IMPACT-H Peer Migrant Health Worker

Title:                             IMPACT-H Peer Migrant Health Worker

Duration:                      2 year fixed term contract

Job Family:                  Administration

Salary:                         €19,359

Working hours:           2.5 days/week (17.5  hours per week)

Location:                     16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Mobile (outreach across accommodations and community settings) and remote working

Reporting to:               Project Coordinator

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRC) is part of the world’s largest independent humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The IRC is committed to and bound by its Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The vision of the Irish Red Cross is to be a leading humanitarian organisation, providing impartial services and support to vulnerable communities both at home and abroad. Our mission is to identify and deliver humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need.

THE PROJECT

The IMPACT-H Project (Inclusive and Integrated Migrants’ Pathways to Access Care and Thriving Health) is an EU AMIF-funded initiative led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with the Irish Red Cross (IRC) delivering the Irish component.

The project aims to improve migrants’ access to healthcare and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) by providing practical, community-based support to help people understand and navigate health services and overcome barriers to care.

In Ireland, IRC will establish a Peer Migrant Health Model across 3–5 accommodation centres or community settings. Two Peer Migrant Health Workers (PMHWs) will be recruited from migrant communities and trained in health navigation, peer support and Psychological First Aid. Approximately 10 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) will also be trained to share health information, provide peer support and identify people who may need additional assistance.

PMHWs will support migrants with healthcare navigation, medical card applications, referrals and access to specialist services. The Project Coordinator will oversee the model, support the project team and develop strong partnerships with the HSE, healthcare providers, community organisations and other stakeholders.

A monthly Health Access Committee will bring together key partners to address complex cases and identify wider barriers to healthcare access.

The project will strengthen links between migrant communities and the healthcare system while building community capacity and generating learning to improve access to care.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Peer Migrant Health Worker will use their lived experience of being a migrant in Ireland to provide practical support, information and advocacy to migrant communities. Through their own experience and understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by people from migrant backgrounds, the postholder will build trusted relationships and provide culturally sensitive health signposting and support to groups who may experience difficulties accessing health and community services.

Peer Migrant Health Workers will be recruited from, or have strong connections with, similar ethnic and cultural communities and will receive training to enable them to appropriately draw on their lived experience in their work. They will provide accessible information on how to navigate the health system, while building strong links between migrant communities and health and community services.

Peer Migrant Health Workers will receive ongoing training and education from the Irish Red Cross and will participate in regular supervision. Training will include Psychological First Aid, Health System Navigation and Peer Support modules. They will be supported by the Project Coordinator and Project Training and Support Officer at the Irish Red Cross. They will identify and link in with Community Health Volunteers living in specific accommodation to help people get access to health services. The Peer Migrant Health worker will help recruit people for specific MHPSS trainings provided by the Irish Red Cross. The role will register participants in the Programme for support to access the health service or psychosocial support.  

The role will support improved access to health services, greater confidence and empowerment among service users, and increased engagement with health and community supports. The postholder will also contribute to reducing social isolation and supporting greater community integration.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide practical support, information and advocacy to migrant groups to assist them in accessing health and community services.

• Provide health information and support individuals to understand available services and pathways, while recognising the boundaries of the role and not undertaking diagnosis, assessment or treatment.

• Support people to engage with health, maternity and child health services.

• Build trusted relationships with migrant communities and strengthen links between communities and health services.

• Identify MHPSS needs among migrants that can be supported by the Irish Red Cross.

• Help organise and facilitate Training sessions provided by the Project Training Officer.

• Register project participants according to the funders' requirements.

• Escalate cases that may experience barriers to accessing services to the Project Coordinator.

• Help people access Primary Health Care though support completing Medical Card Forms and making GP appointments. If necessary accompanying to appointments.

• Identify people who may wish to receive training and volunteer within their communities (Community Health Workers).

• Contribute to the development of culturally appropriate approaches to the IRC project health service delivery.

• Participate in ongoing training and education relevant to the role.

• Attend regular supervision and make appropriate use of available support structures.

• Work within the agreed scope of the role, organisational policies and procedures, and appropriate professional boundaries.

Location & Travel

The project will initially be primarily Dublin-based. Should travel outside the Dublin area be required, reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with organisational policy.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A qualification in peer support or a relevant discipline, and experience of working, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, with individuals from a similar ethnic or cultural background.

• A culturally sensitive approach to working with migrant communities.

• Ability to work on own initiative.

• Empathy and strong listening skills.

• An understanding of trauma and its potential effects on individuals.

• Good written and oral communication skills.

• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

• Ability to work effectively with others in a team setting.

Desirable

• Cultural sensitivity and experience working in diverse, multicultural environments

• Experience in a community organisation or an international aid charity that supports those affected by conflict.

• Languages spoken among the targeted migrant communities

WHY JOIN THE PROJECT?

• This is an opportunity to assist fellow migrants in accessing the health services they need.

• It is a chance to play an important role in an innovative European project focused on improving access to healthcare for migrant communities in Ireland.

• The successful candidate will engage with key stakeholders in migrant health, and help develop a model with the potential to create lasting improvements in healthcare access and outcomes.

The Irish Red Cross is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications for people from all sections of the community, irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.The closing date for applications is September 27th 2026 at 17:00. Late applications not accepted.