Job TitleRiSE Programme Administrator

ReportingtoProgrammeManager

Grade AdministratorOfficer(NICSAO scale£26,449 to £28,094)

Hours35hoursperweek

PeriodTo 31st December 2028 (subject to funding)

Background

RiSE is a newly developed innovative PEACEPLUS funded project which aims to unlock the potential of rural innovation & social enterprise within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The project brings together a multi stakeholder partnership comprising of Rural Action, Irish Rural Link, Scotland Social Enterprise Academy and Social Enterprise NI.

The programme aims to increase the capacity of rural organisations engaging in or wishing to engage in social enterprise. The project will create the conditions through which rural communities, schools, and youth organisations on each side of the border can come together around the shared challenge of rural sustainability and the opportunities social enterprises present in support of this.

Theprogrammewillbedeliveredover3strands:-

Strand 1: Social Enterprise Leadership & Development (60 organisations)

Strand 2: Making it Happen (48 organisations)

Strand3:YouthSocialEnterprise(20organisations).

Purpose and Objectives

The Administrator will assist in supporting the delivery of the RiSE Programme, providing a full administrative service to the Programme Team. Additionally, they will assist in the continuing development of administrative structures and procedures necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the RiSE programme.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Administrators detailed activities will be agreed with the Programme Manager through a work plan which will include output targets and identified time scales.The broad activities of the post will include:

• To maintain a centralised Calendar for the programme, assisting with the scheduling of meetings with the Project Steering Group (PSG), and Project Delivery Team (PDT), putting in place arrangements for same.
• Assisting with communications to a diverse audience e.g. community groups, umbrella/support organisations, local authorities, using a range of social media channels.
• Liaising with the programme staff, assisting in the preparation of materials, information packs and other aids in support of learning.
• Liaising with the programme staff, assisting with the processing and recording of feedback questionnaires and preparation of summary reports following training provision.
• Contributing to the administration of events including networking, clustering events and residentials and management of promotional stands.
• Liaising with Participant organisations, Procurement Staff and suppliers of goods and services in line with SEUPB Procurement requirements (for example venue hire, hospitality etc), assisting with payments and reconciliations of same.
• To liaise with programme staff to ensure that correct documentation is completed and recorded for the programme.
• Providing administrative support as required, including document creation, digital text processing and reproduction (e.g. use of Publisher, Canva, etc).
• Maintaining a centralised electronic document management system for the programme (e.g. SharePoint).
• Assist in the administration of management information reports as required in support of quarterly claims, monitoring reports and annual work plans.
• Providing support to the Head of Programme Manager/Delivery Team as required.
• Carrying out any other duties deemed necessary within the postholders competency to ensure the effective operation of your role within Rural Action or a role where similar experience and/or knowledge and/or skills might be required.

Our Organisational Values & Expectations

At Rural Action, we believe that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. Theseprinciplesguideourcultureanddefinewhatweexpectfromeverymemberofour team:

OurPrinciples

• Champion our mission:Always promote Rural Action positively and help strengthen the partnerships that support our work.
• Actwithintegrity:Conductyourselfinatrustworthy,reasonable,andresponsible manner in all aspects of your role.
• Foster respect and inclusion:Promote a harmonious working environment where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity, and equality and where intimidation or harassment is never tolerated.

OurProfessionalStandards

• Policy adherence:Abide by all organisational policies and procedures, ensuring they are implemented fully within your areas of responsibility.
• Safety and safeguarding: Maintain full compliance with health and safety and safeguarding requirements relevant to your role.

Employee Specification

The Employee Specification outlines the essential skills, knowledge, qualifications, and attributes required to successfully carry out the duties of this role. When completing your application form, please ensure you address each criterion listed drawing on your full range of experience, whether gained through paid employment, voluntary work, education,orotherrelevantsettings.

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications
• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grades A to C including Maths & English Language or 3 years relevant experience
• Experience

At least 2 years experience in the last 5 years of operating in a similar role as Administrator, to include:

Supporting Programme Delivery

• Assistingwiththeadministrationandtrackingofcalls
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple staff members and/or external partners, including managing shared diaries, coordinating meetings, and balancing competing priorities.
• Assisting with the preparation of materials to help groups avail of programmesupport
• Assisting with project-based enquiries, fielding calls and supporting groups availing of programme activities

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensuring accuraterecord-keepingforauditandreportingpurposes
• Supporting procurement processes in line with programme guidelines

Communication & Engagement

• Assisting with communications to a diverse audience, including social mediaupdates,andeventmaterials
• Assisting with activities such as scheduling meetings, cluster events and organisation of same

Monitoring & Evaluation Support

• Gathering feedback and data from participants, users and individuals toassist with evaluation (e.g. use of SurveyMonkey, google forms etc)
• Assistinginthe preparationofprogress reportsandimpactsummaries for various stakeholders

Team Collaboration & Coordination

• Workingcloselywithinateamtoensuresmoothdeliveryofprogrammes
• Contributing to team planning, risk identification, and continuous improvement efforts

Other

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office packages.
• Proficient in using digital tools to support communication and project delivery, including a familiarisation with platforms such as Canva, SharePoint, and other collaborative or design software.
• Comfortable navigating and updating customisedmanagement systems, databases, or CRM platforms to support programme administration.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across projects.
• Skills and Attributes
• Abilitytoplanwork,meettargetsandworktodeadlines
• Highlevelof inter-personal skills
• Abilitytothinkcreativelyandflexibly
• Highlymotivatedteammember
• Able to worktoown initiative
• Beproactive
• Goodwrittenandoralcommunicationskills
• ICT literate

Desirable Criteria

• Understandingofruralcommunity/development
• Experienceofworkinginanofficeenvironmentwithvariousteams supporting community-based projects.
• Experienceinworkingwithprojectsthatfocusonreconciliation,promoting good relations, and cross-border peacebuilding.
• Familiarity with a range of other project, data and people managementsoftware e.g. JEMS, Miro, Trello etc.
• Able to adapt quickly to new technologies and digital workflows, with aproactive approach to learning and problem-solving.
• Experience of HR administration.

Other Factors

• Accesstotransportisessential
• WillingandabletotravelwithinNI,Irelandandoccasionallyfurtherif required.
• Willing and able to work occasional extended hours if required.

Conditions of Service

The successful applicant will play a key role in helping Rural Action deliver its strategic plan, and as such, a flexible and proactive approach to work is essential.

This post is based in Cookstown, with Rural Action currently operating a hybrid working model. Upon successful completion of the probation period, the postholder will have the opportunity to work flexibly within this model. However, due to the collaborative nature of the RiSE programme, regular face-to-face engagement with colleagues and partners will be required.

Access to personal transport is essential, as the role involves travel across Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland, and occasionally further afield to attend meetings andevents.

Pleasenotethat successfulapplicantswill berequiredto undergo an AccessNIcheck. Thispostissubjecttofundingandisconfirmeduntil31December2028.

Benefits

We pride ourselves in beinga flexible, family-friendlyemployer and try tooffer the best terms and conditions for our employees to enable them to achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Ourbenefitsinclude: –

• 25daysannualleave(increasingto30after5years service)plus12bankand public holidays (based on 35hrs per week, pro-rata for part-time positions)
• Enhancedsickleavepolicy
• Enhancedmaternity/paternity/adoption/sharedparentalleavepolicies
• Paidcompassionateleave
• Employerpensionscheme
• Flexibleworkingpolicy
• MileageallowanceattheprevailingHMRCRate
• Timeoffinlieu(TOIL)policyforadditionalhoursworked
• Training&developmentpolicy
• Freeon-sitecarparking
• Early finish on Fridays

Onsuccessfulcompletionofprobationaryperiod:

• Lifeassurance
• Healthinsurance
• Hybrid working model to enable working from home

Additional Information

Equal Opportunities

RuralActionisanEqualOpportunitiesEmployerandallapplicationsforemploymentare considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Process

The closing date/time for submission of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 15th October 2025

Please ensure your form and any requested supporting documentation is emailed, You will need to apply directly by clicking the link.

CVs are not accepted

Please Note: Wecannotacceptapplications receivedafterthe closingdate/time.

Guidance Notes on Applying for this role

Please ensure you complete the application form in full. Rural Action will not make assumptions from the title of your post(s) or the nature of any employing organisation(s) as to your skills and experience gained.

Ifyoudonotprovidesufficientdetail,includingtheappropriatedatesneededtomeetanyeligibility criteria, your application may be rejected.

ONLYthe details provided by you in your form will be used for determining your eligibility for the post/shortlisting purposes.

A project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).