Exchange House Ireland now wishes to recruit an

LGBTI+ Development Worker

Full-time 1-Year Contract

The Programme

The National Action Group for LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma Rights was formed in 2016 and is a collective that aims to increase the promotion, protection, inclusion and celebration of LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma individuals and their families within their communities and organisations and services.

Project Overview

The National Action Group activities to date have focused on awareness-raising, research, building active allyship; as well as creating more understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTI+ Travellers & Roma and the support gaps that exist. When LGBTI+ Travellers & Roma reach out for support in a crisis, neither Traveller and Roma services, nor LGBTI+ services are fully equipped to respond and support all of who the person is, at one time. The person therefore enters a signposting cycle which too often results in the person going nowhere and dropping out of seeking the support they need. 

The Breaking the Signposting Cycle: co-creating LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma support pathways project has two key components: increasing visibility and awareness of the challenges LGBTI+ Travellers & Roma experience; and co-designing and delivering bespoke services with key partner services.

Job Description

Role Overview

LGBTI+ Development Worker

This role will identify key partner services and develop a direct relationship with a main contact person within each service. The worker will build and maintain partnerships with these services and contacts by providing appropriate training, co-designing safe and effective referral pathways, and, where appropriate, working together to deliver the supports needed by LGBTI+ Traveller or Roma individuals when they seek help.

Reporting to

• The National Training and Development Coordinator
• Working as part of the wider Exchange House Ireland team.

Responsibilities

• Act as an initial point of contact for LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma people
• Engage empathetically and effectively with LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma in difficult stressful situations
• Assess personal circumstances from a person-centred perspective, taking into account social and cultural determinants  
• Create safe and sustainable referral pathways to key services for LGBTI+ Travellers & Roma
• Establish necessary bi-lateral organisational protocols to engage in key partnerships
• Engage key stakeholders in advancing specific policy changes to ease access to emergency services for LGBTI+ Travellers and Roma  
• Support the work of the National Action Group for LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma Rights in
  • Liaising with community stakeholders to organise a range of events including Spoken Word events, training, Pride effectively and efficiently 
  • Representing effectively the concerns and needs of LGBTI+ Travellers and Roma at various networks, and committees
  • Promoting and disseminating relevant information using a variety of media platforms
  • Writing progress reports towards KPIs
  • Drafting funding proposals, submissions, including updating website and maintaining correspondences.

Professional development opportunities are offered as part of the role. The training offered is therefore designed to complement existing skills and experience, rather than to provide foundational training in core competencies required for the position

Person Specification

The ideal candidate should have

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in community development or related work and building collaborative solutions
• Experience in relationship-based practice
• Track record in developmental processes and building communication, trust and partnerships
• Strong knowledge, understanding and experience of Traveller and/or Roma cultures and the issues impacting these communities
• Strong knowledge, understanding of the key challenges for the LGBTI+ community and the intersectionality of being LGBTI+ Traveller & Roma  
• Strong experience in forging effective inter-personal working relationships in different regions of the country
• Track record in managing relationships across a number of services working in partnership
• Strong awareness and skills in boundary management
• A relevant qualification in social science, community work, youth work, social care or other relevant discipline; or demonstrate a substantial track record of working - recognition of prior learning.

Terms and Conditions

Based in

• Exchange House Ireland’s offices on Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, D01 WC97
• This post requires national travel on a regular basis. Access to own transport is therefore desirable.

Hours of work

• 34 hours per week.

Salary and benefits

• The salary for this position is €40,351 - €55,999 per annum based on the HSE Social Care Worker (August 2025) consolidated pay scale. The contract is for the duration of the project, which is initially funded for one year. Extension will depend on future funding.
• For more information and the benefits of working in Exchange House Ireland call the HR Department on 01 872 1094

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 hr@exchangehouse.ie with the subject line ‘LGBTI+ Development Worker’.

• 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.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday the 27th March 2026

Interviews are expected Thursday April 2nd 2026.

This position is sponsored by the National Action Group for LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Rights

This position is supported with funding from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality

• 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.
• 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.
• All applicants must have the eligibility to work in Ireland.