Vacancy: Project Manager and Lead Facilitator (Ref. SCD 01)

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1. BACKGROUND

Countryside Services Ltd (CSL) is a wholly owned commercially independent subsidiary of the Ulster Farmers Union, and has been in operation since 1998 to provide a range of information, commercial and professional services to the farming and rural community.

In 2008, CSL joined with Ai Services (NI) Ltd and The Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC) to submit a consortium bid to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) for delivery of five measures/sub measures within the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP).

This consortium was successful in winning the tender to deliver the five measures/ sub-measures during the period of the NIRDP which runs from 2009 to 2015 with the final 2 years being a run-down period. The five measures/sub measures involved in this contract are - Focus Farms, Benchmarking, Family Farm Options, Farm Modernisation, and Supply Chain Development.

CSL, the lead partner within the consortium, is responsible for delivery of the Supply Chain Development and Farm Modernisation measures as well as the Agricultural Business Mentoring element of the Farm Family Options sub measure, on behalf of the consortium.

2. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

JOB TITLE: Project Manager and Lead Facilitator (Supply Chain Development)

KEY PURPOSE: To lead the delivery of the Supply Chain Development scheme of the NIRDP, including project and financial control and management of a team of self-employed Facilitators responsible for delivery.

REPORTS TO: Director of Rural Services, Countryside Services Ltd.

MANAGES: Senior Administrator and team of approximately 15-20 Facilitators.

3. TERMS and CONDITIONS

LOCATION: Countryside Services Ltd, Moy Road, Dungannon.

CONTRACT DURATION: Full time to 30th September 2013 (With possible extension to Dec 2014).

HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours per week. Evening work may be required from time to time to meet project delivery requirements.

SALARY SCALE: A basic salary in the range £31,631 to £39,115. Starting position on the pay scale is dependent on experience and qualifications.

TRAVEL EXPENSES: Reasonable travel expenses are paid according to a standard CSL staff rate.

PENSION: Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme upon the successful completion of their probationary period.

SICKNESS/ABSENCE: You will be paid sick pay according to the rules and regulations of the Company's Sick Pay Scheme and the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) subject to compliance with the Company's Sickness/Absence Notification Procedure as set out in The Employee Handbook.

The Company reserves the right to require you to be examined by a Company nominated doctor, as it considers necessary.

NOTICE PERIOD: After one month's service, you will be required to give two month's notice in writing of your intention to terminate your employment

4. PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Project Management

  • Overall management responsibility for delivery, monitoring and reporting on all aspects of the Supply Chain Development measure, in accordance with procedures agreed with the Contract Team.
  • Liaison with DARD Rural Development Division (RDD) and Supply Chain Branch (SCB) in respect of the delivery of the measure.
  • Line management responsibility for the SCD Senior Administrator.
  • Promotion and Publicity of the measure with linkages to the overall Contract and DARD Communications and Promotion Strategies.
  • Ensuring that the Project Team provides timely Co-operation Support; Training and Business Tools as required by the Facilitators/group enterprises.
  • Work with DARD RDD and SCB to develop the content and schedule of SCD Feeder Programme seminars / workshops.
  • Arrange Study Tours in line with the needs of the groups/enterprises.

(b) Facilitation and leadership of the Facilitator Team

  • Facilitating a sample of SCD groups.
  • Determining the competence mix requirements of the Facilitator Team.
  • Assigning Facilitators and Specialist Mentors to groups/enterprises.
  • Quality assurance of the work of the Facilitators and Specialist Mentors.
  • Providing training and support to Facilitators as required.
  • Leading regular Facilitator Team meetings.
  • Arranging and leading the "SCD Feeder Programme" sessions.

(c) Other duties

As part of a small management team within Countryside Services Ltd the postholder will be expected to contribute, as required, to the wider work of the organisation and show flexibility in line with the needs of the project and the organisation.

NOTE: The key activities listed serve as a guideline to the responsibilities of the person appointed to this senior position. They are not intended to be exclusive or inflexible and may be subject to change in light of future developments as required by the Director of Rural Services, the Contract Team, or the Managing Authority (DARD).

5. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

(a) Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must have -

  • A third level qualification in a discipline related to agriculture, food or rural development, plus a minimum of two years management experience, OR
  • A third level qualification, plus a minimum of five years management experience in a discipline related to agriculture, food or rural development.

AND

  • Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience of successful project management and delivery.
(b) Abilities and Skills

Applicants will be expected to provide evidence, in their application and/or at interview, of the following well developed skills and abilities:

  • People management and interpersonal skills - including team building and leadership,
  • Ability to organize workload and deliver results in a fast moving and complex environment,
  • Group development and facilitation of groups,
  • Customer centred approach,
  • Demonstrate a high level of written and verbal communication (e.g. presentations to groups and report writing), including experience of using IT packages such as databases, MS Office, internet and e-mail,
  • Project development, monitoring and evaluation experience, to facilitate project delivery to budget and time deadlines,
  • Flexibility in approach and a willingness to learn new skills and develop as an individual.

NOTE: The postholder will be required to occasionally travel throughout Northern Ireland, and must be available to work occasional evenings as required. A valid driving licence and access to a car, or some means of transport which allows the postholder to meet the demands of the post in full are essential.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Possession of qualifications or experience in one or more of the following areas may be an advantage:

  • Relevant qualification to at least honours degree level;
  • Experience of supply chain or group development within the agri-food industry;
  • EU project management experience;
  • Preparing or assessing business proposals.

NOTE: Countryside Services Ltd may decide to interview only those applicants who appear from the information provided to be most suitable in terms of relevant experience. Applicants should therefore ensure that their application form contains all the information which they consider relevant to the specified criteria.

6. APPLICATION FORMS

To obtain an application pack for the above position, contact Fiona Walton quoting the reference number of the appropriate post. Email fiona.walton@countrysideservices.com Tel. 028 8778 8242 or write to Countryside Services Ltd, 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, BT71 7DX.

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 4.00pm on Friday 11th November 2011.

7. FURTHER INFORMATION

Anyone wishing to obtain further information prior to submitting an application may contact Fiona Walton on 028 8778 8242 or email fiona.walton@countrysideservices.com

Countryside Services Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

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