Mother Tongues seeks a Freelance Outreach Officer
to work in Roscommon
Mother Tongues is a non-profit organisation based in Ireland, dedicated to empowering bilingual children through creativity and the arts. Our mission is to help these children grow up with confidence in their linguistic and cultural identities. We are committed to promoting multilingualism and fostering intercultural dialogue in Ireland.
About Language Explorers
Facilitated by our specially trained multilingual artists, the Language Explorers Early Years workshops create a welcoming space for families from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Each session invites children and their adults to connect with their language(s) through storytelling, play, visual arts, music and movement. Our artists create a space full of imagination and creativity, in which speaking and listening to languages is fun and something to be proud of. Families take part in high-quality artistic activities while sharing and exploring the diversity of languages in the room, inspiring multilingual families and those curious about other languages and cultures.
Workshops are delivered in English and families are warmly encouraged to bring any and all languages they speak.
Role purpose
In partnership with the Roscommon Arts Centre (RAC) and the South Roscommon Family Resource Centre (SRFRC), Mother Tongues aims to establish local operational infrastructure to support consistent, high-quality, and growing delivery of the Language Explorers programme in Roscommon, a rural area with increasing numbers of migrant and multilingual families. The local Outreach Officer will coordinate outreach, strengthen collaborations with local services, and ensure relational engagement with at-risk families who may face barriers to participation. They will participate in approximately 15 workshops per year, scheduled on Saturdays at the Roscommon Arts Centre.
At Mother Tongues, we believe meaningful participation begins with relationships. The Outreach Officer will play a key role in building trust with families, strengthening local partnerships, and helping create welcoming spaces where multilingual children and their parents feel a sense of belonging.
The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic advocate for multilingualism and cultural diversity, with excellent communication and community engagement skills.
The Officer will be given an induction by the Mother Tongues team and will be required to travel to Dublin twice before December 2026 to observe the programme in action. Travel expenses will be covered by the organisation.
Reporting and support
The Outreach Officer will report to the Mother Tongues Director and work closely with the Programme Manager as part of a small, collaborative team. They will also liaise regularly with artists, volunteers and our local partners at Roscommon Arts Centre and South Roscommon Family Resource Centre. Ongoing induction, mentoring and support will be provided throughout the project.
Key Responsibility
Audience Identification and Outreach:
- Research, identify and engage with potential target groups, communities, and individuals in Roscommon, including International Protection Applicants. In this, the candidate will be supported by SRFRC staff.
Community Engagement:
- Act as a liaison between Mother Tongues and the communities it serves, ensuring their voices and needs are heard and addressed through personal engagement.
- Regularly attend and support Language Explorers sessions on Saturdays, taking place at the Roscommon Arts Centre. The Officer will be the first point of contact for parents, acting as a liaison with the community and addressing their questions about raising bilingual children.
Data Collection and Reporting:
- Collect and maintain accurate data on audience engagement, feedback and impact to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach efforts.
- Prepare regular reports and recommendations for improving outreach strategies.
Programme Administration and Support:
- Organise the volunteer roster by reviewing new applications.
- Manage workshop bookings by regularly checking registrations with RAC and sending reminder messages to families.
- On the day of workshops, be responsible for checking the attendee list and updating it.
- Observe workshops and complete a reflective observation template after each series, documenting how the Language Explorers methodology is being implemented and identifying any support needs or opportunities for development.
Essential Requirements
- Candidates must be currently based in Roscommon or the surrounding areas.
- Availability to work on Saturdays.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, community development, cultural studies) or equivalent work experience.
- Strong commitment to the mission and values of Mother Tongues.
- Experience in community engagement, outreach, or similar roles.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organisational skills.
- The ability to travel independently to various community locations is essential. A full, clean driver’s licence and access to a car would be an advantage, as the role involves travel to multiple sites, but this is not a requirement.
- Access to a computer and a reliable internet connection to carry out the administrative aspects of the role and attend online meetings.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- A solid understanding of bilingualism, multiculturalism and issues related to linguistic and cultural identity is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in multiple languages is a strong asset
Soft Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: The ability to be an energetic and proactive communicator who can build strong, trusting relationships with a diverse range of people, including children, parents, artists, and community members.
- Empathetic and active listening: A genuine interest in understanding and valuing the perspectives and experiences of others, particularly those from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability: The capacity to work effectively across different cultures and adjust one’s approach to be respectful and inclusive of all participants.
- Teamwork and collaboration: The willingness to work closely with a small, passionate team to achieve shared goals and a strong social impact.
- Creativity and problem-solving: The ability to think flexibly and find innovative solutions to challenges.
- Patience and enthusiasm: A positive and encouraging attitude when working with multilingual families and children on their language journey.
Organisational Culture
- Support an inclusive and cohesive working culture by embodying the organisation’s values and its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism.
- Contribute to a respectful environment where all participants, partners and volunteers feel valued and included.
- Promote a positive culture by role-modelling organisational values of candour, cohesion, collaboration and synergy.
Terms
Position title: Freelance Outreach Officer
Basis: Part-time, Contract-for-Service (Freelance Retainer)
Compensation & contract terms: This is a part-time contract position spanning the duration of a 3-year project (October 2026 – May 2029). The successful candidate will be engaged on a freelance/consultancy basis, with a fixed annual fee structured as follows:
- Year 1 (Oct 2026 – May 2027): €4,500 per annum
- Year 2 (June 2027 – May 2028): €5,000 per annum
- Year 3 (June 2028 – May 2029): €5,000 per annum
The payment schedule will be agreed upon at the contract stage.
Working hours: This is an intermittent, flexible part-time role designed to fit around other commitments. The core face-to-face hours require the Outreach Officer to be present for approximately 15 scheduled workshops per year (3 hours on selected Saturdays). Additional flexible hours will be required ahead of these dates to plan, coordinate, and deliver targeted community outreach.
Work location: This role offers a high degree of remote flexibility. Administrative and planning tasks can be completed from home or any location. However, physical presence is required in the setting for the Saturday workshops, as well as active, in-person engagement when meeting local communities and families during outreach activities.
References: The appointment is subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.
How to apply
Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your motivation for applying to info@mothertongues.ie with the title “Outreach Officer application”.
Closing date: 16th of September 2026
Interviews will be carried out in September 2026. The work will start in October 2026.
Mother Tongues is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.