Exchange House Ireland has over 40 years’ experience providing Traveller specific professional, front-line family support, counselling and psychotherapy, crisis intervention, education, training and services for children and young people in Ireland. EHI is one of the largest Traveller specific service providers in the country and is comprised of Travellers and non-Travellers who endeavour to have our working environment reflect the wider society we would like to see. EHI team of trained therapists and social workers are skilled in trauma work. Travellers accessing the services are offered a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to their concerns.

Traveller Counselling Service (TCS)

The Traveller Counselling Service was launched in February 2008, initially as a one-year pilot project which has since developed into a national counselling service, that provides counselling to Travellers throughout Ireland by Phone, online and in person. The service works from a culturally inclusive framework that respects Traveller culture, identity, values and norms and works from a perspective of culturally centred counselling and psychotherapy. TCS also provides an advocacy service for Clients of TCS who need with support other issues impacting on their lives such as the criminal justice, accommodation addiction service and child protection issues among many others. Likewise, the service provides community development that support local Traveller groups to develop structures and actions to address the mental health needs of Travellers ion local areas. At present the TCS see clients from 19 counties in Ireland and also have support establishment of Traveller specific counselling in Northern Ireland

Traveller Mediation Service (TMS)

The Traveller Mediation Service, is a national service, based in Athlone, Co Westmeath. TMS is a partnership initiative, supported by Restorative Justice in the Community (RJC) and funded by the Department of Equality. They work to assist their clients and stakeholders to find ways to prevent, manage, and transform conflicts peacefully and effectively. TMS accepts mediation case referrals from Travellers, communities, and agencies. TMS also promotes and delivers a number of training programmers in the area of conflict prevention and intervention.

Travellers Transforming Conflict Initiative (TTCI) is a collaboration between EHI, TMS and TCS.

The initiative comprises of a number of related strands;

• Young Peoples Conflict Skills Programmes,
• Trauma-informed family therapy and counselling,
• Access services,
• National awareness-campaign,
• Research and policy development,
• National conferences and communications.

The initiative has been in existence for three years and has achieved a number of key milestones. In order to sustain and embed the achievements of the initiative to date, a national coordinator is now sought to support the continued evolution of the initiative.

Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service, Traveller Mediation Service and Traveller Counselling Service now wishes to recruit a

National Coordinator – Conflict Initiative

Full-time; 12-Month Fixed Term Contract
Job sharing/part-time options can also be considered in respect of the above role

Outline of the position

The aim of this national coordinator role is to fully implement and embed joint programmes of work completed by the three organisations to date, in respect of the initiative.

Reporting to

1. Family Support and Crisis Intervention Services Manager, Exchange House Ireland.
2. An MOU regarding the coordinator work plan will be prepared prior to coordinator starting in role and will be reviewed on a 2-monthly basis with the coordinator and the MOU sub-group (the sub-group will be comprised of x1 personnel from each organisation).
3. A support function (outside of line manager support and supervision) will be available to the coordinator, made up of a sub-group comprised of x1 personnel from each organisation.
4. Actions in point 2 and 3 will not supersede, but will complement, point 1, the coordinators reporting relationship to the line manager and CEO.

Main duties

• Embedding the awareness raising campaign outputs nationally (rolled out in November 2024).
• Disseminating and embedding the outputs from the research report “The Impact of Traveller Inter-Family Conflict on Individuals and Families (launched in April 2024).
• Coordinating the associated work package of the above research report focused on developing accessible materials developed specifically for this purpose.
• Coordinating a full evaluation of the initiative (to start in Q1 2025).
• Disseminating and embedding the outputs from the evaluation of the initiative.
• Disseminating and embedding the outputs from the April 2024 conference report (launched in November 2024).
• Secretariat to TTCI steering group.
• Draft, coordinate and submit all departmental and funding related documentation and ensure clear and ongoing communication regarding this to and from relevant stakeholders (line manager EHI, finance manager EHI, initiative finance sub-group).
• Community engagement with local, regional and national groups and with the wider Traveller community including those not connected / linked with Traveller organisations.

Organisational and Policy Work

• To work closely and holistically with initiative steering group.
• To work on the project’s local and national policy work.
• To contribute and participate in all activities related to the initiative such as funders meetings, steering group meetings, local meetings and fora etc.
• To contribute to the project’s organisational development as required.
• Draft quarterly report and updates as required by funders.
• Develop a business case for the mainstreaming of funding for the initiative and coordinator role.
• Develop and main a database of all initiative-related activity.
• Hold quarterly update meetings with Steering group

Awareness campaign

• To embed the initial roll-out of the campaign across local groups nationally.
• To develop and disseminate materials associated with the awareness raising-campaign for use by local and regional groups.
• Act as a resource to local and regional groups in supporting the further roll-out and embedding of the awareness raising campaign nationally.
• Seek funding opportunities to support the continued work of the awareness campaign.
• Develop culturally appropriate materials that help raise awareness among the community regarding impact of violent conflict

Training and Development

• To develop positive working relationship with all relevant agencies, statutory and voluntary, to promote needs of the Traveller community.
• To develop bespoke training related to the resources developed throughout the initiative to support local and national groups in engaging with the issue of inter-family conflict.

Record Keeping

• To adhere to the service’s system of record keeping in relation to clients, work records, statistics etc.
• To furnish line manager and CEO with records, statistics as required.
• To provide written reports to line manager or CEO when required.

Other Duties

• Any other duties as requested by the CEO or Board of Directors.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Third level qualification in the areas of community development, or social sciences, social care or equivalent experience.

Experience in the following is essential

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to develop good working relationships;
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills;
• Proficient IT skills (Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel);
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written;
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work;
• Ability to write reports.

Experience in the following is desirable

• Previous experience of working with the Traveller community.
• Experience of working in a role with national remit.
• Experience of delivering projects and work packages within identified timeframes.
• Experience of community development work

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

• Knowledge/experience of relevant legislation, policy & practice.
• Ability to develop plans which are needs-based with marginalised communities.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Ability to work in crisis situations.
• Ability to motivate individuals and groups to participate.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups at various levels and in various postions.
• An understanding of community development approach.
• Ability to keep accurate records of work completed.

Attributes and Attitude

• Commitment to Traveller work and Travellers.
• Have good interpersonal skills.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Have good time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in stressful environments.
• Have an ability to work flexibly and with others.
• Commitment to equality and anti-racist practice

Terms and Conditions

Based in

• Exchange House Ireland’s offices on Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, D01 WC97
• Outreach and national travel with will be a part of this work and as such, access to a car is desirable with full clean license, current NCT, tax and insurance which covers the vehicle for work purposes.

Hours of work

• 35 hours net per week, (pro-rata if part-time)
• Some flexibility may be required on occasion in relation to working hours and travelling.
• Opportunity for hybrid working at manager’s discretion.

Salary:

• The salary will be €36,945 (aligned to the HSE’s Social Care Workers scale [Oct. 2023]), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

How to apply

If you feel you are a good fit for Exchange House Ireland and would enjoy working with us, please send your application to info@exchangehouse.ie with the subject line ‘National Coordinator – Conflict Initiative Application’.

• Your application must include a cover letter and up-to-date CV combined and sent in one document
• Please keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. In your cover letter, include:
  • Why you feel you are a good fit for this role with Exchange House Ireland; and
  • Details of your relevant experience.

More information is available by visiting Exchange House Ireland’s Careers page or by calling the Personnel Department on 01 872 1094

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, Friday January 24th 2025.

This position is supported with funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements of the position. It may be subject to change based on the organisation's needs and the evolving nature of the role.

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• Exchange House Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer
• Applications from members of the Traveller community, with relevant qualifications, are especially welcome
• All positions in Exchange House Ireland are subject to Garda Vetting and full reference checks
• All positions in Exchange House Ireland are subject to ongoing funding
• Applicants must be eligible to work in Ireland