Job Title: Youth Development Worker

Immediate Supervisor: Southern Traveller Health Network (STHN) Coordinators.

Contract Terms: Fixed-Term 3 year contract.

Terms and Conditions:

• 35 hours per week to include some evening and weekend work
• Salary €44,000 per annum
• 27 days annual leave per annum
• Access to training and professional development through TVG, STHN and relevant external opportunities

Main Purpose of job:

To develop a range of intervention activities and programs in collaboration with youth services, early years education services allowing young people to thrive in their communities.

Overview of the Post:

• To build young Travellers’ self-esteem, self-confidence and identities as members of the Traveller Community
• To build young Traveller’s capacity to consider risks and consequences and make informed decisions and take responsibility;
• Build positive relationships with young Travellers, their families, the community, and other relevant agencies or individuals engaged in the lives of young people such as early years centres, local schools and education projects and youth clubs.
• to respond to the needs of young Travellers to oversee an increased engagement and articipation of young Travellers throughout their education and personal development journey
• To ensure that young Traveller have a voice in decision-making which affect their lives (including a stronger voice within TVG and the STHN);
• To help young people to develop social awareness and a sense of social solidarity within Traveller communities;
• To enhance young people’s role as active citizens within the wider Irish society;
• To help young Travellers to manage personal and social relationships
• To offer worthwhile and challenging new experiences to young Travellers;
• To provide learning opportunities to enable young Travellers to gain knowledge and develop new skills;
• To listen to and hear what young Travellers have to say.

Key tasks:

• Support the development of the mentorship programme and TVG’s early education and youth projects.
• Develop policies and practices to ensure the voices of young Travellers are heard in decision making within TVG and existing youth services.
• Develop a range of programmes/interventions with existing youth services in consultation with young Travellers, their families, TVG staff and volunteers.
• Represent TVG locally and work in partnership with other agencies
• Attend TVG events where required, this will include training, meetings and inter-project gatherings of young people

Person Specification

Essential

• Third Level qualification in Youth Work.
• Training and evidence of understanding anti-racist ethos and social justice.
• Minimum of three years experience of working in a community environment with young people.
• An ability to develop creative programmes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent Team work experience coupled with initiative and drive
• High level of organisational, administrative and I.T. skills
• Experience of compiling reports and statistical information
• Experience of managing resources and working within budget constraints
• Be able to manage a diverse and challenging work load
• Be flexible and have a positive attitude to your work and your colleagues.
• The ability to work to and promote the ethos and mission of TVG.
• Be flexible in your attitude and approach to your work.
• Be able to demonstrate leadership skills in past roles
• Lived or professional experience with the Traveller community.
• Be able to promote partnerships and support community development approaches

Desirable

• Have an ability to represent the organisation at a local level.
• Have a detailed understanding of youth related issues and their needs / requirements.

For a full understanding of the Traveller Mentorship Programme please read the supporting document attached below. 
Any further queries related to this post please contact Eileen O’Shea at tvgeoshea@gmail.com

How to Apply

Closing date for application for this post is 3rd January 2025 with interviews to be scheduled week of 13th January 2025. To apply for this role please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter outlining why you feel suitable for this role to Anne Burke: sthnanne@gmail.com