Board Secretary

Purpose of Role

The Board Secretary reports to the Chairperson of the Board and has a pivotal role in supporting the Board’s effective functioning by providing administrative, legal and governance advice, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing information flow between the Executive and the Board, developing, managing and reviewing governance policies and procedures, and advising the Chairperson and Board on governance best practice.

Reporting Relationship

The Board Secretary reports directly to the Chair of the Board (and the CEO for administrative purposes).

Duties and ResponsibilitiesMain Duties and Responsibilities

The specific duties of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Directly support the Chairperson and Board Members in the discharge of their duties and functions.
• Be responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the meetings of the Board and all relevant committees, ensuring compliance with applicable law, governance, and other statutory and regulatory obligations, along with compliance with internal governance and management policies and procedures to ensure that Tusla complies with the highest standards of governance.
• Manage all Board and committee meeting logistics, including initial drafting and agreement of agendas (approved by the Chairperson(s) and CEO), providing a timely flow of information to the Executive Management Team. Attend all meetings, record agreed minutes and actions, and disseminate all Board member papers and materials before and after meetings.
• Monitor and report on the Agency’s compliance with corporate governance, legislative and regulatory requirements, including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016.
• Support the Chairperson in the development of the Board and Committees' Annual Operating Plans and the ongoing strategic development of the Board’s activities.
• Provide a smooth channel of information and communication for Board members and act as the primary link between the Board and the Office of the Chief Executive.
• Support Board members in their roles and responsibilities, facilitate the formal induction of new Board members, and assist with Board member training and development as required.
• Ensure Board members are informed of their legal responsibilities and bring to their attention any legal or other changes that affect their duties and responsibilities.
• Lead the annual Board and Committee self-effectiveness reviews.
• Prepare the Board and Committee annual performance reports and Governance Statement for the Annual Report.
• Act as the custodian of key corporate documents, including Board minutes and papers, the Declarations of Interest Confidential Register, Declarations of Interest under the Ethics in Public Office Acts, and the Register for the company seal.
• Lead the operational and strategic management of the Board Office, leading the business support team to achieve objectives and ensure compliance with national standards and legislative requirements.
• Support the preparation of necessary briefing materials and relevant documentation for the Board.
• Create a positive working environment that contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships.
• Lead by example, motivate and encourage others, and build team commitment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.
• Ensure cover for periods of leave within the Board Office as required.

Teamwork, Building and Maintaining Relationships

• Be accountable for your own work and that of direct reports, where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Office of the CEO and the Executive Management Team.
• Liaise with colleagues, relevant departments, and other stakeholders as required.

Human Resources

• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Provide leadership and motivation conducive to good staff relations and work performance.
• Where appropriate, establish and maintain records of attendance, statistical information, annual returns, and any other information as requested.

Education and Training

• Maintain standards of practice and professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attending relevant courses.
• Engage in career and professional development planning.
• Promote staff development and training by supporting ongoing education, mentoring, and training.
• Keep up to date with current and relevant policies, procedures, and legislation.

Health and Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, and safe professional practice, and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service, for example, the National Standards for Child Protection and Care, and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote, and actively participate in sustainable energy, water, and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low-carbon, and efficient health service.

The above job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved. Consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post as assigned from time to time and contribute to the ongoing development of the role.

Eligibility CriteriaQualifications and/or Experience

Applicants must, by the closing date of application, have the following:

• A third-level qualification in a discipline such as Corporate Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, Legal, Public Administration, Communication, Business, Public Policy, or another discipline relevant to the requirements of the role.
• Management experience at a level that demonstrates the leadership, management, and interpersonal skills required for this role.
• A sound understanding of governance principles, regulatory compliance, and risk management, with in-depth knowledge of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage deadlines and multiple tasks, with the capacity to operate strategically and proactively.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills at Executive and Board level, with the ability to interact positively with a complex range of stakeholders.
• The ability to maintain independence of thought and judgement, uphold best practice in corporate governance, maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality, and establish trust with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working in a Board Secretary or Company Secretary position in either the public or private sector.
• Knowledge and experience of how the public sector functions and interacts with the Civil Service and Government system.

Health

A candidate for, and any person holding, the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the role and be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of being able to provide regular and efficient service.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is: 01/02/2026: €83,081 €83,827 €87,105 €90,397 €93,663 €96,943 €100,205 LSIs (Long Service Increments) are represented by emboldened figures. 1st LSI is paid after 3 years on the max, the 2nd LSI after 3 years on LSI1, and the 3rd LSI after 3 years on the 2nd LSI (where applicable). The appointee shall commence on the first point of the salary scale. Incremental credit may be given on appointment for certain types of relevant experience- more information available in Appendix 5. Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation, and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if the appointee is currently a serving civil or public servant

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