First Level Controller (Grade V)

About the Role Reporting to the Auditor, duties of the First Level Controller will include: • Processing and appraising expenditure claims by European Territorial Communities (ETC) Projects • Carrying out verification checks on declared expenditure, including on-the-spot checks where necessary; • Assisting with financial management. • Dealing with enquiries from approved projects and project partners and • Assisting the Auditor or other senior officers.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

The Ideal Candidate Candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that he/she has: • A satisfactory understanding of the Assembly’s purpose and priorities and have a knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland. • Dedication to providing quality and excellent service. • Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills. • Ability to take ownership of issues/tasks and work on own initiative. • Ability to work as part of a team with strong customer service focus. • Ability to work under pressure. • Flexibility regarding working hours, with occasional unsociable hours and a willingness to travel internationally as required. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive and professional attitude. • Must be committed to self-development and be enthusiastic about acquiring new skills and embracing new technologies; and • A current, full driving licence and have access to own car. Essential Requirements 1. Character: Candidates shall be of good character. 2. Health: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. Education, Training, Experience, Etc.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms – (i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics) and (b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics) or (ii) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or (iii) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard. 4. Skills • A relevant accounting/financial qualification and/or at least 2 years relevant experience in the area of finance/audit • Experience of office organisation • Strong communication, external relations and networking skills • Computer literacy 5. Desirable Requirements Knowledge and experience of EU-funded programmes, preferably on Structural Funds and/or crossborder, transnational or inter-regional co-operation or other ETC programmes Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates:

Communication & Personal Effectiveness • Have effective written and verbal skills. • Take initiative and be open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities. • Manage time and workload effectively. • Maintain a positive and constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

Problem Solving & Decision Making • Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise, weighing up a range of critical factors. • Takes account of broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions. • Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions. • Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these. • Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Delivering Results • Translate the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for the area of responsibility. • Plan work and allocation of staff and other resources effectively. • Implement high quality service and customer care standards. • Make decisions in a timely and well-informed manner Local Government and Regional Assembly - Knowledge & Understanding • Knowledge of the structure and functions of local government and regional assemblies. • Knowledge of EU Institutions, EU policies, Cohesion policy. • Practical understanding of economic, environmental, social and physical development issues at EU, national, regional and local level. • Knowledge of current issues and challenges affecting the Assembly and advocate practical approaches to addressing them. • Clear and realistic views of future trends and strategic direction of the regional assembly. • Understanding the role of the First Level Controller. Appointment A panel will be established for the post of First Level Controller (Grade V) which will be used to fill both permanent and temporary vacancies which may arise during the lifetime of the panel. The Regional Assembly shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the Regional Assembly in its absolute discretion may determine, the Regional Assembly shall not appoint him/her.

Duration The position is full-time and permanent, subject to one year’s probationary period.

Reporting Relationship The First Level Controller will report to the Auditor of the Regional Assembly as instructed by the Assistant Director.

Superannuation Persons who become pensionable officers of a Regional Assembly, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the State Pension Contributory). Persons who become pensionable officers of a Regional Assembly who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, Regional Assembly to contribute to the Regional Assembly at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Widows and Orphans/Spouses and Children’s Scheme All persons who become pensionable officers of a Regional Assembly are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986 to contribute to the Regional Assembly at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. Salary The salary is analogous to Grade V, which is currently €51,210 - €61,252 inclusive of long service increments.

Travel & Subsistence Travel and subsistence costs arising in the course of official duties will be payable at Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government rates.

Place of Work The HQ of the Regional Assembly is in Ballaghadereen Co. Roscommon.

Probation/Performance Review Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of a Regional Assembly or Local Authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: - a) There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. b) Such period shall be one year and may be extended at the discretion of the Director. c) Such person shall cease to hold the office at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Director has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory based on the recommendation of the relevant Supervisor. d) Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Director to be unsatisfactory.

Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum exclusive of public and bank holidays.

Working Hours The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Regional Assembly reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.