Community Development Worker

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Community Development Worker
SICAP Funded Post (Full-time, 35 hours per week, Fixed-Term)

• Job Title: Community Development Worker
• Organisation: Southside Partnership Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CLG
• Programme: SICAP 2024–2028 (Goal 1)
• Funding: SICAP-funded position
• Contract: 12-month fixed term contract with possibility of extension, subject to successful completion of probation.
• Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Location: The Old Post Office, 7 Rock Hill, Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, with outreach across Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
• Salary: Development Worker Scale (€35,371–€51,361 FTE), depending on experience.
• Reports to: Social Inclusion Manager
• Works closely with: Community Development Team, Programme Staff across SSP, Senior Management Team, external community partners
• Probation: 6 months

Organisation

Southside Partnership DLR CLG is a local development company working towards an inclusive and just society where each person is encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential and live with dignity in active, healthy, sustainable and safe communities.

We provide a comprehensive range of supports and services to individuals and communities through several funded programmes, including:

• SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) 2024–2028
• Tusla and HSE funded family and wellbeing programmes
• Changing Lives DLR philanthropic partnership initiatives
• The Department of Social Protection funds our LAES, Tús and Community Employment (CE) programmes.

Our Mission: Working in partnership to improve social and economic inclusion and build vibrant communities in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.

Our Vision: To see an inclusive and just society, without discrimination, where people are encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential within strong vibrant communities.

Values in action

At Southside Partnership, our work is guided by four core values:

• Integrity & Accountability – We act with honesty, reliability, and professionalism, taking responsibility for our actions and ensuring our work is consistent, trustworthy, and ethical.
• Community & Inclusion – We believe in the power of community and strive to foster diverse, inclusive, and cooperative spaces that ensure fairness, collaboration, and a shared sense of belonging.
• Growth & Learning Mindset – We are committed to continuous improvement, open mindedness, and innovative thinking, embracing curiosity, ambition, and creativity to adapt and lead in a changing world.
• Compassion & Wellbeing – We lead with empathy and care, nurturing environments where people feel valued, supported, and connected, promoting balance, health, and human dignity.

Role

In building strong, inclusive and sustainable communities, the Community Development Worker will play a key role in supporting and developing local community leadership and capacity across Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown.

Funded under SICAP Goal 1, the role is designed to support the achievement of SICAP outcomes by promoting inclusive participation, leadership development and community capacity building.

Working across all Southside Partnership programmes, the post-holder will identify, support and develop emerging local leaders, volunteers, community groups and networks, with a strong emphasis on good governance, peer learning, inclusive practice and collective action.

The post-holder will act as a connector between communities, SSP programmes and external partners, supporting community-led development and ensuring that local voices are supported, informed and represented within relevant local, county and national structures. The role has a strategic, capacity-building focus and is designed to complement — rather than duplicate — project-based or thematic community development roles within the organisation.

Duties & Responsibilities (include but not limited to)

1. Community Leadership, Governance and Committee Skills

• Research and identify relevant local, national and philanthropic funding opportunities aligned with SSP priorities.
• Work with community organisations, including local community groups, networks and social enterprises, to identify their support needs in areas such as committee capacity, governance and sustainability.
• Engage with local communities to identify emerging leaders and volunteers, and provide opportunities for them to strengthen their skills, knowledge and confidence.
• Draft and coordinate high-quality grant applications, proposals and funding submissions (in collaboration with Programme leads and Senior Management Team.
• Maintain a grants calendar to track funding deadlines, submission dates and reporting requirements.
• Work with Finance and programme teams to support budget input for funding applications and ensure alignment between narrative and financial information.
• Support SICAP narrative and impact reporting through accurate completion of SICAP paperwork and timely input of frontline outcomes, evidence and case studies to IRIS, in line with organisational procedures.
• Support the development of consistent, high-quality “core content” that can be reused across funding applications (e.g., organisational overview, impact statements, priority themes).
• Support funder reporting requirements in collaboration with Programme teams and Senior Management Team (as required)

2. Training, Peer Learning and Community Toolkit

• Work with our education partners, such as Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB), to identify training and development needs within community groups, committees and networks, and to collaborate with partners to develop appropriate responses to meet those needs.
• Coordinate and support access to relevant training opportunities, including committee skills, governance, leadership, communications and digital skills (e.g. social media).
• Facilitate and support peer learning, networking and shared reflection opportunities for community groups, creating safe and inclusive spaces for learning and exchange of experience.
• Contribute to the development and ongoing maintenance of a Community Toolkit, including practical resources, templates, guidance materials and signposting to supports, to assist community groups in strengthening their work and sustainability.

3. Community Engagement, Partnership and Representation

• Work collaboratively across all SSP programmes (Community Development, Employment, Health & Wellbeing, Children and Families, Integration, etc.) to ensure a coordinated and joined-up approach to community development.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key external partners, including:
• Public Participation Network (PPN),
• Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council,
• local community organisations, networks and relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Support community groups and networks to engage with, navigate and access appropriate local, county and national structures, ensuring that community voices are informed, prepared and supported to participate effectively.
• Where agreed with management, support the representation of community perspectives within interagency, local authority and statutory forums

4. Programme Delivery, Monitoring & Reporting

• Deliver community development supports in line with SICAP objectives and reporting requirements, SSP policies and agreed work plans.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate records of engagement, supports and outcomes, in line with programme monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the collection of qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate community engagement, leadership development and capacity-building outcomes.
• Participate in team planning, supervision, reflective practice and organisational learning.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• A third-level qualification at NFQ Level 8 in Community Development, Social Sciences, Social Care, Youth & Community Work, or a related field. NFQ Level 7 may be considered with substantial relevant community development experience.
• A minimum of 2–3 years’ experience working in community development, community capacity building, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of community development principles, participation, inclusion and collective action.
• Experience working directly with community groups, volunteers or committees.

Desirable

• Experience working within SICAP-funded programmes or similar community development initiatives.
• Knowledge of local structures such as Public Participation Networks (PPNs), local authorities or interagency networks.
• Experience supporting governance, training or leadership development in community settings.
• Familiarity with local and national policy frameworks relevant to community development, social inclusion, children and families, education, employment, health and wellbeing.
• Familiarity with Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown communities and interagency structures.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with diverse community stakeholders.
• Good digital and IT skills, including confidence in using Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools, and the ability to use platforms such as Canva or similar tools to support community communications, simple materials, and engagement activities.
• Good facilitation and group work skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commitment to social inclusion, equality and community empowerment.
• Ability to work independently with initiative, while also contributing positively to a team environment.

Other Requirements:

• Legal right to work in Ireland.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or community-based meetings.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and a Cover letter outlining why you believe you are suitable for this role by email by close of business on Friday, 27 February 2026. Please include “Community Development Worker - Application” as the email subject.

Please note that:

• Southside Partnership DLR CLG. is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
• Southside Partnership DLR CLG. does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
• No late applications will be accepted, and canvassing will lead to disqualification.
• Any offer will be subject to satisfactory references and Garda vetting as appropriate.
• All applicant data will be treated securely as per GDPR and the Data Protection Acts.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: €35,371.00-€51,361.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Employee assistance program
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Please outline your digital and IT skills.

Confirm your experience using Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools, and describe any experience using Canva (or similar platforms) to create materials, communications or engagement resources for community work.

• Please briefly outline your experience (minimum 2–3 years) in community development or community capacity building. Include the type of communities/groups you worked with and your specific role in supporting leadership, participation or collective action.
• Describe your experience working directly with community groups, volunteers or committees.

Have you supported governance, committee development, training, or community-led initiatives? Please provide a short example.

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person