Project Officer (Communications) – RISE PEACEPLUS Project
Organisation: Irish Rural Link (IRL)
Location: Blended working (office and remote, with travel required across Northern Ireland and the border counties)
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: € (dependent on experience and qualifications)
About the RISE PEACEPLUS Project
The RISE Project (Rural Innovation & Social Enterprise) aims to unlock the potential of rural innovation and social enterprise within Northern Ireland and the border counties and is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Explicitly rural in focus, and with collaboration at its heart, the project is delivered through a multi-stakeholder partnership: Rural Action (Lead), Irish Rural Link (IRL), Social Enterprise Academy Scotland (SEA), Social Enterprise NI (SENI) and associate partner Community Finance Ireland (CFI).
RISE will create opportunities for rural communities, schools, and youth organisations on both sides of the border – from diverse backgrounds (Unionist, Nationalist, Other, and New) – to work together on the shared challenge of rural sustainability.
It will build conditions for collaboration, peace, and prosperity through the opportunities social enterprise provides.
Role: Project Officer
Irish Rural Link is seeking a motivated Project Officer to support the delivery of the RISE PEACEPLUS project.
The successful candidate will work directly with rural communities and organisations to build capacity, foster innovation, and strengthen the role of social enterprise in sustaining vibrant rural areas.
Key Responsibilities
Promote awareness of the project and animate rural communities.
Build and sustain relationships at community level.
Promote awareness and animate schools/youth organisations
Build relationships, match schools/youth organisations and provide mentoring support on a cross border and cross community basis
Maintain cross border and cross community links through the development of events/study visits for participating schools/youth organisations
Act as communication lead in the implementation of a single Comms Plan for the overall project
Support the delivery of training, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives for volunteers.
Manage the Making it Happen Enabling Support mechanism.
Assist with the identification and coordination of study visits and cluster events.
Provide accurate and timely project information to the Project Manager, Project Steering Group, M&E, and Finance Officers.
Support good governance, compliance, GDPR, and best practices in administration and reporting.
Carry out other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.
Candidate Requirements
Strong alignment with Irish Rural Link's core values: a strong work ethic, commitment to the rural agenda, effective strategy implementation, and excellent communication.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong IT skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes.
Proven Experience in Community Development, Education and Training or Social Enterprise Roles
Strong Networking Skills
Proven project management and organisational skills.
Ability to work independently, on own initiative, and to agreed weekly targets.
Strong team player with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
Experience in developing and managing social media feeds.
Full clean driving licence with access to own vehicle.
Flexibility to work some unsociable hours when required.
Commitment to good governance, GDPR compliance, and workplace health and safety.
What We Offer
Starting salary: € (depending on experience and qualifications).
A blended working environment (remote and office-based).
Opportunities for internal and external training relevant to the role.
The chance to work with a passionate, collaborative team on a cross-border peacebuilding initiative.
Application Process
Application Deadline: The role is available for an immediate start.
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV outlining your skills and experience in relation to the role to:
Please quote
"Project Officer"
in the subject line.
For queries about the role, contact:
This post issupported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Clara Road, Moate, CO.
Westmeath