Job Description

JOB TITLE:Project Coordinator

(This post could be considered as a secondment opportunity for the successful candidate, subject to a secondment agreement with your employer– please state on your application if secondment is to be considered)

CONTRACT Full time fixed term to August 2020 (37 hrs per week)

RESPONSIBLE TO:Chief Executive (NIFHA) & Project Steering Committee

RESPONSIBLE FOR:Part time Finance Officer

LOCATION:NIFHA Office Belfast (with travel throughout Northern Ireland)

SALARY:£30,785 + Pension contribution

JOB PURPOSE:

The Project Coordinator will coordinate the delivery of “The Housing Associations’ Integration Project” a Peace IV SEUPB programme promoting Good Relations and community integration within social housing in Northern Ireland and the border regions of the Republic of Ireland.

Objectives for the Project Coordinator

This pivotal role is part of an SEUPB PEACE IV programme “The Housing Associations’ Integration Project”. The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations’ (NIFHA) is the lead partner with four Northern Ireland Housing Associations’, Apex, Choice, Clanmil and Radius (and their sister organisations within the Republic of Ireland) working in partnership with TIDES Training.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery and management of the project and overseeing the work of project staff.

Project Aim

The aim of the project is to improve good relations, promote community integration and create opportunities for sustained, meaningful and purposeful contact across identities in, between and around, housing association developments in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. In addition, the project will engage with ethnic minorities in social housing schemes to help integrate them into the community and expose people indigenous to Northern Ireland to different cultures.

The project aims to create a legacy of Good Relations via two main strands of work which can be summarised as follows;

1. The placement of four Good Relations Officers within each of the partner housing associations to deliver on-the-ground engagement and programmes for tenants focused on improving relations between communities.

2. A link-up with TIDES Training & Consultancy to carry out ‘community audits’ to identify the particular needs of each target community and provide follow-on training for staff and tenants in areas like ‘Mediation’, ‘Civic Leadership’, ‘Conflict Management’ etc. to build capacity within social housing developments.

Project Outcome

The Housing Association Integration Project was developed in line with the criteria set out by SEUPB, Objective 4.2 Regional Level Projects. The outcomes of the project will see –

  • An increase in the percentage of people who think relations between Protestant and Catholics are better than they were five years ago from 45% to 52%;
  • An increase in the percentage of people who think relations between Protestant and Catholics are better than they were five years ago from 45% to 52%;
  • An increase in the percentage of people who know quite a bit about the culture of some ethnic minority communities from 30% to 38%.

It is anticipated that as well as producing positive outcomes across social housing developments in Northern Ireland the project will also increase understanding on a cross border basis with housing schemes in Donegal and Louth. Ethnic minorities will participate by sharing their culture and becoming more integrated into the life of social housing schemes.

Main areas of responsibility:

Manage the Partnership Agreements with NIFHA, the four associations & TIDES

  • Develop appropriate policies, plans and procedures to optimise the performance

of all staff across the partner organisations; NIFHA, the four associations and TIDES.

  • To coordinate key staff relevant to the programme within NIFHA, the four associations and TIDES and to co-ordinate the training to be provided by TIDES for staff and tenants.
  • Direct Line Management of a part-time Finance Officer

Financial and Budgetary Responsibilities

  • Develop a financial strategy plan, and programme implementation plan in liaison with the Senior Management Team of NIFHA
  • Manage operational and financial issues associated with the programme and the partner organisations in cooperation with the Senior Management Team of NIFHA

Programme Development and Implementation

  • Support the Advisory Steering Group, the Deputy/ Chief Executive of NIFHA, the four housing associations and TIDES to implement the “Housings Associations’ Integration Project”.
  • Develop internal processes to ensure delivery of all strategic and operational goals,objectives and targets.

Develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the performance of key staff and the Programme against key objectives.

External Relationships and Responsibilities

  • Negotiate and use persuasion skills to influence a broad spectrum ofstakeholders.
  • Develop, maintain and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders in the public,

voluntary, community, social housing, ethnic minority groupings and the private sector, demonstrating self awareness, flexibility and a collaborative approach i.e. Programme Advisory Steering Group, the Operational Programme Board, Tenant representatives, TIDES, the four housing associations and their cross border “sister” organisations etc.

  • To engage with and work within a range of housing schemes across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
  • To represent the Partnership at seminars, conferences and at a range of relevant external meetings.
  • Represent the Programme in the media when & where appropriate.

Good Relations

To work towards Good Relations and Community Integration by supporting communities through the promotion of mutual respect and understanding.

To manage and implement the programme to instill good relations and community integration at the heart of the four housing association’s policies and service delivery functions.

Commission and assist in appropriate research and engage with key stakeholders to improve opportunities for people who wish to live in shared neighbourhoods and report and liaise with appropriate Steering Committees and Reference Groups.

Communication & Management of Information

  • Ensure that all appropriate data, trends, statistics, performance measures aregathered, analysed and communicated in furtherance of the “The HousingAssociations’ Integration Project”
  • Communicate in an effective and timely manner with the Advisory Steering Group
  • Ensure that all reports required for SEUPB are written and presented in an effectiveand timely manner
  • Coordinate activities in line with the Communication Plan to promote the good relations work being undertaken by partners

General

  • Have due regard at all times for the health and safety of self and others within the Programme.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the values and principles of the Partnership.
  • Be available for training and staff development as required.
  • Attend Steering Group and Programme Board meetings of the Partnership as and when required.
  • Be available for planning, review, support and appraisal meetings.
  • To carry out any other duties falling reasonably within the competence and capability of the post holder.

Job Specification:Project Coordinator

Attributes / Essential / Desirable
Education and Training / A Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline e.g. social science; community development; community relations AND 3 years experience working in community relations.
OR
Applicants with 5 years experience but do not hold a Degree
Experience / At least 3 years’ experience of delivering a funded programme and reporting on progress towards targets.
At least 3 years’ experience of monitoring & managing budgets in accordance with policies, procedures/ external funding requirements.
At least 3 years’ experience of building effective working relationships with community groups, public representatives and statutory agencies.
Demonstrate a track record in successfully negotiating effectively with stakeholders, to ensure successful partnerships and positive solutions to problems.
Experience of managing staff. / Experience of working with Housing Associations.
Relevant experience of working with hard to reach groups.
Knowledge / Knowledge of the local and wider issues relating to Good Relations with a recognition of key challenges and drivers.
Knowledge of all relevant policies relating to Good Relations and Social Integration in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.
Complete proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint / An understanding of the Social Housing Sector
Knowledge and understanding of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Knowledgeable and successful in grant applications
Knowledge of the Together Building a United Community strategy
Equality Issues / In depth knowledge and understanding of the equality issues and legislation and an awareness of the links between equality, diversity, community cohesion and social inclusion.
A clear understanding of and commitment to equality principles and the ability to apply them in service provision.
Skills / Ability to influence others and make powerful presentations
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate focus/ discussion groups and to deliver Good Relations Training.
Ability to use own initiative and plan and organise work.
Have a flexible attitude to work.
Other / Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post without reliance on public transport
Be available for evening or weekend work as required.

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This project has been supported by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).