Finance Manager

The Role

The successful candidate will play an important role in the Finance team within the MHC, in addition to undertaking and managing projects and relevant work. The successful candidate will be required to engage and communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including staff and external stakeholders, e.g., officials from government departments and service providers.

The appointee will also be required to liaise with the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to complete the yearly audit and the MHC’s funding Departments to ensure the MHC can drawdown its grant income to enable it to discharge its statutory responsibilities and achieve value for money.

As a Higher Executive Officer, the holder of the post will be expected to actively contribute to the overall development of the MHC and to promote its policies and values.

Key Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Head of Corporate Operations, the Higher Executive Officer key duties and responsibilities include:

• Preparing monthly management accounts in conjunction with the accountancy service provider including variance analysis and preparing ad hoc reports as required for Senior Management, Board of the Commission and the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

• Overseeing purchase order and requisition processes.

• Providing financial and accounting advice, direction and leadership within the organisation.

• Overseeing financial services/supports provided by external contractors.

• Managing the finance function.

• Supporting HR with payroll.

• Ensuring compliance with financial legislation and relevant accounting standards.

• Responsibility for drafting Annual Financial Statement and assisting with the submission to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) for audit.

• Leading the annual C&AG audit and responding to related queries.

• Dealing with any internal audits concerning internal financial controls.

• Providing regular expenditure reports to government departments.

• Responding to parliamentary questions and other queries related to the finance function.

• Liaison with banks and other relevant agencies.

• Assessing, further developing and implementing system changes or processes to enhance internal controls.

• Supporting the drafting of the annual budget for submission to the relevant Government Departments, by liaising with Senior Management to ensure the budget is in line with the Strategic and Business Plans of the MHC.

• Developing a phased budget by month, to allow for budget management and reporting.

• Operating as a resource to Divisional Heads, providing financial advice to assist decision making and general business planning.

• Representing the finance function as required e.g. Finance Audit and Risk Committee.

• Assisting in the development of business cases.

• Working as required with the Procurement function to ensure the Commission receives value for money when tendering for goods and services and in line with the Commission’s procurement policy.

• Maintaining financial files and records.

• Overseeing all Travel and Subsistence Claims.

• Overseeing all payments made in relation to Mental Health Tribunals and DSS panels.

Reporting and Working Relationships

The Higher Executive Officer is part of the Corporate Operations Division and manages the finance team.

They report directly to the Head of Corporate Operations.

Essential Requirements

In addition to the person specification, the candidate must possess, by the closing date, the following:

• A relevant professional accounting qualification.

• Membership of a recognised accounting body.

• A minimum of three years relevant work experience.

• Proven experience of financial management, planning and budgeting.

• IT literacy with a proficiency in usage of accounting software e.g. Sage, Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

• Can demonstrate effective project management and ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and to adapt to changing priorities and adaptable to change.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• An aptitude for precision, attention to detail and commitment to quality results.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including experience of interacting effectively with a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.

• Good judgement, decision-making, analysis, and problem-solving skills.

• Evidence of an ability to work on own initiative complemented by a capacity to lead a team.

• Planning and organisational skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise tasks.

Desirable

The following criteria are considered desirable for the post:

• Knowledge and understanding of governance requirements in the public sector.

• Experience in performance management and development of staff.

Competencies

The person appointed to the role of Higher Executive Officer will be required to show evidence of the following competencies:

Analysis & Decision Making

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise, weighing up a range of critical factors.

• Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions.

• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.

• Makes sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these.

• Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Management & Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.

• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

• Structures and organises their own and others work effectively.

• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

• Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required.

• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation.

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively.

• Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.

• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers.

Team Leadership

• Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing performance issues if they arise.

• Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team.

• Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives.

• Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required.

• Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team.

• Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role.

• Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management.

• Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues.

• Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits.

• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances.

• Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing.

• Collaborates and supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Has a good understanding of the production processes related to the development of evidence based guidance documents and standards.

• Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the unit and Department/Organisation and effectively communicates this to others.

• Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his/her area of work.

• Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance.

Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values

• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives.

• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands.

• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon.

• Ensures that customers are at the heart of all services provided.

• Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics and integrity.

Eligibility to Compete

Candidates must, by the date of job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

A permanent, full-time contract of employment with the MHC will be offered to the Higher Executive Officer on terms and conditions determined by the MHC, with the consent of the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Salary

The Higher Executive Officer salary scale (rates effective 1 August 2025) is as follows:

€58,847 - €60,567 - €62,285 - €64,000 - €65,723 - €67,437 - €69,157 - €71,637¹ - €74,112²

LSI 1 after 3 years satisfactory service at the maximum.

LSI 2 after 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum.

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.

This rate will apply where the appointee is an existing civil or public servant appointed on or after 6 April 1995 or is newly recruited to the MHC and is required to make a personal pension contribution.

Different terms and conditions may apply if immediately before appointment you are a current serving civil/public servant.

Note: Salary for the purposes of calculation of superannuation benefits may differ from the above depending on individual circumstances.

Payment Arrangements

Payment will be made fortnightly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of the successful candidate’s choice. Payment cannot be made until a bank account number and bank sort code has been supplied to the MHC. Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate.

A staff member appointed to the post of Higher Executive Officer will agree that any overpayment of salary or travel and subsistence may be deducted from future salary payments due in accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991 (as amended). In accordance with that Act, the MHC will advise the staff member in writing of the amount and details of such overpayment and give at least one week’s notice of the deduction to take place and will deduct the overpayment, at an amount that is fair and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, within six months of such notice in accordance with the Act.

Tenure

The appointment will be based on a permanent, full-time contract of employment with the MHC.

The probationary period will be for a period of nine months from the date of appointment. Notwithstanding this paragraph and the paragraph immediately following below, this will not preclude an extension of the probationary period in appropriate circumstances.

During the probationary period, a staff member’s performance will be subject to review by the line manager to determine whether the staff member:

(i) has performed in a satisfactory manner; and

(ii) has been satisfactory in general conduct.

Prior to completion of the probationary period a decision will be made as to whether the staff member will be retained. This decision will be based on the staff member’s performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) and (ii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to the staff member by the MHC on commencement of employment.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary period may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2005.

Location

The usual place of work for the Higher Executive Officer will be MHC, Waterloo Exchange, Waterloo Road, D04 E5W7. The MHC reserves the right, at its discretion, to change this location to any other place within Ireland.

Staff at the MHC can apply for a blended working arrangement as per the MHC Blended Working Policy.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount, on average, to not less than 40 hours gross of rest breaks or 35 hours net of rest breaks per week.

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. This may include working evenings and weekends.

Outside Employment

The position will be full-time, and the appointee shall not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business that may be perceived to be conflicted with his/her official duties, impairs performance or compromises his/her integrity.