Business Development Project Officer

Our client a large public sector organisation requires a Business Development Project Officer based in Newtownabbey.

Role: Business Development Project Officer

Rate of Pay: £18.26

Location: Newtownabbey

Hours: 37 hours

Duration: up to 6 Months

Closing Date: Thursday 3^rd April 2025

Main duties/Responsibilities:

• To support Business Development Officers in the delivery of a range of economic development Programmes, such as business mentoring, labour market initiatives, business networking and small business grants. Delivery of the programmes will be supported by maintaining relationships with a range of funding partners.
• To provide economic advice and guidance, to individuals, local businesses, those interested in starting a business, social enterprises, investors, tourism providers and other relevant organisations. This will require undertaking client site visits to meet business needs and to meet the requirements of Council support programmes.
• Provide advice and guidance to residents, businesses, schools, tourism and training providers on Economic Development related services and programmes as required.
• Plan and implement a comprehensive programme of economic development activities, including organising events and participating in exhibitions in support of the Council's Economic Development and Regeneration Strategies and the Section's annual business plan operating within the agreed programme budget.
• Co-ordinate casual staff resource to facilitate the successful delivery of events and exhibitions to promote the Council, the work of the Economic Development Section and the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey.
• Assist the Council to secure and drawdown external funding by undertaking research and collating information and documentation required for funding applications; prepare progress reports and financial returns for relevant funding bodies and government departments which comply with grant conditions and audit requirements.
• Review and analyse business plans, accounts, financial projections and documentation submitted in support of funding applications to the Council. Undertake business and project assessment and prepare economic appraisals and concise project summaries for Committee and Council consideration.
• Provide advice and guidance to support project promoters and delivery agents in complying with the terms and conditions of their Letters of Offer, including appropriate procurement and eligibility requirements and the claim drawdown process.
• Verify project expenditure and vouch claims received from project promoters and appointed delivery agents, ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of funding and audit requirements. Co-ordinate and, where appropriate, carry out site visits with project promoters or delivery agents as part of this process.
• Establish and maintain robust monitoring and evaluation processes to monitor the progress of projects in receipt of support from the Council, ensuring data is collected in line with Council and other funder requirements. This will include monitoring the achievement of targets, annual objectives and performance indicators, and producing performance reports on achievement against agreed targets and spend as required.
• Prepare claims for drawdown of funds from external funders and monitor income and expenditure on all funded programmes,
• Set up and maintain electronic and hard copy project files, ensuring adequate and appropriate record keeping for individual projects to prepare financial returns and meet audit requirements including necessary statutory consents and regulatory information for events.
• Working with the Council's Communications and Customer Services section and programme delivery agents to ensure that business and skills activities are widely promoted by preparing press releases, website and social media content, adverts and promotional literature and publications.
• Develop and maintain the Council's Online Business Directory ensuring it is suitable for the needs of its users including the general public, businesses, social enterprises and the Council liaising with the Customer Services and Communications and Digital Operating teams.
• Liaise with representatives from overseas regarding the Council's Sister Cities and Twinning Links to plan and implement cooperation projects operating within the agreed budget. This will include: organising and participating in outward and inward visits and trade initiatives including making travel arrangements and devising itineraries and programmes; organising the Council's Student Exchange Programme; co-ordinating the application and interview stage, making travel arrangements, organising and planning suitable activities.
• Assist with the financial management of the Section, including the preparation of estimates, monthly budget reports and projections. Operate within agreed budget limits and timescales and raise and deliver orders through the Councils finance system.
• Assist the Business Development Officers in undertaking quotation/tendering processes for the appointment of appropriate contractors to deliver projects. Where an open call or alternative method of appointment is selected, assist with the design and implementation of the mechanism for awarding funding, e.g. small grants programmes.
• Contribute to Departmental and cross service issues including the Corporate Plan, the Community Plan and the Local Area Plan maintaining a customer focused approach.
• Advise the Business Development Officers on all aspects relating to the post holder's responsibilities deputising as required, including networks, events, and social economy issues and activities.
• To provide administrative and secretarial support when required to facilitate Task Teams, Project Boards and Partnership Groupings to meet the Council's Economic and Regeneration objectives.
• Work effectively with partners and Elected Representatives in the development and implementation and review of projects.
• To be available from time to time to carry out duties outside of normal office hours and in addition to basic contracted hours. Such additional hours will be remunerated in line with Council's approved policies at the time.
• To deputise for the Business Development Project Officers across the Economic Development and Planning Department to meet the operational requirements of the section.

Essential Criteria:

• A relevant third level qualification on the UK Qualification and Credit Framework at level 4 and above e.g. Business related discipline Or Possess a minimum of 3 years' recent experience
• Possess a minimum of 1 years' recent experience in a wide range of economic development activities in one or more of the following disciplines: - Economic Development - Rural Development - Community Development

To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. If you are interested please upload your CV to the link provided, and Christine Thompson will be in contact to confirm if you have been shortlisted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless if you already have a valid certificate.