Some of the most important work in our communities happens quietly. A conversation that finally goes somewhere after years of stalemate. A room where two groups who’ve never really spoken start to listen. A new facilitator finding their feet, mentored by someone who’s walked the path before them.
That’s the work at the heart of NextGen4Peace — and we’re looking for skilled practitioners to help deliver it.
What is NextGen4Peace?
The NextGen4Peace project is a comprehensive peacebuilding initiative supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which aims to embed nonviolent, conflict resolution, mediation, and dialogue skills and processes across communities in the Programme area.”
The project is led by Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation, in partnership with Mediation Northern Ireland, with substantial delivery over the next three years across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties. It’s a genuine cross-border effort, working north and south, and it’s built on a shared belief that peace is something communities grow themselves — with the right support alongside them.
We’re building a Practitioner Panel — and we’d like you on it
To deliver work of this scale and sensitivity, we’re forming a panel of freelance practitioners. Panel members co-work with fellow practitioners, project staff, and newly trained local mediators and facilitators. The work is varied and meaningful, and could include:
- Delivering training courses, both accredited and non-accredited
- Undertaking mediations within a community context
- Supporting sensitive dialogue processes where trust needs to be built carefully
If you’re an experienced mediator, facilitator or trainer, this is a chance to bring your skills to work that genuinely matters — and to help shape a stronger network of community peacebuilders across the region.
Who we’re looking for
We want a pool of practitioners who can work anywhere across the project area. Alongside that, we’re seeking six practitioners who will lead consistently in a particular sector or area — building the kind of long-term local relationships that this work depends on. Those specialist roles span geographical areas (North West, North East, Belfast, South East and South West) and a theme focused on working with adults connected to the school community.
Two things matter most to us, and they’re the essential criteria: a real commitment to the values-based approach that Glencree and Mediation Northern Ireland share, and the self-awareness to take a nondirective, community development approach — the kind that puts people in the driving seat of their own resolutions.
Beyond that, we welcome a range of qualifications and experience. If you hold a Mediation Practitioner qualification (OCN Level 3 or equivalent), Group & Systemic Mediation (OCN Level 4), a training, facilitation, mentoring or coaching qualification — or you have solid experience facilitating groups, delivering training, or mediating cross-community conflict in the project area — we’d love to hear from you.
And if you’re earlier in your journey but the values and the approach are unmistakably yours, don’t count yourself out. These are desirable criteria, and we’re interested in the whole picture of who you are and what you bring.
The practical detail
Mediations and facilitations are paid at £50 per hour as agreed per case, and training at £250 per day as commissioned. Fees are inclusive of travel and include an agreed proportional payment for non-contact hours — preparation, debrief, reports, admin and accreditation.
We should be straightforward with you: panel membership doesn’t guarantee offers of work. Members are selected for particular tasks based on the best match between what participants need and each practitioner’s profile. But for the right people, it’s an opportunity to be part of something significant over the next three years.
How to apply
If this speaks to you, we’d genuinely welcome your application. You can apply to be considered as a Trainer, Mediator, Facilitator or Coach/Mentor — and for one or more of the specialist roles if they fit.
Applications should be returned by noon on Friday 28th August 2026 to Niranjala@mediationni.org.
Peacebuilding is a team effort, and it always has been. If you’ve got the skills, the values and the heart for this work, we’d love to have you alongside us.
