Community Development Project Officers
Role focuses on reducing social exclusion and promoting participation among disadvantaged and marginalised communities
Core CompetenciesEssential Job Title:Community Development Project Officers X 2Reporting To:Assistant Community Development ManagerEmployer:Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC)Main Purpose of Role:
The Community Development Project Officer will play a key role within the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Goal 1 Empowering Disadvantaged Communities team - implementing actions under SICAP Goal 1. They will engage with community groups and representatives on a one-to-one and committee basis, providing advice, guidance, mentoring, development supports, and facilitated workshops/training.
The role focuses on reducing social exclusion and promoting participation among disadvantaged and marginalised communities. They will work with all SICAP target groups including New Arrivals, International Protection Applicants (IPA), and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). The role aims to empower individuals and communities, enhance social inclusion, and promote active participation, integration, and engagement within the community.
The position prioritises inclusion and integration, ensuring that supports, services, and community engagement align with SICAP objectives. The Officer will consistently demonstrate DLDC's values of respect, community, collaboration, inclusion, and integrity in all interactions with colleagues, clients, and partner organisations.
SALARY:Project Officer entry salary €36,000Conditions of Work:
1. One Project officer will be based in Donegal Town and one will be based in the Gaeltacht, each providing supports and services to communities in the catchment area.
2. A probationary period of 6 months will apply and performance and supports will be discussed and reviewed formally as part ongoing one -to-ones.
3. This is a fixed-term, full-time position (35 hours per week) subject to New Arrivals funding until 31/12/2026.
4. Benefits include: Eligibility for a 6% employer-contributed pension scheme; 25 days annual leave & other leave options; Flexible working arrangements are available; Hybrid working arrangements may be requested upon completion of probation; Travel and subsistence allowance; Learning and development opportunities; Employee Assistance Programme
Main Duties
You will be required to...
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Key Responsibilities
5. Lead and coordinate initiatives aimed at addressing social exclusion and inequality, working collaboratively with service providers and stakeholders to design and implement solutions.
6. Use a community development approach to target and engage with disadvantaged groups and individuals to identify needs and barriers to participation.
7. Support the development of community-based initiatives and programmes that promote inclusion, participation, and social cohesion.
8. Utilise a project management approach to engage with marginalised communities and ensure the effective delivery of services aligned with community development goals.
9. Assist in the identification, development and promotion of projects and initiatives and to develop actions that target the needs of area based and issue based groups in addressing social exclusion, inequality and poverty. This will include the identification and assessment of the needs of groups and their representatives with a view to progression along the structured path of community development matrix.
10. Assist in the identification, development and promotion of projects and initiatives and to develop actions in addressing climate action. This will include the identification and assessment of the needs of communities with a view to promoting local positive change.
11. Liaise directly with a wide range of stakeholders and organisations in the statutory, community and voluntary sector to develop actions and initiatives that target the needs of area based and issue based groups.
12. Provide/organise facilitated development/training workshops in response to the needs of Local Community Groups in disadvantaged communities & to design as appropriate, material for use in customised development or training initiatives.
13. Provide a combination of services to Community groups to include group development, sharing best-practice, research assistance and information supports, support in the management and coordination of activities, supporting groups through different stages of development, mentoring and making groups aware of their equality and other social inclusion responsibilities.
14. Provide guidance, learning and support with applications on funding available through SICAP and other programmes and agencies
15. Proactively promote the SICAP strategy throughout the catchment area, through a variety of media including information sessions, local media, outreach, site visits etc.
16. Manage a caseload efficiently and effectively in line with good governance and established company and funders procedures and guidelines.
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Report Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation
17. Provide oral and written reports to your line manager, and relevant Steering Groups and the Board on progress and issues of relevance.
18. Maintain up to date records on the Pobal IRIS monitoring system.
19. Ensure files are set-up to monitor community based activities & ensure all necessary documentation is on file for all actions;
20. Ensure that documentation and files are maintained for the use of the Finance and Administration team and for inspection by the Company Auditors, LCDC, Pobal and other relevant monitoring bodies.
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Policy, Networking and Funding
21. Keep up to date with national policies and their potential impact on the SICAP and associated projects.
22. Keep up to date with relevant regional and national developments through networking as appropriate.
23. To participate in both internal and external working groups as are relevant to the Community Development Department/DLDC.
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Miscellaneous
24. Carry out administrative duties as required.
25. Be willing to work evenings and/or weekends as required.
26. Flexibility to take on additional duties as and when required.
27. This list of job duties is not exhaustive and may be amended in order that all role duties are fulfilled.
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Knowledge of Innovative
Community Supports
The officer will have at least three years' relevant community experience. They will be required to demonstrate detailed knowledge and experience of working in the area of community development, be committed to integrating equality, social inclusion and anti-poverty principles into Community Development practice. They will have an understanding of Local Development and Partnership Companies in Ireland and their target groups.
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Interpersonal & Liaison Skills
The Officer will be required to be able to liaise effectively and efficiently with groups and agencies providing services to local community groups and social enterprise. The Officer will be required to act as a positive and contributing member of the wider staff team within DLDC.
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Project Management SkillsThey must clearly demonstrate experience of organising, managing and prioritising own workload. Strong administration together with a good working knowledge of the standard suite of business- related software and IT packages is required.
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Motivation & report writingThe Officer will be required to be a flexible, motivated self-starter who can communicate effectively. They will work well as part of a team and also on their own initiative. They will have good report writing and presentation skills.
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Communication Skills
The Officer will have experience of forming good working relationships with organisations and communities, combined with excellent communication and listening skills. They have strong communications skills; excellent verbal and written abilities.
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Qualifications/ExperienceA recognised and relevant Third Level qualification and / OR previous working experience of Community Development this includes demonstrated knowledge and experience of working in the area of community development, along with a commitment to integrating principles of equality, social inclusion, and anti-poverty measures into community development practice.
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'Other'A clean, current driving license with access to own mode of transport is required to service clients. Permission to work in Ireland. Core CompetenciesDesirable
28. Ability to communicate in Irish is advantageous.
29. Experience of group facilitation & training.
30. External experience on community based committees/boards et al.
31. Experience in the area of environmental awareness and climate action.
32. Experience of social inclusion or working with new community groups.
DLDC reserves the right to enhance criteria, dependent on the responses received to the advertisement.
A panel may be formed from this recruitment process.