LEADER Project Development Officer

County Kildare LEADER Partnership: Project Development Officer

County Kildare LEADER Partnership CLG (CKLP) is seeking applications for the position of Project Development Officer within the LEADER Programme team.

About County Kildare LEADER Partnership:

CKLP exists to advance social, economic, and cultural inclusion in County Kildare. We do this by supporting and empowering individuals and communities, and by working in partnership with all stakeholders in the County.

Our Vision:

An equal, fair, and inclusive County Kildare, where all can flourish and realise their full potential.

Overview of the Role

Job Title: Project Development Officer

Reporting to: Rural Development and Climate Action Programme Manager

Hours of work: 35 hours per week

CKLP is excited to announce that we are seeking a proactive and dynamic Project Development Officer to join the LEADER Programme Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to support local development and empower communities and SMEs to make a meaningful impact in Kildare. We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about driving positive change at the local level and have a talent for working well with members of the public.

What we are looking for

• A self-starter and self-motivated individual who can work on their own initiative.
• Someone who is passionate, interested in supporting local development and motivated to make a tangible impact.
• An effective communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills, who is capable of engaging diverse audiences through workshops and through one-to-one tailored supports.
• A person who is organised and skilled in multitasking, and with experience of managing deadlines.
• Someone who is detail-oriented and adept at working across large files and complex projects.
• A team player who has a proven ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders, members of the public and other organisations.
• Someone who is adaptable and resourceful.
• A person who is open to flexible working hours and willing to travel around Kildare where needed. Note that due to the nature of this role, some occasional evening and/or weekend work will be required.

Role Description

The Project Development Officer will work on the delivery of the LEADER 2023 – 2027 Programme for Co. Kildare, guided by the Kildare Local Development Strategy 2023 - 2027. The programme has three themes:

• Economic Development and Job Creation
• Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion
• Sustainable Development, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

The remit will involve working with project promoters to devise and deliver applications for funding under the LEADER 2023 – 2027 Programme in Kildare. The role will also involve developing in-house training and analysis projects and supporting the preparation of future Local Development Strategies.

The ideal candidate will be able to build a good rapport with SMEs and community groups in order to support them with developing applications for funding. They will also have a keen eye for detail to assist project promoters with meeting the required criteria for accessing funding.

The position involves a significant administrative brief, and the Project Development Officer will play an important role in supporting SMEs and community groups with their applications and will have a shared responsibility in relation to the grant drawdown process.

The Project Development Officer will report to the Rural Development and Climate Action Programme Manager and will work closely with the Kildare Local Action Group, the Independent Evaluation Committee, Kildare County Council, and other relevant agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Seeking out and assisting projects relevant to the LEADER Programme and the Kildare Local Development Strategy.
• Working on and supporting the preparation of rolling calls for proposals.
• Checking eligibility criteria of project proposals.
• Ensuring that project promoters are fully aware of the requirements of the LEADER Programme.
• Keeping abreast with changes to the Operating Rules made by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
• Submitting queries to the Department of Rural and Community Development where necessary.
• Developing in-house projects and supervising their rollout.
• Undertaking necessary site visits and verification checks for projects.
• Gathering monitoring data for projects.
• Assessing projects and preparing Project Assessment Reports.
• Presenting projects to the Independent Evaluation Committee and the Kildare LAG.
• Following up with project promoters for successful funding applications to assist them in bringing projects to completion/payment stage.
• Maintaining project files and using the LEADER ICT System managed by Pobal.
• Promotion of the LEADER Programme in Kildare and communicating on the implementation of the Programme.
• Carrying out any additional duties that may be required as part of the role, in compliance with the Service Level Agreement with the Kildare LAG and the Operating Rules of the LEADER Programme.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Personal Attributes

• A recognised Degree in a relevant area (essential).
• Postgraduate degree or diploma (desirable).
• Proven experience working in a similar role (essential).
• Strong organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse workload and competing demands.
• Proven ability to manage projects effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage client relationships.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in English.
• Passionate about Community-led Local Development and Rural Development.
• Full driver's license.

Tenure

This position is offered as a fixed term contract up to 31 December 2027.

Location

The CKLP offices are in the Kildare Community Development Centre, Meadow Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare, R51 RF88. The Programme is delivered across Co. Kildare.

Travel

The role will involve some travel using your own vehicle. Travel expenses are reimbursed.

Annual Leave

Annual leave at commencement of employment with CKLP is 21 days per annum for full-time employees. This is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Salary

The salary scale for this role is €36,696 – €45,866 per annum. The salary will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

Pension

CKLP offers a company pension with employer contribution. Employees are eligible to join the scheme after the 6-month probationary period.

Hours of Attendance

CKLP operates normal business hours with occasional work outside those hours. The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours occasionally as may be necessary for the delivery of the Programme, e.g., when information evenings are organised to promote the programme. In these instances, the time can be taken back in lieu. CKLP operates a hybrid working model based on service requirements.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this role will be six months.

Application Process

Applicants should apply for the position by emailing a detailed CV and comprehensive cover letter to maeve@countykildarelp.ie by 12 noon on Monday 3 March 2025. "Project Development Officer – LEADER Programme" should be included in the email subject line. The cover letter should outline why you wish to be considered for this position and how your qualifications, experience, and skills meet the requirements of the role.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place week commencing 10 March 2025.

Note: This job description is a summary of the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that an individual in this position might be asked to perform.

Panel

A panel will be created from this recruitment process. Candidates will be placed on the panel in order of merit, based on their ranking at the final stage of the recruitment process.

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