Development Manager

Responsible to:

The Regional Manager of South Connacht Citizens Information Service CIS

Purpose of the job:

To be responsible for the management and development of service delivery within a specified service area of the South Connacht Citizens Information Service region, and to contribute to the development, leadership and management of the service as part of the Regional Management Team.

Main Duties:

Be responsible for the development and delivery of service of the assigned service area, in line with the company’s strategy, action plan and the Citizens Information Board guidelines for the provision of Citizens Information Services.

To contribute to the development and implementation of a regional strategy for the provision of quality information, advice, and advocacy services.

Management of Service Delivery

Manage and develop the provision of information and advice services within the service area.

Manage and develop the provision of advocacy services within the service area, with the support and assistance of the Advocacy Support Worker and other approved advocacy supports.

Identify, manage and promote outreach services and other information related activities within the service area, in line with the company’s regional strategy and available resources.

Leadership, Management and Team Development

Lead, manage and motivate a team of paid and unpaid staff including volunteers and scheme workers, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders within the service area in the effective provision of information, advice and advocacy services.

Responsible for identifying ongoing training, development and support needs of staff and address these through local, regional, and national training provisions.

Actively participate within the regional performance management development system PMDS process, ensuring that this process is implemented with all paid staff reporting directly to this position.

Quality Control

Responsible for the implementation of approved quality control mechanisms to ensure accuracy and consistency of information and advice provision within the service area.

Manage and actively monitor the accurate and timely electronic recording of CIS outputs in line with relevant data recording and case management requirements.

Contribute to the development and operation of systems for monitoring and evaluating outputs of the CIS region within relevant guidelines, and responsibility for managing the implementation of same within the service area.

Ensure compliance with data protection legislation and instil good practice among staff in this regard.

Highlight issues of concern regarding accessibility to CIS services to the Regional Manager.

Implement referral pathways both inter and cross regionally to support client access to appropriate level of service provision.

Support the coordination of referrals to other services and collaborate with other CIB funded services to support clients.

Administration

Responsible for the effective management of recording and reporting on information, advice, and advocacy activity within the service area, including the reporting of social policy issues to the Citizens Information Board.

Responsible for planning, managing and delivering timely and relevant service reports as required.

Manage service area or project budgets as assigned by the Regional Manager from time to time.

Ensure the implementation of the provided financial system within national and regional financial control and budgetary guidelines.

Attend meetings and provide annual and other reports or submissions as required.

HR

Ensure compliance with employment legislation and with agreed HR policies and procedures as provided for within the CIS Staff Handbook.

Maintain service area HR files and provide HR reports to the Regional Manager.

Responsible for managing or supporting the recruitment of paid staff as agreed with the Regional Manager and in line with the company’s regional staffing strategy and CIS HR policies and procedures.

Promoting CIS

Undertake publicity and research initiatives appropriate to the development of the service at the service area level within CIB Financial Controls and procurement requirements.

Contribute to and support regional publicity and research initiatives in conjunction with the Regional Management Team.

Contribute to and support the development and implementation of a regional communications strategy in conjunction with the Regional Management Team.

Contribute to and support the development and implementation of an outreach strategy in conjunction with the Regional Management Team.

Develop, manage and consolidate effective relationships with key stakeholders both locally and regionally, and undertake outreach and other service related activities, as required.

Contributing to CIS Regional and National Development

Work collaboratively as part of the Regional Management Team to implement the organisation’s Strategic Plan.

Contribute towards the development of policy and strategy at a national level in conjunction with the CIS Regional Manager.

Support the Regional Manager on projects, innovations and developments within the organisation, and in the strategic planning for the service.

Facilities Management

Oversee the effective maintenance and management of CIC premises in the specified service area.

Act as key liaison for all ICT issues and developments in the specified service area in liaison with CIB IT Support and the Regional Manager.

Where appropriate, identify new premises opportunities, relocation or renovation projects and make recommendations to the Regional Manager for progressing such initiatives.

Project manage approved projects in consultation with the Regional Manager and other approved project partners.

Health and Safety

Ensure the regional health and safety plan is implemented within the service area and follow all reporting guidelines regarding incidents or accidents at work.

Participate in health and safety teams and initiatives within the region.

Other Responsibilities

The Development Manager will also be required to perform other duties appropriate to the role from time to time.

Be open to working unsocial hours as may be required from time to time and willingness to attend evening and occasional weekend events. Time Off In Lieu arrangements apply in all such circumstances.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

A relevant third level qualification social sciences, humanities, law, HR, management Level 8 on the NFQ framework

and

Minimum of 3 years experience in a managerial role in a similar environment

or

Less formal qualifications will be considered if candidates can demonstrate significant managerial experience minimum 5 years in a similar work environment

Desirable Qualifications

Management qualification

Information, advice, advocacy qualification

Essential knowledge and experience

Significant experience in managing and or delivering a complex service as relevant to this role minimum 3 years

Operational experience in managing and delivering change in a complex environment as relevant to this role

Experience of managing a team

Extensive knowledge of rights, entitlements and social policy issues relevant to CIS

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent standard of written English, report writing and evaluation skills

Excellent IT and service data or case management software skills

Experience of and commitment to capacity building among staff and organisations

Strong leadership skills with a track record of innovation and implementing organisational improvements

High degree of personal integrity

Knowledge of and experience in coaching, mentoring and or staff training

Ability to monitor and evaluate quality of service outputs and outcomes

Experience of managing and motivating others and supervising professional practice

A deep understanding of the needs of people with disabilities, of marginalised groups, persons in vulnerable situations, and the barriers experienced in accessing services

Excellent judgement, with flexibility and problem solving abilities

Experience in oral presentations and public speaking

Knowledge and understanding of data protection obligations

Desirable skills, abilities and experience

Knowledge of community development

Experience in project management

Experience in delivering information, advice and advocacy, including representative advocacy services to the public and collaborative practice with other agencies

Flexibility of approach and innovative thinking towards project or strategic work

Networking skills

Experience in facilities management

Experience in health and safety management

Core and special aptitudes, and skills

Effective interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work as part of a management structure

Management and delivery of results

Leadership and management skills

Analysis and decision making skills

Administration, organisational and IT skills

This is a temporary, part time position, subject to satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. The period of probation may be extended at the discretion of the Regional Manager. The successful candidate will be available to work 17.5 hours per week. There may be a requirement to work evenings from time to time.

Salary: Scale range of €51,249, €52,897, €54,547, €56,197, €56,819, €58,499, €61,648, €63,078, €64,812, €66,361 maximum, €67,295 LSI1, €68,228 LSI2. Salaries calculated on a pro rata basis for part time staff.

Incremental Credit: It is expected that all new entrants to South Connacht CIS will be appointed at point one of the salary scale. However, South Connacht CIS operates an incremental credit process for appointments higher than point one. This process is applicable to new entrants into South Connacht CIS. Incremental credit criteria, based on the competencies for the role, are assessed against employment history as laid out in the application form only. A request for incremental credit from a successful candidate must be made within the first 3 months of employment. The decision on whether or not to award an incremental credit is a decision made by the Board and is subject to the availability of funding.

A company pension scheme is in place, and membership is obligatory upon commencement. Employee contribution minimum 5 percent of salary, employer contribution 7 percent of salary. Please note the Citizens Information Service has established a normal retirement age in line with the state pension age currently 66.