Job Title:
Social Inclusion Manager
Reporting To:
Head of Operations
Employer:
Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC)
Main Purpose of Role:
The Social Inclusion Manager is responsible for targeting, engaging and supporting disadvantaged individuals to increase participation, remove barriers, and build capability, guiding them toward progression, employment, or self-employment. This includes providing accessible upskilling, employability development, lifelong learning, and personalised supports that enhance confidence, life skills, and social inclusion. The role ensures that supports are tailored, accessible, and coordinated to enable sustainable progression and personal development.
The role oversees the planning, coordination, and delivery of integrated client-focused services, including the implementation of Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Goal 2, and the development of personalised progression plans that respond to each individual's needs, strengths, and barriers. Working closely with the Employment Manager and Community Development Manager, the role ensures supports are coordinated, effective, and aligned across programmes, enabling sustainable progression and personal development.
The manager has accountability for a department, including oversight of SICAP Lifelong Learning, Employment & Enterprise; Special Initiative for Travellers (SIT) and other individual support teams delivering inclusive individual supports. They will foster collaboration, share best practices, and maintain efficient programme management while actively demonstrating DLDC's values of respect, community, collaboration, inclusion, and integrity in leadership, decision-making, and interactions with staff, clients, and partners.
Salary
Department Manager Salary Scale - €52,000 gross per annum
Conditions of Work:
This full-time contract of indeterminate duration and is subject funding from the Exchequer. Flexibility will be required to work outside the work schedule to fulfil programme duties. A probationary period of 6 months will apply and performance & supports in the role will be reviewed.
Benefits include: Eligibility for a 6% employer-contributed pension scheme; 25 days annual leave & other leave options; Flexible working arrangements; hybrid working arrangements may be requested upon completion of probation; travel and subsistence allowance; learning and development opportunities; employee assistance programme
Main Duties
You will be required to...
1
Strategic Planning and implementation
* Provide leadership and oversight of SICAP & assigned individual client support teams and associated projects, ensuring sound management of all operational activities and ensuring that all actions accord with the relevant annual plans.
* Target, engage and support the hardest-to-reach clients, fostering personal development, wellbeing, confidence-building, life skills, and social inclusion.
* Oversee the delivery of integrated services and interventions, including the development and implementation of personalised progression plans that respond to each individual's unique needs, strengths and barriers.
* Work closely with the peer Employment Manager to ensure cohesive and coordinated delivery of individual support services in DLDC.
* Ensure that supports and services meet individual client needs, working with teams to put appropriate action plans and tailored supports in place.
* Coordinate all teams to foster the exchange of ideas, promote collaborative working, and provide cross-team learning opportunities.
* Work as part of DLDC's wider leadership team to drive company strategy, ensure alignment across departments, and support the delivery of key objectives.
2
People Leadership
* Lead and oversee the operations of assigned individual support teams, ensuring services run smoothly and achieve successful outcomes.
* Coach and support the individual contributors and team leaders reporting to you, helping them develop their skills and lead their programmes/teams effectively. Support staff in continuous development.
* Run regular team meetings and one-to-one sessions with both your direct reports and project teams to maintain clear communication, encourage collaboration, & review progress.
* Oversee departmental performance, using development tools and KPIs to track outcomes, and carry out one-to-one appraisals and regular performance check-ins.
* Work closely with HR on recruitment, performance management, and staff development, providing guidance, coaching, and feedback to support a high-performing team.
* Ensure all staff are clear on policies, procedures, and best practices, and maintain accurate records of leave, time in lieu, and other HR matters.
* Engage in open and constructive conversations with staff to guide behaviours and performance, fostering accountability, respect, and a positive team culture.
3
Provision of Support for Staff in Carrying Out their Duties
* Plan, manage and monitor the activities of staff in accordance with DLDC programme of Activities and relevant annual work plans.
* Ensure that staff are provided with relevant directives and recommendations from Head of Operations, the CEO and the Board of Management.
4
Financial Management
* Have oversight of all the budgets of the Department Programmes and ensure that spend is occurring in line with the annual work plans.
* Ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the finances within their projects.
* Work with the Finance Manager and associated project staff to ensure that all spending is reported on appropriately.
5
Report Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation
* Work with the staff, and the Head of Operations to ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to gauge the impact and effectiveness of Programmes.
* Ensure that all quarterly reports are provided to the relevant funders such as Pobal, Government Departments, HSE, County Council, Interreg etc,
* Management and oversight of the Pobal IRIS and, Distance Travelled Tool, CRM system and other client systems.
6
Reporting to the Board of DLDC
* Attend DLDC Department Managers' meetings and DLDC Board meetings when requested and provide reports, both written and verbal, on progress and associated programmes as requested.
7
Interagency Work
* Represent DLDC on any relevant subgroups and any other external structures as instructed by the Head of Operations.
* Support the involvement of other staff and Board members on relevant committees and networks.
* Ensure that good working relationships are maintained with all relevant agencies and groups.
8
Policy, Networking and Funding
* Keep up to date with national policies and their potential impact on the Employment and associated projects. Keep updated with relevant regional and national developments through networking.
* Engage in continuous learning in the intertest of personal development and programme delivery.
* Ensure that documentation and files are maintained for the use of the Finance and Administration and for inspection by the Company Auditors, LCDC, Pobal, programme delivery and other relevant monitoring bodies.
* Contribute to funding identification & applications where necessary.
9
This list of job duties is not exhaustive and may be amended in order that all role duties are fulfilled.
Core Competencies
Essential
1
Leadership & People
Management
Minimum of 3 years' experience leading teams at a senior level, including responsibility for large/complex structures or managing other team leaders.
Proven ability to lead teams to deliver results, with confidence in having constructive conversations to support and manage performance.
Experience guiding individuals through change and transitions, fostering adaptability, trust, and a positive team culture.
2
Community &
Stakeholder
Engagement
Previous relevant community experience in the areas of learning & development, equality, employability, enterprise, or job coaching, with a strong understanding of social inclusion and anti-poverty principles.
Have a good understanding of labour market access and barriers to employment. Experience in inter-agency liaison and building effective working relationships with organisations and communities.
Strong group facilitation, communication, and listening skills.
3
Operational &
Programme
Management
Proven track record in delivering multiple programmes or projects successfully, including planning, stakeholder reporting, and evaluation. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfortable using IT systems for reporting and project management. Strong operational and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and resources
4
Communication & Collaboration
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers to align on goals and jointly plan for coordinated programme delivery. Strong communication skills to build trust, resolve conflicts, and manage misaligned expectations. Proven ability to foster positive working relationships across teams.
5
Problem Solving & Initiative
Demonstrates ability to analyse data, solve problems, and contribute to strategic planning. Self-starter with good administrative skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
6
'Other'
You must hold a clean, current driving licence with access to own transport. Valid permission to work in Ireland.
Core Competencies
Desirable
· Senior management level experience in a similar/same organisation.
· External experience on community based committees/boards et al.
* A recognised Third Level qualification in Community Development / Social Inclusion / Youth, etc
* A minimum of three years' experience of Community Development
* Knowledge of department Reporting System IRIS and/or other bespoke governmental systems.
APPLICATION
To apply for this position, please submit by email, a Letter of Application together with current Curriculum Vitae and clearly outline how you meet the criteria for the role, to:
* Applications arrive no later than 5pm, Wednesday 14th January 2026.
* Shortlisting will be based on information provided on application; therefore, it is essential to outline how you meet the required criteria. No applications will be accepted post deadline.
* Competency based selection interview & presentation will take place between 22-29 January 2026
We reserve the right to amend the shortlisting criteria. A panel may be formed from which similar vacancies could be filled. Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.
DLDC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that no applicant is treated less favourably on the grounds of race, gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or membership of the Traveller Community. Please contact HR if you require accommodations during the recruitment process. Examples of accommodations we can provide include: Adjustments to interview/format (e.g., information on accessibility to the office, virtual interview); Extra time for assessment; Use of assistive technologies or materials in alternative formats; Flexible scheduling or breaks during interviews, etc.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Employee assistance program
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person