Project Co-Ordinator

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The role of Project Coordinator for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland will be to coordinate and support the activities of Offaly County Council (as Lead Local Authority), key partners and key stakeholders in the development of the World Heritage nomination bid.

The Project Coordinator will coordinate and support the ongoing work of the Nomination Steering Group and Project Working Group and associated working groups (where required) to deliver on the agreed actions as part of the steps towards World Heritage nomination.

The Nomination Steering Group co-ordinated by Offaly County Council on behalf of the HAOI provides strategic oversight, support and co-ordination for the World Heritage nomination bid, including agreeing programme, budgets and resources, meeting 2-4 times a year. The Nomination Steering Group will advise on the policies and actions needed to progress the World Heritage nomination bid and the future management of the sites. They will play a critical role in supporting, implementing and coordinating activities in support of the nomination bid across the three component sites, Armagh, Birr and Dunsink. The Nomination Steering Group will include representatives from Offaly County Council (as Lead Local Authority), Fingal County Council, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation, Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and State agencies.

The Project Working Group is an operational group established by Offaly County Council to progress the HAOI World Heritage nomination. The Project Working Group comprises input from the Heritage and Conservation Team in Offaly County Council and will include a World Heritage Expert (appointed by NMS) and with representation from all key partners. Their role is to advise the Nomination Steering Group, devise and propose policies and actions as required. The Project Working Group will link the expertise within the Local Authority to other organisations, such as the NMS and will facilitate the involvement of local stakeholders in the nomination process.

The Project Coordinator will be a vital link between the expertise within the Local Authorities and key partners and other organisations such as the NMS and OPW and will support and facilitate the involvement of key stakeholders, and local communities, in the nomination process.

The Project Coordinator will be expected to develop a broad, detailed understanding of the varied challenges facing the nomination of HAOI and what instruments and supports are available to address those challenges.

The Project Coordinator will need to ensure that the World Heritage nomination process becomes an inclusive participatory process through active participation of the local authorities, government agencies, elected officials, business community, landowners and the local community.

The main objective of the Project Coordinator will be to coordinate the activities required in the development of the World Heritage nomination bid. The role will include developing and implementing an extensive public awareness strategy, communication, and promoting engagement and outreach activities with all stakeholders. In this context the role will be multifaceted, concerning itself with outcomes as well as activation.

The Project Coordinator role will also include contributing to a communication model which will help ensure consistency of approach, deliver shared learnings, and feed key information and feedback to the Nomination Steering Group and the Project Working Group.

An annual workplan will be developed by the Project Working Group and submitted for approval to the Nomination Steering Group.

THE POSITION

Reporting under the general direction of the Chief Executive, Offaly County Council to a nominated Line Manager in the Heritage and Conservation Team; providing coordination and support for the Nomination Steering Group, Project Working Group, World Heritage Expert and associated working groups, the position of Project Coordinator will be to lead on community engagement and on co-ordinating both the development of the Preliminary Assessment Request, the Nomination Dossier and the preparation of a management plan for the serial site.

The position is for a period of 5 years subject to the approval of the Preliminary Assessment Request. The post may be extended subject to business needs and satisfactory performance.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

The Project Coordinator will perform other such duties as may be assigned from time to time. In addition, the successful candidate will be required to:

• comply with all relevant statutory requirements such as Safety, Health and Welfare at Work legislation, environmental protection, data protection, etc.;
• ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders;
• prepare reports as required;
• attend training as required;
• participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade;
• undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time;
• deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required.

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

Management and Change

Strategic Ability

·     Displays the ability to think and act strategically.

·     Can translate assigned tasks into clear specific and achievable objectives.

·     Evaluates capacity and performance against objectives.

·     Demonstrates innovation and creativity to secure successful outcomes.

Networking and Representing

·     Develops and maintains positive and mutually beneficial relationships with a range of stakeholders.

·     Builds networks of technical and professional contacts.

·     Promotes and sustains an appropriate, positive and cohesive image for the organisation it represents.

Political Reality

·     Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the organisation.

Influencing & Negotiating

·     Establishes appropriate and productive working relationships at local level, both within the public and private sector.

·     Meets operational goals by working effectively with the various authorities involved in the project and with colleagues.

·     Effectively influences others to achieve objectives.

·     Adopts a partnership approach in reaching agreement.

Bringing about Change

·     Effectively manages the introduction of change and overcomes resistance to change.

Delivering Results

Problem Solving and Decision Making

·     Can pinpoint critical information and address issues logically.

·     Understands the context and impact of decisions made.

·     Can act decisively in an environment of multiple stakeholders and with complex information to ensure decisions are made in line with objectives.

Operational Planning

·     Plans assigned project elements to determine rationale, objectives and deliverables, resource requirements, timelines and milestones, reporting requirements and evaluation methods.

·     Establishes high quality service and customer care standards.

Managing Resources

·     Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure they are used efficiently to deliver on operational plans.

·     Drives and promotes reduction in cost and minimisation of waste.

Delivering Quality Outcomes

·     Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services.

·     Organises the delivery of services to meet or exceed the required standard.

·     Evaluates the outcomes achieved against operational plans, identifies learning and implements improvements required.

Performance through People

Leading and Motivating

·     Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver high quality work and customer focused outcomes.

·     Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos.

Managing Performance

·     Effectively manages performance and conflict.

·     Empowers people to achieve or exceed organisational goals by delegating sufficient authority, responsibility and accountability.

Communicating Effectively

·     Communicates effectively & professionally with range of stakeholders including staff, Elected Members and the public.

·     Is effective in communicating a complex or technical message, using language appropriate to the audience.

·     Has highly effective verbal and written communication skills.

·     Presents ideas effectively to individuals and groups.

Personal Effectiveness

Knowledge & Understanding of the Role

• Demonstrates understanding of the role of Project Coordinator for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland in the context of wider local authority service delivery.
• Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their area of responsibility.
• Demonstrates the required specialist knowledge, understanding and training for the role.
• Demonstrates knowledge & understanding of the structure and functions of local government.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues, future trends and the strategic direction of local government.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Details of Key Duties and Responsibilities are outlined under “Particulars of Office”

QUALIFICATIONS

1.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(a) hold a third level qualification (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) and/or equivalent post-graduate qualification (Level 9) in subject(s) relevant to the role for e.g. in archaeology, architecture, heritage management, landscape architecture, conservation, sciences, planning, history, community development, project management.

(b)demonstrate a wide degree of experience, at least five years of the following in a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary environment:

• community engagement
• project management
• people management
• team building
• public consultation
• report writing
• public presentations
• managing budgets
• delivery of programmes
• strategic change and management.

(c)             have a recognised track record in heritage management or conservation, project management, community development and have a minimum of five year’s relevant work experience at an appropriate senior level of responsibility in a related position following graduation.

(d)            demonstrate knowledge or experience of contemporary heritage management approaches including for example, conservation and community engagement.

(e)             possess a high standard of administrative experience.

(f)              possess strong networking, relationship building and communication skills.

(g)            be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and consultative groups.

(h)            possess good organisational, project management and management skills.

(i)              be enterprising, innovative and capable of working to a brief on their own initiative.

(j)              demonstrate an understanding and capability of working with democratic structures and consultative models.

* Copies of qualifications must be attached to support this application. Failure to provide qualifications will deem this application invalid.

2.     Desirable Skills And Experience

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• A breadth and depth of knowledge of heritage relevant to the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.
• Background knowledge of the World Heritage Convention, Operational Guidelines and nomination process.
• Ability to assess the appropriateness of any proposals, strategies and interventions against internationally recognised principles by the UNESCO Advisory Bodies (i.e. ICOMOS)

·       Experience and knowledge of local authority structures.

·       Experience of inter-agency stakeholder management.

• Excellent capability in working with democratic structures and consultative models.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Irish planning system including awareness and experience of sustainable development principles and environmental and climate action.
• Excellent presentation, data management, collation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to deliver results on time, on budget and to the highest standards.
• Ability to quickly understand and engage with the technical, contextual, and socio-economic elements of a project
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating multi-disciplinary steering groups
• Ability to effectively engage with and manage diverse stakeholder groups and develop communication strategies and approaches to drive collaboration and project delivery.
• Experience in project management and knowledge and expertise in Project Management software and Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work within and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• Be enterprising, innovative and capable of working to a brief or on their own initiative.
• Knowledge of the heritage sector in Ireland.
• Ability to promote and communicate Word Heritage values and the nomination to a wide network of local and national potential stakeholders.
• Practical hands-on experience of site management.

·       Experience in preparing conservation management plans.

·       Experience in partnership working, stakeholder engagement and consultation programmes.

·       Experience in volunteer management and outreach.

·       Experience liaising with and seeking grant support from key funders.

·       The requisite knowledge, ability and suitability to discharge the duties of the position.

3.     Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels 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.     Driving Licence

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a vehicle in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

5.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

6.     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.

* Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1.     The Post:

The post is temporary, whole-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill appropriate positions that may arise for its duration. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2.     Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.  Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.   Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.  Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale.  The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €60,858 - €84,596 LSI 2

3.     Duties:

The duties of the post 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 2001 and 2014, 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 subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

The principal duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Co-ordination

• Co-ordinate the activities of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland, County Councils, the Nomination Steering Group, Project Working Group, Working Groups (as required) and stakeholders in the development of the World Heritage nomination bid for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.
• Be a strong presence across all three component sites, three local authorities, building trust with the local community and all stakeholders, serving as a common point of contact.
• Represent the HAOI at meetings with the World Heritage Unit - NMS, the OPW, with staff of agencies and Government Departments (in both Ireland and UK jurisdictions).