Community Engagement Officer

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week with occasional evening/weekend hours required on occasion Salary: SO1; SCP 25-27; £36,363 - £38,220 per annum Key Purpose of the Post: Under theme 1 of the PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, a total of 23 community spaces will be transformed with small-medium scale capital enhancements. The Community Engagement Officer will work alongside colleagues within the Community Services Team identifying local needs and through co-design will enable individuals and groups to develop programmes of activity that promote the PEACEPLUS objectives including cross community and cross border participation, community integration, social inclusion and reducing isolation and loneliness. The postholder will work with the project promoters to develop, implement and deliver cross-community focused projects through events/workshops and training programmes to maximise the use of the capital investment spaces. The Community Engagement Officer will:  Support the development of shared community spaces that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments, promoting meaningful participation and positive engagement from all communities across the district and bordering counties.  Engage proactively with the Community and Voluntary Sector across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, including working with key target groups to ensure inclusive participation and meaningful cross-community engagement. Main duties and responsibilities:  Implement the Fermanagh & Omagh Local Action Plan 2.1 ‘Activating Your Space’ Programme ensuring sustained co-design whilst fulfilling the aims and objectives, milestones, results and outcomes as detailed within the Letter of Offer and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions as stipulated by the Council and SEUPB.  Liaise as required with the PEACEPLUS Administration Team, Community Services Team and the Council to ensure a coordinated approach to peace building and community capacity building that fits with local plans and strategies.  Manage the day-to-day delivery of allocated projects, including programme planning, delivery and associated budget management, ensuring a continuous co-design approach with communities to develop and deliver activities built around shared interests and promoting meaningful cross-community engagement throughout the lifetime of the programme.  Coordinate recruitment of participants, monitor participation levels and implement actions to address gaps or imbalances, ensuring fair and inclusive representation from all communities across the district.  Liaise with the PEACEPLUS Programme Coordinator on all aspects of project development and delivery, requiring approval by the PEACEPLUS Partnership and ensuring compliance with programme requirements.  Ensure effective and appropriate usage of all resources and expenditure in compliance with the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) programme rules and the Council’s policies and procedures.  Monitor and record budget expenditure in line with SEUPB approved budget and cost categories across the capital programme areas.  Establish effective monitoring and evaluation arrangements, ensuring real time updates of SEUPB Monitoring System and appropriate record keeping evidencing programme results, outputs and spends.  Prepare procurement documentation in full accordance with the Council’s procurement policy and external funding requirements by SEUPB, liaising as necessary with Programme Co-ordinator and Procurement Team.  Progress the procured delivery elements of the allocated project areas within the Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Plan, with responsibility for administering the contracts awarded following the procurement exercises.  Prepare documentation required for Council claims, liaising with the PEACEPLUS Coordinator and Administrator/Finance postholder (as necessary) in accordance with the Letter of Offer, Council’s Policies and Procedures and EU Funded Guidelines as stipulated by SEUPB.  Provide formal updates to the PEACEPLUS Administration Team, the Council and SEUPB.  Contribute to the delivery of the PEACEPLUS Communication Plan for Fermanagh and Omagh ensuring compliance with the Council’s Policies and EU Funded Guidelines.  To prepare qualitative and quantitative reports as required which monitor the progress of the programmes during their implementation and record and implement changes were necessary ensuring these reports are delivered to key partners and all relevant bodies.  To undertake any other duties as may from time to time be assigned. General:  To comply with all the Council’s policies and procedures including the Employee Code of Conduct and the Employee and Councillor Working Relationship Protocol.  To promote the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policies and avoid all forms of discrimination as an employer and a service provider.  To implement all Financial and Procurement policies and procedures.  To comply with employee responsibility in relation to all records held, created or used as part of the Council’s business. All records, paper or electronic, are public records and accessible by the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998.  To undertake the duties of the post at all times in a manner that enhances and promotes the positive image of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.  The postholder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs and requirements of the organisation. The above list should not be seen as an exhaustive list of duties, and the postholder will be expected to undertake other relevant duties, as required. General: a) Satisfactory references from two referees (one of which should be from the present or previous employer). b) Duties associated with the projects named will be shared across the two postholders. c) A satisfactory standard of attendance, conduct and performance in carrying out the duties of the post. d) The terms of the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme. e) The appointment is fixed term up to 31 December 2027, subject to funding. f) The production of evidence of educational and/or professional qualifications as listed on the Application Form. g) The post will be based at Strule House, Omagh; however the post holder will be expected to travel to locations within the Council area to meet the requirements of the post. Essential Criteria Hold a degree or equivalent qualification and two years’ experience to include a) to c) Or In the absence of the above qualification, a minimum of four years’ experience to include a) to c) a) Implemented and delivered community-based projects or programmes b) Encouraging active involvement and facilitating engagement across diverse communities c) Collaborating effectively with various stakeholders to deliver outcomes Desirable Criteria Management and delivery of European funded projects/programmes to include programmes delivered on a cross border and/or cross community basis. General: The post is subject to the Council’s receipt of funding The appointment will be subject to: a) Satisfactory references from two referees (one of which should be from the present or previous employer). b) The terms and conditions of employment of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. c) A satisfactory standard of attendance, conduct and performance in carrying out the duties of the post. d) The satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months with a three-month review. e) The terms of the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme. f) The production of evidence of educational and/or professional qualifications as listed on the Application Form. g) A medical report by the Council’s Medical Examiner which confirms fitness for employment in the position. h) Receipt of a satisfactory basic Access NI disclosure.