Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service, Traveller Mediation Service and Traveller Counselling Service

now wishes to recruit a

National Programme Coordinator – Travellers Transforming Conflict Initiative (TTCI)

12-Month Contract – (part-time)

The Programme

Travellers Transforming Conflict Initiative (TTCI) is a collaboration between three project partners: Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service, Traveller Counselling Service and Traveller Mediation Service.

The initiative comprises of several 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 several key milestones. 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. 

TTCI Project Partners

Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service (EHI)

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 have supported the 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 several training programmers in conflict prevention and intervention.

Job Description

Outline of the position

The National Programme Coordinator will provide strategic and operational leadership across all TTCI strands, ensuring the initiative is delivered to a high standard, on time and on budget, and that the partnership between Exchange House Ireland, the Traveller Mediation Service and the Traveller Counselling Service continues to function effectively. The postholder will act as the central point of coordination for the initiative nationally, managing relationships with stakeholders and funders, and the initiative's ongoing evolution in line with the TTCI strategic plan.

While initially being on a part-time basis, it is anticipated that the role will grow to a full-time basis over the lifetime of the implementation of the TTCI 2026 – 2032 strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Partnership Coordination

• Lead implementation of the TTCI strategic plan, working closely with Exchange House Ireland, the Traveller Mediation Service and the Traveller Counselling Service.
• Act as the primary coordination point between partner organisations, chairing and supporting the TTCI Partnership Steering Group and related governance structures.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate and evolve the initiative, ensuring strands remain coherent, complementary and responsive to community need.
• Represent TTCI at national fora, with funders, government departments and other stakeholders.

Programme Management

• Oversee day-to-day delivery of all TTCI strands, ensuring coordinated planning, implementation and reporting across partner organisations.
• Liaise with Traveller Mediation Service, Traveller Counselling Service and Exchange House Ireland wo support the development and implementation of clear, integrated referral and care pathways under the identified service provision strands of:
  • Young People's Conflict Skills Programmes;
  • Trauma-informed family therapy and counselling; and
  • Family Support Access Programme.
• National awareness campaign: oversee planning and delivery of national public awareness and communications activity.
• Research and policy development: commission or oversee research that evidences outcomes and informs policy positions.
• National conferences and communications: lead planning and delivery of national conferences, publications and stakeholder communications.
• Develop and monitor annual work plans, budgets and KPIs for each strand.

Funding, Finance and Reporting

• Manage the TTCI budget, ensuring effective and compliant use of funding across all strands and partner organisations.
• Lead on funding applications, renewals and funder relationships, in coordination with the CEO and relevant partner leads.
• Prepare high-quality narrative and financial reports for funders, the Board and the Partnership Steering Group.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research

• Develop and maintain robust monitoring and evaluation systems to capture outcomes and impact across all strands.
• Ensure findings from research and evaluation inform ongoing programme development and policy engagement.
• Ensure data collection and reporting meet funder, statutory and GDPR requirements.

Communications and Advocacy

• Oversee the national awareness campaign and related communications, ensuring consistent messaging aligned with the initiative's values.
• Support the planning and delivery of national conferences, events and publications.
• Contribute to policy submissions and advocacy work arising from TTCI research.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure TTCI activity is delivered in line with Exchange House Ireland's governance, safeguarding, financial and HR policies, and those of partner organisations where relevant.
• Support the CEO and Board in providing oversight of the initiative.
• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory, funder and regulatory requirements.

Other Duties

• Any other duties as requested by the CEO or Board of Directors.
• This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder as the initiative evolves.

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

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in programme or project management, ideally within the community, voluntary or NGO sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-strand programmes and coordinating across multiple organisations or stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of and demonstrated commitment to Traveller culture, identity and ethnicity, and to anti-racist and equality-based practice.
• Experience managing staff, budgets and funder relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public representation.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across a complex initiative.

Experience in the following is desirable

• Experience working in conflict resolution, mediation, family support or trauma-informed therapeutic services.
• Experience of research, policy development or advocacy work.
• Experience working within a partnership or consortium model involving multiple organisations.
• Knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector landscape relevant to the Traveller community in Ireland.

Attributes and Attitude

• Commitment to working with and supporting the Traveller community.
• 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.

Reporting To

• CEO, Exchange House Ireland (with accountability to the TTCI Partnership Steering Group).

Hours of work

• 17.5 hours per week (with the view to an increase in hours if funding allows)
• 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 as per the HSE’s Social Care Leader scale [August 2025] €56,351-€65,807, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Funding for the position is subject to the annual estimates process and the availability of funding from the funding Departments (Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht).

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 ‘National Programme Coordinator - TTCI 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; and
  • Details of your relevant experience.

More information is available by calling the HR Department on 01 872 1094.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, Friday October 30th 2026.

It is anticipated that interviews will take place the week of November 9th 2026.

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

• 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
• 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