LEADER Project Officer – North and West Northants, and Clay Vales

Role and responsibilities

Job Title / LEADER Project Officer - for 2 contract areas:North & West Northamptonshire; and Clay Vales
Location / To be confirmed – Likely Towcester, Northants
Area of business / Business Support
Reports to / LEADER Programme Manager
Responsibility for other people (internal)
Direct reports
Indirect reports / None
Responsibility for other people (external) / None
Financial responsibilities / None
Weekly hours / FTE / Full time (0.5 FTE in each contract area)
Salary / £28,000FTE
Overall function of the role
To be the local point of contact and to provide the local delivery of 2 LEADER contracts in Northants, rural Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale. LEADER is a major European rural funding programme and is a well-established method of providing Rural Development Programme (RDP) funding at the local level. The post holder will work with others to promote and ensure the successful delivery of grant funding in the allocated areas and to ensure the targeted outcomes are achieved in accordance with the Local Development Strategy and annual Delivery Plans.
This is an opportunity to work with ambitious individuals and companies, along with key stakeholder organisations,to deliver funding enabling the creation of jobs and growth in rural areas.
Key Tasks
  • To be the first point of contact for LEADER in the area outlined above, plus providing support for the Chiltern’s LEADER area, as necessary.
  • To act as projects’ ‘sponsor’, working to support applicants in developing high quality project proposals that meet the priorities for each area (as defined in the Local Development Strategy and the Local Handbook).
  • To assist with the smooth running of the Local Action group (LAG) and to attend LAG meetings to present projects for consideration.
  • To follow, and ensure that applicants follow, all processes as prescribed by Defra in the LEADER Operations Manual.
  • To formally appraise projects from colleagues’ LEADER areas.
  • To maintain all data capture systems as directed by Ngage Solutions and Defra.
  • To provide regular reports and updates on the progress of LEADER projects.
  • To liaise with other local LAGs and any other relevant organisations to ensure a joined-up approach to LEADER funding
  • To promote LEADER through establishingexcellent communication links within the rural communityand to work in liaison with Ngage’s Marketing Team as directed by the Programme Manager.
  • To work with the Programme Manager to ensure that successful LEADER applicants deliver the necessary outcomes/outputs on budget and on time.
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post required by the Programme Manager or Ngage’s Senior Management Team.

Person Specification:

Essential / Desirable
Educated to degree level or have an equivalent level of qualification. / Experience of assisting businesses with their development.
Experience of project management. / Rural project management/delivery experience.
Able to demonstrate a thorough approach and attention to detail. / An understanding of EU funding scheme requirements.
A good listener with effective influencing and negotiating skills
Demonstrable knowledge of rural affairs
Excellent knowledge of local area
Competency at managing your workload to achieve targets and to respond flexibly to changing needs and demands
Capacity to undertake unaccompanied site visits, with a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Self motivated and be able to work on your own as well as in partnership with others / To be a good team player willing to respond to the varying pressures across three LEADER areas.
Demonstrable IT skills particularly with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. / Good level of numeracy.
Capacity and willingness to attend meetings away from the office base. / Willingness to occasionally work outside of normal office hours.
Willingness to undertake other work of a similar level of responsibility as may from time to time be required.

Roles and responsibilities – Leader Project Officer, Northants and Clay Vales