Exchange House Ireland now wishes to recruit an

Project Co-ordinator

Full time, 2-Year Contract

The Program

Thriving Together – A Youth Mental Health Programme supporting young members of the Traveller community.

Project Overview

In 2025 Exchange House Ireland launched their findings from a 2-year pilot project aimed at co-producing the design of a mental health service for young Travellers. The report demonstrates the urgent need for a culturally competent and community-led response to the mental health crisis among young Travellers. High rates of suicide, widespread experiences of discrimination, limited access to mental health services demonstrate that existing structures are not meeting the needs of this population. Young Travellers face complex and interwoven challenges, from systemic racism and exclusion in education and employment to the deep social and cultural pressures that impact well-being. Despite these challenges, the Traveller community possesses strong protective factors, including resilience, close family networks, and a deep sense of identity, which can be leveraged to support better mental health outcomes.

A key takeaway from this study is that young Travellers primarily seek help from their families and close social networks rather than mainstream services. This underscores the need for community-based interventions that empower Traveller families to provide informed support while also ensuring that professional mental health services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally safe. A Traveller Youth Mental Health Service, designed and led in collaboration with the community, is essential to closing the gap in service provision and fostering trust between Travellers and the healthcare system.

Job Description

Role Overview

This role requires an energetic, motivated, self-starter to support Peer Mental Health Facilitators (PMHF) and a Clinical Lead to develop, deliver and evaluate mental health, wellbeing and crisis intervention programmes for Traveller youth and adults across Ireland. Based out of our head office in Dublin 1 you will work as part of a specialist team to support 3 regional based teams of PMHFs in engaging the Traveller community to participate in the evidenced based Thriving Together programme in both a culturally inclusive and practice framework manner.

Reporting to

• The Manager of the National Traveller Mental Health Service
• Working as part of the wider Exchange House Ireland team

Responsibilities

• Provide day to day coordination and support to 6 Peer Mental Health Facilitators (PMHFs).
• Carry out line management duties for each of the PMHFs which include staff management, project management, resource management, delegation of tasks, programmatic goals and timelines.
• Facilitate regular team meetings both online and in person.
• Be the first point of contact for troubleshooting challenges or escalating issues.
• Oversee the development, implementation and quality assurance of the programmes in line with project objectives.
• To develop, oversee and review working relationships with the 3 local organisations supporting the project. This will be supported by the project’s Clinical Lead
• Ensure the programme delivery is culturally inclusive, trauma informed, community led and aligned with best practice guidance
• Coordinate schedules, outreach and participation across 3 regional teams
• Work with PMHFs and Clinical Lead to ensure programme fidelity and quality through the use of critical feedback, reflective practice, maintenance of professional boundaries and service user evaluations.
• Support reporting requirements to programme funders and Exchange House Ireland management and board.
• Uphold child protection and safeguarding policies and responsibilities ensuring appropriate response is made to concerns or disclosures
• Promote a trauma informed and supportive team culture

Exchange House Ireland are open to offering training, in any areas of the role’s duties, to support the successful candidate in the role

Person Specification

The ideal candidate should have

Responsibilities

• Qualification in youth work, community development, social care, or experience working in a community setting.
• 3 years’ experience of working with the Traveller community and/or disadvantaged groups would be an advantage.
• A commitment and aptitude for facilitating and motivating people in reaching their potential is essential.
• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills.
• An understanding of trauma informed support with a strengths-based person-centred approach.
• Good administrative and IT skills and a good knowledge of IT related packages.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent relationship and conflict management skills with an ability to be flexible and handle challenging situations.
• Ability to work and perform on own initiative and perform as part of a team.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Hands on approach to getting things done with a demonstrable ability to work well under pressure.
• While all these skills are important, the capacity to work with and treat all service users and colleagues well is key.
• Previous management or coordination experience would be an advantage.
• Have a full clean driver licence and access to own vehicle.

Terms and Conditions

Based in

• Exchange House Ireland’s offices on Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, D01 WC97.

Hours of work

• 34  hours per week (fulltime). 

Salary

• The salary for this position is: €56,351 - €65,807 per annum based on the HSE Social Car Leader pay Scale. The contract is for the duration of the project, which is initially funded for two years. Extension will depend on future funding.
• We offer 26 days annual leave (pro rata) and access to our pension scheme.

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 ‘Project Co-ordinator 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 calling the Personnel Department on 01 872 1094

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday the 5th December.

This position is supported with funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Mental Health Services and The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal/Community Foundation 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.
•  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.