Creative Places Darndale Co-ordination Contract for Service (1 year duration)

Northside Partnership is seeking submissions, from suitably qualified persons/organisations for the provision of Creative Places Darndale Programme Coordination for a period of one year. The primary focus of this contract will be to manage all operational and administrative matters relating to the planning, organising and delivery of a comprehensive community arts programme. The Co-ordinator will also lead on artistic and creative content which will be developed through listening to, working with and consulting with the community, childcare, resident and youth groups, including local artists and arts organisations involved in the project.

Flexibility will be required as some meetings/activities will take place outside normal business hours. The Creative Places Darndale Co-ordinator must have the capacity to work effectively from home or their own business premises.
The successful applicant must produce a Tax Clearance Certificate before the contract for service is awarded. Invoicing arrangements will be agreed with the successful contractor following the award of contract. They will have responsibility to manage their own tax affairs and file appropriate tax returns, maintain their own insurance cover and comply with all relevant health & safety legislation.

Please note that Garda Vetting will be required as the role will involve working with children and vulnerable adults.

About Northside Partnership

Northside Partnership is a Local Development Company working with individuals and communities in northeast Dublin to bring about positive changes in their own lives and the lives within their community.

A registered Charity, we work to improve opportunities for people experiencing poverty and disadvantage and offer a range of programmes and services to support individuals, local organisations and communities across the Northside Partnership catchment. Our key beneficiaries include long-term unemployed people, early school leavers, those living with addiction issues, disadvantaged families, lone parents, Travellers and people living with disabilities.

Operating from four locations we provide a range of services including the Local Area Employment Service, Tús Community Work Placement Programme, Enterprise Support, Education and Career Guidance, Family Support, and governance and capacity-building support to local community groups. Applications are welcome from those who meet the essential criteria as outlined within the role description and person specification attached.

Northside Partnership is committed to implementing an Advantaged Thinking approach that focuses on identifying, developing and investing in the skills, capabilities and assets of the people we work with.

Contract Purpose

To coordinate and deliver a community arts programme which celebrates and builds on creative arts practice that has taken place in Creative Places Darndale to date, and which creates new opportunities and sustainability for arts and creative practice to take place within strategic short, medium and long-term goals.

The Creative Places Darndale Co-ordinator will be engaged on a Contract for Service basis by Northside Partnership on behalf of the Creative Places Darndale programme and will work under the direction of the Creative Places Darndale Steering Committee. The role of the Creative Places Darndale Co-ordinator will be to manage all operational and administrative matters relating to the design, planning, organising and delivery of a comprehensive community arts programme. They will also lead on artistic and creative content which will be developed through listening to, working with and consulting with the community, childcare, resident and youth groups, including local artists and arts organisations involved in the project.

Contract Deliverables

Programme Management

Create, implement and sustain an artistic vision for the Creative Places Darndale programme in collaboration with the Steering Committee and local stakeholders.

• Overall management of all community arts programme operational matters and associated administrative processes, including budgetary control, within an agreed budget, NSP financial processes and timelines.
• Conducting comprehensive onsite risk assessments and ensuring appropriate insurance coverage is secured for all events.
• Maintenance of all relevant records and documentation including compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
• Ensure an evaluation of the Creative Places Darndale programme is carried out in accordance with Arts Council requirements.
• Preparation and presentation of regular progress reports and updates in required formats for the Creative Places Darndale Steering Committee and the Empowering Communities lead, both of which will provide support and guidance to the coordinator.

Community Engagement

• Active engagement, being visible and accessible in the Darndale area.
• Active listening and consultation with participating youth projects, community groups, local residents, schools, and after school projects, as well as with Dublin City Council (DCC) and other relevant agencies.
• Regular on-the-ground meetings and interaction with community groups, youth workers, artists, etc., to review and monitor progress throughout planning, organizing, and delivery phases.

Collaboration and Networking

• Work to strengthen relationship building between practitioners in the arts sector in the Darndale area and the local community.
• Identify opportunities for collaborations between local organizations and/or with other programmes and agencies.
• Identify and organise relevant arts/creative practitioner training for youth and/or community development workers to upskill. 

Creative Leadership and Communication

• Lead on artistic and creative content of the community arts programme.
• Engagement with and logistical support for all artists, creative facilitators, contractors, and suppliers required for various programme elements.
• Organise PR, communication, and promotion of the community arts programme.
• Adhere at all times to community development and socially engaged arts practice principles, as well as to Northside Partnerships policies and procedures. 

Finance & Administration

• Identify and inform the Creative Places Darndale Steering Committee of opportunities for further funding streams or programme-specific funding to promote the sustainability of the Creative Places Darndale programme.
   
• Monitor and manage the budget in collaboration with the Empowering Communities lead and NSP Finance Manager to ensure effective allocation of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.

Regular financial reporting to Northside Partnership, Creative Places Darndale Steering Committee and the Arts Council.

Costs

The quotation is expected to cover all costs (inclusive of vat) associated with the coordination of the Creative Places Darndale programme for one year including travel and subsistence etc. incurred on behalf of the person/organisation.

Note: all other costs associated with the programme, for example room hire, refreshments, facilitators, materials etc. will be met from a dedicated budget, approved by the CPD Steering Committee and administered by Northside Partnership.

The maximum budget assigned the Co-ordination of the programme is €39,000, inclusive of vat.

Expressions of Interest

In submitting an expression of interest, those wishing to provide Northside Partnership with a quotation/estimate for this work are asked to present a brief outline (2 pages) with the following information.

1. Name & contact details of individual/organisation submitting the quotation.
2. Summary of experience and qualifications of lead person Include details of any similar work undertaken
3. Proposed Methodology
4. Availability for the proposed timeline from Feb/March 2026 for 12 months
5. Itemised costings (not notional costs)
6. Names & contact details of two referees
7. Confirmation of ability to provide up-to-date Tax Clearance Cert and of ability to provide Professional Indemnity Insurance*

Award Criteria

In assessing quotations, the decision to award a contract will be based on the following criteria.

• Availability and ability to deliver the programme within the specified timeframe (20%)
• Experience of the lead person including their expertise and qualifications (30%)
• Methodology and quality of the proposal including any innovative approaches (25%)
• Cost (25%)

Closing Date for Submission of Expression of Interests

The closing date for receipt of submissions is Close of Business on Friday 9th January 2026.

Expression of Interest Submission

Please submit expressions of interest by e-mail with attachment to: pamela.meates@nspartnership.ie

Please mark the subject line of your e-mail: EOI Creative Places Darndale Coordination