Programme and Policy Director - Rural Community Network Northern Ireland (RCN NI)

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be exclusively partnering with Rural Community Network Northern Ireland (RCN NI) to recruit a dynamic, strategic, and experienced Programme and Policy Director. This newly created senior role, established in response to RCN NI’s ambitious Strategic Plan 2025–2030, offers an exceptional opportunity to influence and lead impactful rural development initiatives across Northern Ireland.

About Rural Community Network Northern Ireland: RCN NI is dedicated to promoting inclusive rural development, community empowerment, and resilience across Northern Ireland. Through strategic advocacy, funding coordination, and community-led initiatives, RCN NI plays a vital role in addressing rural challenges and shaping policy to benefit rural communities.

About the Role: The Programme and Policy Director will support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team in operationalising RCN’s Strategic Plan (2025–2030). This role encompasses strategic oversight, programme coordination, policy advocacy, operational management, and people leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Policy Delivery: Translate strategic goals into actionable plans, ensuring effective alignment and clear performance milestones.
Funding Coordination and Accountability: Manage diverse funding streams, ensuring efficient delivery, robust monitoring, and evaluation, and proactive identification of funding opportunities.
Operational Oversight and Governance: Lead operational functions including HR, finance, compliance, governance, and risk management, embedding clear internal processes and accountability.
People Management and Leadership: Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture, provide clear goal setting, support professional development, and build leadership capacities internally and within communities.
Community Engagement and External Representation: Represent RCN NI at policy forums, build strategic cross-sectoral relationships, and facilitate inclusive community participation and advocacy.

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential:

Minimum 5 years proven leadership in voluntary, public, or community development sectors.
Strong experience in operational, financial management, and strategic implementation.
Demonstrated ability to motivate teams, establish performance frameworks, and lead monitoring and evaluation processes.
In-depth understanding of rural policy issues in Northern Ireland and post-Brexit contexts.

Desirable:

Familiarity with EU and cross-border funding.
Experience managing organisational change and internal restructuring.
Strong public engagement, representation, and policy influencing skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence policy and funding allocations for rural communities.

Skills: Strategic leadership, robust financial oversight, exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and advanced problem-solving capabilities.

Why Join RCN NI:

Meaningful Leadership: Lead initiatives making tangible differences to rural communities.
Professional Development: Opportunity to influence policy, manage significant funding streams, and drive strategic community development.
Supportive Environment: Collaborative and values-driven workplace.

Hours: 35 hours per week, Full-time

Location: RCN Office, Cookstown (travel across rural regions required)

Salary: Starting at NJC Point 32 (£41,511) with incremental yearly increases up to NJC Point 35. The NJC salary scale is currently under review for 2025/2026, and any updated salary based on the new scale will be backdated to the date of appointment.

Contract Type: Permanent

Benefits:

Annual Leave: 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus 11 statutory holidays.
Pension: 6.5% employer contribution to NEST Pension Scheme.
Flexible working arrangements (occasional evenings/weekends required).

You might currently be working in roles such as: Director of Programmes, Head of Policy, Senior Programme Manager, Strategic Development Director, Head of Community Development, Policy Lead, or similar.

Applications Close: Monday, 18th August 2025

Please Note: Applications may be reviewed upon receipt, and this vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received. Early application is strongly advised.

Interested? To apply, please submit your updated CV via our online application system or email directly to Charity Jobs NI at hello@charityjobsni.com. If you'd like an extended job description or have questions about the role, please contact our team on 028 9248 2205.

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Programme and Policy Director