Project Manager for LIFE SNAP Ireland

Our client, the National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is welcoming applications for the role of Project Manager for LIFE SNaP Ireland.

Job Description

The person appointed as the LIFE SNaP Ireland Project Manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the EU LIFE project ‘LIFE Strategic Nature Project for Ireland’. The Project Manager will have direct responsibility for implementing the project actions, including coordinating those actions to be delivered by project partners, and delivering the expected results. He/she will take direct responsibility for the management of the cross-functional Project Team and lead the implementation of Pillar Three – the establishment of the Complementary Funding Unit.

The Project Manager will establish the necessary management and administrative systems within which the Project Team will operate, including health and safety guidelines, green management, and financial recording and reporting to a standard compliant with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Commission requirements.

The Project Manager will take ownership of the project reporting functions internally and externally, including the drafting by the Project Team of periodic reports, amendment requests, and payment requests, following the agreed schedule. The Project Manager will report directly to the chairperson of the Project Steering Group (PSG) for overall project operation and monitoring purposes, and to the full PSG in terms of planning, implementation, management, and monitoring of the individual project work packages/tasks.

The successful candidate will lead the interaction of the project with Associated Beneficiaries Coillte Nature and DAFM, responsible for fostering productive relationships with all stakeholders, including government departments, state bodies, local authorities, local communities, and the EU Commission.

Location

The person appointed will be required to operate in an office in Dublin, or in an office to be agreed by NPWS. A blended working pattern will be available, subject to approval by DHLGH. The successful candidate will be required to work in the established office (except when undertaking other project-related work off-site, as required) from date of appointment for the project duration.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager role is a full-time position from date of appointment to the end of the project. The Project Manager will ensure that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard through the use of standard project management techniques. Risk assessments, project progress, and outputs will be shared with the Project Steering Group, coordinating beneficiary and associated beneficiaries at regular intervals. The key tasks of the Project Manager will include:

1. Full delivery of the LIFE SNaP Ireland project, implementation of all project actions and delivery of expected results to a high standard, to an agreed timetable, and over the full area as set out in the Project Grant Agreement;
2. Ensuring that actions are delivered on time, to budget, and to a standard that facilitates the successful delivery of the project as a whole;
3. Contributing to recruitment of project team, identifying training requirements and ensuring delivery of training;
4. Leading and managing the multi-disciplinary Project Team, including ICT professionals, ecologists, and administrators;
5. Liaising with the Project Steering Group and an Associated Beneficiary Panel to ensure alignment on project deliverables and milestones;
6. Reporting to, and being the key contact for, the contracting authority, DHLGH;
7. Identifying requirements for external assistance, leading and supporting the procurement and management of contracts, including for scientific and other services;
8. Establishing the Complementary Funding Unit and delivering the associated work package;
9. Coordinating the project team's contributions to knowledge exchange groups, agri-environment measures, and sustainable amenity usage guidance;
10. Leading on networking and communication, including representing the project nationally and internationally, at media events, delivery of the project website, publications, attendance at and presentation to relevant conferences and events;
11. Leading on stakeholder engagement, particularly in relation to data sharing with other departments, agencies, and organisations;
12. Liaising with managers of other LIFE projects with a similar ecological or geographical focus and with LIFE SNaP Belgium for Biodiversity;
13. Ensuring that all project actions are undertaken in compliance with National and EU legislation, including management of licences, permissions, or consents, as may be required;
14. Establishing necessary management and administrative systems;
15. Identifying any changes from the project proposal that may be required in good time to obtain agreement from the EU Commission;
16. Representing the project and the NPWS in engagement with the EU Commission and partners;
17. Developing the overall communications strategy with the aid of the project team, approving the content of communications materials and helping to identify opportunities for outreach;
18. Coordinating and taking part in raising awareness of the project and disseminating results to both a technical and non-technical audience, with the support of the project team;
19. Leading on socio-economic elements of the project, monitoring the socio-economic impacts of the project actions on the local economy and population;
20. Coordinating monitoring of the impact of project actions on restoration of ecological and ecosystem functions;
21. Organising and attending Advisory Panels for scientific and local stakeholders, and liaising with Beneficiaries to support training, workshops, and meetings for Beneficiary staff and other bodies;
22. Ensuring compliance with FOI, AIE, and other Civil Service policies and governance standards;
23. Overseeing the development of the AfterLIFE plan for the project (i.e., the improvement, continuation, and expansion of project actions and goals);
24. Any other relevant duties that may arise during the lifetime of the project.

Key Competencies for the Role

Candidates are required to demonstrate, with relevant examples in the Application Form, how they satisfy the competencies listed below:

- Leadership
- Management and Delivery of Results
- Judgement, Analysis and Decision Making
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

Eligibility Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

1. Have achieved at a minimum Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in a subject relevant to this role, such as natural sciences (ecology, botany, zoology, environmental science) or agricultural science;
2. Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience relevant to this post (including project and financial management experience);
3. Have a full clean driving licence and access to their own transport.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in those competencies listed in the ‘Key Competencies for this Role’ section above.

Desirable:

- An understanding of Irish and EU policy relating to agri-environment schemes and biodiversity conservation and management;
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS) experience;
- Experience and knowledge of data management;
- Training in Project Management, preferably through a project management qualification (e.g., Prince 2, PMP);
- Experience of managing multi-stakeholder projects;
- Familiarity and experience of working on projects targeting biodiversity, conservation, monitoring/assessment, or restoration.

Specific Candidate Criteria

Candidates must:

- Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;
- Be suitable on grounds of character;
- Be suitable in all other relevant respects for the appointment to the post concerned; and if successful, they will not be appointed to the post unless they agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;
- Be fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA);
2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK);
3. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
4. A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission.

If your visa expires, this may result in your being stepped down from your employment until such time as you have regularised your permission to work in the State.

How to Apply

An application must be made on the Application Form which is available for download from the [...]/.

Candidates do not need to submit a Curriculum Vitae.

Your fully completed application form must be submitted to NPWS@cpl.ie by the closing date and time of 17th January 2025 at 12pm noon, as stated on the Application Form.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend interview is not to be taken as implying that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is satisfied that such a person fulfils the requirements.

On receipt of an application, you will be issued with an acknowledgement by email. Please note that all further correspondence will be carried out via email.

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