Project Assistant - Rural Grants

MCS Group; Mid and East Antrim District; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

MCS Group is seeking a Project Assistant in Ballymena to support the Economic Development team within Growth & Major Projects. You will help deliver the DAERA Rural Business Development Grant Scheme, assist with grants administration, and manage project records and reporting.

The role offers a varied workload, requiring strong organisation, stakeholder engagement and financial monitoring skills to support local business growth and policy delivery.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a third-level qualification and at least one year's relevant experience.
• Experience with grant-funded projects or initiatives.
• Ability to manage financials and reporting.
• Experience working with partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support administration and delivery of grant-funded projects and programmes.
• Coordinate and deliver projects, ensuring deadlines and priorities are met.
• Assist applicants and businesses receiving grant funding, including meetings and events.
• Monitor activity, performance and expenditure with accurate records.
• Support funding claims and reporting for external funders.
• Undertake research into economic issues and policy developments.
• Collect and report statistical and performance information.
• Maintain project databases and information systems.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Grant funding administration

Project management

Financial monitoring

Stakeholder engagement

Research & reporting

Education

Third-level qualification

Job description

Project Assistant

Economic Development | Growth & Major Projects

Salary: £40,444 - £42,123 per annum (Scale SO2, SCP 28-30)
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Ballymena
Contract: Temporary contract until 31 January 2027, with possible extension to 31 March 2027

Help grow our local economy

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised Project Assistant to join our Economic Development team within the Growth & Major Projects Directorate.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of the DAERA Rural Business Development Grant Scheme, helping local rural businesses access grant funding and supporting projects that contribute to economic growth across the borough.

Reporting to the Investment and Funding Manager, you will provide high-quality administrative, project and programme support, helping to ensure that projects are delivered effectively, efficiently and in line with Council and external funder requirements.

What you'll be doing

As Project Assistant, you will support a range of economic development projects and initiatives, including:

• Supporting the administration and delivery of grant-funded projects and programmes.
• Assisting with the development, coordination and delivery of projects, ensuring deadlines and priorities are met.
• Supporting applicants and businesses receiving grant funding, including arranging meetings, workshops and engagement activities.
• Monitoring project activity, performance and expenditure and maintaining accurate financial and project records.
• Supporting funding claims and reporting requirements for external funding bodies.
• Undertaking research into economic issues, best practice, emerging trends and policy developments.
• Collecting, analysing and reporting statistical and performance information.
• Supporting compliance and verification activity to ensure projects meet Council and funder requirements.
• Maintaining project databases, information systems and project files.
• Working collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, businesses and other stakeholders.
• Supporting the delivery and promotion of business and community events, workshops and communications activity.
• Contributing to the wider work of the Economic Development team and helping deliver the Council's strategic priority of Growing the Economy.

This is a varied role where you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to businesses and communities across Mid and East Antrim.

About you

We're looking for someone who is organised, proactive and able to build positive relationships with a wide range of people and organisations.

You will need to demonstrate experience in:

• Assisting with the administration, development and implementation of grant-funded projects or initiatives.
• Working with partners and stakeholders to develop effective relationships and achieve successful outcomes.
• Supporting financial management, project monitoring, analysis and reporting.
• Researching, gathering and collating statistical and other relevant information.

You must also be able to plan and prioritise your own workload, communicate effectively, solve problems and take personal responsibility for achieving results.

Essential criteria

You will need either:

Option 1:
A minimum of a third-level qualification and at least one year's relevant experience covering the areas outlined above;

or

Option 2:
If you do not meet the qualification requirement, at least three years' relevant experience covering the areas outlined above.

You must also have a full current driving licence valid in the UK and access to a vehicle, or access to another form of transport that enables you to carry out the duties of the post.

Why join us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative Economic Development team and contribute to projects that directly support local businesses, rural communities and economic growth.

You'll work across a diverse range of projects, develop relationships with key stakeholders and gain valuable experience in grant administration, project management, economic development, research, financial monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

Key information

Job title: Project Assistant
Directorate: Growth & Major Projects
Division: Economic Development
Reporting to: Investment and Funding Manager
Location: Ballymena
Salary: £40,444 - £42,123 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed-term temporary, initially until 31 January 2027, with possible extension to 31 March 2027

Due to the nature of the role, there may be occasions when you are required to work outside normal office hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, to meet service requirements.