Company: Rural Action
Location: Cookstown
Posted: May 7th, 2026
Rural Action is a registered charity (NIC108163) established to meet an identified need to support grassroots communities through meaningful, community-driven projects and programmes. We specialise in designing, developing and delivering initiatives that respond directly to the challenges and opportunities faced by rural people.
Our mission is to inspire action and make a lasting, positive impact on everyday rural life. We believe in the strength of community, the value of shared spaces, and the potential of sustainable living. That includes supporting social enterprise as a vital tool for economic resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth in rural areas.
If youre passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-led environment, wed love to hear from you.
Our Vision, Mission and Values
OUR VISION
We believe passionately about engaging people to build a better future. We work to support living, working, sustainable and shared communities.
OUR MISSION
We seek to inspire action and make a positive contribution to the everyday lives of rural people.
OUR VALUES
Values are included in the original document but not textually listed in the extracted section.
Our Work and Ambition
OUR WORK
We act as a Managing Agent for the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), managing the delivery in Northern Ireland of the IFI Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) and the Communities in Partnership (Cross Border) Programme.
We are working in partnership with Cooperation Ireland and East Border Region to animate and provide support to grassroots communities to access funding opportunities under the SEUPB/Pobal managed PEACEPLUS Small Grants Programme.
We are an Open College Network (OCN) accredited centre and deliver the OCN Level 1 in Developing and Managing Community Facilities.
We undertake various assignments and commissions for central and local government, other statutory bodies and the community, voluntary sector, including pilot projects, evaluations, programme design, project assessments and appraisals.
We deliver our own Rural Action Awards where we give back to communities each year. So far, we have invested nearly £30,000 in community action projects, injecting the equivalent of £1,000 per month back into rural communities.
We have recently secured two major PEACEPLUS initiatives: RiSE (Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise), which focuses on empowering rural communities through enterprise and innovation, and MCS (Maximising Community Space), aimed at enhancing shared, inclusive spaces. This recruitment pack is specifically focused on recruiting new talent for the MCS programme.
OUR AMBITION
To be the organisation of choice for rural delivery and the go to organisation for ideas, innovations and solutions to rural needs.
Why work for Rural Action
At Rural Action, we believe that meaningful work starts with a meaningful workplace. Heres what you can expect when you join our team:
Purpose-driven impact: Were passionate about creating real change in rural communities, and everything we do is rooted in that mission.
Supportive leadership: Our managers lead with empathy, encouragement and a commitment to helping you thrive.
Collaborative culture: We work as one team, celebrating every achievement and learning together.
Employee voice matters: We actively consult with our staff to shape decisions and drive our shared mission forward.
Strong foundations: Every new team member receives a thorough induction to help them feel confident and connected from day one.
Growth and development: We invest in your potential by offering opportunities to build skills, take on new challenges and grow professionally.
Benefits
We pride ourselves in being a flexible, family-friendly employer and try to offer the best terms and conditions for our employees to enable them to achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Our benefits include:
25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 after 5 years service, plus 12 bank and public holidays, based on 35 hours per week, pro-rata for part-time positions.
Enhanced sick leave policy.
Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies.
Paid compassionate leave.
Employer pension scheme.
Flexible working policy.
Mileage allowance at the prevailing HMRC rate.
Time off in lieu (TOIL) policy for additional hours worked.
Training and development policy.
Free on-site car parking.
Early finish on Fridays.
On successful completion of probationary period:
Life assurance.
Health insurance.
Hybrid working model to enable working from home.
Job Description
Job Title: MCS Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (MEO)
Reporting to: Programme Manager
Grade: Executive Officer 1 (NICS EO1 scale £33,542 to £34,231)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Period: 31st January 2029 (subject to funding)
Background
Maximising Community Space (MCS) is a newly developed innovative PEACEPLUS funded project which aims to prioritise the building of relationships, creating shared spaces where people can participate and collaborate regardless of cultural background or difference. Operating on both a cross-community and cross-border basis, the project brings together a multi-stakeholder partnership including Irish Rural Link and NI Rural Womens Network.
Working with 40 rural community organisations, the programme aims to support the development of more inclusive spaces by increasing the leadership capacity of participating organisations, increasing the involvement of women in leadership roles and governance structures, and developing inclusive activities that promote shared spaces and build connections within and between people, working collaboratively on a cross-community and cross-border basis.
Purpose and Objectives
The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation and progress of the MCS Programme and will be responsible for developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems in line with SEUPB requirements, collecting and analysing data, and providing insights to enhance project performance and outcomes within the programme. They will also be responsible for leading on the verification processes associated with the Maximising Community Space training element of the Programme, working collaboratively with the Training & Development Officer.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The MEOs detailed activities will be agreed annually with the Programme Manager through an agreed work plan which will include output targets and identified time scales. The broad activities of the post will include:
Development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:
Collaborating with the Programme Manager and other members of the Delivery Team to develop a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan aligned with SEUPB guidance issued and agreed with Steering Group Members.
Designing an outcomes framework with anticipated secondary results and indicators of achievement for the various elements within the programme.
Preparing a data collection plan assigning responsibilities and timelines for collection to various members within the MCS Delivery Team.
Project Monitoring:
Flowing from the plan, and in consultation with the Programme Manager, design and implement a project monitoring system, ensuring accurate tracking of participant demographics and project involvement.
Liaise with and support project staffs interaction with 40 rural community-based organisations (20 NI / 20 Border Counties), collating and analysing information as above.
Collate monitoring data that will support the reporting of information to the Project Steering Group, SEUPB and JeMS, ensuring project outputs and results are monitored in line with Letter of Offer targets and identify any issues in attrition or non-compliance with funding requirements.
Liaise with project delivery staff, maintain records of meetings, workshop/event reports, and contact engagements as necessary to meet the monitoring requirements of SEUPB.
Liaise with SEUPB external evaluators as required, providing timely returns and accurate information.
Evaluation Methodology:
Liaising with project staff, implement a mixed-method evaluation approach, including post-training feedback surveys, exit-project surveys, interviews, focus groups and stakeholder interviews within all elements of the programme.
Conduct data analysis and interpretation to assess the relevance, effectiveness and impact of MCS supports and activities.
Prepare evaluation reports detailing findings, recommendations and lessons learned for future programme development.
Work closely with Project staff to identify and contribute to case study development and impact statements.
General
Assist the Programme Manager and other staff with organising events, study visits and other programme activities.
Always promote the organisation positively and strive to build and maintain the excellent partnerships that have been developed by the organisation.
Conduct yourself in a trustworthy, reasonable and responsible manner when undertaking your duties.
Promote a positive and harmonious working environment where all are treated with respect, equality and fairness and in which no form of intimidation or harassment is tolerated.
Abide by all the organisations policies and procedures and ensure that these are implemented fully within your areas of responsibility.
Within the context of the post, ensure full compliance with health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
Participate in staff development and training events.
Carry out any other duties deemed necessary within the postholders competency to ensure the effective operation of your role within Rural Action or a role where similar experience and/or knowledge and/or skills might be required.
Our Organisational Values & Expectations
Our Principles
Champion our mission: Always promote Rural Action positively and help strengthen the partnerships that support our work.
Act with integrity: Conduct yourself in a trustworthy, reasonable and responsible manner in all aspects of your role.
Foster respect and inclusion: Promote a harmonious working environment where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and equality, and where intimidation or harassment is never tolerated.
Our Professional Standards
Policy adherence: Abide by all organisational policies and procedures, ensuring they are implemented fully within your areas of responsibility.
Safety and safeguarding: Maintain full compliance with health and safety and safeguarding requirements relevant to your role.
Employee Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Degree level qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience
Experience in designing and implementing monitoring systems in project-based environments.
Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques and tools.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office packages.
Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively within and across projects.
Skills and Attributes
Ability to plan work, meet targets and work to deadlines.
High level of interpersonal skills.
Ability to think creatively and flexibly.
Highly motivated team member.
Able to work on own initiative.
Be proactive.
Good written and oral communication skills.
ICT literate.
Desirable Criteria
Experience
Experience with online monitoring platforms and data visualisation software.
Understanding of rural community/development sectors.
Experience in working with projects that focus on reconciliation, promoting good relations and cross-border peacebuilding.
Familiarity with a range of other project, data and people management software, e.g. JEMS, Miro, Trello etc.
Other Factors
Access to transport is essential.
Willing and able to travel within NI, Ireland and occasionally further if required.
Willing and able to work occasional extended hours if required.
Conditions of Service
The successful applicant will play a key role in helping Rural Action deliver its strategic plan, and as such, a flexible and proactive approach to work is essential.
This post is based in Cookstown, with Rural Action currently operating a hybrid working model. Upon successful completion of the probation period, the postholder will have the opportunity to work flexibly within this model. However, due to the collaborative nature of the MCS programme, regular face-to-face engagement with colleagues and partners will be required.
Access to personal transport is essential, as the role involves travel across Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland, and occasionally further afield to attend meetings and events.
Please note that successful applicants will be required to undergo an Access NI check. This post is subject to funding and is confirmed until 31st January 2029.
Additional Information
Equal Opportunities
Rural Action is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Application Process
The closing date/time for submission of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 20th May 2026. Please ensure your form and any requested supporting documentation is submitted to Samantha. We cannot accept applications received after the closing date/time. You will need to apply directly by clicking apply below.
Guidance Notes on Applying for this role
Please ensure you complete the application form in full. Rural Action will not make assumptions from the title of your post(s) or the nature of any employing organisation(s) as to your skills and experience gained. If you do not provide sufficient detail, including the appropriate dates needed to meet any eligibility criteria, your application may be rejected. Only the details provided by you in your form will be used for determining your eligibility for the post/shortlisting purposes.
Contact Details
If you have any queries regarding the recruitment process, please contact Samantha.
Thank you for your interest in Rural Action and this post.
A project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
We do not accept CVs.
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