Assistant Chief Executive

The Role: Assistant Chief Executive –

Occupational Safety Division

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The post can be located in Dublin Headquarters or one of our Regional Offices. Regular attendance required at Dublin Headquarters. There are two Programme Managers in the Occupational Safety Division that report directly to the ACE, and in addition, the Principal Officer Head of Legal Services.

Purpose of Post:

The Assistant Chief Executive motivates and leads the team and ensures the effectiveness of the Occupational Safety Division, interpreting policy requirements and translating these into strategy and action; reviewing the methods and results of the Division, evaluating according to principles of best practice and the expectations of stakeholders and achieving the maximum level of inspection at the workplace with effective and proportionate use of legislative powers, and also contributes to the strategic management of the Authority as part of the Executive Team.

Anticipated Outcomes:

■ An effective Occupational Safety Division operating according to principles of Best Practice

■ Acknowledgement by Stakeholders of the role and contribution of the Division

■ Achieving the objectives set out in the Strategy Statement and the Programme of Work

■ A positive working environment with cohesion of effort among the staff of the Division

■ An environment where those at work take responsibility for Occupational Safety & Health

Relationships:

The position involves frequent contact internally with other Divisions and with a large number of organisations at national level – Government Departments, the Social Partners and other representative bodies; and Pan-European and international organisations.

The key accountabilities of the ACE are set out below:

■ Contributes to the development of the Authority’s strategy and programme of work objectives

■ Develops the Division’s strategic direction in relation to workplace safety, health and welfare; identifying alternative strategies, assessing their likely impact and evaluating their actual effectiveness in achieving objectives

■ Presents proposals to Board of Authority in relation to Occupational Safety issues as agreed at Executive Committee

■ Maximises the synergy of Board and Authority staff as well as Customers to anticipate the organisation’s requirements and develop plans to achieve these

■ Interprets the goals set out by the Board to formulate the annual Programme of Work

■ Participates fully in Executive meetings

■ Represents the Authority nationally and internationally

■ Leads the Change Management process for the Division to ensure sustainable maximum effectiveness of the division’s resources in achieving high levels of workplace safety and health

■ Maintains active networks of appropriate contacts to ensure awareness of emerging issues and current/developing best practice

■ Initiates and promotes new approaches for agreement with stakeholders so as to further develop an effective enforcement strategy

■ Contributes to the Strategic Planning process by gathering input through interaction with staff and other stakeholders

■ Provides effective cooperation with the Chief Executive

■ Leads and manages the Division through the Programme Managers and unit managers, maximising teamwork and effectiveness between functions and ensures that targets set out for the Division in the Programme of Work are achieved

■ Ensures that internal systems and procedures support and resource the Programme of Work

■ Supports and encourages a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that systematic review and continuous improvement are integral to the Division’s processes

■ Develops and reviews appropriate performance measures to provide meaningful data for evaluation and improvement of processes

■ Ensures that financial resources allocated to the Division are managed properly and evaluated according to value-for-money principles

■ Promotes and supports the personal and professional development of staff within the Division through the PMDS

■ Review outcomes of Court decisions so as to ensure that policy reflects the legal remit

■ Makes proposals to amend and/or extend legislation as is necessary so as to have instruments which are robust enough to achieve Organisational objectives

Desirable

The following requirements are desirable:

■ Current understanding of one or more of the following technical areas – occupational safety and health / chemicals / market surveillance / accreditation law and practices

■ Previous work experience in a regulatory body and/or experience in the Irish judicial system

■ Evidence of working in collaboration with a Board, developing effective working relationships and providing robust and timely data-led advice to aid effective decision making

■ Relevant postgraduate/professional qualification

Specific Candidate Criteria

■ In addition to fulfilling the eligibility criteria set out, candidates must:

■ Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned

■ Be suitable on the grounds of health and character

■ Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned

■ Candidates will also be required to demonstrate the key competencies that have been developed for Posts at ACE level

THE PERSON

The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, with a blend of people and management skills, a commitment to public service, organisational change management experience and the requisite skills to manage a complex and diverse portfolio of work.

The successful candidate will have strong business acumen, credibility and influencing capabilities and will effectively represent the Authority’s interests to all external constituencies and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the capacity to quickly master wide-ranging briefs, assimilate large volumes of complex data and assume significant levels of responsibility and accountability.

In addition, the successful candidate will have proven experience of delivering on demanding strategic plans, effective decision making and a strong commitment to a culture of collaboration, teamwork, dialogue, and collegiality. They will be a multifaceted and impactful communicator able to develop and maintain relationships at an organisational, departmental, and international level. Finally, they will possess a clear strategic vision for the Division.

Essential Requirements

In addition to the competencies outlined below, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

■ A proven track record at a senior level (within either the private or public sector), reflecting strong capabilities in vision, leadership, governance, financial stewardship, risk oversight, and change management

■ Qualification to an honour’s degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

■ Evidence of experience in developing and implementing strategic plans

■ Evidence of proven negotiating and influencing skills and an ability to represent the Authority’s interests to all stakeholders

■ Evidence of building and maintaining high performing teams

■ Possession of a full driving licence (Category B)

Tenure

The successful candidate will secure their full-time permanent position as Assistant Chief Executive grade in the public service after successfully completing an eleven month probation period.

Salary

For persons paying Class A rate of PRSI contributions, the scale is as follows:

€123,992 €129,219 €134,464 €138,978 €143,431 €147,872

Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI-1) and 6 (LSI-2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

The starting salary will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation. Appointments arising from this competition are subject to Section 52 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Authority.

Note: Different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the successful candidate is already a serving civil or public servant. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

Probationary Period

The successful candidate will carry out an 11 month probationary period. Shortly before the end of this period, a decision will be made on substantive appointment to the position.

Location

This role will be based in either the HSA Head Office in Dublin 1 or one of our Regional Offices. Candidates should be advised that regular travel to the Authority’s Headquarters will be required. In addition, occasional international travel may be required. The Health and Safety Authority has a Blended Working Policy and it is available to all staff.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of duty will be subject to the exigencies of the post but will not be less than 41 hours 15 minutes gross or 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, excluding luncheon intervals. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his/her duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

30 days per annum, exclusive of the usual public holidays. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public service and is based on a five-day week.