Exchange House Ireland now wishes to recruit a

National Coordinator: Traveller Youth Mental Health Navigator Project

Permanent, Part-time (21 hours over 3 days)

The Programme

This initiative aims to identify and develop a culturally informed peer navigation model that empowers and supports young Travellers as they navigate mental health and broader support systems. Drawing inspiration from successful approaches in the UK and Australia, the project focuses on training, engaging, and employing Young Travellers as peer navigators within a range of services, including primary healthcare projects, Traveller- mental health specific initiatives, and mainstream health organisations. Central to the project is a commitment to collaboration with young Travellers, Traveller organisations, mainstream services and community services where young Travellers may engage, ensuring that the model is co-designed and rooted in lived experience. As part of this development, the project also aims to design a tailored micro-credential that will enhance the skills, employability, and long-term prospects of peer navigators, while significantly improving service access and outcomes for the wider Young Traveller community.

The Programme Overview

Overall Objective

Improve the Mental Health and Wellness of Traveller Youth in Ireland, through the co-production of a Youth Mental Health Navigator project.

Job Description (what you will be doing)

Outline of the position

This job requires an energetic, motivated, and enthusiastic person to co-create a youth mental health navigator service with young Travellers with the view to regionally based navigator roles being situated in local projects in the future. This project will have a national focus. The job will involve working with local Traveller Groups/Networks/Movements and with the Thriving Together Traveller Youth Mental Health Team, to recruit Traveller Youth (18-25 years) to become part of a lived experience advisory group/volunteer panel to partake in a process of selection and development of a culturally appropriate model of a youth mental health peer navigation service.

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 youth navigator project and in line with securing funding. 

Reporting to

• Exchange House Ireland National Traveller Mental Health Service Team Manager.

Working closely with

• The Thriving Together Project Team as part of the Exchange House Ireland National Traveller Mental Health Service Team.
• Local Partnership/Traveller Action Group teams
• The local Partnership/Traveller Action Groups/Networks/Movements.

Responsibilities

• Work with local Traveller Groups/Networks/Movements and with the Thriving Together Traveller Youth Mental Health Team and the National Traveller Mental Health Service, to recruit Traveller Youth (18-25 years) to become part of a lived experience advisory group/volunteer panel to partake in a process of selection and development of a culturally appropriate model of a Traveller youth mental health peer navigation service.
• Engage Traveller Youth (Lived Experience) in the co-production of a culturally appropriate Peer Navigation training programme for the selected model of a national peer navigator service.
• Set up a Steering Group to provide objective strategic guidance and governance and oversee the pilot project decisions, risks, review programme delivery, safeguarding, child protection matters arising, evaluation and feedback and report on programme outcomes.
• Working with higher education authorities (HEA’s) to identify potential Micro Credentials that would be required for peer navigators in the future.
• Support the ongoing review and evaluation of the project using participatory research in action methodology.
• Develop an action/implementation plan for the project.
• Support reporting requirements to project funders and exchange House Senior Management and Board.
• Fully participate in a robust induction process.
• To attend one to one support, supervision with the Manager.
• To be aware of your statutory obligations relating to Child Protection, Safeguarding and Health and Safety and understanding the Exchange House and Local Partner policies in these areas and how to respond correctly to concerns, risks, or disclosures.
• To adhere to professional boundaries in performing the duties of this job.

Other Duties

• Participate in organisational events, team meetings and individual supervision
• Any other duties as requested by the Management Team, CEO or Board of Directors

Person Specification

The ideal candidate should have as essential:

• Ideally this person will have a qualification in Community Development, Social Care, Youth & Community or 3-5 years’ work experience in a similar role
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with the Traveller Community and /or disadvantaged groups.
• A commitment to facilitating and motivating young people in reaching their potential is essential.
• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with young Travellers.
• An interest in what good mental health and wellbeing is.
• An interest in your own professional development.
• Experience of working or volunteering with Traveller groups or community.
• Full driver’s licence and access to a car.
• Be willing to travel to various locations to network and recruit Traveller Youth for the consultation process.
• Programme or project Co-ordination experience is essential
• 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.

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

• 21 hours per week (over 3 days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), 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 (pro rata).
• Annual leave: 26 days (pro rata)

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 ‘Co-Ordinator Navigator Project’.

• 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.

Garda Vetting:

This role is subject to full Garda vetting in line with safeguarding requirements for working with young people. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices; therefore, previous convictions will not automatically exclude an applicant. All disclosures will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with particular regard to the nature of the role and the safety and wellbeing of young people. A risk assessment will be undertaken to determine any appropriate measures or safeguards.

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

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, 18th November 2026.

It is anticipated that interviews will take place the week of 23rd November 2026

This position is supported with funding from the Health Service Executive Mental Health Access and Integration.

• 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