Systems & Impact Lead in Cookstown

We 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.

Our Work and Ambition

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.

Why work for Rural Action

At Rural Action, we believe that meaningful work starts with a meaningful workplace. Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:

• Purpose-driven impact: We’re 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.

Background

We are looking for a Systems & Impact Lead who can help us modernise how we collect, manage and use information. This is a new role, ideal for someone who enjoys improving systems, working with people and turning data into meaningful insight. You will review our current processes, work with staff to understand their needs, and help us design or source the right systems for a small but ambitious organisation. You’ll also work closely with our PEACEPLUS Monitoring & Evaluation Officers to ensure we collect the right data, analyse it effectively and build a strong evidence base for our work and for our funders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The SIO’s detailed activities will be agreed annually with their line manager through an agreed work plan which will include output targets and identified time scales. The broad activities of the post will include:

• Systems Development & Improvement: Lead a review of current systems and processes to identify gaps, duplication and opportunities for improvement. Work with staff to understand their workflows and needs, using a user-centred approach. Design, source or adapt appropriate systems for data collection, storage and reporting. Ensure systems are accessible, efficient and aligned with organisational priorities. Support the integration of digital tools that enhance programme delivery and organisational learning.
• Data & Evidence: Work with our PEACEPLUS Monitoring & Evaluation Officers to ensure we collect the right data, meaningful, proportionate and aligned with our outcomes and compliant with programme rules and GDPR. Develop and maintain a clear data management framework for the organisation. Support staff to analyse data and turn it into insights that strengthen programmes. Produce internal dashboards, summaries and reports that help us understand our impact. Ensure compliance with data protection and ethical data practices.
• Impact & Learning: Help the organisation build a strong evidence base for its work and funders. Support teams to embed monitoring, evaluation and learning into their everyday work. Work with senior staff to identify trends, learning and opportunities emerging from our data. Contribute to funding applications and reports by providing clear, accurate evidence of impact.
• Staff Support & Capacity Building: Provide training, guidance and hands-on support to staff using new or existing systems. Build confidence and capacity across the organisation in data literacy and evidence-informed practice. Act as a bridge between technical solutions and programme delivery teams.
• Collaboration & Organisational Development: Work collaboratively across the organisation to ensure systems support our mission and values. Build strong relationships with staff, partners and funders to understand their information needs. Contribute to organisational planning and continuous improvement.

General

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. Any other duties deemed necessary within the postholder's 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.

Employee Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications: Degree level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Experience in data management, systems development or digital transformation. Ability to analyse organisational needs and translate them into practical system solutions. Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning in community or programme settings. Ability to work collaboratively with staff who have different levels of technical confidence. Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts in plain language. Strong organisational and problem-solving skills. Experience producing reports, dashboards or insights from data. Commitment to our mission of supporting rural communities.
• Skills and Attributes: Curious, practical and solutions-focused. Able to listen deeply and understand staff needs. Comfortable working independently in a small team. Patient, supportive and committed to building capacity in others. Motivated by helping communities and improving systems that make a real difference.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience: Experience working in a charity, community development or rural development context. Knowledge of impact measurement frameworks. Experience with CRM systems, databases or digital tools used in small organisations. Understanding of rural issues and the importance of evidence in influencing policy and practice.

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 this role, 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 October 2028.

Equal Opportunities: Rural Action is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.