Project Officer

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a suitably organised and proactive professional to join The Wheel as Project Officer, supporting the delivery of a cross-border initiative in partnership with a number of strategic organisations.

This role forms part of the Empowering People to Engage with Information Technology (EP2EIT) Digital Communities project, funded under the PEACEPLUS Programme by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is focused on strengthening digital capacity, inclusion, and ICT engagement within rural and community settings across a cross-border context.

The Digital Communities project aims to support organisations and communities to enhance their digital skills, adopt innovative tools, and improve service delivery through technology. A key element of the project is fostering collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge-sharing across the island of Ireland, enabling participants to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital society.

As Project Officer, you will provide essential administrative, coordination, and operational support to ensure the effective delivery of the project. This will include maintaining accurate project records, supporting reporting and compliance requirements, coordinating meetings and events, and assisting with communications and stakeholder engagement activities.

You will work closely with the Project Manager to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the programme, supporting high-quality delivery in line with funder requirements.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a significant all-island initiative, supporting the development of digitally enabled, inclusive, and resilient communities, while gaining valuable experience in the delivery of a large-scale, cross-border funded programme.

The Role

Position:        Project Officer (EP2EIT/ Digital Communities Project)

Location:      Dublin 8 (Hybrid with travel within and to the UK required at times)

Note that only candidates based in and authorised to work in Ireland will be considered.

Reporting to:  Project Manager (EP2EIT/ Digital Communities Project)

ROLE PURPOSE

The Project Officer will provide essential administrative, coordination, and operational support to the delivery of a PEACEPLUS-funded programme aimed at improving digital capacity and ICT engagement in rural communities.

The postholder will work closely with the Project Manager, wider project team, as well as external stakeholders where required, to support the effective day-to-day running of the programme. This will include maintaining accurate project records, coordinating activities and events, supporting reporting and compliance requirements, and assisting with communications and stakeholder engagement.

The role will play a key part in ensuring that project activities are well-organised, that all documentation meets funder standards, and that the programme is delivered smoothly and efficiently, contributing to the achievement of measurable outcomes and a positive, sustainable impact within participating communities.

MAIN RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:  

Project Administration & Coordination

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the project team.

• Coordinate meetings, workshops and events, including scheduling, venues and materials.

• Maintain project calendars, action logs and documentation.

Record-Keeping & Documentation

• Maintain accurate project records, including attendance lists, outputs and supporting evidence.

• Support the collection and organisation of documentation required for funder reporting and audit.

• Ensure project files are maintained in line with data protection and organisational policies.

Financial & Claims Support

• Support the Project Finance Manager with administrative aspects of financial reporting.

• Process invoices, purchase orders and expense claims in line with procedures.

• Maintain records to support grant claims and financial returns.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting Support

• Support data collection for monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Assist with preparation of progress reports, claims and supporting evidence.

• Maintain databases and spreadsheets tracking project activities and outputs.

Communications & Engagement

• Support internal and external communications, including updates, newsletters and website content.

• Act as a first point of contact for general project enquiries.

• Support the organisation of community engagement activities and stakeholder meetings.

Compliance & Governance

• Support compliance with funder and organisational requirements.

• Assist with preparation of documentation for steering groups or governance meetings.

• Support health & safety, safeguarding and equality documentation where required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential criteria

Experience

• Experience in an administrative or project support role.

• Experience working in a busy office or project environment.

• Experience maintaining accurate records and documentation.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Good written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or equivalent systems (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Personal Attributes

• Reliable, proactive and well-organised.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Positive, flexible and solution-focused approach.

Desirable criteria  

• Experience working on funded projects or programmes.

• Experience supporting financial administration or grant claims.

• Experience working in community, voluntary or public sector settings.

• Familiarity with data protection and compliance requirements.

Behavioural Competency Framework: 

The Wheel uses a Behavioural Competency Framework as a key cornerstone of its performance management processes. The priority behavioural competences identified for this role are:  

• Collaborative Working: Co-operates with others and participates outside of own work area, seeks to understand fully the work of the organisation, willingly offers support where needed. Creates a friendly work environment where any conflicts can be resolved amicably. 

• Open Communications: Listens attentively, speaks clearly and to the point, and responds positively to questions. Uses relevant building/linking to improve on what has been said. 

• Quality: Pays attention to detail to produce high quality work; Is concerned with good outputs and thinks ahead to consider what is needed. Sets quality targets and aims to reach them; drives commitment to high quality work and ensures this through quality review processes.  

• Adaptability: Understands, accepts and adapts to change quickly, finding new ways of working while continuing to be productive and effective; Responds with enthusiasm & communicates clearly.   

• Leadership:  Seek and find new approaches and options to reach organisational goals and motivate others towards those goals. 

Successfully shortlisted applicants will be provided with the Behavioural Competency Framework prior to interview.  This will form the basis of the interview. 

Key Information about this role

This is a fixed term position with The Wheel offered for three years as per the current funding. This may be extended, subject to the funding at the time. The Wheel’s offices are currently located in Dublin 8. 

This contract is for 36-hour week and salary is payable monthly in arrears.

The Wheel both offers and expects flexibility in terms of hours and location of work for a role such as this and the remuneration and benefits package offered reflects this.

Terms and Conditions

The pay band for Officer level posts in The Wheel is €36,000 to €48,100

 We anticipate that the salary for this role will be within the lower quartile of that band.

The Wheel offers the following benefits in addition to salary

• A 6% employers' contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to a 4% employee contribution). Participation in the pension is mandatory, but a lower contribution option is available.

• Annual Leave of 21 days

• Closure of the office on Good Friday, Christmas Eve and the Christmas / New Year period which comes additional to annual leave entitlement

• Death in Service benefit of four times salary

• Access to our Employment Assistance Programme with HSF Assist

• Working hours 9-5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9-4pm on Fridays

• Further Education / Training and learning investment programme

• Professional subscriptions (as applicable)

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

• The Wheel operates a hybrid work environment, with a blend of remote and in-person work.  Please note specific location requirements outline above occasional attendance in the office may be required for meetings and staff days.

• Travel expenses in line with our Travel and Expenses Policy

• Volunteering leave- up to 3 days per year

• Fully paid Maternity/Paternity Leave subject to service tenure requirements

A complete list of all the terms and conditions will be made available to the candidate offered the role through The Wheel’s Staff Handbook.

Shortlisting will apply.

About The Wheel

The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. We are a registered charity in Ireland and are unique in our role as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anything related to the charity and non-profit sector.

‘Our Vision is a thriving community and voluntary sector at the heart of a fair, just and inclusive Ireland.’

We are an authoritative and trusted voice for the sector, and we are enthusiastically committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of practice and governance. Together, we work to ensure that the sector is recognised and respected, adequately resourced and appropriately regulated.

Learn more about who we are here https://www.wheel.ie/