Donegal Travellers Project is recruiting for the position of 

Education Development Coordinator

Overall Purpose of the post:

1. To coordinate the planning and oversight of the Education Development Project including budgeting, based in Donegal Travellers Project. This includes Rethink Ireland funded project, Tusla funded project, DCDE/NTP (Dormant Accounts) funded project, and all other specific funding, e.g. Toy Show Appeal.
2. To develop applications that support the retention of young Travellers & Roma in the formal education system to promote better outcomes for young Travellers and Roma in formal education.

Key Tasks:

1. Promote interculturalism with education providers, and collaborate with education providers to develop effective anti-bullying, non-discriminatory practice including enrolment procedures within schools.
2. Act as a link between the Traveller & Roma communities (young people and parents), schools and education support staff such School Completion and Education Welfare staff using a neighbourhood work approach.
3. Engage in early intervention and preventative work in terms of Traveller and Roma attendance in the formal school setting and work with EWO as relevant.
4. Recognising the multi-generational nature of educational disadvantage within many Traveller & Roma families, develop supports necessary to address deficits (such as low levels of literacy and numeracy with parents therefore unable to support homework, lack of books in the family home due to lack of literacy or financial means, etc.)
5. Support young people and their parents to address under-lying issues which may contribute to the young person’s participation in, or ability to, perform well in school including complex family situations which require targeted support.
6. Ensure appropriate family supports are put in place where necessary, through initiation of Meitheal (by acting as Lead Practitioner), or referral to other family support organisations in the community.
7. Work closely alongside the PHC teams to ensure the holistic needs of the young person/family are addressed to enhance outcomes from education.
8. Promote access and participation in early years services in the county including ECCE. This includes collaborating with Donegal County Childcare to promote inclusion and diversity training for early years providers.
9. Produce and prepare all necessary reports, submissions to necessary funders and Donegal Travellers Project Board of Management and the Project Manager in line with timeframes.
10. To develop, with the team, a professional working relationship with education providers and allied services locally, regionally, and as required nationally.
11. Work in solidarity through networking with national Traveller organisations & relevant others promoting the rights of the child and equality of outcomes from education.
12. Work as part of the overall team at Donegal Travellers Project, implementing a community development & human rights approach to implement the strategic plan of the organisation.
13. Work with the administrator to oversee and monitor spend, returns to funders, and HR on all education funding.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
• A working knowledge of the education system in Ireland including relevant state policies e.g. NTRIS; TRES.
• An appreciation and understanding of the barriers and inequalities as experienced by Traveller and Roma communities in relation to education.
• Appreciation and awareness of using a community development and human rights approach to addressing educational inequality as experienced by Travellers and Roma.
• Good communications skills including report writing and facilitation / presentation skills.
• A full clean driving licence and access to own transport.

Garda Vetting and completion of Children First training will be required before commencement.

The post is full time (35 hours per week) and will be for a 12-month period, with a 3-month probationary period.

The salary will be in line with DTP scales as set out for the company.

Apply in writing with a C.V. and cover letter to ellie@donegaltravellersproject.ie by Friday the 12th of September at 5pm.