EUROPEAN PROJECT OFFICER LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE (GRADE VI) 1. CHARACTER Candidates shall be of good character. THREE YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT QUALIFICATIONS 2. HEALTH Candidates shall be in a state of health such as, would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms must: (a) hold a professional qualification at degree level (level 7 NFQ) or above in Business/Entrepreneurship or equivalent (b) have significant experience of working in or working with small and micro businesses and be familiar with the broad range of supports and agencies available to support local businesses (c) be computer literate and have good verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable speaking in public. 4. DRIVING LICENCE The holder of the post shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.
BACKGROUND: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the local first-stop shop for new entrepreneurs and existing micro-enterprise and small business owners. The LEOs are the front door through which all information on State supports for small and micro-businesses can be accessed and through which financial and other supports can be provided to the business community. The dissolution of the previous City and County Enterprise Boards and the transfer of their functions to Enterprise Ireland led to the formation of the 31 LEOs in 2014. The Local Enterprise Offices are funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and operate under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities and are a significant element in the enhanced role which local authorities now have in the whole area of economic development. The Local Enterprise Office Carlow was established in April 2014 and involved the amalgamation of the business support unit of Carlow County Council & Carlow County Enterprise Board - and forms part of the Economic Development Directorate of Carlow County Council. Its offices are currently located in Enterprise House, O Brien Road, Carlow, but due to the nature of the work all roles involve the performance of duties at a variety of locations as required. The main functions of the office are the provision of: Business Information and Advisory Services Enterprise Support Services Entrepreneurship Support Service Local Enterprise Development Services / Economic Development. The newly created post of European Project Co-ordinator will co-ordinate the delivery of the CATALYST Programme. CATALYST is a cross-border pilot operation that aims to use sustainable development to drive design and innovation for Welsh and Irish SMEs. CATALYST also focusses on two priority sectors of the Ireland - Wales programme i.e. Life Science and Food & Drink. Life Science forms part of the Smart Specialisation strategy of both Wales and Ireland. The Food and Drink sector is also a priority research area in Ireland. CATALYST will bring to bear the established track-record of the beneficiaries in supporting innovation in the areas of: Assistive technologies Medical device design Food Innovation for Health and Wellbeing Sustainable Food Production and processes CATALYST also aims to, Increase R&D within SMEs to support the creation of new and sustainable products and processes. Increase the number of people employed within Welsh and Irish SMEs. Increase the number of cross-border networks.
CATALYST beneficiaries have put in place a robust delivery framework based on successful Ireland Wales projects, including ACT and CIME. However, within this framework CATALYST will also pilot a number of new activity models including: Using sustainable development methods to inspire the creation of new products, processes and services that consider the well-being of future generations. Using a combination of R&D residencies and bespoke collaborative R&D activity Fast track R&D work. Delivering sustainability across the Life Science and Food and Drink sectors. The ideal candidate should: Have an excellent understanding of commercial business and significant experience in working with the business community; Have excellent communications skills and experience in client/customer engagement and management; Have significant experience in event management and/or delivery of projects, including working to tight deadlines and adhering to budgetary resources; Be experienced in the use of financial management systems both from an administrative and reporting perspective; Have experience in the management and utilisation of new communications technologies in particular digital marketing and social media; Have a strong capability to multi task and work to deadlines; Be self-motivated with an ability to work on own initiative but within a dynamic smallteam environment; Have a strong understanding of the needs of business and the role of Carlow County Council and knowledge of its supports, services and processes, including the wider business support landscape; Have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under his/her control to achieve maximum performance; Possess a strong business acumen with experience that demonstrates an understanding of the phases of business development including a demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret business proposals from various perspectives, e.g. finance, marketing, process/operations etc.
EUROPEAN PROJECT OFFICER LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE (GRADE VI) THREE YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT The office is whole-time, temporary and pensionable on the basis of a three year fixed term contract. Note: The following represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract issued to the successful candidate. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of the office shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority. The role and responsibilities of the European Project Officer encompass the following key areas: 1. Liaise with the Southern Regional Assembly (SRA), Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and all project partners and organisations relevant to the successful completion of the operation. 2. Day-to-day running of the CATALYST Operation through the entire project lifecycle, within budget and set timescales and in accordance with the ERDF regulations. 3. Business analysis of the project, including reporting, gathering client and user requirements and defining functional requirements. 4. Compile and submit all financial and operating reports as per INTERREG programme requirements.
5. Arrange and promote events to inform and recruit project participants this will involve evening and possibly weekend working. 6. Procurement and organising of sub-contractors to deliver specific workshops and advice to clients. 7. Informing the CATALYST Project Manager (Head of Enterprise) of future resource requirements. 8. Working with the contracted monitoring and evaluation team in gathering and collating quantitative and qualitative evidence of the activity, results and impacts of the CATALYST Operation, for presenting to the Project Manager lead partner, steering group and other interested parties. 9. Working with project participants to determine needs for generic and specific targeted mentoring. 10. Organise and promote Operation events including publicity in consultation with the Communications Officer. 11. Operation of various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the CATALYST Project. 12. Organising and hosting project management meetings (these will include face to face, teleconference and video conference meetings). 13. Organising learning journeys, networking and clustering events with project partners and stakeholders. 14. Gathering information on networks and clusters and working with the CATALYST operation team in preparing project plans. Project/Practice Management 1. Executing project work plans and revising as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements. 2. Identifying resources needed to accomplish tasks and assigning responsibilities. 3. Managing day-to-day aspects of the project and its scope. 4. Reviewing deliverables prepared by team before passing to client. 5. Effectively applying Operation methodology and enforcing project standards. 6. Preparing for engagement reviews and quality assurance procedures. 7. Minimizing Carlow County Council exposure and risk on project. 8. Preparing for audits carried out either by internal audit team or external teams such as the European Finance Audit Team. 9. Ensuring project documentation is complete, current, and stored appropriately. Project Accounting 1. Managing project budget by working closely with the CATALYST Operation finance officer. 2. Spending of budget and management of budget to planned project delivery profile. 3. Tracking and reporting team hours and expenses on a weekly basis. 4. Determining appropriate revenue recognition, ensuring timely and accurate invoicing, and monitoring receivables for project. 5. Following up with clients, when necessary, regarding unpaid invoices.
Relationships: Responsibility for People Supervision/Management: 1. Responsible for the operational management of project tasks for co-administrative and co- financial personnel working on the project under direction of CATALYST Project Manager. 2. This post will not include direct line management responsibilities. Impact and Advising: Decision making, Planning requirements and Procedural context: 1. Administering operation budget, working closely with the finance officer, informing the CATALYST Project Manager of deviations from project budget delivery profile. 2. Administering project delivery, making decisions and informing the CATALYST Project Manager of deviation from plan and taking corrective action as appropriate. 3. Collating data to assist with the preparation of claims, liaising with partners and reporting to the CATALYST Project Manager any potential deviations from planned expenditure, delivery and outputs. Relationships: Communication/Nature of Contacts: 1. The European Project Co-ordinator will work directly with project staff from each of the other five partners involved in the cross border project. The contact will be regular and will be operational in nature. 2. The European Project Co-ordinator will work directly with project participants in the South- East region, providing advice and first line contact for participants of the CATALYST Operation in Ireland. 3. The European Project Co-ordinator will build networks and liaise with contacts within these networks in the food and drink, life science and renewable energy business sectors. Job Working Environment: 1. The CATALYST Operation will be run from the Local Enterprise Office, Carlow County Council. 2. From time to time the European Project Co-ordinator will be expected to visit other partners in both Wales and Ireland and will be expected to occasionally work outside of normal office hours in respect of this. Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay. Current Salary: 46,307-47,424-48,772-51,305-52,817-54,699 (LSI 1) and 56,591 (LSI 2).
Work Base: Carlow County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work. Working Hours: The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-seven hours working week, hours may vary from time to time. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities. The provisions of Carlow County Council s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy. Annual Leave: The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended). Sick Leave: The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail. Health: For the purpose satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. Residence: The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof as determined by Carlow County Council. Safety & Welfare: The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Carlow County Council s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/She shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in a disciplinary action. If required, the successful candidate shall wear protective clothing and have on his/her person at all times a valid SafePass card. Should he/she not hold a valid SafePass card, a course shall be undertaken to attain the card.
Training: It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. Reference/Documentary Evidence: Each candidate may be required to submit as references, the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom he/she is well known but not related, at least one of whom must be a former/current employer. For each advertised vacancy the Council makes the eligibility criteria available and applicants shall have the responsiblity for providing relevant verification from the appropriate awarding authority or certifying body of the education qualifications deemed necessary for the post. Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to the local authority in support of their application. The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying that Carlow County Council is satisfied that such person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview. If you do not meet the essential entry requirement but nevertheless attend for interview you will be putting yourself to unnecessary expense. Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position Carlow County Council will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of the candidate. Garda Vetting: Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting and Child Protection Procedures in advance of appointment to the position. SUPERANNUATION: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1st January, 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable firsttime entrants to the Public Service as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. In each pay period an amount equivalent to 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration PLUS 3% of pensionable remuneration will be deducted as the member s contribution under the Scheme. This includes a contribution to a Spouse s and Children s Scheme. Persons who commenced Public Sector Employment prior to 1 st January 2013: Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of
their pensionable remuneration. All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. Retirement: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable. Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004: There is no mandatory retirement age for New Entrants from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age. Anyone who is not a New Entrant to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement age of 65 years. Travel: When required to do so, holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately. Taking Up Appointment: The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her. RECRUITMENT Shortlisting: Normally the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies to the position. While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Carlow County Council may decide that a number only will be invited to same. In this respect, Carlow County Council provide for the employment of a short listing process to select a group for interview who, based on an
examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position based on the specific competencies identified in the job description. An expert board will examine the application forms against a pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your relevant qualifications/ experience on the application form and also to demonstrate sufficient evidence of the competencies required for this position. On occasion a shortlisting interview may take place. Competitive Interview: Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. The number of persons to be invited shall be determined by the Local Authority having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled. Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the interview. A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.