Galway County PPN is excited to invite nominations from it’s member groups for a number of Secretariat Vacancies.

The elected Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the PPN between Plenary Meetings, i.e., ensuring its proper functioning to:  

1. facilitate the participation and representation of communities on decision-making bodies;
2. strengthen capacity of members to contribute positively to their community, and 
3.  act as an information hub around which information is distributed and received.

Therefore, the Secretariat is elected by the PPN members to be representative of the diversity of the different geographical areas and the three colleges, i.e., it includes 1 member from each of the Municipal Districts and 2 representatives from the 3 PPN Pillars.   The Secretariat acts on behalf of all PPN Groups in carrying out is duties.    

This means that the Secretariat plays a very important role in the PPN and acts as its main administrative arm.   While the Plenary (full membership) of the PPN sets the overall direction of the PPN, the Secretariat oversees the development of the PPN on a day-to-day basis.     

The primary elements of this day-to-day role are:  

• Put decisions of the Plenary into operation and manage the development and implementation of the PPN’s Strategic Plan and Vision for Community Wellbeing to provide for the overall direction of the PPN.  
• Make sure the PPN functions properly between Plenary Meetings and the Constitution, Representatives Charter, Memorandum of Agreement and Service Level Agreement with the local authority, and all other relevant policies are in place and up to date.   
• Facilitate and enable the PPN Resource Worker and PPN Support Worker in their day-to-day activities and record-keeping of Plenary, Secretariat and sub-group meetings to ensure appropriate governance of the PPN.  
• Maintain the flat structure of the PPN, in particular by appointing a rotating chair / facilitator of Secretariat Meetings and agreeing the frequency of rotation.    
• Promote the PPN amongst its membership and the wider community, and ensure that member groups are registered accurately (subject to GDPR considerations).   
• Develop an Annual Workplan and Budget to deliver on the aims of the PPN, i.e.,  
• Representation: overseeing election processes for PPN Representatives and managing the establishment of appropriate Linkage or Thematic Groups to maximise participation and representation on decision-making bodies.  
• Capacity: identifying training & capacity building programmes for general membership, Secretariat and PPN Representatives.  
• Information Hub: distribution of consultations/surveys, and promoting the distribution of information & awareness campaigns to the general population and socially excluded groups.    
• Act as the point of contact for the Local Authority, Department of Rural and Community Development, other PPN’s, the National Advisory Group and other stakeholders of the PPN.  

Nominations are invited for the following posts;

• Secretariat member representing the Athenry / Oranmore Municipal District: PPN Nomination Form for Secretariat Membership Athenry Oranmore
• Secretariat member representing the Ballinasloe Municipal District: PPN Nomination Form for Secretariat Membership Ballinasloe
• Secretariat member representing the Loughrea Municipal District: PPN Nomination Form for Secretariat Membership Loughrea
• Secretariat member representing the Tuam Municipal District:  PPN Nomination Form for Secretariat Membership Tuam
• Secretariat member representing the Social Inclusion Pillar:  PPN Nomination Form for Secretariat Membership Social Inclusion

To apply please return completed form:

via email to [email protected]  

OR 

via post to: Galway County PPN, Community Department, Galway County Council, Aras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway. 

*Closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is Tuesday, 1st April 2025.