Programme Manager

Are you a dedicated and experienced programme or project management professional with a passion for peace building and reconciliation? Are you looking for a senior leadership role in a not-for-profit organisation driving impactful cross-border initiatives? If so, read on, as we may have just the role for you. We are recruiting for a Programme Manager for the PEACEPLUS Next Gen4

Peace Project who will lead the coordination, implementation, and management of this innovative four-year initiative, funded by PEACEPLUS and led by The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in partnership with Mediation Northern Ireland and several associate partners. The project empowers the next generation of peace builders by equipping young leaders and participants from marginalised communities with conflict resolution, mediation, and dialogue skills, networks, and supports to address conflict, promote reconciliation, and drive long-term peace building across their communities and regions.

It targets 2,240 participants from diverse backgrounds, establishes anchor sites for training and community-based mediation services in Belfast, Derry, Dungannon, Garvagh, and Monaghan, nurtures 30 mediators/facilitators through professional development and a community of practice, and delivers school-based conflict resolution initiatives via regional associate partners to foster positive community relations. The Programme Manager will manage the Glencree project team (five staff in total), coordinate closely with the training delivery partner's team (three staff in total) and occasionally with wider Glencree and MNI teams to ensure timely, effective planning, delivery, and alignment with project objectives;

they will oversee external stakeholder management, including ongoing liaison with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), risk identification/mitigation, budget/resource oversight, monitoring/evaluation, data protection as project data controller, team recruitment/mentoring, and communications to achieve measurable impact in line with PEACEPLUS goals. Your Duties:
Leadership:
Lead the planning, design, and execution of the project, ensuring alignment with ERDF, national rules, SEUPB Frameworks, and the PEACEPLUS Programme Manual. Lead the development and implementation of processes to monitor and achieve project objectives with Project Partners and Associate Partners. Assume a Senior Management role within Glencree and engage in cross-project support, learning, and expertise to build capacity and achieve efficiencies in relation to two other smaller PEACEPLUS Projects within Glencree.

Stakeholder Management:
Collaborate with key stakeholders, including local community groups, governmental agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, and other agencies aligned to the project. Oversee the participant recruitment plan (with the Programme Network Outreach Co-ordinator) to optimise outreach and maximise participation targets. Maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including the project steering committee, ensuring transparent communication and facilitating joint decision-making. Deploy a communications plan and represent the project in high-level meetings and external forums to advocate for PEACEPLUS objectives.

Project Management:
Ensure teams are equipped with the correct information, training, support, and guidance to complete their duties. Provide clear direction to the project team, ensuring alignment with goals, activities, timelines, and outputs. Ensure timely reporting of Partner Reports and Partner Finance Reports on the JEMS system. Liaise ongoing with SEUPB, providing timely responses, reports, and updates. Identify challenges and risks, proposing solutions to SEUPB and making approved adjustments.

Periodically review and update the project risk register and monitor contingency plans. As the projects data controller, develop, implement, and monitor a project data protection policy and procedures in line with SEUPB guidance, GDPR, and organisational policies. Monitoring and Evaluation:
With the M&E Officer, establish and oversee the programmes monitoring and evaluation logic model and framework for training and community of practice participants, ensuring compliant data collection and dissemination of results. Ensure online tools (registration system, learning tool) are fit for purpose and GDPR-compliant. Report on project outcomes to the Glencree Board, CEO, Senior Management, and stakeholders (including MNI), with in-person presentations as required.

Budget & Resource Management:
Oversee the programme budget, ensuring appropriate allocation in line with the Letter of Offer and SEUPB eligibility rules. With the Financial Accountant, develop financial management policies/procedures and ensure partner compliance. Manage resources efficiently to stay within budget and ensure eligible expenditure. Update spend forecasting as requested by SEUPB. Oversee and document procurement processes in line with rules. Capacity…