PROGRAMME SUPPORT EXECUTIVE - YIP AND SEPI (NI) (CI/PSEYIPSEPI/1224)

YIP and SEPI Background

YouthImPact (YIP) is a cross community and cross border programme, acting as a Quality & Impact Body (QIB) for the EU PEACEPLUS Youth Programme. YIP is a cross border partnership of four regional organisations: Co-operation Ireland (CI) (Lead Partner); Ulster University (UU); National Youth Council Ireland (NYCI); and Pobal. 

The objective of this partnership is to provide a quality assurance and impact support role for the work and workers in the six PEACEPLUS Youth Programmes, who will be delivering peace-building programmes for young people aged 14-24 across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

Over a 4-year period, YIP will offer training to youth workers and practitioners to improve their peace-building and capacity to work with young people.

The Shared Education for Positive Innovation programme (SEPI), funded under PEACEPLUS measure 3.1, is a transformative initiative that brings together schools – school leaders, teachers and students - from Northern Ireland, the border counties, and the wider island creating networks for relationship building and shared learning amongst students and educationalists.

Co-operation Ireland will lead the delivery of SEPI in partnership with Catalyst, and with assistance and input from the Education Authority NI, Leargas, EcoEd4All and Alison. SEPI will be delivered to 500 schools over a 4-year period and incorporates 2 concurrent and complimentary elements of activity with 2 overarching objectives as follows;

Core Programme: Shared Challenges and Shared Solutions: Building Educational Networks for Peace

• Over a 4-year period, SEPI will establish and operate a dynamic, innovative Shared Education platform, facilitating continuous interaction and collaboration among a core group of 100 schools.

Transformational Schools Leadership Programme: Shared Learning and Collaboration

• Over a 4-year period, SEPI will engage with 400 schools (100 each year) in a programme of shared learning and best practice exchange for school leaders and educationalists.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management:

• Manage the financial aspects of the programme, including budgeting, forecasting, and expenditure tracking. Ensure compliance with EU funding regulations and guidelines, as well as any specific requirements outlined by the Peace Plus programme.

Financial Reporting:

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the EU, programme management, and other partners. Ensure transparency and accountability in financial reporting processes.

Procurement and Contract Management:

• Coordinate procurement processes for goods and services required for programme implementation. Manage contracts with vendors, consultants, and service providers, ensuring adherence to procurement regulations and contractual obligations.

Administrative Support:

• Provide administrative support to programme staff and partners, including managing office operations, maintaining filing systems, and organising meetings and events.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures related to financial management and procurement.
• Participate in the identification, mitigation and monitoring of financial, operational and safeguarding risks.

Capacity Building:

• Provide training and support to programme staff and partners on financial management procedures, compliance requirements, and best practices in administration.

Audit Preparation and Support:

• Prepare documentation and assist with audits conducted by internal or external auditors. Ensure that all financial records and transactions are accurately documented and readily available for audit purposes.

Communication and Liaison:

• Serve as a point of contact for financial and administrative matters related to the SEPI and YIP programmes. Liaise with external stakeholders, including funding agencies, government authorities, and implementing partners as necessary.

Continuous Improvement:

• Continuously review and improve financial and administrative processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with programme objectives and regulations.