Development Officer

Community Convention and Development Company Limited

331-333 Shankill Road Belfast BT12 6HY

31 May 2005

Nichola Matthews

Nichola@comcon.org.uk

028 9033 1461

In recognition of the particular problems facing some Protestant / Unionist / Loyalist communities, urban and rural, the newly formed Community Convention and Development Company Ltd has received funding, from the Voluntary and Community Unit of the Department of Social Development, to build on the model of the Greater Shankill Community Convention (2002 and 2004) by organising a further three pilot Conventions over the next 18 months and to detail and produce recommendations for government arising from each pilot Convention.

The Conventions are seen as a step in the longer term process to develop, empower and transform local Protestant / Unionist / Loyalist communities.

The Company is seeking to second a suitably qualified individual to the position of Development Officer for the period up to 31 December 2006. This would be a valuable and challenging opportunity enabling you to enhance your personal skills set and contribute in new ways to your organisation on your return.

The role:

The Development Officer is responsible to the Executive Director and, working as part of a four member staff team, will develop and deliver three pilot Community Conventions. This will involve working in full partnership with local area committees in the organisation of the Conventions and facilitating the implementation of these. Furthermore, the Development Officer will facilitate and support thematic working groups and liaise with the governmental Roundtable.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they satisfy all of the following essential criteria:

1. A minimum of two years paid experience or four years unpaid experience within the last seven years relating to the community / voluntary sector (in a rural and/or urban context).
2. A minimum of two years experience within the last five years of delivering time bound projects and programmes within budget.
3. Demonstrable experience of event development and management.
4. Demonstrable experience of report writing for a range of audiences.
5. Access to a form of transport which will permit the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.
6. Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills in order to maintain and sustain the wide range of contacts which are a necessary part of the Company's work.
7. Ability to relate to and work with political and community representatives and church leaders to agree the overall content of the Conventions.
8. Ability to communicate effectively and develop networks to create, maintain and enhance working relationships with a diverse range of individuals and organisations.
9. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of relevant government policy and an understanding of political, social and economic developments facing disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland, particularly in urban and/or rural protestant communities.
10. Ability to plan and manage work to achieve results, focusing on priorities and objectives with a clear sense of direction.
11. Demonstrable experience of working as part of a small team to tight deadlines.

SHORTLIST:

The essential criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. A shortlist will be prepared on the basis of information submitted on the application form and only the most suitable candidates will be called for interview. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application form how and to what extent they satisfy each criterion specified.

All applications MUST be accompanied with confirmation in writing that Line Management is willing to release the candidate should they be successful. CC&DC Ltd is an equal opportunites employer.

It is intended that interviews for the post will be held in early / mid June 2005.