National Traveller Policy Coordinator on Enterprise and Employment

Background

The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) was founded in 1990 and is a national membership organisation representing Travellers and Traveller organisations across Ireland. ITM works collectively to represent the views of Travellers and Traveller organisations at a national and international level. We develop policies and innovative ways to bring about change for Travellers in Ireland. One of our core principles is to challenge the racism that Travellers face in Ireland. We work to challenge the inequalities faced by Travellers by promoting Traveller participation and leadership locally and nationally, by developing and sharing best practice, developing evidence-based research to inform our work and building strategic alliances with all who are committed to equality and human rights.

The Irish Traveller Movement’s ITM Strategic Plan 2023-2027 was launched in October 2022. This plan was developed following in-depth consultation and dialogue with our membership of 35+ local and national Traveller organisations. Our members identified employment as the number one priority to address within the strategy, involving a comprehensive national policy to support Travellers in these areas.

To date there has been no systematic understanding applied to redress Traveller’s social inequalities, including in employment, despite several national strategies recognising that Travellers along with other marginalised groups have diverse needs and that systems and recommending that processes and systems should adopt a targeted approach to addressing barriers around participation and access to services and supports.

The Irish Traveller Movement participates on a range of National sub groups, working groups and forums that aim to address the concerningly high rate of Traveller unemployment (over 61%)

The National Traveller Policy Coordinator Enterprise and Employment will:

1. Provide strategic input & oversight to the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme and provide support and supervision to the https TAIP manager.
2. Provide regular review and planning sessions with the TAIP team to ensure goals and objectives are being met.
3. Support the TAIP manager to deliver internal and external reports that reflect the work of the programme as required by the funders.
4. To consult with ITM members in a range of ways in the development of national policy submissions, position papers and briefing papers to articulate the ITM’s policy position to a wide audience.
5. Engage with employers and identify potential initiatives and opportunities for Traveller employment.
6. Develop working relationships with a range of national umbrella organisations that have influence on national employment and enterprise policy in Ireland: e.g. Trade Unions, employer representative groups etc
7. Identify areas and issues that require further research and examination that will ultimately aid and assist Traveller employment and Enterprise.
8. Support the inclusion of Travellers in existing Government employment initiatives with targeted measures including ethnic identifiers.
9. Represent the Irish Traveller movement at a range of sub groups, working groups and forums that aim to address Traveller unemployment
10. Undertake advocacy across existing and emerging policy development, to ensure redress of Traveller unemployment, training and support measures
11. Carry out other reasonable functions as requested by the Director of ITM

Essential for this role:

• The candidate will have a commitment to Traveller rights, equality and social justice and a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing Travellers in Ireland today.
• Community development qualification or five years’ experience working in this field.
• Five years’ experience of project management with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience of developing policy and research with a range of stakeholders.
• Extensive and demonstrable knowledge of employment and enterprise policy in Ireland.
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to use a range of online tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences of diverse backgrounds and political views.
• Experience managing budgets and working with funders (e.g. preparing and submitting grant applications and reporting).
• Strong organisation skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Ireland to meet with our membership and other key stakeholders.

Desirable for this role:

• Knowledge and understanding of the local and national policy fora that affect the Traveller community.
• Experience of creating policy briefings and other materials.
• Full clean driving licence and use of a car.

Work hours: Full time (35 hours per week).

Salary: Starting from €39,736- €57,397 commensurate with experience

Commencing: As soon as possible after the 1st August 2025

To apply: 

Please return CV with a cover letter that highlights your relevant skills and outlines your interest in the position to jobs@itmtrav.ie or post to The Irish Traveller Movement, 4-5 Eustace Street, Dublin 2. Any queries contact Grainne Fennell, Operations Manager on 01 6796577.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 7th July 2025. Shortlisting will take place shortly after and candidates will be informed shortly after.

The Irish Traveller Movement is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from the Traveller Community and other minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This position is funded by the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth.