Development Officer

The Co designed Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan has been approved by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) for a total amount of €3,344,009 under the following themes:

Theme 1: Community Regeneration and Transformation (CRT) - 5 capital projects totalling €836,987

Theme 2: Thriving and Peaceful Communities (TPC) - 7 Programmes totalling €893,935

Theme 3: Celebrating Cultural Diversity (CCD) - 4 programmes totalling €504,913

The PEACEPLUS Action Plan will enable diverse partnerships to establish and is investing in key actions for their local areas and collectively address these in a manner which will result in improved, shared and inclusive local services, facilities and spaces, and make a significant and lasting contribution to peace and reconciliation.

Projects span a range of different sectors and activities include health and wellbeing initiatives; children and young people; community regeneration including redevelopment and re imagining of existing community facilities for shared usage; initiatives to build positive relations; social innovation; social enterprise; and education and skills and community education. All supported projects are designed to address issues of racism and sectarianism, increase social inclusion, and promote civil leadership.

Leitrim PEACEPLUS Partnership

The development and implementation of the PEACEPLUS Action Plan is overseen by the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Partnership Committee. The PEACEPLUS Partnership is a sub committee of Leitrim LCDC and reports to them on a monthly basis.

The Role

The PEACEPLUS 1.1 Development Officer is a key role in the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan. The Development Officer will be a central resource for driving the local peace and reconciliation agenda through the design and implementation of the PEACEPLUS Action Plan, specifically under Theme 2: Thriving and Peaceful Communities and Theme 3: Celebrating Cultural Diversity Active Citizenship and Orientation Programme, through which peace and reconciliation issues can be addressed in a holistic fashion and can bring all sides of the community together to promote more inclusive dialogue and respect different traditions, cultures and beliefs.

The role will include close collaboration with the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Partnership Committee and Leitrim County Council Community Development and Integration Team.

The PEACEPLUS Action Plan is multi annual and outcomes focused. The PEACEPLUS Development Officer will therefore be required to coordinate projects under the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan, specifically under Themes 2 and 3, to encourage partnership working to generate innovative solutions that impact on peace and reconciliation.

The 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.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non European Economic Area citizen who is a spouse or child of a European Economic Area or United Kingdom or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non European Economic Area citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, a European Economic Area member state or the United Kingdom or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Education and Experience

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, have:

(a) A Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications or relevant qualification in Rural or Community Development or Peace Building with a minimum of two years relevant work experience and demonstrate experience of dealing with intercultural and or diversity issues.

OR

(b) A good standard of general education with five years relevant work experience and demonstrate experience of dealing with intercultural and or diversity issues.

AND

(c) Knowledge and ability in relation to working with other agencies and partnerships in the delivery of specified outcomes based on the principles and processes of community development.

(d) Project and event management, financial administration and budgeting skills.

(e) Strong communication, data management and ICT skills.

(f) Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his or her own vehicle. Copy of Licence must be submitted with your application.

Note:

Candidates must submit a copy of third level or relevant qualification from your awarding body and or Quality and Qualifications Ireland with your application. Foreign language qualification certificates must also be accompanied by a translation document of educational qualifications as outlined above.

Applications received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Desirable though not essential:

Knowledge and experience of contracts, administration management and public procurement procedures, both national and European Union

Knowledge and appreciation of the peace and reconciliation needs of local communities in the border region and on a cross border basis

Experience in European Union funding and reporting to SEUPB

Experience of working with new and ethnic minority communities

Competencies for the Post

Key competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these.

Delivering Results and Communicating Effectively

Translates the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for their area of responsibility

Plans work and allocation of staff and other resources effectively

Implements high quality service and customer care standards

Makes decisions in a timely and well informed manner

Develops and maintains positive, productive and beneficial working relationships

Demonstrates the ability to recognise the value of and requirement to communicate effectively

Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills

Demonstrates good interpersonal skills

Performance Management

Leads and works with the team to achieve PEACEPLUS Action Plan objectives

Effectively manages performance

Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work to strict deadlines

Ability to work on own initiative as well as an integral part of a team

Strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration

Personal Effectiveness

Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles

Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities

Manages time and workload effectively

Has strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and administration

Has strong resource and project management skills

Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to the role

Understands and implements change and demonstrates flexibility and openness to change

Is a self starter, strong on research and maintains resilience in securing buy in and commitment to overall concepts or projects

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Demonstrates understanding of the role of the PEACEPLUS 1.1 Development Officer and the PEACEPLUS Action Plan in the context of wider local authority service delivery

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government

Has knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction

Has relevant administrative, economic or community development or project development, management and delivery experience

Has experience of supervising staff

Has experience of working as part of a team

Has experience of preparing reports and correspondence

Principal Terms and Conditions

The position is whole time, temporary and pensionable. The appointment will be on a fixed term contract basis for a period until 30 June 2027, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, for the implementation of the PEACEPLUS Programme.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and:

(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts, is Chief Executive, and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub paragraph (a)

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive may determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory and advisory nature as are required. This includes the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority.

The PEACEPLUS 1.1 Development Officer will report to the PEACEPLUS Coordinator or such other officer as may be designated by the Chief Executive.

Salary

The salary scale for the post of PEACEPLUS 1.1 Development Officer, applicable from 1 February 2026, is within the range aligned to the Grade V Staff Officer Scale:

€52,239 €53,799 €55,392 €57,019 €58,657 €60,567 €62,484

Entry point will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Probation

All contracts will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, during which performance will be regularly evaluated. The probationary period may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Employment may be terminated during or at the end of the probationary period in accordance with notice requirements.

Working Hours

The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The role will require flexibility around working hours and evening and weekend work may arise. A system of Time in Lieu will apply. Overtime will not be paid.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum. The leave year runs from January to December.

Superannuation

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Contributions and benefits will be in line with the terms of the scheme.

Retirement Age

Retirement provisions will be in accordance with the Public Service Pensions legislation.

Pension Abatement

Where applicable, pensions from previous public service employment may be subject to abatement in accordance with relevant legislation.