Community Development Support Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Monaghan County Council is inviting applications from suitability qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel for the post of Community Development Support Officer (Specific Purpose Contract).

The Community Development Section of Monaghan County Council plays a key role in supporting our Communities to build capacity, develop programmes, address social exclusion and regeneration.

The Role

The Community Development Support Officer will provide support to the Community Development Officer to work closely with the community and our Municipal District Offices to identify needs and priorities, develop plans and prepare projects briefs to address those needs.

The ideal candidate will

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate experience in managing complex and / or multidisciplinary projects.
• Have both the ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as experience of effective project team management.
• Have a positive outlook and enjoy working with people.
• Have excellent IT, social research and report writing skills and have ability to produce and access information efficiently and accurately.
• Demonstrate organisational development and / or people management experience.
• Have strong IT skills including expertise in remote working technologies pertaining to meetings and events. An openness to upskilling as required.
• Experience of managing projects within the context of best practice in Community Development.
• Experience of community development and community engagement.
• Have ability to advise, inform, motivate, and support individuals and organisations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Community Development Support Officer shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to employment and as may be appropriate to any function of the Community Development Section and shall carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties.

The duties will include but are not limited to:

• Provide support to the Community Development Officer.
• Engage and consult with Community and Voluntary organisations to identify needs and priorities.
• Engage with Municipal District Offices, Town Teams and Local Development Company to address needs and priorities.
• Develop Community Plans and prepare project briefs to address needs to facilitate applications for funding.
• Prepare and submit applications for funding.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships at all levels between the local authority, local development bodies and voluntary/community groups by the provision of advice and information.
• Work as part of a team of staff within the Community Section of Monaghan County Council and with other Council departments.
• Work effectively in partnership with relevant internal and external stakeholders to meet the objectives of the annual community development plan.
• Support project development, management capacity and Best Practice Governance in a community development context.

 The duties of the office may involve activity outside normal working hours. Time off in lieu will be granted at the convenience of the Council in respect of extra hours worked.

 Any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of the Community Development Support Officer and may be subject to change in the future.The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate officer or such designated officer as may be assigned from time to time by Monaghan County Council.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

Each candidate shall 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, Training and Experience

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

(i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary level, in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and

(b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics), or

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination or,

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

Essential Requirements:

It is essential for each candidate to have: -

• Have a minimum of two years’ experience in community development work.
• Have experience of delivering communications, presentations and facilitating meetings, both in person and online.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively with community groups/organisations, management, elected members, and staff and handle difficult situations with tact and good judgement.
• Have an excellent working knowledge of relevant administrative IT programmes including, word processing and experience of communicating through social media.

Desirable Requirements

• A third level qualification (at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in Community Development or Social Science.
• A background/experience in educational, social or community development work.
• Have experience in facilitation, consultation and networking effectively with different organisations.
• Have experience of research, evaluation and monitoring projects and good report writing skills.
• Have a strategic approach to the development and implementation of community development and social inclusion.

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. Oversees qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are outlined in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Essential Requirements

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Have a minimum of two years’ experience in community development work
• Have a clear understanding of the role, and the service delivered by the Community Development Team.
• Relevant administrative experience
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the structure, functions, and key challenges of local government/Monaghan County Council
• Knowledge of the Local Economic & Community Plan.
• Experience of community engagement
• Have an excellent working knowledge of relevant administrative IT programmes including, word processing and experience of communicating through social media.

Delivering Results

• Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively.
• Make timely, informed, and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.
• Develop Community Plans and prepare project briefs to address needs to facilitate applications for funding.
• Working effectively in partnership with relevant internal and external stakeholders to deliver the objectives set out in the annual community development plan.
• Have effective written and verbal skills.

Performance through People and Communicating Effectively

• Have a creative and collaborative approach to problem solving and working with others to reach a solution
• Have the ability to handle conflict.
• Demonstrates ability to support the line manager and work as part of a team.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Recognises the value of and requirement to communicate effectively.
• Influences others effectively to get support and commitment to proposals or suggestions.

Personal Effectiveness

• Is enthusiastic about the role and motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles
• Remains calm under pressure and can manage the delivery of several tasks/projects concurrently.
• Manages their time effectively, focusing on essential tasks and responsibilities.
• Is open to take on new challenges or responsibilities.
• Is honest and trustworthy in all dealings.

The Competition

Monaghan County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel for the post of Community Development Support Officer (Specific Purpose Contract). The post(s) shall be wholetime, temporary and pensionable.

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority, or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his/her duties as a local authority employee.

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Starting pay for new entrants will be at 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 office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

The salary scale for the post is: -

€50,206, - €51,705 – €53,236 – €54,799 – €56,374 – LSI 1 €58,209 – LSI 2 €60,051

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: -

(a)              there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, during which such person shall hold such position on probation;

(b)             such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

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

Hours of Duty:

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Superannuation:

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

Superannuation contributions

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the 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).

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 their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Widows & Orphans/Spouses & Childre’s scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Spouses 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.

New entrants from 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pensionable remuneration; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory.

Retirement:

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 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection

The successful candidate(s) will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures and will be required to complete Appendix V of the County Council’s Child Protection Policy.

Residence

The successful candidate(s) shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Training

Successful candidates will be required to attend and participate in training programmes as may be decided by the local authority from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their working activities. The successful candidate for this post shall undertake specific training in the area of catchment science and management and farm inspection skills.

Driver’s Licence

The holder of the post shall hold a current full clean driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving License. The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport in the course of their duties and maintain the vehicle to the satisfaction of the local authority. Monaghan County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on the insurance policy.

Offer of appointment

Monaghan County Council shall require any person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month from the date on which the offer is made. If he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint him/her.

References

All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references.