Resource Officer

The Role

To support the work of the Secretariat to develop the PPN in Fingal, Fingal Public Participation Network (FPPN) as an effective structure to promote public engagement and participation via the environmental, social inclusion and community & voluntary sectors in accordance with the relevant guidelines.

The successful candidate will be a strongly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to the ideas and values inherent in the work of FPPN. The candidate will also have knowledge and understanding of public participation and in particular the barriers to participation of socially excluded groups.

 

Key Objectives

• Facilitate the participation and representation of communities in a fair, equitable and transparent manner through the environmental, social inclusion and community & voluntary sectors on decision making bodies.

• Strengthen the capacity of communities and of the environmental, social inclusion and voluntary groups to contribute positively to the community in which they reside / participate

• Provide information relevant to the environmental, social inclusion and community & voluntary groups and acts as a hub around which information is distributed and received.

 

1.    Duties

The duties will be such as may be assigned by the Local Authority or its appropriate officer from time to time.

Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Fingal administrative area. 

The duties include but are not limited to:

Report to the Principal Community Officer and the PPN Secretariat

Coordinate the activities of the Fingal PPN:

·       Working with the Secretariat, develop and implement strategies to ensure effective communication and engagement within the network.

·       Develop and monitor an Annual Workplan in line with FPPN Strategic Plan

·       Facilitate regular meetings, workshops, and events to encourage collaboration and information sharing among PPN members.

·       Maintain accurate records of meetings, decisions, and actions, and provide timely updates to relevant stakeholders.

 

Support community groups and voluntary organisations:

·       Provide guidance, advice, and practical assistance to community groups attached to the pillars of FPPN in understanding and engaging with the FPPN.

·       Offer capacity-building support to help organisations develop skills in areas such as governance, funding applications, and project management.

·       Foster relationships with stakeholders and local community groups and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

·       Co-ordinate the nominating and election process for representatives on to Boards and Committees including liaising with the requesting body

 

Promote public participation and social inclusion:

·       Working with the Secretariat, develop and implement initiatives to enhance public awareness of the PPN and its objectives.

·       Advocate for increased community participation in decision-making processes, ensuring diverse voices are heard and considered.

·       Work towards promoting social inclusion and representation of marginalised or underrepresented groups within the PPN.

 

Liaise with stakeholders:

·       Establish and maintain strong working relationships with relevant public bodies, local authorities, and other community stakeholders.

·       Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of resources, identify shared priorities, and facilitate meaningful engagement.

·       Act as a point of contact for external organisations seeking information or collaboration opportunities with the PPN.

·       Co-ordinate and prepare submissions from the FPPN to public consultations as directed, working with the member groups to participate in consultations and planning that affects them.

 

Reporting and administration:

·       Prepare regular reports on the activities, achievements, and challenges of the PPN for Secretariat, funders, and other relevant parties.

·       Maintain accurate records and databases of PPN members, activities, and communications.

·       Assist the Secretariat in the management of the PPN budget, ensuring transparency and adherence to financial regulations.

·       Any other reasonable duties which may be requested in furtherance of the key objectives.

This is a full-time position and evening, and weekend work is a requirement for the position.

2.    Qualifications and requirements of 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, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

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

(a)   Possess a satisfactory knowledge and experience of office organisation

(b)   Have satisfactory experience in community development or experience working with the ‘not for profit’ sector.

(c)   Have a full clean Class B driving licence and have access to his/her own vehicle

 

The ideal candidate shall have:

·       Knowledge and understanding of public participation and in particular the barriers to participation of socially excluded groups.

·       Knowledge and understanding of public policy development and relevant structures at Local Authority level.

·       Knowledge and experience of the community and voluntary, environmental and /or social inclusion sectors.

·       Leadership and people management skills in a paid or voluntary capacity.

·       Excellent facilitation, communication, interpersonal skills experience, and the ability to build, manage, engage, nurture partnerships and relationships and collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and organisations.

·       Experience in coordinating or supporting community-based initiatives, networks, or organisations with strong project management experience and the ability to manage multiple projects.

·       Proficiency in record-keeping, report writing, and administrative tasks with excellent IT skills to include MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint presentations.

·       Self-motivated, well-organised, and capable of working independently or as part of a team.

·       Expertise and experience in social networking and website maintenance.

·       The ability to adapt, to lead and support change to ensure that best practice standards are adhered to and maintained. 

·       Flexibility to attend evening or weekend meetings and events as required.

Candidates may be shortlisted based on the criteria listed above.

 

The Selection Process:

Fingal County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications, if required. This is not to suggest that any candidate may be unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the duties of the post advertised, but rather that there may be candidates who have demonstrated that they are better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview shall be determined by the local authority from time to time, having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

Step 1: Initial Screening

In the first instance, all applications received by the latest date/time for receipt of completed applications are screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualifications for the post as set out in this booklet and declared by the Minister for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001.

Step 2: Shortlisting

Each candidate’s application may be assessed against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this booklet. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and/or experience in their application form and to outline the relevance of their experience in the examples provided.

Step 3: Interview

Candidates who are successful in the shortlisting process will be invited to attend for interview(s). Fingal County Council will endeavor to give sufficient notice of the interview to shortlisted candidates. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the candidate to make themselves available on the date/time selected. Candidates who do not attend for interview will be deemed to have withdrawn their application from the competition. Expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview, will be at the candidates own expense.

An independent interview board will be established by the Senior Executive Officer, People Services, or other designated officer, to assess the candidates shortlisted for interview. The interview board will generally comprise of a Chairperson and two other members, who will have expert knowledge in the relevant field. The objective of the interview board is to identify candidates who best meet the objective criteria and competencies required for the position and to place them in order of merit.

Candidates who are successful in the interview will be qualified in order of merit for appointment to the post of Resource Officer and placed on a panel. It should be noted that placement on a panel may not necessarily lead to a job offer. The selection process is not concluded until such time as references have been sought and clearance checks, i.e. Garda vetting, occupational health, verification of education qualifications, etc, have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Council.

Particulars of Employment

The employment is wholetime, permanent and pensionable.

(i) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their 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).

(ii) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

(iii) All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouse’s and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

(iv) New members joining the Public Sector after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 3% of their 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). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

 

PROBATION

Where persons who are not already employees of a Local Authority are employed, the following provisions shall apply: 

(a)             there shall be a period after such employment take effect during which such persons shall hold such employment on probation,

(b)             such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c)             such persons shall cease to hold employment at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

SALARY

€58,474 – €59,869 – €61,570 – €64,767 – €66,677 – €69,051 – €71,437

Persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of the scale.

Holders of the post 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 post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

 

HEALTH

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are employed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority.

 

RETIREMENT AGE

The retirement age is 70 years.

 

APPOINTMENT

The local authority shall require a person to whom employment is offered to take up such employment within a period of not more than 6 weeks and if he or she fails to take up the employment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not employ the person.