Economic Development Officer

Location:

You will be based in the Council Offices at 7 Connell Street, Limavady, BT49 0HA however, when required you will be asked to work flexibly throughout the Council areas, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively and in order to respond to service priorities and to facilitate professional development.

Responsible for:

The following functions and services, in accordance with the organisational structure and the staff employed to deliver these services.

• Supporting the Business Development Manager in the creation of an enterprise culture for the Borough.

Work pattern:

37 hours per week, Monday – Friday

By its nature the post will require flexible working, for example, work outside normal office hours, including evening meetings and weekends as required.

Tenure:

This is a permanent post.

Main Purpose of Post

1. Planning, leading and implementing a wide range of local economic development projects to stimulate business growth, promote entrepreneurial activity and support local business development, in line with Council’s strategic priorities.

2. Engaging directly with businesses to understand challenges and bringing forward initiatives to support business sustainability and growth.

3. Developing networks and collaborative partnerships both across the council and with external agencies, in the public and private sectors, to ensure a strategic, sustained, and co-ordinated approach to economic development.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Effectively engage and work collaboratively with local businesses and a range of other key stakeholders to identify their needs, build sustainable working relationships and address barriers to enterprise activity and business growth.

Develop a range of targeted initiatives based on local business engagement and marketplace intelligence, to create business development opportunities and stimulate new and existing growth and investment within the borough.

Manage delivery of programmes to support pre-start, business start, growth and scaling including provision of support to individuals/organisations in the social economy sector.

Draft reports, corporate briefings, policy/consultation responses, speeches for council members and prepare committee reports.

Develop and manage appropriate forms of communication to promote the work of the team including website, promotional materials, newsletters, press briefings and digital campaigns.

Plan and assist with workshops, conferences, presentations, exhibitions, launches and other signature events.

Represent the Business Development Manager as required.

Undertake relevant procurement exercises and effectively contract manage allocated projects in line with agreed outcomes, ensuring appropriate financial and project management by delivery agents.

Support delivery agents in complying with Letter of Offer terms, verify project expenditure and vouch claims received ensuring compliance with conditions of funding and audit requirements.

Prepare claims for drawdown of funds from external funders and monitor income and expenditure on funded programmes. Operate within agreed budget limits and timescales and raise and deliver orders through the Councils finance system.

Administer both Council and externally funded grant programmes including animation, pre-application support, assessment, and award, in partnership with Council’s Funding Unit.

Conduct effective research and consultation and collate information to enable evidence-based decision making in respect of future economic development initiatives.

Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the business plan and relevant service plans, responding to emerging needs.

Updating Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) for purposes of logging client and programme information and reporting and reviewing operational delivery performance.

General

1. By its nature the post will require flexible working to meet the needs of the service. Attend meetings of the Council and any relevant working groups and prepare and present reports as required.

2. Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for local Government employees.

3. Comply with and actively promote the Council’s policies and procedures, including those relating to Fair employment, Equal Opportunities, and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

4. Undertake any management duties in relation to recruitment and selection, staff induction, learning and development, performance management, absence, investigations or panels in connection with discipline, grievance, dignity at work, customer complaints and any other staff management responsibilities as deemed necessary for the post.

5. Comply with and actively promote the appropriate standard of record keeping and information governance practices in conducting duties of the post.

6. Undertake the duties outlined above in a way which will enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Council.

7. Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate to the achievement of the purpose and function of this post.