Post:                       PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

DURATION:             Temporary until May 2012 minimum

HOURS:                  30 HOURS PER WEEK

SALARY:                  £14.84 PER HOUR

LOCATION:             PORTADOWN

                                    There will be a requirement to travel to other sites

REPORTS TO:        ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Job Purpose

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in starting their own business (Successful or unsuccessful)

The project aims to provide employability and vocational skills to unemployed and economically inactive people of all ages with the view to helping them think about business start up or pre Invest NI programmes. It will ensure local people gain the necessary skills and knowledge to either become an entrepreneur or find employment after they finish their work in a practice firm.

The post holder will be responsible for the day to day running of the project and ensuring that all targets are met.  He/she will ensure that all policies and directives associated with the project are appropriately implemented. Reporting to the Assistant Director, the post holder will be responsible for the development of a creative and innovative programme of training and skills for programme participants and delivery of part of that training.

He/she will have responsibility for all quality assurance and the collating and analysing of all information regarding the progress of the project.  The post holder will be required to present to the Assistant Director regular analysis of participation, budgets reports and monitoring of outcomes. They will be expected to manage budgets and all administrative documentation for the project.

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for any or all of the following duties:

Project Management

• Identify and liaise with client companies and  promote the Project
• Plan & deliver seminars to facilitate delivery of  the programme
• Co-ordinate the Projects across all sites.
• Develop a creative and innovative programme of training and skills for programme participants and deliver part of that training.
• Monitor Project performance and provide regular progress reports to management
• Assist the Assistant Director with the management of budgets and financial claims relating to project programmes.
• Assist the Community Development Officers with the development of Project
•  Assist with the co-ordination of promotional activities relating to Project activities both internally and externally.
• Ensure effective and timely monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Financial Management

• Secure all targets and budget spend in relation to the Project
• Arrange all returns for PROJECT in relation to DSD funding and ensure drawdown of DSD income from same. 
• Assist the Assistant Director with the management of budgets and financial claims relating to PROJECT programmes in accordance with the Project and Client requirements.
• Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place with regard to the payment of staff associated with the PROJECT, observing the normal Client protocols.

Administration

• Ensure all DSD documentation held at Client is filed appropriately and kept up to date.
• Manage resources allocated to the project in accordance with Client and Project requirements.
• Produce and deliver reports/briefings/presentations to a high standard to a broad range of people at all levels.
• Attend meetings as required for the Project Management Team and the Client

Supervision

• Co-ordinate a team of staff engaged in the delivery of PROJECT at CLIENT
• Act as the designated line manager for staff on issues including conduct and discipline, attendance management.
• Develop project plans and timelines to guide project staff and to ensure effective delivery of the entire project.

General 

• May be required to undertake work outside normal working hours on occasions.
• Provide reports, written and oral, as required
• Respond promptly, effectively and courteously to client companies who telephone, or visit the Client for information
• Set up and maintain appropriate recording systems for PROJECT and ensure that all documentation and authorisation procedures are adhered to
• Provide support to the Community team of the Client as necessary.

Personnel Specification

Applicants must as a minimum, meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications

Essential       

• A minimum of a Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework eg HNC/D or above in a relevant business related area

Desirable      

• Degree in a relevant business related area

Experience

Essential       

• A minimum of 2 years recent relevant experience in project delivery including the monitoring of budgets, project promotion and publicity and managing staff 

Desirable      

• Experience of setting up a business

General

Essential       

• Access to a form of transport that will satisfy the travel requirements of this post. (Please refer to the General section in the application pack for further information on this requirement).

Competencies

The competencies listed below will be assessed during the appointment process for those candidates who have been shortlisted using the eligibility criteria above.

• Demonstrable knowledge needed to perform the role and a positive approach to developing own knowledge base.

• An ability to work under pressure, prioritising a complex and varied workload to ensure jobs are completed to the required standard and within tight deadlines;

• A commitment to quality and continuous improvement with the ability to seek innovative practice as appropriate to the role.

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders;

• A flexible and positive team leader with a clear and logical approach to work with the ability to lead and motivate a team in order to maximise performance and achieve business objectives.