Programme Manager
hace 19 horas
Belfast
Are you a dedicated and experienced programme or project management professional with a passion for peacebuilding and reconciliation? Are you looking for a senior leadership role in a not-for-profit organisation driving impactful cross-border initiatives? If so, read on, as we may have just the role for you. We are recruiting for a Programme Manager for the PEACEPLUS NextGen4Peace Project who will lead the coordination, implementation, and management of this innovative four-year initiative, funded by PEACEPLUS and led by The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in partnership with Mediation Northern Ireland and several associate partners. The project empowers the next generation of peacebuilders by equipping young leaders and participants from marginalised communities with conflict resolution, mediation, and dialogue skills, networks, and supports to address conflict, promote reconciliation, and drive long-term peacebuilding across their communities and regions. It targets 2,240 participants from diverse backgrounds, establishes anchor sites for training and community-based mediation services in Belfast, Derry, Dungannon, Garvagh, and Monaghan, nurtures 30 mediators/facilitators through professional development and a community of practice, and delivers school-based conflict resolution initiatives via regional associate partners to foster positive community relations. The Programme Manager will manage the Glencree project team (five staff in total), coordinate closely with the training delivery partner's team (three staff in total) and occasionally with wider Glencree and MNI teams to ensure timely, effective planning, delivery, and alignment with project objectives; they will oversee external stakeholder management, including ongoing liaison with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), risk identification/mitigation, budget/resource oversight, monitoring/evaluation, data protection as project data controller, team recruitment/mentoring, and communications to achieve measurable impact in line with PEACEPLUS goals. Your Duties: Leadership: Lead the planning, design, and execution of the project, ensuring alignment with ERDF, national rules, SEUPB Frameworks, and the PEACEPLUS Programme Manual. Lead the development and implementation of processes to monitor and achieve project objectives with Project Partners and Associate Partners. Assume a Senior Management role within Glencree and engage in cross-project support, learning, and expertise to build capacity and achieve efficiencies in relation to two other smaller PEACEPLUS Projects within Glencree. Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with key stakeholders, including local community groups, governmental agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, and other agencies aligned to the project. Oversee the participant recruitment plan (with the Programme Network Outreach Co-ordinator) to optimise outreach and maximise participation targets. Maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including the project steering committee, ensuring transparent communication and facilitating joint decision-making. Deploy a communications plan and represent the project in high-level meetings and external forums to advocate for PEACEPLUS objectives. Project Management: Ensure teams are equipped with the correct information, training, support, and guidance to complete their duties. Provide clear direction to the project team, ensuring alignment with goals, activities, timelines, and outputs. Ensure timely reporting of Partner Reports and Partner Finance Reports on the JEMS system. Liaise ongoing with SEUPB, providing timely responses, reports, and updates. Identify challenges and risks, proposing solutions to SEUPB and making approved adjustments. Periodically review and update the project risk register and monitor contingency plans. As the projects data controller, develop, implement, and monitor a project data protection policy and procedures in line with SEUPB guidance, GDPR, and organisational policies. Monitoring and Evaluation: With the M&E Officer, establish and oversee the programmes monitoring and evaluation logic model and framework for training and community of practice participants, ensuring compliant data collection and dissemination of results. Ensure online tools (registration system, learning tool) are fit for purpose and GDPR-compliant. Report on project outcomes to the Glencree Board, CEO, Senior Management, and stakeholders (including MNI), with in-person presentations as required. Budget & Resource Management: Oversee the programme budget, ensuring appropriate allocation in line with the Letter of Offer and SEUPB eligibility rules. With the Financial Accountant, develop financial management policies/procedures and ensure partner compliance. Manage resources efficiently to stay within budget and ensure eligible expenditure. Update spend forecasting as requested by SEUPB. Oversee and document procurement processes in line with rules. Capacity Building & Team Development: Undertake recruitment and selection in line with Glencree policies, embedding equality, diversity, and inclusivity. Manage and mentor a decentralised team (Belfast-Enniskerry), fostering collaboration in a hybrid environment. Provide staff induction based on Glencrees Employee Handbook and policies. Conduct performance appraisals and HR operations. Promote capacity-building and contribute to Training Needs Analysis. Communication: Ensure all communication meets SEUPB requirements. With the Communications Manager, develop a communications plan for progress, challenges, and successes. Coordinate visibility activities, including midterm and final symposia. Oversee preparation of a lessons learned and dissemination publication at project end. Your Profile: Education: A Bachelors degree in a related field such as Peace Education, Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Social Studies, or Community Development. A qualification in project or programme management. Experience: At least 5 years of experience in programme/project management. Proven experience managing large-scale projects or programmes with multiple stakeholders, including government and local communities. Experience in understanding and effecting theories of change. Experience of projects focusing on peacebuilding, community development, or post-conflict societies (desirable). Experience working at grassroots level with disadvantaged/marginalised groups (desirable). Experience in conflict-affected, divisive, or politically sensitive environments in the programme area (desirable). Other: The successful candidate will need to be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland. Have a full, clean driving licence and access to own transport as regular travel between NI and RoI is required. Your Benefits: €55,000 per annum. Travel reimbursement is in line with RoI Civil Service mileage rates. Additional Information: Full time, four year fixed term contract. Five days a week. Belfast City Centre and Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. If this role isnt for you, Kennedy Recruitment source a broad range of career opportunities to choose from. Get in touch via to find out more. Kennedy Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and adheres to all current employment legislation. Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted. Skills: Stakeholder Engagement Project Governance Delivery management Stakeholder communications Managing Project Budgets Drivers Licence Leadership