Business Development Officer

The Position & Role Activator is about empowering others, drawing out ideas and potential and getting results through activating other people. The role requires a proactive approach to engaging businesses and communities by a person with the ability to blend strategic thinking with one-to-one and one-to-many engagement. The person will have the capacity to tap into the creativity and innovation of the communities and businesses and create a space for these to grow and take root. The ideal candidate has a keen understanding of the Just Transition Fund and the related opportunities and challenges. They have a strong sense of community spiritedness and are motivated by catalysing others to pursue opportunities and create new ventures. They have the capacity to work effectively with people from a broad range of sectors and groups, including the local, regional and national tourism industry and local development organisations. They are results-driven and ambitious for the role they can play in the economic regeneration of Kildare. They are committed to collaborative working with a strong emphasis on quality service and effective project implementation The role of Just Transition Tourism Activator is to activate the JTF programmes and grant schemes and to support and build the capacity of communities and enterprises within the area to develop innovative projects.

The objectives of the role are to • Direct SMEs and potential grantees towards the right funding and enterprise supports based on their needs • Respond to queries from potential grantees and support quality grant proposals from communities and enterprises • Nurture high-functioning clusters of SMEs that increase collaboration and cross-promotion in the region • Build capacity at SME and cluster levels to avail of further tourism opportunities within the region. • Build belief and confidence in the potential of tourism for communities and businesses of the Midlands • Identify and support champions and ambassadors within communities and businesses who can sustain the investment momentum over the longer term.

The Competition The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Kildare County Council from which Contract posts may be filled at Business Development Officer - Just Transition Tourism Activator Grade as vacancies arise.

The Candidate It is desirable that candidates demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they; • Deliver results on time, within budget and to a high standard. • Effectively engage with and manage diverse stakeholder groups and develop communication strategies and approaches to drive collaboration and project delivery. • Complete projects as assigned to deadline. • Work independently and in teams to devise and meet deadlines. • Motivate and inspire others, to listen and communicate effectively. • Present and speak in public. • Be responsive, flexible and agile. • A good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health & Safety legislation and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities Working as part of Kildare County Council’s Economic Development Team the successful candidate will be expected to perform duties in support of the JTF Activator Programme of Fáilte Ireland. They will become the visible and identifiable JTF point of contact for communities and businesses in Kildare. They will maintain a strong presence in the county, building trust and relationships with stakeholders and between stakeholders. The list of duties and responsibilities outlined below are not intended to be exhaustive, and as such, may be supplemented or amended from time to time as considered necessary.

Communication & Engagement - Communicate the JTF and how to leverage it, supporting engagement and applications - Keep businesses and communities informed about grants and funding opportunities - Undertake PR and promotional activities concerning the JTF. This may include organising information sessions, promotional activities, public speaking, webinars, radio interviews, press releases, town hall meetings, one-to-one meetings.

Mentoring - Help people turn their ideas, insights and actions into practical projects and realities - Provide mentoring and guidance to expand potential choices and pathways, build networks and identify relevant opportunities - Work with project promoters in order to build their capacity to participate in the JTF and to access the benefits available - Help candidates to prepare and present projects for grant approval - Work with project promoters post approval to ensure successful grant activation - Research and deliver ‘Ideas Generation” workshops with the network members

Training and Professional Development - Develop and co-ordinate specific targeted training opportunities to enhance the capacity within the region. - Identify support training to emerging businesses and idea

Cluster & Network Development - Work with county tourism officer to strengthen collaboration and clusters within the county - Participate in the JTA Network to help support knowledge development and sharing of best practice at regional level - Build relationships and mutual buy-in between state agencies, local authorities and other public stakeholders on the one hand and local businesses and communities on the other. - Work with and engage ▪ Local Authorities ▪ Rural and Local Development Companies ▪ Local Destination Marketing Organisations ▪ Universities and other educational establishments in the region ▪ Other agencies: OPW, Coillte, Waterways Ireland, NPW, Rural Development companies Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism - Communicate principles of sustainable and regenerative tourism to community and business applicants, providing training and mentoring where useful - Participate in training, upskilling and professional development opportunities provided for the County Activator through the programme.

Administration - Provide progress reports and budget reports as required.

Qualifications Character: Each candidate must be of good character.

Health: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training and Experience etc.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) A professional qualification at degree level, preferably in tourism, marketing, business or a related area of economic development, culture, planning, rural or community development. b) A minimum of 3 year’s relevant experience that may include: • supporting enterprise and business plan development • supporting community and voluntary groups in needs analysis and project development • stimulating, facilitating and supporting local innovation • local capacity building and supporting communities and enterprises c) Strong project management and budget management skills d) Qualifications or experience in facilitation, public consultation and community engagement e) A track record of delivering work to a high standard within agreed deadlines f) Evidence of exceptional organisation g) The ability to effectively and creatively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal format h) Experience of working within a team or a multi-disciplinary environment. i) Excellent ICT skills j) Excellent written and verbal communication skills k) Familiarity with the tourism industry, sustainable tourism or regenerative tourism is an advantage l) Ability and willingness to work outside of normal office hours, in some instances in evenings or during the weekend. Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Driving Licence. Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, (Link below). They must be a competent driver and, shall drive a car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. The council must be indemnified on their insurance. Particulars of Employment The Post The post is wholetime (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment is a fixed-term contract and temporary.

Location Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours The current working hours are 35 hours per week, the hours of work are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays (rotas operate for lunchtime opening). Kildare County Council also has a flexi time system in operation, details of which are available from the Human Resources Section. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. You may be required to work overtime on various occasions. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements Business Development Officers report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct. Probationary Period of Employment Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply – a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation; b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period; c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory; d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts; e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration €56,754 per annum to €64,716 per annum (maximum) €67,020 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum) €69,337 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum) On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment. Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong. • For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age. • The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age. • Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks: - Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. - Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the nationally agreed annual leave scheme for the sector. The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The current leave entitlement for this post is 30 days. The Chief Executive of Kildare County Council retains autonomy regarding office closures, (e.g., Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

Outside Employment The position is whole-time, and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Code Of Conduct/Organisation Policies Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Kildare County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment.