Project Officer (Rural Services)

Ref. CSL/PO200

To apply please download the application form here.

Project Officer (Rural Services)

Countryside Services Ltd wishes to appoint a Project Officer to assist with the delivery of capital grant and training schemes throughout Northern Ireland.

The competition will also be used to compile a reserve list from which additional full-time or part-time staff may be appointed if required.

BACKGROUND

Countryside Services Ltd. (CSL) is a progressive and dynamic organisation with a proven track record in the delivery of specialist capital grant schemes and livestock identification products.CSL recently delivered 4 Tranches of Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme which resulted in the distribution of over £33 million in financial support to almost 7,000 farm business in Northern Ireland.CSL are also a Lantra approved training centre and aims to develop this important area of the business going forward.

ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

JOB TITLE: Project Officer

KEY PURPOSE: To process applications for financial support and carry out site inspections as required. The work involves assessing applications, checking their accuracy, verifying payments and conducting on farm inspections to verify the existence of the equipment on the farm premises. In addition, you will assist with the development of our training division.

REPORTS TO: Rural Services Contract Manager, CSL.

MANAGES: While the Project Officers will be working as part of the delivery team for this Scheme a Project Officer may on occasion be required to supervise others involved in the delivery of the scheme, for example Site Verification Officers or administration staff.

TERMS and CONDITIONS

LOCATION: Countryside Services Ltd, 97 Moy Road, Dungannon. BT71 7DX

CONTRACT DURATION: Full time contract.

HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours per week.

TRAVEL EXPENSES: Reasonable travel expenses are paid according to a standard CSL staff rate.

PENSION: Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme upon the successful completion of their probationary period.

SICKNESS/ABSENCE: You will be paid sick pay according to the rules and regulations of the Company’s Sick Pay Scheme and the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) subject to compliance with the Company’s Sickness/Absence Notification Procedure.

The Company reserves the right to require you to be examined by a Company nominated doctor, as it considers necessary.

NOTICE PERIOD: After one month’s service, you will be required to give three month’s notice in writing of your intention to terminate your employment

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Rural Services Department

• Processing applications in line with Scheme requirements and undertaking on farm verification visits
• Providing advice to potential applicants on the eligibility of items of equipment and on Scheme criteria
• Technical input to all aspects of Scheme delivery
• Recommendation of improvements and implementing changes to procedures
• Collection of reference prices for all eligible items from suppliers as required by DAERA
• Preparing reports on activities and site visit findings, using MS Office
• Compliance with the highest standards of confidentiality in handling personal, business and financial information
• Preparation of written and financial reports using MS Office
• Ability to achieve compliance with project requirements
• Flexibility in approach and a willingness to learn new skills and develop as an individual
• Customer centred approach

(b) General – all schemes/sub schemes

• Technical input to aspects of contract delivery as required
• Assisting the Contract Manager to develop systems and procedures to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Promoting training / grant schemes and representing CSL at shows and public events
• Good understanding of farming, family farms, farm business management and the technology used in modern agriculture
• Working alone and with others to deliver work to tight time deadlines

(c) Other duties

As part of a small team within Countryside Services Ltd the post holder will be expected to contribute, as required, to the wider work of the organisation and show flexibility in line with the needs of the scheme and the organisation.
NOTE:
The key activities listed serve as a guideline to the responsibilities of the person appointed to this position. They are not intended to be exclusive or inflexible and may be subject to change in light of future developments as required by the Contract Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

(a) Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must have –

• -A third level qualification in agriculture or a closely related discipline
• -GCSE or equivalent English and Maths, grade C or higher.
• -Experience of working in the agricultural/rural community in either a paid or voluntary capacity

(b) Abilities and Skills

Applicants will be expected to provide evidence, in their application and/or at interview, of the following well developed skills and abilities:

• -Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• -Proven Organisational Skills
• -IT competence – with experience of using spreadsheets, MS Office, internet and e-mail
• -Ability to work using own initiative
• -Ability to work under pressure whilst meeting standards and deadlines

NOTE:
The post holder will be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland on a regular basis, and must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
A valid driving licence and access to a car, or some means of transport which allows the post holder to meet the demands of the post in full are essential.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Possession of qualifications or experience in one or more of the following areas may be an advantage:

• -Qualification to at least degree level
• -Agriculture or rural development scheme administration
• -Knowledge of farm machinery and equipment supply

NOTE:
CSL may decide to call for assessment and interview only those applicants who appear from the information provided to be most suitable in terms of relevant experience. Applicants should therefore ensure that their application form contains all the information which they consider relevant to the specified criteria.

APPLICATION FORMS

To apply please visit our website www.countrysideservices.com and access the application form for this position.

Closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 22nd August 2025.

Countryside Services Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer

To apply please download the application form here.