Programme Manager - LEADER

Role and responsibilities

Job Title / Programme Manager - Leader
Location / Based in Saunderton
Area of business / Business Support
Reports to / Head of Skills and Business Support, Ngage Solutions
and Leader Local Action Group Chairs
Responsibility for other people (internal)
Direct reports
Indirect reports / 2 Project Officers and a Project Administrator
None
Responsibility for other people (external) / None
Financial responsibilities / Responsible for the Leader contracts
Weekly hours / FTE / Full time
Salary / Up to £39,500 pa plus benefits
Overall function of the role
To oversee the successful delivery of a major European rural funding programme in the Chilterns, Aylesbury Vale, rural Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire; to deliver outputs in accordance with the Local Development Strategies and Delivery Plans; and to manage all programme staff.
This is a strategic, rural-business engagement role working with key stakeholder organisations to deliver valuable funding to create jobs and growth in the local rural economy.
Key Tasks
·  To be accountable for the day-to-day programme management, financial controls and monitoring processes associated with the LEADER contracts
·  Ensure the smooth running of the three Local Action Groups (LAG)
·  Support the LEADER Project Officers working with applicants in the development and submission of good quality project proposals
·  Oversee appraisal and submission of applications for approval by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the relevant LAG to secure budget spend on projects that meet the development priorities for the three areas
·  Provide claims for the recovery of costs, reports, annual delivery plans and all other necessary communications with the RPA
·  Maintain all data capture systems as directed by Ngage Solutions and the RPA
·  Provide regular reports and updates on the progress of LEADER projects to the three Local Action Groups
·  Liaise with other local LEADER Programmes and any other relevant organisations to ensure a joined-up approach to LEADER funding
·  Promote LEADER through delivery of the marketing strategy, working with Ngage’s Marketing team.
·  Work with the Finance and Management teams within Ngage to ensure the LEADER projects deliver the necessary outcomes/outputs on budget and on time.
·  Undertake line and functional management of the LEADER project and administrative staff ensuring all activity is compliant with due processes
·  Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post required by the Senior Management Team at Ngage

Person Specification:

Essential / Desirable
Educated to degree level or have an equivalent level of qualification or experience in rural development / rural project management activities. / Prince 2 qualification
Experience of line managing and mentoring staff / An understanding of EU funding requirements
Excellent communication skills
Proven ability of working to support businesses to grow
Proven ability to manage costings and budgets / Experience of submitting EU funding claims
Effective influencing and negotiating skills
Knowledge and understanding of rural affairs / Good knowledge of the three LEADER areas.
Proven competency at managing a complex workload to achieve targets and to respond flexibly to changing needs and demands
Experience of funding programmes in economic development and partnership working / Experience of LEADER.
Self motivated and be able to work on your own as well as in partnership with others
CRM and database management skills plus Microsoft programmes
Full driving licence and access to a car insured for business use with ability and willingness to attend meetings out of office hours

Roles and responsibilities: Programme Manager - Leader