Job Title: Border Counties Coordinator
Salary Scale: Administrative officer (PPC) GRADE 6+7 Ordinary Level scale. Point of entry on this scale will be commensurate with experience
Reports to: Common Ground Project Coordinator and ICSH Housing Policy Specialist
Hours of work: 35hrs per week
Contract Type: Secondment/fixed contract December 2025 – October 2028
Location: This role prioritises in-person networking and community engagement. You will be expected to work across six counties at different points throughout the project duration. There will be opportunities for online and hybrid working.
This post is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
THE COMMON GROUND PROJECT
The Common Ground project is a European Funded project under PEACEPLUS that focuses on promoting peace and reconciliation across/between NI/ROI communities including new and minority communities.
The project is focussed on creating inclusive, engaged communities through a social housing and neighbourhood lens, utilising the Housing Sector, in particular Approved Housing Bodies in the region, as a ‘community anchor’, building on existing networks, infrastructure, capacity and resources to deliver strong community interventions over a 36-month period.
The core purpose of the Common Ground Project is to develop and successfully deliver community integration and relationship building plans, initiatives, training and programmes. Common Ground will work towards supporting stronger, safer and more stable communities through the promotion of understanding, mutual respect and community participation
JOB PURPOSE
The Border Counties Coordinator will work with the Common Ground team and project partners to support and encourage people from a range of communities across a targeted area to engage with the project to enhance integration and understanding between and across community groups.
The Border Counties Coordinator will:
- Work as part of a team to deliver the Common Ground Project workplan and targets.
- Initiate and deliver activities which will improve inter-community relationships and enhance understanding of different cultures and backgrounds.
- Support community capacity building, including training of existing and new community leaders
- Fully participate and contribute to the Common Ground project.
- Continually measure and evaluate the progress of work undertaken and regularly report results to Line Manager and to the Project Coordinator based in NIFHA.
- Be employed by the ICSH as project partner in the ROI and will have all HR reports within ICSH.
The target group/ project participants will include individuals and families within communities of housing, communities of representative bodies (e.g. cultural, sporting, ethnic groups) and other communities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Delivery
- Support the Common Ground Project Delivery Team in advancing the shared vision of the project ensuring cultural diversity and inclusive good relations principles are integrated across all activities.
- Deliver an agreed programme for promoting positive relations where cultural diversity is celebrated and people can live, learn, and socialise free from prejudice, hate and intolerance.
- Work towards improving relationships and increasing understanding between those from different cultural backgrounds, on a cross-community, cross-border basis across a defined sub regional area.
- Deliver capacity-building and skills development programmes to enhance leadership and engagement across communities including minority groups, newcomers, migrants and refugees.
- Develop and utilise strong, cross-border partnerships between Housing Associations / Approved Housing Bodies to deliver a strategic approach to building relationships.
- Focus on community development, heritage, arts and culture, capacity building, good
- relations and social enterprise to facilitate cross-community and cross-border working.
- Develop opportunities to engage in social enterprise and socio-economic projects to reduce poverty and unemployment which are often the underlying causes of conflict.
- Support the development of a key learning piece, showcasing the power of cross-border, cross community strategic approaches for shared, peaceful and cohesive communities, highlighting the role of housing where relevant.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Ensure compliance with PEACEPLUS funding conditions and Terms of Reference.
- Submit monthly reports detailing progress and performance to senior management.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records in line with internal policies.
- Contribute to formal evaluations by providing evidence, data, and insights.
- Conduct periodic reviews of outcomes and recommend improvements as required.
Financial Management
- The Border Counties Coordinator will not be directly responsibility for budget management and expenditure and reporting. You will work:
- with the project coordinator and wider project team to ensure project budgets are used and managed effectively.
- to ensure compliance with procurement policies and financial procedures as outlined by the project management committee and funders.
- alongside project partners, prepare and ensure effective value-for-money, leading the procurement of project services from providers in RoI.
Additional Responsibilities
- Deliver agreed performance outcomes for the Common Ground Project.
- Ensure adherence to all relevant legislation, including equality, health and safety, and programme-specific compliance requirements.
- Prepare reports, briefings, and content for communications as required.
- Undertake any other duties to support and advance the objectives of the Common Ground Project
General Requirements
- Staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and teamwork, contributing to the effective, efficient, and economical running of the Common Ground project
Personal Specification
Technical
- A proven track record of:
- community development and of communities across NI and RoI.
- building effective working relationships within/between communities.
- engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
- engaging effectively with hard to reach / easy to forget target groups.
- high competency in Microsoft Office Packages.
- working knowledge of social media platforms.
- ability to present performance information to managers using MS Office applications.
Personal
- Experience of working on one’s own initiative and as part of a team to deliver excellent results.
- Ability to plan and meet deadlines and work under pressure.
- Excellent communication, engagement and inter-personal skills.
- Ability to produce work to an excellent standard, in a directed and non-directed environment.
- Flexibility and ability to work irregular hours on an occasional basis as required.
- Full current driving license and access to a car.
Education / Experience- ESSENTIAL
- Recognised third level qualification and three years’ demonstrable relevant experience as a practitioner in a community or Voluntary sector setting in a Community Relations / Community Development / Housing role.
Or
- Five years’ demonstrable relevant experience as a practitioner in a community or voluntary sector setting in a community relations / community development / housing role.
Education / Experience- DESIRABLE
- Project management qualification
- Experience of finance & budgeting
To Apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to lyndsey@icsh.ie. Applications close on 13th October 2025.