Healthy Age Friendly Homes Regional Programme Manager

The Position

Meath County Council hosts the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, a national programme that supports preparation for population ageing under the World Health Organisation’s global framework.

Meath County Council, on behalf of Limerick City & County Council, is currently recruiting a Regional Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme Manager who will be employed and based within County Limerick. Limerick City & County Council will be the employing local authority. The person will be assigned to work for the Age Friendly Shared Service while being based in Limerick.

Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and temporary vacancies for the position of Healthy Age Friendly Homes Regional Programme Manager (Mid West) with the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service shall be drawn.

Age Friendly Programme Details

Age Friendly Ireland is an appointed shared service function of local government hosted by Meath County Council. This national office brings together, supports, and provides technical guidance to the 31 local authority-led, multi-agency Age Friendly Programmes.

At city and county level, local Age Friendly Programmes are implemented through cooperation and partnership of older people with government agencies and service providers working side by side. Under the leadership of local authority Chief Executives and senior managers, governance is anchored in the 31 multi-agency Age Friendly Alliances, supported by diversely representative Older People’s Councils engaged as co-design partners.

The local Age Friendly Alliances provide the collaborative framework to involve senior leaders from key stakeholders such as the Local Authority, Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, Chambers of Commerce, community sector, third-level institutions, and others who have sufficient influence and resources to develop and deliver ambitious and collaborative Age Friendly Programmes.

The Programme for Government (2025) contains strong objectives for supporting ageing communities, references the important work delivered under Age Friendly strategies, and highlights the role of Older People’s Councils. The ageing agenda is also clearly referenced in national policies including Housing, Transport, Community and Rural Development, Creative Ireland, An Garda Síochána’s Strategy for Older People, and Sláintecare, as well as in planning, economic, local, and community development policies.

Background | Summary of Post

The recruitment campaign will recruit a Regional Age Friendly Programme Manager who will be employed and based in Limerick City & County Council and assigned to work for the National Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service in Meath County Council. The Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service will directly manage the posts.

The role of Healthy Age Friendly Homes Regional Programme Manager is to support the delivery of the four strategic objectives of the National Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service. The successful candidate will support the management of local Age Friendly Programmes in six counties in the midwest region (Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary North), including supporting implementation of strategies, identifying areas for development, scaling up initiatives, and measurement.

This post requires an appropriate level of seniority and autonomy to proactively deliver on regional requirements of the Age Friendly Programme and report directly to the national shared service office.

The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Regional Programme Manager will report on performance directly to the National Programme Manager in Age Friendly Ireland and will support the Chief Officer, who has overall responsibility for leadership and strategic direction. The role will be key in ensuring successful delivery of work in line with duties and responsibilities.

The successful candidate will require significant experience of Age Friendly programming and policy, with an excellent understanding of the eight domains of the World Health Organization’s global Age Friendly Cities and Communities Programme. The role requires a self-motivated, innovative, and dynamic individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, and a proven track record in change management and delivering results.

The Programme Manager will develop strong working relationships with local Age Friendly Programme Managers across the region, supporting implementation and achievement of local Key Performance Indicators.

The role will be based in one of Limerick City & County Council’s offices. Following probation, there may be options to explore blended working arrangements, including potential for two home working days.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Programme Manager role includes supporting local Age Friendly Programmes to ensure optimal performance and achievement of Key Performance Indicators, reporting to the shared service, leading thematic work areas, and representing the shared service at national level.

Strategic Objective 1: Strengthening and Embedding Local Programmes

• Support the National Programme Manager in developing and implementing a national strategy and work plan through a regional structure.
• Work collaboratively within the shared service team to develop the programme nationally.
• Support a team-based framework of Age Friendly Programme Managers, particularly in adjoining counties and cities.
• Facilitate development and implementation of local strategies and infrastructure.
• Advise local Programme Managers on building effective alliances and stakeholder relationships.
• Support coordinated implementation of Local Age Friendly Alliances, Older People’s Councils, and programme delivery.
• Build relationships with Age Friendly Housing Technical Advisors.
• Support establishment of interdepartmental teams within local authorities.
• Deliver Age Friendly training modules where required.
• Implement guidance using Age Friendly Ireland technical resources.

Strategic Objective 2: Scaling Up and Replicating Best Practice

• Lead development and rollout of national guidelines to support high-quality initiatives.
• Manage delivery of initiatives to be extended or replicated nationally.
• Support regional collaboration across programmes.
• Support data collection on Age Friendly housing provision and policy implementation.
• Support delivery of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme in the midwest region.
• Lead coordination of selected pilot initiatives.

Strategic Objective 3: Measurement, Monitoring and Sharing Learning

• Collect regional data to inform Key Performance Indicators.
• Support continuous improvement through reporting systems and operational materials.
• Develop systems to support data-driven decision making.
• Work with the Research Unit to coordinate research and dissemination.
• Attend and contribute to national team meetings.
• Identify and communicate risks or challenges.
• Support preparation of local reports and strategies.
• Assist with communications and national events such as the Older People’s Councils Convention, National Age Friendly Awards, and Age Friendly Ambassadors Day.

Strategic Objective 4: National Policy

• Represent the shared service at regional alliance meetings.
• Support national expert working groups.
• Support the Chief Officer in delivering national stakeholder partnerships.
• Support Programme for Government 2025 objectives related to ageing.

Qualifications for the Post

Character Each candidate must be of good character.

Health Each candidate must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of delivering regular and efficient service.

Education and Experience Each candidate must:

• Have a good standard of education
• Have at least five years satisfactory experience in a managerial or developmental role
• Possess excellent administrative, communication, facilitation, and leadership experience

Desirable Experience and Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience working with senior management and national or international forums
• Proven track record in delivering results
• Experience in innovation and problem solving
• Experience in local government or public service
• Experience in multi-agency environments
• Knowledge of Age Friendly frameworks and relevant policy
• Strong project management skills
• Partnership building and influencing skills
• Report writing, data collection, and analytical skills
• Budget management and resource planning experience
• Collaborative working approach
• Experience in the ageing sector (essential)
• Understanding of local authority functions
• Awareness of Equality, Human Rights, and Health and Safety legislation
• Community development background (essential)
• Strong technical and IT skills
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle (essential)
• Ability to work independently in a complex environment
• Performance management experience

Additional Information

The role requires travel within the region and nationally. Flexibility in working hours and location is required.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary €60,611 to €78,795 per annum (Administrative Officer equivalent).

Hours of Work 35 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work may be required within normal working hours. All work is subject to the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and related regulations.