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Programme Outreach Co-Ordinator (FT)

PEACEPLUS Programme Area 1.3 Building Positive Relations

Background

The Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation works with individuals and groups to transform conflict, promote reconciliation, encourage healthy relationships, and build sustainable peace.

We are an Irish-based, independent, non-governmental organisation. Founded in 1974 in response to the conflict in Northern Ireland, Glencree played an important role in the Irish Peace Process, bringing together those in conflict for confidential dialogue and helping to build relationships across divides. As well as our ongoing work on the island of Ireland, our perspective and expertise has been shared in more than ten conflict and post-conflict countries around the globe.

The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation has partnered with Mediation Northern Ireland (MNI), as training delivery partner, to successfully fulfil the NextGen4Peace project deliverables and outputs across a 4-year period (1^st October 2025-30^th September 2029). The consortium consists of Glencree as the Lead Partner, MNI as Partner and 6 further Associate Partners (community organisations and educational bodies). Mobilisation in the field will commence May 2026, following recruitment of the full project team (5 in total) and the delivery of initial preparatory activities, with our partner MNI at project initiation. The main location for this role will office based in Belfast for 2 days a week and the remainder will involve travel across Northern Ireland Counties, to the Border Counties in the Republic of Ireland, and to our head office located in Glencree, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.

The Project

The NextGen4Peace project is a comprehensive peacebuilding initiative supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) which aims to embed non-violent, conflict resolution, mediation, and dialogue skills and processes across communities in the Programme area. The overall objective is to create and sustain a regional network of diverse and inclusive grassroot peacebuilders at a wide scale cross border and communities, through a partnership of both regional and location organisations and locations.

The project aims to support good cross community and intercultural relations in the investment area of the six counties of Northern Ireland and six border counties of the Republic of Ireland by:

• Providing short, tailored skills training programmes to marginalised communities in conflict resolution, dialogue, mediation and restorative practice skills.
• Supporting the development of 3-5 key locations across the investment area which will be ‘anchor sites’ for training delivery and mediation support.
• Introducing and piloting a community-based mediation service model to marginalised communities through the hubs and the nurturing of trainee mediators.
• Nurturing the training and professional development of 30 mediators/dialogue facilitators from marginalised communities to be the next generation of peacebuilders including supporting a community of practice.
• Delivering conflict resolution skills initiative for school communities via 3 regional Associate Partners (Parents Associations and Boards of Governance primary and post primary) to support good community relations across the investment area.

Role Description

The Programme Network Outreach Co-Ordinator for the PEACEPLUS NextGen4Peace Project will lead the outreach, recruitment and community relationship building of this innovative project focused on empowering the next generation of peacebuilders. This project aims to equip young leaders from marginalised communities with the skills, networks, and supports to address conflict, promote reconciliation, and drive long-term peacebuilding in their communities and regions.

The role involves working closely with the NextGen4Peace Programme Manager and the Glencree project team (5 staff in total), coordinating with our training delivery partner’s project team (3 staff in total), and occasionally working with the wider Glencree and MNI teams to ensure timely, effective planning, participant recruitment, and delivery. The role reports to the NextGen4Peace Programme Manager.

This role will be community facing and will promote positive relations characterised by respect, where cultural diversity is celebrated and people can live, learn and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance. The project will transcend local boundaries and have the potential to achieve significant peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

The target audience to participate in training will include those most marginalised such as women; older people; minority and new communities; those living with disability; those with issues arising from the legacy of the conflict; members of the Traveller community; those from the LGBT community.

The Programme Outreach Co-Ordinator will be responsible for building relationships with community organisations, community groups, and other organisations supporting peacebuilding, across NI counties and the Border counties. In addition to this, their role will specifically relate to managing relationships with the educational bodies and the Associate Partners which have already been confirmed for the project. In total, there will be five ‘anchor locations’ where training and mediation services will be embedded across the lifetime of the project, these include Belfast, Derry, Dungannon, Garvagh and Monaghan.

The goal of building local relationships is to achieve synergy with these organisation’s already established community outreach efforts; this will support the development of the project’s recruitment channels allowing for promotion and recruitment of training courses and mediation services across the 3-year training delivery period.

The NextGen4Peace project will support the recruitment, training, career progression and professional and voluntary development of the next generation of mediators/peacebuilders who will contribute to the development of positive relations between and within communities in Northern Ireland and border regions of Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Relationship management of the project’s Associate Partners which include Ulster University Magee Campus (Derry), Hares Corner Co-operative, (Garvagh), New Beginnings (Belfast), Education Authority NI, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, and Educate Together Republic of Ireland.
• Determine the landscape, map, establish, and build strong relationships with community organisations, community groups, government bodies, and marginalised communities to promote participation in peacebuilding and mediation training across NI counties and Border counties.
• Build and sustain grassroots relationships to maximise the recruitment potential within marginalised communities and their catchment areas for anchor locations: Belfast, Derry, Dungannon, Garvagh and Monaghan.
• With our partner MNI, establish mediation services at anchor locations to embed a service for community conflict resolution.
• Work collaboratively with cross-border parties to ensure consistency and inclusivity with cross-border organisations and design appropriate interventions.
• Maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including a project steering committee, ensuring transparent communication and facilitating joint decision-making where necessary.
• Contribute to and execute the project’s communications plan to ensure visibility, promote awareness and impact of the project, and represent the project in high-level meetings and external forums to advocate for the PEACEPLUS objectives.

Project Delivery

• Design and deliver outreach strategies, coordinate training delivery, and act as a liaison between project partners, participants, and stakeholders to ensure inclusive engagement and lasting impact.
• Lead the development, implementation and effectiveness monitoring of an ongoing Outreach, Engagement and Recruitment Strategy to achieve the participation target. of 2,240 across 4 years, ensuring alignment with participant criteria set out. The participant background will involve a mix from Northern Ireland and Border Region communities i.e. PUL (Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist), CNR (Catholic, Nationalist, Republican) and BME (Black and Minority Ethnic).
• Support the co-design of peacebuilding and mediation training, using feedback, learnings and insights, working closely with the Mediation Northern Ireland team and trainers.
• Contribute to project reports, evaluations, and communication outputs for SEUPB compliance.
• Identify challenges and risks, proposing timely solutions to the project team.
• Adhere to procurement process and expenditure eligibility rules to ensure compliance.

Trainee Liaison

• Act as the first point of contact for trainee queries and concerns and actively address barriers to learning and participation where possible.
• Ensure participants are informed, comfortable, and engaged throughout their learning journey, taking into account and accommodating cultural differences within the groups.
• Foster a positive learning environment by encouraging participation, collaboration and provide opportunities so trainees can voice their experiences or needs.
• Provide guidance and motivation on further training courses available and discuss skill development opportunities within the context of the project’s offering.
• Manage registration, attendance, and learning records through an online tool used by the participants and generate period reports for project evaluation against outputs and outcomes.
• Monitor ‘in classroom’ engagement and participation and work with trainers to co-design content, optimise attendance and improve outcomes.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• With the project’s M&E Officer, engage fully with the programme’s monitoring and evaluation logic model and framework both for training course participants and community of practice participants, ensuring that accurate data collection complies with SEUPB requirements, that reporting mechanisms are in place and results are disseminated accordingly.
• Contribute to the development of online tools such as the registration system and learning tracking tool and the website to ensure their accessibility and that they do not create digital literacy issues inhibiting participation.
• Engage with the project’s M&E Officer to ensure that all demographic and monitoring data under SEUPB rules are adequate and that data is processed in compliance with GDPR and the project’s Data Protection Policy.
• Conduct evaluations, as designed by the project’s M&E Officer, with Associate Partners and the community organisations and groups engaged with the project
• Contribute to reports on project outcomes to the Glencree Board of Directors, CEO, Senior Management, and other stakeholders including MNI using the standard programme reporting to the board format and provide in person presentations as required.

Experience and Skills sought:

The successful applicant will have the personal and relational skills to build relationships and trust with community organisations and in particular marginalised communities from where participants will be recruited. They will have experience in organising and coordinating events and training courses and will hold knowledge of peacebuilding, mediation, or community relations in a Northern Ireland and cross-border context.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in related fields such as Peace Education, Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Social Studies, or Community Development is required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in community development, outreach, or engagement roles is required.
• Experience of initiatives focusing on peacebuilding, community development, or post-conflict societies is required.
• Proven experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders, including government, community organisations and local communities is required.
• Experience of working at grass roots on development projects with disadvantaged and marginalised groups/individuals is required.
• Experience working in conflict-affected, divisive communities or politically sensitive environments in the programme area is desirable.

Skills

• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Ability to coach, support, and provide guidance to promote skills development
• Understanding of project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.

Personal Attributes

• Shows commitment to promoting peace, stability, and social cohesion.
• Will promote cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse perspectives and traditions within the project.
• Open to change and provides for flexibility and adaptability to evolving project demands and challenges.
• Holds a strong sense of ethics and integrity in handling sensitive information and relationships.

Reporting to:          Chief Executive Officer

Salary:                     €51,500 5-day week

Location:                 Belfast City Centre and Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Glencree offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Glencree is committed to supporting flexible working practices and is open to discussing arrangements that best suit the successful candidate.

Terms:                             4-year fixed term contract

The successful candidate will need to be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland; have a full, clean drivers’ licence and access to own transport. Travel reimbursement is in line with RoI Civil Service mileage rates.

Application:

To apply for this role please send your CV and Cover Letter detailing your experience, interest and suitability for the role to recruitment@glencree.ie

The deadline for applications is Friday the 5^th of June 2026.