Youth Project Lead (Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller)

Youth Action Alliance; Islington; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a Lead Worker to manage projects for Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller young people aged 11-19. The successful candidate will develop innovative programs, provide targeted mentoring, and ensure high-quality delivery within the community. Essential skills include youth work qualifications, experience with young people, and strong organizational and communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Youth Work qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience working with young people, ideally including the Traveller community.
• Skilled at building positive, trusting relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational management of the project.
• Develop partnerships with schools and local agencies.
• Record attendance and produce performance reports.

Skills

Youth work

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Level 3 Youth Work qualification

Tools

MS Office

Database systems

Job description

Overview

We are ambitious to grow, to continue supporting more young people and influence positive change. We are seeking to appoint a Lead Worker for the Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller cohort to develop and deliver an innovative and progressive project in a safe, industrious, and supportive environment, working primarily with this community.

The project provides the following for Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller young people aged 11-19 years:

• A weekly girls' workshop
• Targeted mentoring and support — helping them to stay in education, enrol in college, seek work opportunities, and access additional support services
• Off-site holiday activities, programme leadership & delivery
• Plan and deliver an innovative, progressive programme of activities, developed in collaboration with young people and colleagues
• Create safe, supportive spaces that foster personal and social development
• Deliver 1-to-1 and group support sessions through a variety of methods (in-person, phone, digital), providing advice, guidance, mentoring, and signposting to other services
• Organise trips, workshops, and positive activities in line with the project delivery plan

Project & Partnership Management

• Lead the day-to-day operational and administrative management of the project
• Develop and manage partnerships with schools, local agencies, and trusted community stakeholders
• Represent YAA at borough, London-wide, and partnership meetings to champion Traveller young people’s voices
• Manage project budgets, expenditure records, and ensure assets and equipment are safeguarded
• Supervise project staff, support workers, and facilitators, ensuring high-quality delivery and compliance with YAA standards

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Record attendance, case notes, and data consistently and accurately in the online database
• Capture and share the impact of young people’s journeys through case studies, feedback, quotes, photos, and video
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports for senior management and the Board of Trustees
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by demonstrating impact and supporting applications to secure sustainable funding

Essential Skills & Experience

• A minimum Level 3 Youth Work qualification (or equivalent)
• Strong experience working with young people, ideally including the Traveller community
• Skilled at building positive, trusting relationships with young people, families, and partners
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
• Confident communicator with strong literacy, report-writing, and presentation skills
• Competent in MS Office (Word, Excel) and database systems for recording and reporting
• A strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and safeguarding
• Desirable: Experience within the charity, voluntary, or community sector
• Understanding of the specific challenges facing Irish Traveller young people
• Track record of partnership working and external stakeholder engagement