Social Housing jobs

Festival & Events Co-Ordinator

Closing date for receipt of applications:
4:00pm on Friday, 11th September 2026

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Festival & Events Co-Ordinator

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 3

The Position 4

Qualifications for the Post 6

Particulars of Offices (including recruitment) 8

Competencies for the Post 15

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Post of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator

Introduction

Westmeath has a population of approximately 90,000 and is in the heart of the country with

excellent road and rail access to all four corners of the island of Ireland, Westmeath has a

rural tranquillity, but ready access to the country’s main urban cities which include Dublin

and Galway in particular.

Our mission, as set out in the Corporate Plan 2024 – 2029, is:

“To represent, lead and serve local communities and to enhance the quality of life for the

people of Westmeath by promoting the sustainable development of the county and

delivering efficient and inclusive services.”

Westmeath County Council consists of 20 members who are elected every five years; The

county is divided into two Municipal Districts of Mullingar/ Kinnegad and Athlone / Moate

with the administrative headquarters of the Council located in Mullingar. There are also

Civic Offices located in Athlone and Castlepollard. Mullingar is the county town while

Athlone is a Regional Growth Centre under the National Planning Framework.

At a strategic level, the Council operates through its Corporate Policy Group comprising the

Cathaoirleach of the Council and the Chairs of the Local Authority’s four Strategic Policy

Committees. The Chief Executive and the Management Team play a key role in supporting

and advising this policy group.

Westmeath County Council has responsibility for delivering a wide range of services in the

local area with a focus on making Westmeath a prosperous county that seeks to support a

vibrant economy, rural quality of life, active and safe communities, diversity, culture and

heritage, healthy and sustainable natural environment along with a sense of community

pride and place. The Council has a workforce of 600 and a budget of €129.4 million in 2026.

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The Position
The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be
considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for
the position of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will be drawn.

The Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will become the point of contact in the council that will
provide the resources and assistance, to support, co-ordinate and develop the festival and
cultural events offering in the county.

This role will build on Westmeath’s reputation as a place in which to live, work and visit. It
will enable the Westmeath County Council to take a leadership role in strategically and
tactically promoting festivals, tourism, economic and cultural events.

The role of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will support the key goals in the future
development of the County. The Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will report to the Tourism
Officer as part of the Economic Development and Tourism Team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Liaise with other Westmeath County Council departments to co-ordinate the

management of festival and event requests for the County.

• Actively work with Festival Committees, Failte Ireland, the Arts Council and other

relevant Government Departments to support festival and cultural events in

Westmeath.

• Liaise with key stakeholders including An Gardai Siochana, Fire Services and other

relevant stakeholders for festivals and events in the county.

• Identify and source funding opportunities to further enhance programme delivery.

• To assist in maximising sponsorship and commercial income for Westmeath County

Council’s festivals and events.

• Oversee festival funding schemes and work in festival business development.

• Collaborate and work with the Arts, Heritage and Creative Ireland teams to support

an integrated approach to festival development and to develop creative

production in Westmeath.

• Work with the Tourism Officer to maximise the promotion and tourism potential of

festivals and events in Westmeath.

• Procure and manage contracted services including event management.

• Undertake creative programming, when required.

• Liaise with festival and event organisers providing advice and consultancy.

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County Council policies and procedures.

• Undertake evaluation of Festivals and audience development.

• Work as part of the Tourism team across projects and activities in the department.

• Ability to work collaboratively with local interests, public representatives, local

development companies, festival committees and the community and voluntary

sector as required.

• To guide organisers through event licencing, insurance and safety protocols.

• Attending events and meetings outside normal working hours (such as evenings

and weekends.)

• Work closely with the Arts, Heritage and Creative Ireland teams to support an

integrated approach to festival development and to develop creative production in

Westmeath

• To assist with research, data gathering and analysis of emerging market trends.

• To carry out any such other duties required by the Chief Executive of Westmeath

County Council,

• The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other

than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an

appropriate Officer or such duties as designated from time to time.

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Qualifications for the Post
1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of
ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member
States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland

on the free movement of persons; or
d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a

stamp 4 visa; or
e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act

2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family
reunification and has a stamp 4 visa

Or

A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and
resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. Education, Training, Experience
Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

• Minimum requirement of Level 7 degree in Event Management, Tourism, Business or

related discipline;

• Strong event management and marketing knowledge;

• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of arts, culture, heritage and community

in festivals, tourism, and/or place-making.

• Possess a satisfactory knowledge of the functions and duties of local authorities;

• Excellent standard of administrative experience and adequate experience in office

organisation and in the management of staff and proficient understanding of
effective Performance Management.

• Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and

Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National

Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a

translation document.

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5. The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, results-oriented individual with a passion for culture,
tourism and event management.

• Ability to work collaboratively in developing and managing relationships with a

diverse group of stakeholders.

• Experience in events management and marketing.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience in project planning and management skills.

• Proven record of relationship building skills.

• A good understanding of, and ability to operate effectively within wider Local

Government.

• Strong interpersonal skills and self-initiative with the ability to work both

independently and as part of a small team.

• Experience of using marketing databases.

• Proficiency in MS Office.

• Good negotiation and budgetary skills.

• Proficiency in social media applications

• Proven track record of managing external suppliers.
  

Note: Candidates must hold a current valid unendorsed driving licence in respect of
category B vehicles and must advise if this is not the case.

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Particulars of Office (including retirement)

1. The Post
A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a
further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill
permanent & fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be
offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide
basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work
location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

2. Salary
The current salary for the post of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator is €58,474 - €71,437
per annum (including Long Service Increments), which is analogous Senior Staff
Officer scale as per Circular EL 04/2026. Payment of increments is dependent on
satisfactory performance.
Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by
the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale
in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the
Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016
dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated
bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of
employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments
are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and
national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or
conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the
Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of
the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of
the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991,
Section 5(5

3. Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public
Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant
scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to
pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation
to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration

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plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice

the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the
maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local
authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's
Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5%
of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the
annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum
rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay
the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her
superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable
remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable
Officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of
a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans
Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s
Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in
respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable
remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms
of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of
appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and
death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must
have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st
January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable
remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump
sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be coordinated with the State
Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions)
Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public
Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:
There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the
public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As
a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants
will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

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Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory
retirement age of 70 years.

4. Probation
a. There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such

persons shall hold the position on probation.

b. such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion
extend such period.

c. The person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of
probation unless the Chief Executive has certified that the service of the person in
such office is satisfactory.

The Local Authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take
up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to
take up the appointments within such period or such longer period as the local
authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not
appoint them.

5. Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement shall be 30 days; public holidays will be governed by the
provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and local agreements which
may apply from time to time.

6. Working Hours

Normal working hours are 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter
your hours of work from time to time.

The person appointed may be required to attend meetings as occur outside of normal
working hours at which your attendance is required by virtue of the position you hold
with Westmeath County Council, any such attendance will be considered as part of your
normal duties.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the
Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time
Regulations 2001.

7. Sick Leave
The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

8. Location
Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any
premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means
of transport and at their own expense.

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9. Code of Conduct/Organisation Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Westmeath County Council
codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future
organisational policies.

10. Training
It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate
in training programmes relevant to the skills for the performance of the duties attached
to the post.

11. Safety and Welfare
Westmeath County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably
practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all its employees. Under the
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to
exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measure to protect the
Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. The holder of the post shall co-operate with
the terms of Westmeath County Council Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan.
He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make
proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-
operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do
anything which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under
the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all
required Safety and Health Training.

12. Driver’s Licence & Insurance
The post holder shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles, as he/she may be
required to use your motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide
and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Council. It is the responsibility of the post
holder to arrange insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Westmeath County
Council with the indemnity specified on your insurance certificate under the heading
“Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Travelling and subsistence expenses
incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with the relevant
Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

If, during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive
endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties you are obliged to notify the
Council immediately.

13. Garda Vetting
Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the
position.

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14. Employee Benefits

Examples of some of the current Employee Benefits include:

• Allocation of 30 Days Annual Leave per annum (pro-rata)

• Access to Flexi Time Scheme

• A range of Family Friendly Policies

• Availability of an Optical Benefit Scheme

• Availability of a Cycle to Work Scheme

• A range of Learning and Developmental Opportunities

• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

• Option to become a member of Westmeath County Council’s Social Club

• State of the art office accommodation in our Civic Headquarters

• Automatically entered into a pension scheme

• Access to the services provided under Westmeath County Council’s Employee

Assistance Programme (EAP).

15. Recruitment

Shortlisting Stage:

If the volume of applicants for the position is such that it would not be practical to
interview all candidates, Westmeath County Council may decide to carry out a short-
listing process to select candidates for interview based on an examination of the
application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position to bring forward to
the interview stage.

Application forms will be examined against a pre-determined criteria based on the
requirements of the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily
unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates,
who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant
experience. It is therefore, in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate
account of your relevant qualifications/experience and complete all sections on the
application form.

Candidates can expect all enquiries, applications, and all aspects of the proceedings to
the extent that they are managed by Westmeath County Council are treated as strictly
confidential subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2004.

Interview Stage:

Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on
behalf of the local authority. The number of persons to be invited shall be determined
by the Local Authority having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

The interview process is an opportunity for the candidates to give evidence of
knowledge, skills and experience and the Local Authorities opportunity to assess your
suitability for the role.

The invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying that Westmeath
County Council is satisfied that you fulfil the requirements of the Regulations or is not
disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your
application will receive further consideration. It is important to note, the onus is on you

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to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirement for the post before attending for
interview.

Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the
interview and the onus is on the candidate to attend for interview on the dates and
times of the interview.

Interviews are conducted by a Board(s) set up by Westmeath County Council. The
Board(s) will assess the merits of candidates (except in so far as they are assessed
otherwise) in respect of matters referred to in the prescribed Qualifications and any
other relevant matters.

A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on
a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared
for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of
the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise. Placement on any panel from this
competition is no guarantee that a position will be offered.

16. Canvassing
Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation,
directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise influence in the
candidate’s favour, any member or employee of the Council or person nominated by the
County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the
candidate for the position being sought.

17. Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn
Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by
Westmeath County Council, or who do not, when requested, give such evidence as
Westmeath County Council require regarding any matter relevant to their candidature,
will have no further claim to consideration.

18. Pre-employment
Before contracts of employment are entered into various pre-employment checks are
undertaken. These include medicals, references and may include Garda Vetting.
Westmeath County Council will invite successful candidates to under a medical
assessment. A Medical Examiner will be nominated by Westmeath County Council.
Westmeath County Council will pay the fee for any general medical examination.

19. Data Protection
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on the 25th May, 2018
replacing the existing data protection framework under the EU data Protection Directive.
The personal information (data) collected on the application form, including any
attachments, (which may include the collection of sensitive personal data) is collected
for the purpose of processing this application, and any data collected is subject to
Westmeath County Council’s privacy statement which can be found at
https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/yourcouncil/privacyanddata/

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20. Closing Date

The completed application form must be EMAILED to recruitment@westmeathcoco.ie
not later than 4.00pm on Friday 11th September 2026

Please send using the subject line “Job Application Post, Your Last Name, Your First
Name e.g. Festival & Event Co-Ordinator, Bloggs, Joe

Only applications received via email will be accepted.

NOTE: Please send your completed application from an email address that you will
review regularly as communication during the assessment/selection period will
only be through your nominated e-mail address.

The onus is on the applicant to ensure that s/he is in receipt of all communications
from the Council. Westmeath County Council accepts no responsibility for
communication not accessed or received by the applicant.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage

applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.

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Festival & Events Co-Ordinator

Key Competencies

Candidates will be assessed at interview under the following competencies. The candidates at
the interview will be questioned on at least some or all the indicators listed below under each
competency.

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the role of Festival & Events Co-

Ordinator in a Local Authority environment.

• Clear knowledge & understanding of the structure and functions of local

government and in particular working across cultural partnerships,
communities and elected members.

Knowledge, • Proven high level administrative experience of compiling, preparing and
Experience and presenting reports, budget and financial and resource management skills.

Skills • Demonstrates an understanding of the role of arts, culture, heritage and
community in festivals, tourism, and/or place-making.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of research methods, data

management and innovative approaches to their work.

• Proven ability to engage, foster and collaborate with groups such as Arts,

Heritage and Creative Ireland teams to support an integrated approach to

festival development and to develop creative production in Westmeath.

• Ability to lead and develop a team as relevant to achieve its objectives.

• Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and

realistic objectives and addressing performance issues if they arise.

• Understand and implement change and demonstrate flexibility and

openness to change.

Management & • Embeds good governance practices into day-to-day activities, practices and
Change processes.

• Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive, and beneficial

working relationships with all Festival, Events, and Tourism stakeholders

and partners to implement change.

• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams in a collaborative manner

across sectors and inputs to deliver on specific projects.

effectively.

Delivering Results • Pinpoints critical information and address issues logically.
• Make decisions in a timely and well-informed manner.

• Identifies and achieves efficiencies.

• Allocates resources including financial to deliver results in the festival,

events, and tourism areas.

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• Effectively manages performance of individuals and teams to achieve

operational plan targets and objectives

• Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet

objectives.

Performance • Leads by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required to
Through People achieve results.

• Demonstrates high level of communication and negotiation skills.

• Effectively identifies and manages conflict and develops staff potential.

• Demonstrates capacity to foster trust, listen deeply, and navigate

competing priorities.

• Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities.

• Commitment to integrity and good public service values.

• Manages time and workload effectively and can operate in an environment

with significant complexity and pace.

Personal • Maintains a positive and constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role
Effectiveness even in the face of challenges

• Possesses the skills to collaborate across teams and sectors to achieve

shared outcomes and ultimately deliver effectively to the requirements of
the Festival & Events Officer role.

• Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

Candidates must achieve 50% of the total marks available in each of the

competencies outlined above at interview in order to meet the qualifying standard.

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