Strategic Planning & Performance Officer

Duration: Temporary to 31 January 2027, with possible extension

Reports to: Strategic Planning & Performance Manager

Responsible to: Head of Place Shaping & Regeneration

Location: The post will be located at the Council's Offices in Enniskillen or Omagh, to be confirmed on appointment. However, the post-holder will be expected to work across the Fermanagh Omagh District Council area to meet the needs and requirements of the post.

Hours of work: 37 hours per week

Salary: PO1; SCP 29-32; £39,862-£42,839 per annum (pro-rata)

Main Purpose of the Job

To support the Strategic Planning and Performance Manager in the facilitation, development, management and monitoring of the District's Community Plan and both the Council's Corporate & Performance Improvement Plans. To work in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders, including the statutory, community and business sectors, to achieve this.

Summary of Responsibilities

• To effectively deliver the Council's statutory responsibilities in relation to Community Planning and Performance Improvement, liaising with internal and external partners as appropriate.
• To support the Strategic Planning & Performance Manager in the development of a high performance culture within Fermanagh Omagh District Council, providing practical and strategic support to enable the delivery of continuous improvement.
• To work with elected members, officers and key stakeholders to ensure a robust, evidence-based approach to identifying and agreeing community planning and corporate planning outcomes and collaborative approaches to address these.
• To support in facilitating action planning, through Action Leads, and progress reporting using an Outcomes Based Accountability approach across the Community Plan and Corporate Plan.
• To support the development of effective interconnections within the Place Shaping & Regeneration section.
• To support the development of an effective performance management framework to monitor achievement of identified Community Planning and Corporate Plan outcomes both within the Council and across key partners.
• To manage systems for reporting on performance against the Community Plan and the Council's performance against the Corporate Plan and Performance Improvement Plan through a suite of performance measures.
• To contribute to the development of Performance Improvement Objectives and associated plans to monitor and report on progress against these in liaison with a range of internal stakeholders.
• To assist in the establishment and operation of effective partnership structures and governance arrangements.
• To attend meetings of the Community Planning Partnership and Council/stakeholder organisations as appropriate.
• To identify, secure and manage external funding opportunities to facilitate and enhance the work of the Council's community planning priorities.
• To promote and facilitate effective internal and external consultation and engagement in respect of all planning proposals.
• To assist in identifying and developing effective capacity building programmes to support elected members and other stakeholders to implement community planning.
• To keep under review any new developments in local government policy, best practice and legislation, to research and interpret national and regional initiatives, key strategies and legislation, and make recommendations to Senior Management as required.
• To liaise with Local Government Auditors in relation to external audit of the Council's Improvement plans and performance reporting.
• Any other relevant duties.

To comply with all the Council's policies and procedures including the Employee Code of Conduct and the Employee and Councillor Working Relationship Protocol, and as Line Manager, ensure that all employees comply with same. To promote the Council's equal opportunities policies and avoid all forms of discrimination as an employer and a service provider. To implement all Financial and Procurement policies and procedures. To comply with employee responsibility in relation to all records held, created or used as part of the Council's business. All records, paper or electronic, are public records and accessible by the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. To undertake the duties of the post at all times in a manner that enhances and promotes the positive image of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

General

In accordance with the Council's procedures, any employees formally identified as 'at risk' will be given priority consideration at the shortlisting stage, provided they meet the essential criteria for the post. Where no suitable 'at risk' applicants are identified, the recruitment process will proceed in line with the normal arrangements and all other applicants will be considered. To comply with all the Council's policies and procedures including the Employee Code of Conduct and the Employee and Councillor Working Relationship Protocol. To ensure full compliance with all Health and Safety at Work legislation in accordance with the Council's Health and Safety at Work policy and all associated procedures and guidance and to be an advocate for high standards of Health and Safety performance.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• A degree or equivalent qualification and 1 year relevant experience. Or 3 years relevant experience as outlined below:
• Delivery of projects to deliver high quality outcomes to meet targets and deadlines.
• Policy development.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key stakeholders, internally and externally, to deliver high quality outputs/projects.
• A high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Valid driving licence with access to a form of transport to meet the needs of the post.
• Competence in the use of IT systems including the use of Microsoft Office packages.

Desirable Criteria:

• Relevant experience of research and data analysis.
• Relevant experience of implementing business plans and monitoring/reporting progress against corporate objectives.

Behavioural Competencies

How We Provide Leadership and Direction

• Setting Direction: Contributes to the development of a strategy and conveys a clear vision, led by being innovative, ambitious and proactive.

How We Manage Ourselves

• Managing your own work: Plans, structures and prioritises own work to achieve optimum results.
• Communicating with Impact: Presents a positive image by communicating effectively, being resilient and treating people fairly.

How We Move Forward

• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Gathers information from a range of sources, analyses information to identify problems and issues, and makes effective decisions and recommendations based on resolution agreement within an environment of trust, mutual respect and co-operation.

How We Work with Others

• Influencing Outcomes: Adapts style and approach to achieve effective outcome.

Please note the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage. Applicants must clearly provide evidence on the Application Form that they meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined above.

Hours of Work

The normal working week will be 37 hours per week. Salary PO1; SCP 29-32; £39,862-£42,839 per annum. The postholder will be paid monthly into their bank/building society account.

Employment of People with Convictions

The Council's policy on Employment of People with Convictions, and a Code of Practice, is available to all applicants to download under "related documents". A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council complies fully with Access NI's Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure Applications and Disclosure information, and with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant legislation pertaining to the safe handling, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure information.

General

The appointment is temporary and will be subject to:

• Satisfactory references from two referees, one of which should be from the present or previous employer.
• The terms and conditions of employment of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
• A satisfactory standard of attendance, conduct and performance in carrying out the duties of the post.
• The terms of the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme.
• The production of evidence of educational and/or professional qualifications as listed on the Application Form.
• The satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months with an interim period of three months.
• A medical report by the Council's Medical Examiner which confirms fitness for employment in the position.

Applying Online and Recruitment Correspondence

Fermanagh and Omagh Council encourages applicants to apply online via. This is an online portal system and requires applicants to have access to an email account for correspondence in respect of the progress of the recruitment process, such as interview invitations. Applicants who apply online are reminded to regularly check their email during the recruitment process, including the junk folder, in case correspondence is automatically redirected there. Applicants should be aware that the Council is unable to amend any arranged recruitment process in the event of correspondence being sent to a junk mailbox or unread emails. If personal details change during the recruitment process, applicants should email with the amendment(s), as this could impact the application if progressed to later stages of the selection process. Application forms must be returned not later than 12 noon on Tuesday 26 May 2026.