Senior Development Officer

Social Economy Agency

Rathmor Centre Creggan Derry BT48 OLZ

16 Mar 2007

Elaine Morrison

elaine@socialeconomyagency.org

028 7137 1733

IMPART ( Improving and Measuring Peace and Reconciliation Together) is a one year pilot project aimed at building the capacity of third sector organisations in Northern Ireland and the Border counties with regard to measuring their social impact and performance with particular emphasis to contribution to Peace and Reconciliation.

The project has will be managed through a new cross border partnership of Social Economy Agency(NI), Social Economy Solutions (ROI) and Treskele. SEA is the lead partner for the project. The project is funded through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II Extension) measure 5.4 and administered by the Community Foundation NI.

The project partnership now wishes to recruit a Senior Development Officer to take forward the project.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates. Applicants should have the following

1. A third level qualification in a relevant field (social, community development or community enterprise) plus 3 years relevant experience in the Community & Voluntary sector/ Third Sector/ Social Economy OR 5 years relevant experience in the Community & Voluntary sector/ Third Sector/ Social Economy.
2. Strong research skills- quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
3. Specialist knowledge and experience related to monitoring and evaluation of community based organisations and projects, especially outcome/impact measurement.
4. Specific experience and skills related to Peace & Reconciliation/Community Relations/Good Relations projects/organisations.
5. A strong skill set related to participatory approaches to monitoring, evaluation and research.

Salary £28,221 plus 8.5% pension (NJC scale Principal Officer 2- Pt 36)

The job location will be at the Derry Office of SEA or the Monaghan office of SES(ROI). Working from a home base may also be considered.

For a job description, detailed person specification and an application form please contact

Elaine Morrison
Social Economy Agency
Rathmor Centre
Creggan
Derry BT48 OLZ

028 7137 1733
elaine@socialeconomyagency.org

Completed applications should be returned by 5.00 pm on Friday 16 March 2007

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTING TO:Manager, SEA

SALARY: £28,221 + 8.5% pension, one year fixed term contract NJC scale Principal Officer 2, (Point 36)

LOCATION:Derry office of SEA, or Monaghan Office of SES (ROI) or homed based as appropriate and by agreement

BACKGROUND TO IMPART:

The project has been designed by and will be managed through a new cross border partnership of Social Economy Agency(NI), Social Economy Solutions (ROI) and Treskele. SEA is the lead partner for the project. Associate Partners are UK Social Audit Network and New Economics Foundation. The project is funded through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II Extension) measure 5.4.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF JOB:

The overall aim of the project is stated as: To contribute to the knowledge, skills, resources and support of intermediary support and third sector organisations and institutions in Northern Ireland and the border counties with regard to proving and improving social impact and performance, with a particular emphasis on understanding contribution to Peace and Reconciliation.

In support of this objective, three contributory objectives have been set

1. Through the use of participatory methodologies, to identify and address the needs of intermediary support and third sector organisations in Northern Ireland and the Border counties, with regard to proving and improving social impact, particularly impact on Peace and Reconciliation.
2. To effectively disseminate trans-national learning and innovation from GB, NI and ROI regarding skills and knowledge of quality and impact measurement (e.g. Social accounting and Audit Manual of the UK Social Audit Network, New Economic Foundation/Social Enterprise Partnership Quality and Impact Project).
3. To contribute to the body of knowledge with regard to the measurement of contribution to Peace and Reconciliation outcomes of organisations, projects and initiatives in Northern Ireland and the border counties.

IMPART is a cross border project and participants may be drawn from and the project implemented across the six counties of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Republic of Ireland (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth) commensurate with the budgetary constraints of the project. IMPART will use a participatory approach to all activities.

The post of Senior Development Officer will be the sole full time project officer for IMPART.

The post holder will be supported by the Manager of SEA and the Financial Coordinator SEA and will liaise with other members of other company project teams. Overall, if fully implemented the project will result in the achievement of the following outputs and outcomes.

Outputs

1. 1 cross-border project supported (1.33% of measure objective).
2. 30 participants in cross-border activity (0.58% of measure objective).
3. 1 cross-border partnership established (10% of measure objective).
4. 6 Participatory Workshops completed.
5. 1 cross-border research project focused on promoting innovative practice regarding quality and impact tools (20% of measure objective).
6. 1 cross border research project on approaches to Peace & Reconciliation.
7. 1 social accounting training programme completed for 15 organisations.

Outcomes

1. 75% of participating organisations using or transferring to others the skills and tools re quality and impact as a result of IMPART project, including skills and tools for measuring Peace and Reconciliation.
2. Minimum of 6 participating organisations with action plan to implement social accounting in their organisations.
3. Body of Knowledge on measurement of contribution to Peace and Reconciliation improved/added to IMPART project staff fully up skilled in Quality and Impact.
4. Skilled Cross Border human resource /capital for Quality and Impact expanded/improved.
5. Existing body of knowledge and practitioners on understanding and measurement of Peace and Reconciliation/Community Relations improved/added to.
6. Current research/tools in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland on measuring social and community impact ( e.g. SROI, Social Capital, SPEAK) further disseminated.
7. 1 cross-border partnership still in existence after 2 years (12.5% of measure objective).
8. Increased cross-border mobility for social, cultural and economic reasons.
9. Dissemination of good practice to inform policy and practice.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To develop and operationalise all project activities and outputs as per the project documents and Letter of Offer in collaboration with project partners and other stakeholders.
2. To directly deliver, as appropriate, the required project activities and outputs: training, research, research reports, participatory workshops, evaluations etc.
3. To organise and support delivery of project activity of associates and sub contractors as required.
4. Design and implement appropriate monitoring systems and procedures to help assess project progress, including systems to capture learning regarding project outcomes and impact.
5. To fulfil all monitoring and progress reporting requirements of funders.
6. To work with and support other pieces of research into the impact of Peace & Reconciliation work, particularly that to be commissioned by Special EU Programmes Body.
7. To report regularly to the Manager, SEA and participate in company team meetings.
8. To manage the project budget in liaison with the Financial Coordinator, SEA.
9. To promote the IMPART project to satisfy the participant recruitment requirements of the project and requirements of funder.
10. Pro-actively monitor and engage with third sector and social enterprise developments in NI and ROI at policy and practice levels, particularly regarding social impact measurement and performance.
11. Support any external evaluations commissioned by funders.
12. Carry out any other activity as assigned by the Manager SEA.

Continuous Professional Development

Take individual responsibility for Continuous Professional Development and ensure that knowledge and skills are updated and relevant.

Note: This job description is an outline for the post as currently perceived. The requirements may change as the project is implemented or as circumstances dictate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS/ATTAINMENTS

1. Third level qualification in a relevant field (social, community development or community enterprise) and 3 years relevant experience in Community & Voluntary sector/Third Sector/Social Economy OR
2. 5 years relevant and practical experience in the community & voluntary/ Third Sector/ social economy sectors Post graduate qualification in social research methods/ monitoring and evaluation.

RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE/ EXPERIENCE

Essential

1. At least 3 yrs experience in a project development role in a community /third sector/social economy setting.
2. Project financial planning and management.
3. Development, implementation and maintenance of Project Information/ monitoring systems.
4. Experience in social /policy research.
5. General research skills- quantitative and qualitative data collection.
6. EU funding and monitoring procedures.
7. Design and delivery of training activities.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of policy & practice relevant to the Community & Voluntary and social economy sectors.
2. Irish Cross border work.

SPECIALIST SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE

Essential

1. Specialist knowledge and experience related to monitoring and evaluation of community based organisations and projects, especially outcome/impact measurement.
2. Specific experience and skills related to Peace & Reconciliation/Community Relations/Good Relations projects/organisations.
3. A strong skill set related to participatory approaches to monitoring, evaluation and research.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of social auditing/ accounting methodologies.
2. Use of Quality systems for community based organisations eg PQASSO.
3. Knowledge of social capital, indicators for social capital.
4. Peace & Reconciliation /conflict impact assessment.

PERSONAL SKILLS

Essential

1. Strong interpersonal skills.
2. Strong analytical and research skills.
3. Ability to write clearly and concisely and deliver reports/documents to a high standard.
4. Understanding of organisational development processes.
5. Excellent communication skills and ability to motivate people.
6. Fully skilled in Computer and ITC in the work environment.
7. Good negotiation and influencing, networking skills.

DISPOSITION

1. Enthusiastic.
2. Self motivated and proactive approach.
3. Dependable.
4. Commitment to quality and cooperative and community values.
5. Sensitive to cross community issues and minority groups.

CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Full current driving licence & access to a car for work.
2. Flexible regarding travel and hours required to work.