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Job description

Project Overview. The FORWARD Project is a regional peace and reconciliation project to be delivered by 5 Partners across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland. The project will engage people from diverse PUL and CNR communities who have been adversely affected by the conflict in Ireland / Northern Ireland. The core aim of the project is to facilitate people from these backgrounds and others to engage around issues of common concern, deepening understanding between communities and allowing real dialogue and reconciliation to take place. Work will take place both at local and regional levels with the objective of building the capacity of a new generation of community leaders to find common cause around challenges faced by all communities emerging from conflict. The project will engage people around the themes of reconciliation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding with particular emphasis on Youth, Women and other Under-represented Groups, Ex-prisoners and former combatants, and Social/ Solidarity Economy in communities emerging from Conflict. Position Overview The FORWARD Project, funded by PEACEPLUS, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Project Co-ordinator to implement The Ulidia Community Empowerment CIC segment of this transformative initiative. They will be responsible for the effective Co-ordination and reporting of activities and work closely with the Project Lead Co-ordinator, and the other Project Partners. The Project Coordinator will be the key Management person responsible for the effective and timely delivery of the Ulidia specific elements of the FORWARD project. The Project Coordinator will be part of a collaborative team of dedicated peace workers to create a lasting impact and a legacy of reconciliation and real dialogue across all the communities engaged by the project, but especially those communities that are most marginalised and furthest removed from the peace process. To this end we are seeking an exceptional candidate with the capacity to work with a range of diverse individuals and organisations over the full duration of the project on a cross border, regional and local basis. The candidate will demonstrate an empathy with and understanding of the diverse communities engaged by the FORWARD project including various elements of Loyalism, Republicanism, the former Security Force Community, Victim Community, Minority Ethnic Community and others as specified in the project. You will be working with people from diverse and at times opposing communities across the region including ex-prisoners and former combatants from both PUL and CNR backgrounds, and former members of the security forces, on a regular basis. Discretion, experience, proven track record and confidentiality are key requirements of this role. Due to the sensitive nature of some of the work, a proven track record within the last 3 years indicating a high degree of personal integrity and discretion in similar work is required.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership and Management: Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of the FORWARD Project which are specific to Ulidia Community Empowerment.
• Co-ordinate the roll out and delivery of the Project, and its various work streams, working closely with the 5 Project Partners across the region, the Project Steering Committee, External Controller and Funder.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all project stakeholders, including community groups, statutory bodies, project partners, and funders.
• Actively seek additional funding and other support to help build programme sustainability.
• Manage the project’s budget, which is specific to Ulidia’s role ensuring financial accountability and compliance with all the Lead Partner’s policies and procedures, JEMS reporting requirements, the project External Controller, and the SEUPB.
• Ensure regular financial and administrative reporting to the Forward Project Steering Group, SEUPB and as required in all other circumstances.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports to SEUPB (Special EU Programmes Body) using the JEMS reporting system, or as otherwise directed, in line with funding requirements.
• Provide regular updates and strategic insights to the Project Partners via the Project Steering Committee, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Report directly and regularly to the Manager and the Board of Ulidia Community Empowerment CIC on all aspects of the project.
• Ensure regular reporting to the Lead Project Coordinator to meet funding, reporting or other targets.
• Community Engagement & Peacebuilding: Advance cross-community initiatives, fostering collaboration, reconciliation, and dialogue.
• Ensure the project aligns with best practices in peacebuilding and community development.
• Deliver sensitive workshops, seminars, and other gatherings on peacebuilding and capacity building themes throughout the life of the project.
• Ensure the project reaches all target groups, constituencies, geographical areas and communities, and communities of interest as specified in the application and agreed programme of activity.
• Be able to engage with all sections of the community including those that are most marginalised, those that are minority communities and those that are furthest removed from the peace process as well as relevant statutory and other agencies.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Extensive (Min 7 years) hands on experience in managing or delivering challenging cross-community work and peacebuilding initiatives bringing those with opposing and dissenting views together to focus on issues of common concern.
• Experience (Min 3 years in the last 5 year period) of working in strategic and partnership based single identity and inter communal Community Development projects and initiatives.
• Very strong knowledge of peace and reconciliation approaches, issues and best practices within single identity communities, cross border work and inter communal work.
• An understanding of Rural and Urban Republican and Loyalist communities, Victim Communities, Former Security Force Communities, Minority Ethnic communities.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of Media work and representing projects to the media and public.
• Proven track record and ability to work under pressure and meet strict reporting deadlines.
• Full clean driving licence, regular access to own vehicle, and preparedness to travel around the region on a weekly basis as required.
• Ability and willingness to work unusual hours to suit project and programme requirements including weekend and evening work.
• Complete proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to design and deliver complex presentations and to analyse data and other project information to meet reporting targets.

Desirable Skills

• Mediation qualification and experience, especially within a peacebuilding or conflict resolution setting.
• Strong established working relationships with community leaders from diverse backgrounds and traditions across the region and on both sides of the border.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the history and the experiences of diverse communities and constituencies emerging from conflict in Ireland.
• Experience of working with single identity groups, communities of interest, women, men, former combatants (former security force members, loyalists and republicans) young people and developing their skills and capacities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Further Information

Contract Duration: Fixed Term to end June 2029. Salary: NJC Scale SO2, commensurate with experience. Location: Based at The Ulidian Centre, 60-62 Main Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AL, with weekly travel throughout the funding region as required. Reporting to: Board of Ulidia Community Empowerment CIC and the FORWARD Project Steering Committee.