The role of Project Coordinator for the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland will be to coordinate and support the activities of Offaly County Council (as Lead Local Authority), key partners and key stakeholders in the development of the World Heritage nomination bid.
The Project Coordinator will coordinate and support the ongoing work of the Nomination Steering Group and Project Working Group and associated working groups (where required) to deliver on the agreed actions as part of the steps towards World Heritage nomination.
The Nomination Steering Group co-ordinated by Offaly County Council on behalf of the HAOI provides strategic oversight, support and co-ordination for the World Heritage nomination bid, including agreeing programme, budgets and resources, meeting 2-4 times a year. The Nomination Steering Group will advise on the policies and actions needed to progress the World Heritage nomination bid and the future management of the sites. They will play a critical role in supporting, implementing and coordinating activities in support of the nomination bid across the three component sites, Armagh, Birr and Dunsink. The Nomination Steering Group will include representatives from Offaly County Council (as Lead Local Authority), Fingal County Council, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation, Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and State agencies.
The Project Working Group is an operational group established by Offaly County Council to progress the HAOI World Heritage nomination. The Project Working Group comprises input from the Heritage and Conservation Team in Offaly County Council and will include a World Heritage Expert (appointed by NMS) and with representation from all key partners. Their role is to advise the Nomination Steering Group, devise and propose policies and actions as required. The Project Working Group will link the expertise within the Local Authority to other organisations, such as the NMS and will facilitate the involvement of local stakeholders in the nomination process.
The Project Coordinator will be a vital link between the expertise within the Local Authorities and key partners and other organisations such as the NMS and OPW and will support and facilitate the involvement of key stakeholders, and local communities, in the nomination process.
The Project Coordinator will be expected to develop a broad, detailed understanding of the varied challenges facing the nomination of HAOI and what instruments and supports are available to address those challenges.
The Project Coordinator will need to ensure that the World Heritage nomination process becomes an inclusive participatory process through active participation of the local authorities, government agencies, elected officials, business community, landowners and the local community.
The main objective of the Project Coordinator will be to coordinate the activities required in the development of the World Heritage nomination bid. The role will include developing and implementing an extensive public awareness strategy, communication, and promoting engagement and outreach activities with all stakeholders. In this context the role will be multifaceted, concerning itself with outcomes as well as activation.
The Project Coordinator role will also include contributing to a communication model which will help ensure consistency of approach, deliver shared learnings, and feed key information and feedback to the Nomination Steering Group and the Project Working Group.
An annual workplan will be developed by the Project Working Group and submitted for approval to the Nomination Steering Group.
Further information can be found in the Candidate Booklet.
