Project Support Officer

Job Overview

Reporting to the Social Farming and Innovation Programme Manager, this individual will play an integral role in the delivery of social innovation projects.

The day-to-day activities of the role will be effectively split into two areas:

1. Plough on Project
2. Social Innovation Projects

Plough On Support

Plough On is a five-year project which provides support for older and vulnerable farmers across Northern Ireland. The role-holder is responsible for supporting the Co-Ordinator in the delivery of Plough On to ensure that we deliver the highest quality services to those we work with on a collaborative basis and for our service users.

Responsibilities will include:

• Provide clerical and administrative support to the Plough on Project Co-ordinator in all areas of set-up, delivery, reporting, and evaluation.
• Fulfil clerical and administrative duties as required.
• Assist in event organisation.
• Complete evaluation or reporting duties.
• Assist in the promotion planning and activities of the Plough On project.
• Deputising for the Plough on Project Co-ordinator when required.

Social Innovation Projects Support

In this aspect of the post, the role-holder will support several social innovation projects.

These will include:

Provide clerical and administrative support to the Co-Ordinators and Programme Manager in all areas of set-up, delivery, reporting, and evaluation.

• Fulfil clerical and administrative duties as required.
• Assist in event organisation.
• Complete evaluation or reporting duties.
• Assist in the promotion planning and activities for social innovation projects.
• Deputising for the Social Farming Support Service Co-Ordinator when required.

Promotion and Administration

• Provide regular quantitative and qualitative reports.
• Build and develop good working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Represent Rural Support at workshops/events and in relevant stakeholder forums where required.
• Develop and maintain appropriate record keeping systems in compliance with all statutory requirements and statutory obligations.
• Ensure timely updates and reports to the Programme Manager for Board and other meetings.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide support in relation to activities that require in the input of all Rural Support staff.
• Maintain own professional standards and commit to professional self-development as necessary for successful delivery of the post.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required, consistent with the nature and grade of the post.

Expectations of Role

• Believe in the value of social innovation and support its development by Rural Support.
• Plan own day-to-day activity with direction from the Programme Manager on priority areas.
• Act as a team player within Rural Support including assisting in team activities when needed in support of the organisation’s goals.

Team Working Team working is an essential component of this post.

Other Duties On occasion the role-holder may be asked to represent the organisation at events and meetings. They are expected to have high level presentation skills, a high level of professionalism and expertise and to be able to engage with a wide range of people and bodies.

Supervision Received the Project Support Officer will be line managed by the Social Farming and Innovation Programme Manager. However, the post-holder will be expected to display a significant degree of personal initiative within their role.

Safeguarding and Sensitivity The post-holder will be expected to maintain relationships with a wide range of bodies and individuals and to work with vulnerable people on a range of potentially sensitive issues. They will be expected to follow best practice in terms of safeguarding and to adhere to the letter and spirit of all Rural Support policies and processes.

The post-holder may be involved in project meetings and engage with participants. Due to the nature of the work which may involve specific contact with vulnerable adults and children, an Enhanced Disclosure Access NI check will be undertaken on the post-holder prior to appointment.

Governance The post-holder must maintain information securely ensuring that it complies with the Data Protection Act including GDPR and internal policies and procedures.

Values The post-holder must uphold the Rural Support team values.

Other Considerations

• Due to the nature of this work, it is anticipated that the substantial proportion of the work will be done during office hours, though it will also be necessary to be available for evenings and weekends on an occasional and planned basis. A time off in lieu system will operate.
• The postholder will be entitled to 22 days annual leave each year (and any cumulative service addition) in addition to statutory holidays.
• The post holder will be required to have access to the use of a car and a full current clean driving licence.

This job description is neither definitive nor restrictive and may change to meet the needs of Rural Support.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Project Support Officer – Rural Support

Experience and Education

Essential

Desirable

Third level qualification and a minimum of 12 months’ recent paid work experience (recent means in the past five years) in a project officer role or an administrative capacity to meet targets and outputs.

OR

A minimum of 2 A levels (or equivalent) and 5 GCSEs at grades A-C including English and Maths and 3 years’ recent paid work experience (recent means in the past 5 years) in a project officer role or an administrative capacity to meet targets and outputs.

• Project administration experience.
• Experience working with disadvantaged communities.
• Experience working in a paid or voluntary capacity in the charitable sector.
• Relevant experience in a role related to social inclusion/innovation, health and social care, or rural development.

Understanding of challenges experienced by farm families and individuals who could benefit from social innovation projects.

Understanding of rural issues and relevant support agencies.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Excellent administrative skills evidenced by a minimum of 12 months’ recent experience in a work setting (recent means in the past 5-year period).

Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing as evidenced by a minimum of 12 months’ recent experience in a work setting (recent means in the past 5-year period).

Excellent IT skills evidenced by a minimum of 12 months’ experience using Microsoft Office packages including specific experience developing PowerPoint presentations; Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Excel.

Work experience in report writing for business purposes.

Able to work as part of a staff team as demonstrated by specific examples in a work setting.

Experience working in a marketing or promotional capacity in a paid work environment.

Good networking skills and relationship building ability.

Additional Matters

Flexible approach to working with a willingness to work outside core hours, as necessary. Access to a car for business purposes.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements with two days per week working from home.

Two Wellbeing days per year, in addition to annual leave

Cash Health Plan