Page1: Introduction

South Dublin County Public Participation Network (PPN) is delighted to invite nominations for a vacancies on the PPN Secretariart. 

What is the PPN?

The PPN is a network of community, voluntary, social inclusion and environmental organisations. Our aim is to co-ordinate how the community in South Dublin County is represented. We also aim to:

• make our members stronger; and
• keep our members informed about local developments.

We help the community be represented

We work with the community so its representatives can take part in a fair and open way on a wide range of decision-making bodies. This primarily includes South Dublin County Council but can also include other local bodies. We empower community groups to influence policy makers.

What is the PPN Secretariat?

The Secretariat is a board-like structure made up of 13 members elected by the Plenary. The Secretariat meets each month and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the PPN. They manage the work of PPN staff, budget and operations, and report back to the plenary meeting.

PPN Secretariat members generally have a term of three years.

Responsibilities of the Secretariat 

The responsibilities of the Secretariat include:

• Managing the PPN in accordance with national guidelines, to the highest possible standard and according to Plenary-approved (the membership) governance processes and procedures.
• PPN activities as widely as possible.
• Keep correct, up to date, records of PPN business, including minutes of meetings and make sure agendas are circulated in good time.
• Be a point of contact for the PPN and work closely with the Local Authority, Department of Rural and Community Development, other PPNs, the National Advisory Group and other stakeholders of the PPN.
• Facilitate and enable the PPN Staff in their day to day activities to deliver PPN objectives of the PPN.
• Supporting the activities and priorities of the PPN Linkage Groups.
• Drafting an annual work plan, for review and approval by the Plenary, covering:
  • Participation in decision-making and representation
  • Capacity building
  • Information sharing and communication
  • Other activities as agreed

Please note: Meetings of Secretariat generally take place at 7pm on Wednesday evenings once a month and are Hybrid meetings. 

Page 2: Vacancies and Eligibility Criteria

You can skip to the end of this page if you already know about the vacancies and eligibility criteria.

Vacanies

Secretariat Vacancies
There are currently four vacancies on the South Dublin County PPN Secretariat as follows:

• 1 Environmental Pillar seat
• 1 Community Pillat seat
• 1 Social Inclusion seat
• 1 Geographic seat representing the Clondalkin / Newcastle / Rathcoole / Saggart / Brittas area.

Skills and Expertise

There is no such thing as an ideal candidate. We need all types of people with all types of interests and skills involved in the Secretariat. All successful candidates will receive and induction to the Secretariat and support to fulfil their role.

We do not have requirements, except that you are a PPN member. Outside of that, it would be ideal if you had an interest in:

• managing a work plan;
• developing policies and procedures;
• empowering communities;
• working with people; and
• challenging the status quo.

How do we choose who fills the vacancies?

Elections are conducted through a fair and transparent process where member organisations nominate candidates and voting is organised by relevant pillar and/or geographic area, meaning only eligible groups can vote for specific seats.

Only full member PPN groups present at the Plenary where voting takes place can vote, with each group (not individuals) having one vote per eligible election seat—so a group may cast multiple votes on the night where it is eligible across different pillar or geographic seats. Where there is only one nominee for a seat, the candidate is deemed elected without a vote. After voting has taken place and results are announced, the Plenary formally ratifies all elected candidates in line with PPN governance procedures.

Please note: If your organisation already sits on the Secretariat, you cannot apply for a vacancy. 

Apply now

On the next page, you can select which vacancy you would like to submit a nomination for.

Unsure about your eligibility? No problem, just send us an email at info@sdcppn.ie and we would be happy to help. 

Page 3: Select Vacancy / Position

Page 4: Your Details (The nominee)

Page 5: Personal Statement

Page 6: Confirmation and Declaration

7. Authorisation of Nomination

This nomination must be authorised by the group you represent. Please provide the details of the Chairperson of your organisation (or the Secretary if you are the Chairperson). The details of this nomination will be shared with them to confirm the organisation authorises this.