Monitoring & Development Officer

The Role: The PEACEPLUS 1.1 Monitoring & Development Officer is a key role in the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan. The Monitoring & Development Officer will be responsible for the coordination of the monitoring & evaluation aspect of the programme. This is a mandatory position under the Programme Rules and will include working with the SEUPB-commissioned Evaluators, and Leitrim County Council Community Integration & PEACE Team. The Monitoring & Development Officer will also be required to support the PEACEPLUS Coordinator in the implementation of the overall programme. The Monitoring & Development Officer will work within these roles as part of a multi-disciplinary team, assisting with the implementation of the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan to achieve goals, targets and standards set out in the Action Plan. He/she will be expected to a self-starter and use initiative and work to a high standard. The post holder will have a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations of the work area or as a team leader. The role requires excellent administrative, supervisory, interpersonal, communication, research, reporting, budgetary and timescale management, experience in the monitoring and evaluating of data and administrative and financial experience in preparing and compiling reports. The post holder will be expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making. The Qualifications: 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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 one of the following areas: Finance, Accounting, Business, Statistics, Economics, Mathematics with a minimum of two years relevant work experience. OR (b) A good standard of general education with five years relevant work experience of grant management including processing of claims, verification and monitoring, preparation of claims to funders. AND (c) Project & event management, financial administration and budgeting skills. (d) Excellent ICT skills and knowledge of multiple software programmes. (e) Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own vehicle.

Note: Candidates must submit a copy of third level or relevant qualification from your awarding body and / or Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) 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: • Excellent knowledge of GDPR and Data Protection provisions. • Knowledge of procurement of goods, specialist services and resources for the delivery of programmes. • Knowledge of the principles and processes of community development with expertise in a broad range of development models

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. Please take note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Delivering Results / 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 targets. • 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 and constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their 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 Monitoring & Development Officer and the PEACEPLUS Action Plan in the context of wider local authority service delivery. • Demonstrates knowledge & understanding of the structure and functions of local government. • Has knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction. • Has relevant administrative, or economic/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 wholetime, temporary and pensionable. The appointment will be on a Fixed Term Contract basis for a period until 31 December 2027, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, for the implementation of the PEACEPLUS Programme. 1. 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) of this paragraph, under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority. The PEACEPLUS 1.1 Monitoring & Development Officer will report to the PEACEPLUS Coordinator or such other officer as may be designated by the Chief Executive.

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of PEACEPLUS 1.1 Monitoring & Development Officer may include but are not limited to the following: • Delivering on the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Action Plan, specifically co-ordinating and implementing the monitoring and evaluation requirements. • Responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of an electronic Evaluation and Monitoring system to meet the requirements of the PEACEPLUS Programme in collecting, monitoring and analysing data (including sensitive data) on over 3,300 participants.

• Analysing statistical data on participants from the programming element of the project on a regular basis to provide relevant updates to the Project Board and PEACEPLUS Coordinator on recruitment numbers and cross-community balance of participants. • Encouraging, promoting, advising and supporting projects which aim to develop good cross community relations throughout the county. • Collaborating and working with the Leitrim County Council Community Development & Integration Team to ensure work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s operational plan. • Meeting all project targets and milestones as determined by the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Partnership / SEUPB. • Assisting in the preparation and managing of tenders for sub projects, if appropriate. • Publicising the work of the project in line with the PEACEPLUS Communications Plan and SEUPB communication guidelines. • Working to strict deadlines and being available to work outside normal office hours as required. • Identifying, liaising and networking with other projects undertaking similar work. • Compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations and responding to correspondence as necessary. • Representing the office on committees or at meetings and giving progress reports as required. • Providing support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required. • Assisting the handling of day-to-day issues, ensuring compliance with all council policies and procedures. • Preparing interim and annual reports, including data on budgets and expenditure as required

Reporting • Ensuring compliance with all required local authority financial, management and governance reporting requirements of the PEACEPLUS programme. • Responsibility for the preparation of relevant reports and performance related data, monitoring and evaluation of specific project targets and outputs, assist in the preparation of claims to the funder as required and to include entering data on the PEACEPLUS database. • Collecting, maintaining and updating relevant data. • Working with project delivery agents to ensure that they are aware of and fulfil their reporting requirements. Governance Ensuring the PEACEPLUS Work Programme conforms with all policies and procedures of the Local Authority and SEUPB and in line with the Governance Framework.

General • Undertaking any other relevant and related duties that may be required/assigned. 2. Salary: The Salary scale for the post of PEACEPLUS Monitoring & Development Officer, applicable from 1st March 2025, is as follows (aligned to the Grade V – Staff Officer Scale): €51,210, €52,739, €54,301, €55,895, €57,501, €59,373 (LSI 1), €61,252 (LSI 2) Entry point to this scale 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. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. 3. Probation: All contracts will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, during which the performance of the successful applicant will be regularly evaluated. If during that period, the Local Authority is satisfied that the appointee is unlikely to prove suitable for final appointment, the appointment may be terminated by the giving of one month’s notice on either side, or, in the event of misconduct or negligence, without notice The probationary period may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice. 4. Working Hours: The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The role will require flexibility around working hours and evening and weekend work will arise in order to effectively deliver this programme. A system of ‘Time in Lieu’ will be in operation to reflect this. Overtime will not be paid. The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time. All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001. 5. Annual Leave: The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum. 6. Superannuation: All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1st January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration plus 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sums for member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contribution Scheme. Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998, and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution, will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). You will also be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children/Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration. 7. Retirement Age: The Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”) as provided by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 commenced with effect from 1st January 2013. The act introduced new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st January 2013, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. In accordance with Circular Letter 24/2020 Single Pension Scheme Members normal retirement age will be in line with the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory). Compulsory Retirement Age will be 70. There is no mandatory retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Anyone who is “not a new entrant” to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years – the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age of most pre-2004 public servants from age 65 to age 70. 8. Pension Abatement If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to, or in receipt of, a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. Please note: In applying for this position, you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position. 9. Driving Licence Holders of the post may from time to time be required to travel in the course of their duties and for this purpose they shall possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B) and, shall 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. The post holder’s Insurance policy must cover such use and must indemnify Leitrim County Council. Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with nationally agreed rates applicable in the sector.