ROLE PURPOSE / DESCRIPTION:

The Roma & Migrant Lead is a dual role, and the post holder will coordinate the HSE response to support the health needs of the IPA and Roma communities in the respective areas. This is a strategic leadership role and will involve creative collaboration and partnership with HSE key personnel including health professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and relevant external partners.

The role requires significant people management and leadership skills, and the person will be responsible for several staff members working across the area of operations.

The postholder will coordinate the approach to meeting the healthcare needs of IPAs living in congregated accommodation settings throughout counties Mayo and Roscommon.

The postholder will also lead a coordinated approach to addressing the healthcare needs of Roma people living in the community across counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. The role requires considerable partnership and collaboration skills with HSE staff and wider networks across the region.

REPORTING TO:

This post is funded by the HSE, and your work will be directed by the HSE Social Inclusion Coordinator – Galway/Mayo/Roscommon.
As a South West Mayo Development Company employee, you will report to the HR Manager for employer/employee- related matters (leave requests, timesheets, contract queries etc.).

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Leadership & Strategic Response

• Lead the strategic healthcare response in new IPA accommodation settings across Mayo and Roscommon. This will include assessing medical care needs and coordinating appropriate health services and referrals.
• Collaborate with key HSE staff and healthcare professionals to design and implement creative responses to mitigate a range of health risks including, but not limited to, outbreaks.
• Liaise with external health organisations such as the Marie Keating Foundation, Rape Crisis Centres, Family Support, and AkiDwa to support IPA and Roma communities in their various healthcare needs.
• Develop work plans in collaboration with teams across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon as appropriate.

Training & Education

• Support IPA and Roma communities to enhance their knowledge of the Irish healthcare system through a variety of ways such as information sessions, booklets, online resources and in-person support.
• Devise and implement coordinated programmes to address the healthcare needs of new centre arrivals, including but not limited to vaccination programmes and health education sessions.
• Develop culturally appropriate health resource materials for IPA and Roma communities.

Staff Management

• Provide management support and supervision (where required) to Mayo Genio staff member (IPA Peer Health Support Worker), IPA Health Liaison Worker, Roma Health Support Workers, and IPA/Roma Administrator, and new team members as they may be allocated to the line management of this post.
• Support team to manage workload in line with priority objectives and ensure appropriate allocation of additional work to team members as it may arise.
• Complete annual performance appraisal reviews with all team members, taking corrective action where needed.
• Approve and sign off timesheets, leave requests and expenses claims.

Roma Community

• Identify gaps in Roma healthcare services and develop business cases for new clinics to include analysis of need, assessment of hours required and estimated service costs (physical and human resources).
• Support the establishment of Roma-specific sessional clinics with special attention for Roma women, children and youth.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with health professionals across the region (GPs, consultants, public health nurses for example), Saolta University Health Care Group, IPAS, LAITs, Centre Managers to ensure that the healthcare needs of IPAs and members of the Roma community are clearly communicated and understood.
• Represent the HSE on relevant IPA and Roma fora across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in HSE review and multidisciplinary team meetings as directed.
• Liaise with Non-Government Organisations and government agencies to enhance the community health services provided to Migrant groups and International Protection Applicants.

Promotion & Advocacy

• Promote the awareness and understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing IPA and Roma communities living in the west of Ireland.
• Support HSE and other health service personnel to develop an understanding of the IPA and Roma communities and their needs in order to create a culturally appropriate and inclusive health service.
• Promote equality, anti-racism, interculturalism and diversity within the wider community, voluntary and statutory sector with a particular focus on tackling anti- Roma and anti-IPA sentiments.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Design and implement high quality and evidence-based monitoring and reporting systems for the services provided.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of workplans, taking corrective action as required.

Training and Continuing Professional Development

• Complete all training programmes as directed.
• Participate in professional supervision, as required.

Administration Management & Reporting

• Work closely with and report to the HSE Social Inclusion Manager in the administration management and reporting on the services provided.

Reporting and Governance

• Assist the HSE Social Inclusion Manager in all aspects of ensuring that the services are compliant with National Standards and Regulations.
• Support the Social Inclusion Manager in ensuring that assigned Social Inclusion staff are aware and adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the services provided.
• Ensure clinical records are properly and accurately maintained and that appropriate statistical information is provided.

The above job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post, which may be assigned to them by the HSE Social Inclusion Coordinator – Galway/Mayo/Roscommon to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should hold a relevant third-level qualification in Social Care, Community Development and/or Health Related Diploma.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Relevant work experience in programme administration and/or service coordination within a health/social care or community/voluntary setting.
• An understanding of the Irish health system and social inclusion programmes.
• Ability to advocate for families from a health perspective, handle conflict, excellent negotiation skills and an understanding of conciliation techniques and cultural difference.
• Have an understanding and appreciation of the health-related issues and needs confronting the target groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including:
  o The ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
  o Experience of making formal presentations to groups.
  o Strong written communication skills
• Must have knowledge of Children First legislation.
• Promotional skills, including knowledge of various media platforms.
• Motivation and an innovative approach to the job within a changing working environment.
• Ability to successfully manage a range of different work activities concurrently.
• Ability to manage one’s own time efficiently to ensure delivery of results and to work on own initiative.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary – The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be based on the HSE Social Care Leader scales.

Duration of Contract – The contract is for a full-time position for an initial period of 12 months subject to satisfactory performance. This may be reviewed with the intention of extension subject to satisfactory performance and the continued funding of the Health Service Executive.

Working Hours – 37 hours per week 9am – 5.30pm (Monday to Thursday) and 9am – 5pm on Friday. Please note that some evening work may be required outside of these hours. The Company offers Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for additional hours worked outside normal working hours.

Annual Leave – Annual leave will be 25 days per annum, with one extra day per two years worked, to a maximum of 30 days annual leave.

Own Transport – As travel is required as part of this role, access to own transport and a current clean driving licence is necessary.

Travel & Subsistence – Travel and subsistence will be paid at public sector rates.

Location of the position – The role is based in the South West Mayo Development Company, I.P.I. Centre, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 V125.

Garda Vetting – The employee must be able to provide evidence of current Garda Vetting.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection will involve short listing of applicants for interview based on the criteria for the position as outlined in this job description and person specification.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your Curriculum Vitae and cover letter by email to jobs@southmayo.com quoting Roma&MigrantLead_Application_YOURNAME in the subject line.

Please save your CV as YOURNAME_CV and your cover letter as YOURNAME_CoverLetter.

IMPORTANT: Please check your junk and spam folders throughout this recruitment campaign. SWMDC does not accept any responsibility for missed communication.

The closing date for applications for this role is 12 noon on Monday 25th August, 2025. Late applications are not accepted.