Food Business Development Officer

The Competition The Position Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of Food Business Development Officer shall be drawn. The Boyne Valley Food Strategy 2024 - 2028 is a support measure to give effect to the implementation of the relevant actions/objectives outlined in the Meath Economic Development Action Plan 2024 - 2029, the Meath and Louth Local Economic and Community Plans, and the Louth Local Economic Forum Agriculture Food and Fisheries Action Plan. The food strategy is intended to assist tourism and trade, to attract increased business for food stakeholders, and to provide economic growth and job creation. It is also focused on generating support initiatives which enhance quality of life through support for the arts, sport & recreation and heritage in the region The objective for the region is for the Boyne Valley to be recognised “as the national food and craft drinks tourism destination”. The Boyne Valley Food Series Committee and Meath and Louth County Councils have identified the need for a food strategy for the Boyne Valley region which bringstogether the key stakeholders within the sector in order to develop and implement a roadmap so that the region will become the national food and drink destination.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities The duties of the post of the Food Business Development Officer include, but are not limited to: • To drive the implementation of the Boyne Valley Food Strategy 2024 – 2028 and other related plans and strategies; • To act as a conduit for action and support activity in the food sector in both counties (Meath & Louth); • To liaise with SME’s, food agencies and government representatives in order to promote local businesses and job growth; • To support and assist digital marketing for implementing the strategy and involve key stakeholders as required; • To attend, and if appropriate, facilitate festivals/trade shows/exhibitions & liaisons with event co-ordinators; • To ensure that (a) bi-monthly strategy steering group review meetings occur, and that (b) follow up actions are implemented; • To provide the steering group with updates on progress in accordance with the timescales set out in the strategy; • To suggest and deliver alternative actions as required; • To support food stakeholder volunteers running events with information, advice and other supports; • To liaise with the Boyne Valley Series Team and support their initiatives – Act as a “driver” for the Series; • To liaise with the Louth/Meath Food Network contractor and ensure the network is meeting its KPI’s; • Be expert at funding sources and communicate this information to relevant stakeholders; • To jointly report to the Economic Development teams and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Louth & Meath and keep them informed of progress; • To liase with Boyne Valley Tourism on food experience development to enhance the Boyne Valley as a tourist destination • To act as a source of knowledge and referral point for mentor supports, training etc provided by the LEOs, LEADER companies, Bord Bia and other agencies linked to food; • To be seen as the “go to” person for food in the region; • To represent both counties on committees, action groups, etc as appropriate; • To perform other related duties as required.

Note: Flexible working hours required (evening and weekend).

Qualifications for the Post 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 and Experience Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms have: • A third level qualification in a relevant discipline; • Relevant business experience (desirable); • A knowledge of the food industry, a strong business acumen with experience that demonstrates an understanding of food business development; • A knowledge of government strategy and policies in relation to enterprise and food industry; • Experience of taking a creative an innovative approach to developing projects/plans/strategies/events; • Experience of interagency work and the ability to work with different groups of people at all levels; • Good planning and organisational skills including project management experience; • Excellent communication and presentation skills; • Marketing and social media experience; • A knowledge of procurement.

Candidates must hold a full clean current driving licence. The post will involve travel and hence the successful candidate must also have available to them the full time use of a suitable vehicle.

Desirable Experience and knowledge • Have good communication (oral and in writing), organisational and administrative skills; • Be an innovative thinker with excellent problem-solving skills; • Have an ability to understand an audience and tailor advice and training to their needs; • Have good knowledge and understanding of food industry and national policy in the Republic of Ireland; • Have excellent project management and people management skills; • Have the capacity to continually strive to improve service and performance and be able to adjust to a changing and fast moving environment; • Have excellent computer skills are required, specifically in MS Office Suite; • Have an ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders; • Be able to work on their own initiative, be motivated, have good judgement and personal drive; • Be able to design/delivery presentations using Power-point; Miscellaneous Provisions Salary Salary scale: €51,210 - €61,252 per annum (EL 03/25), analogous to the Staff Officer grade. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the appropriate Department Circulars.

Hours of Work The normal working hours will be 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training duties etc. as part of normal working hours without additional remuneration. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended. You may be required to complete a time-sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Start Date Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave 30 days per annum

Sick Leave The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail. Probation The following provisions will apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation, (b) such period shall be 9 months but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period, (c) such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Travel It is desirable that holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. Meath County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Residence The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to performing the role/function as approved by the Chief Executive.

Citizenship Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK 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-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

Safety and Welfare The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Meath County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

Training It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Garda Vetting Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

Outside Employment The officer may not engage in private practice, or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties. Pension Arrangements and Retirement Age Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at time an offer of appointment is being made.

Communications Meath County Council will contact you when necessary at each stage of the competition by email. It is strongly recommended that you only submit one email address for all correspondence in relation to this competition. It is important to note that the email address you provide when applying must be one that you can access at all times. The onus is on the applicant to inform the Human Resources Department of any change in email address throughout the recruitment and selection campaign. This can be done by emailing recruit@meathcoco.ie. The onus is also on each applicant to ensure that s/he is in receipt of all communication from Meath County Council. Meath County Council does not accept responsibility for communications not accessed or received by an applicant. Employee Benefits Examples of some of the current Employee Benefits include: • Allocation of 30 Days Annual Leave per annum (pro-rata) • The Council’s Blended Working Policy • A range of Family Friendly Policies • Availability of an Optical Benefit Scheme • A staff Health Screening Programme • Availability of a Cycle to Work Scheme • A range of Learning and Developmental Opportunities • Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave • Option to become a member of Meath County Council’s Social Club • State of the Art Office Accommodation in our Civic Headquarters • Automatically entered into a pension scheme • Access to the services provided under Meath County Council’s Employee Assistance Programme