Rathmullan the Way Forward is currently seeking to employ a Project Co-ordinator.
About the Role
The successful candidate will lead the implementation of an innovative new 18-month partnership project between Rathmullan the Way Forward CLG, a community organisation based in Rathmullan in County Donegal, and Enterprise Causeway a community organisation which is based in Coleraine in Northern Ireland.
This is a new partnership. The partners have come together to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration between similarly focused regeneration, development and social enterprise groups north and south. The project designed is a ‘Social Innovation Project’ called the ‘Coasts, Hills and Glens – Connecting Communities’ project which as the name suggests will connect the representatives of villages, rural and coastal communities north and south across the identified communities. The project is being supported by the International Fund for Ireland under the Communities in Partnership Programme (CIPP) and fits with that programme’s themes of ‘Community Innovation’ and ‘creating the conditions necessary for the development of social enterprise and innovation’ for participating groups.
Employer: Rathmullan the Way Forward CLG
Rathmullan the Way Forward (RTWF) is a Community Company Limited by Guarantee (640047) and a Registered Charity (20205433), based in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. Our group was set-up by a group of local residents who share the view that the interests of a small, coastal and rural village like Rathmullan, can be best met through a ‘whole of village’ approach to community development and regeneration. We have 75 resident members, and our interests span a wide range of development projects, initiatives and regeneration priorities within the village. We act as a unified and representative voice for residents, working in the collective and shared interests of all local residents. We also take a lead on innovative community development and regeneration projects, that are designed to enhance the village. Examples of our achievements to date have seen us partner with Donegal County Council to install and upkeep much needed facilities i.e., toilet and shower facilities at the pier in the village. We also accessed funding through the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for an innovative project to improve the accessibility of the historic ‘Napoleonic Battery site’ on the shorefront with plans to transform the heritage building in the future. We are also currently joint applicants with Donegal County Council on the ‘Rathmullan (Community & Heritage) Regeneration Project’ which will see us seek to access significant capital funding for the regeneration of Rathmullan through the Irish Governments ‘Rural Regeneration and Development Fund’. This project has the potential to transform the community infrastructure at sites right across the village. As part of that project, concept plans are in development for a new ‘Community and Digital Hub’ on an opportunity site in the heart of the village. We are also active in organising an annual series of community events and activities that create new connections between residents and visitors. We are recognised by other development groups in Donegal as leaders in ‘Social Innovation.’
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The project is called the ‘Coasts, Hills and Glens – Connecting Communities’ project.
The key duties and responsibilities of the ‘Project Coordinator’ role will include:
1). Cross-border social innovation showcase events.
- Working with partners to coordinate social innovation ‘showcase events’ in Donegal and the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
- Building connections with groups, social enterprises, guest speakers.
- Supporting groups to prepare and lead presentations about their innovative regeneration and development projects.
- Promoting the events to a wider audience of community groups, development projects, social enterprises, partner organisations and agencies.
- Coordinating pre and post event publicity through a variety of paid-for-advertising and local media channels i.e., radio, press adverts, social media.
2). Cross-border social innovation practice visits
- Working with partners to coordinate a series of ‘social innovation’ best-practice visits.
- Building connections in the community to facilitate visits to community centres and facilities, development projects, regeneration and development sites and social enterprises in Donegal, the Causeway Coast and Glens area and the border region.
- Coordinating planned/structured day tours (full-day itinerary) to sites that align to different development themes and interests.
- Planning and coordinating an educational visit by the project partners to a ‘community hub’ identified as a centre of excellence.
3). Cross- border ‘social innovation’ programme
- Working with partners to set-up and coordinate a cross-border social innovation development programme for the benefit of groups participating in the project.
- Recruiting a cross-border mentor support panel to work with groups.
- Assigning mentors to group(s) to support them to work through specific identified development challenges.
- Working with partners and a contracted training provider to coordinate a cross-border training and development programme.
- Liaising with trainers/facilitators to coordinate in-person cross-border training sessions at suitable dates, times, in suitable venues/locations.
4). Identifying and matching development groups on each side of the border
- Identifying opportunities to match and connect social innovation groups within villages and rural areas north and south i.e., community groups that share similar development interests and challenges.
- Supporting the committees of groups north and south to meet and work together on joint projects.
- Identifying a number of small scale cross-border and cross-community projects that connect people from community areas on each side of the border.
- Enhancing opportunities for the residents within villages on each side of the border to jointly plan, organise and coordinate cross-border activities / events / social innovation projects.
5). Project finance, administration and reporting
- Managing and administering all finances associated with the cross-border project.
- Preparing grant claims for submission to the funder.
- Liaising with representatives of the funder throughout the duration of the project.
- Preparing and submitting timely financial and progress reports to the funder.
- Supporting the committee to organise quarterly cross-border progress meetings between the project partners.
6). Supporting the ongoing development work of Rathmullan the Way Forward CLG
- Supporting the committee of Rathmullan the Way Forward to advance its development objectives.
- Supporting works associated with advancing the Rathmullan (Community and Heritage) Regeneration Project.
- Supporting the committee to coordinate an annual events programme that benefits the community and visitors to the area.
- Other duties as may be assigned by the committee of Rathmullan the Way Forward.
Person Specification
- Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a community work or development role.
- Experience of organising and managing community events.
- Experience of supporting communities and volunteers with development work.
- Experience of coordinating community training and/or development programmes.
- Experience of connecting with and building a network of contacts across the community and voluntary sector.
- Experience of managing grant funding and preparing financial claims for funding.
- Experience of liaising with and reporting to funders.
- Experience of working on own initiative to implement innovative community projects.
- Access to a form of transport to full-fill the duties of the role (travel costs reimbursed).
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience gained in a social enterprise development role.
- Previous experience of cross-border and cross-community work.
- Experience gained working in a ‘good relations’ or ‘peace development’ context.
- Experience gained working in the area of ‘community regeneration’ or a related field.
- A flexible approach to working in line with the development needs of a voluntary group.
To apply for the role
To apply please submit a CV and Cover letter by email to
rathmullanthewayforward@gmail.com
Clearly outline your suitability for the role.
Apply by the closing date and time as referenced.
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