Assistant Staff Officer

Job Description The Job Description is that of Assistant Staff Officer (Grade IV). The appointee will be responsible for providing such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as requested and may include the duty of deputising for other officers. Further details on the initial Role and Responsibilities, to include the generic Job Description are set out in Appendix 1 below. We are seeking to fill a vacancy at Grade IV level in our Finance Office primarily supporting existing staff in the Accounts Payable and General Accounts areas. After an initial period of induction and training, the successful candidate will be expected to quickly take ownership of sections of the accounts payable and general accounts areas and bring them to final review stages. Experience of the Agresso Finance System and/or accounts payable and general accounts in the public sector would be an advantage. As with other Finance Office roles, the successful applicant will need to be capable of adapting to changes in the specific duties as needs arise from time to time. The successful applicant will also be required to take part in other projects and initiatives aimed at delivering operational efficiencies. In that context the precise duties associated with this position may change over time but the general scope of the role will involve initially supporting existing staff in the areas below with a view to taking ownership of a number of them.

• Organisation of Accounts Payable area
• Purchasing and Payments
• Bank Reconciliation
• Credit Card Reconciliation
• VAT Return
• Allocation of various charges based on relevant metrics
• Fixed Assets Tracking and Auditing
• Work on Finance System Development and Ad Hoc Projects
• Other tasks as requested by the Finance Manager from time to time.

Person Specification The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they have necessary leadership, supervisory and administrative skills and experience and capacity to work with staff and clients of the Institute to ensure the timely delivery of delegated routines and quality services under general supervision only. The appointee will be expected to:

• be fluent in English
• have experience of working in a busy finance office
• be proficient in the use of computerized financial packages
• be familiar with and regularly use standard software packages such as email, excel and word.

Essential Academic Qualifications, Professional Experience and Specific Personal Qualities: Applicants for this position must have:

• Have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to carry out the role.
• Be capable and competent of fulfilling the role to a high standard.
• Obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes) or equivalent or have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

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

*Individuals applying on the basis of an approved equivalent qualification must submit a detailed case supported by full documentation justifying their contention that their qualifications are or have been adjudged to be the equivalent of the standards set out above. Where English is not the first language of the applicant, they must possess fluency in written and spoken English. All programmes and work are conducted through English. Where formal certification of fluency has already been acquired, this must be referred to in your application. Where certification has not been obtained then the applicant should address this competency when completing their personal statement.

Desirable:

• have experience of Accounts Payable in the public sector
• have experience of the Agresso Finance System
• be familiar with the operation of Withholding Tax
• be familiar with the operation of Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT)
• be familiar with the requirements of prompt payment legislation as it applies to the public sector
• be familiar with the operation of VAT in an educational setting
• have experience of general accounts
• have or be pursuing an accounting qualification
• have experience in the use of complex Management Information Systems.

Principle Conditions of Service The below information represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate A full statement of Terms & Conditions of employment will be given to the successful applicant in accordance with Terms of Employment (info) Acts 1994 & 2001. Tenure and nature of the appointment: Subject to the completion of the probationary period, the appointment will be made on a permanent full-time basis.

Remuneration: The remuneration of this post will be as authorised by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Pay Policy. Appointments to this post, save in very exceptional circumstances, will be made at point 1 of the salary scale. The current salary scale (1/10/2023) is: €35,229 - €51,101 per annum. There are 10 points on the scale, including 2 long service increments. Important Note re. Salary: Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if, immediately before appointment, you are a currently serving public servant in a comparable role. A contributory pension scheme applies. The precise contractual arrangements to apply to an appointee will be outlined in any letter of offer, which may issue because of this competition.

Annual Leave Leave will be in accordance with the collective agreements approved by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from time to time.

Hours of Work 35 hours per week with flexibility required from time to time.

Travel You may be required to travel from time to time both in Ireland and abroad.