Community Development Officer
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough CouncilArmagh£39,152-£41,771 per annumFull-time
Location: Armagh/Banbridge/Craigavon (to be confirmed upon appointment), but may be required to work at other locations throughout the Borough.
Salary: PO1 SCP 28–31 £39,152–£41,771 per annum.
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9.00 am–5.00 pm. A flexible working hours scheme is in operation. The postholder may be required to work additional hours and outside normal working hours to meet the needs of the post.
Duration: Fixed term until 31 March 2027, may be extended.
The Council may retain a list of successful reserve candidates arising from this recruitment for any vacancies which may arise that are of the same grade and involve similar duties. Such a reserve list will be compiled and held for a period of 12 months from the date of interview.
All employees are expected to model the Customer Care behaviours of “Serve Passionately, Engage Positively and Deliver Consistently.”
JOB PURPOSE
The postholder will act as a contact point for elected members, statutory colleagues, and groups, and employ a development approach to initiate and enable local community action and assist local groups in setting and achieving their objectives.
The postholder will facilitate communities to identify and assess community need and lead or co-ordinate, as necessary, appropriate statutory and community responses.
The postholder will advance the development of communities in greatest need, in line with targeting social need and the promotion of social inclusion. They will also advance equality of opportunity and the promotion of good relations across the Borough through initiatives and programmes developed to meet community needs.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Contribute to the development and delivery of area strategies as directed. Advise and support groups in the implementation of initiatives and develop programmes or strategies to meet their needs and those of the Council. Undertake research relating to the policies and practices of statutory and other agencies, interpret these for the benefit of community groups, coordinate responses to issues and policies, and recommend changes where necessary. Facilitate groups in gaining access to the resources and services of statutory agencies. Provide advice and assist groups with the completion of applications and eligibility for grant aid. Identify potential sources of funding for community groups via the internet and other mediums, and support groups in securing funds from grant-awarding bodies, including local, regional, and European bodies. Oversee budget spend, process and verify claims, and complete necessary reports and documentation associated with the Department’s role as an implementing body for local, regional, and European funds. Contribute to the management of the annual financial allocation from The Executive Office/Department for Communities within budget, and support the Council’s accountability through the provision of reports and returns. Develop Terms of Reference as agreed for Programme and Project Delivery, and manage, monitor, and evaluate contracts in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations. Report to the Community Development Manager on resource access and grant aid issues. Formulate funding bids and collaborate with interdepartmental groups and statutory partnerships to secure funding from appropriate bodies. Complete necessary monitoring and evaluation reports associated with this spend. Evaluate grant-aided groups and monitor development in achieving community needs and/or addressing community conflict. Assess, as required, the training needs of community members in relation to the achievement of community development plans and programmes. Provide appropriate training, support, and advice to groups and individuals, undertake group work and development, and arrange specialist training where necessary. Develop awareness training for both Officers and Elected Members, including workshops on community issues, contentious issues, and sectarian incidents within the Borough. Review and contribute to the mission statement, aims, objectives, and tasks for the Borough’s Good Relations/Community Development Action Plan. Use community issues as a medium to transcend inter-community conflicts and mainstream Good Relations work into the Council’s overall Community Development Strategy. Address community divisions, identify barriers to development, and promote a better understanding of both inter and intra communities within the terms of reference of Good Relations/Community Development. Contribute to the Good Relations Policy for the Council, detailing the code of practice for Officers and Elected Members. Work in partnership with DEA Officers in the development and delivery of Good Relations/Community Development Action Plans and initiatives. Take the lead in supporting and developing festivals, events, and schemes relating to Community Development, Community Relations, and Community Safety, promoting the aims and objectives of the section and the Community Development Department as a whole. Prepare and submit reports as necessary for the Community Development Manager, Council committees, and external partnerships. Collaborate at both interdepartmental and interagency levels on consultative groups as required. Initiate contacts and exchange information with other agencies and bodies, as well as other sections and departments within the Council. Ensure the practical implementation of the Council’s Good Relations/Community Development Plans in a way that each programme is designed to meet community needs, deliver Best Value, and support the Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity and the promotion of good relations, as stated in the Council’s Equality Scheme. Undertake any other relevant duties that may be required and are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post. Apply Now
