for over 3 years
• Provided cultural knowledge insights to HSE staff
• Facilitated the development of health initiative/programmes in response to health needs of Roma Community in County Wexford
• Provided health advocacy supports to Roma
• Assisted with translation and interpretation when appropriate
• Supported Roma participation and representation on health related fora where appropriate
• Supported the development of HSE Social Inclusion SECH Regional Strategy for Intercultural health (2019 - 2022)
• Supported the U.L Research into the health care needs and health care access of Roma in SECH
• Supported HSE Social Inclusion SECH to outreach to Roma in South Tipperary and Carlow
• Participated in training relevant to the post