Healthy Cities & Counties Coordinator

The Administrative Officer positions will be assigned functional responsibility for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme area.

The Administrative Officer is the primary point of contact and liaison with other sections in relation to all operational matters for the Healthy Ireland Programme for which they are responsible and other assigned duties/functions, depending on the organisational arrangements in place.

The post holder will work under the direction and control of the Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade or other officer designated by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate. The Administrative Officer is responsible for management of the day-to-day operations of the relevant programme and is a contributor to the strategic and policy making decisions of the local authority.

She/He will be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies and to work closely with the elected councillors, Oireachtas members and senior managers in delivering services to the highest standard.

The post holder may represent the Local Authority on committees and at meetings, including for example Municipal District meetings, Strategic Policy Committee meetings and may be asked to report on progress in her/his respective section or department.

The post holder will be expected to support the operations of the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees, Municipal Districts and other Council Structures.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

Candidates are required to demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of:

·       The role of Healthy Ireland Programmes and WHO European Healthy Cities Network in the context of wider local authority service delivery.

·       Community Development Principles and a strong understanding of the Social Determinants of Health to support delivery of Healthy Ireland priorities – with clear understanding of the roles that housing, transport, planning, environment, and social infrastructure play in shaping health and wellbeing.

·       The structure and functions of local government and in particular working across boundaries and with elected members.

·       Current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of local and national government and at WHO/EU level.

·       Has relevant administrative experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, and budget and financial and resource management skills.

·       Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of research methods, data management and innovative approaches to their work.

·       Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships

·       Local government structures, functions and its democratic role and mandate

·       Current local government issues

·       Key policies guiding the local government sector

·       Good governance principles

·       Public service values

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

·       Project Management Qualification

·       Demonstrate development of Funding proposals at EU level

·       Proven delivery of European Funded Programmes

·       Data analytics experience and use of data analytics tools

·       Proven delivery of county wide programmes at scale

·       Proven delivery of interagency programmes

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

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 candidates:

Management & Change

•           Demonstrates experience in the management or coordination of cross-sectoral or cross-departmental initiatives that impact on community wellbeing.•           Ability to lead change processes in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.•           Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with relevant stakeholder interests.•           Demonstrates an understanding of local authority change dynamics, including political considerations and inter-agency working.•           Effectively manages the introduction of change; fosters a culture of creativity in stakeholders and overcomes resistance to change.

·       Ability to think and act strategically to ensure functional responsibility is properly aligned with corporate policies and strategies

·       Clear understanding of political reality and context of the local authority

·       Embeds good governance practices into day to day activities, practices and processes

·       Develops and maintains positive and productive professional relationships both internally and externally to the local authority

·       Effectively manages change, foster a culture of creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change

Delivering Results

•           Demonstrates Project planning and delivery skills—especially in settings involving multi-stakeholder coordination.•           Proactively identifies problems, areas for improvement and contributes to solutions.•           A strong focus on prevention, equity, and sustainability in local government or community service delivery.•           Ability to use data, evidence, and performance indicators to monitor progress and inform resource allocation.•           Demonstrates the ability to contribute to operational plans and develop team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operation, having regard to corporate goals, operational objectives and available resources.

·       Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions

·       Pinpoints critical information and address issues logically

·       Develops operational and team plans having regard to corporate priorities, operational objectives and available resources

·       Establishes high quality service and customer care standards

·       Allocates resources effectively to deliver on operational plans

·       Identifies and achieves efficiencies

·       Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures

Performance through People

•           Demonstrates effective skills in engaging and empowering communities—especially marginalised or underserved groups. •           Demonstrates confidence in influencing political and executive leadership to support wellbeing priorities.•           Leads, motivates and engages others to achieve quality results.•           Effectively identifies and manages conflict and potential sources of conflict.•           Demonstrates capacity to foster trust, listen deeply, and navigate competing priorities.

·       Effectively manages performance of individuals and teams to achieve operational plan targets and objectives

·       Leads by example to motivate staff in the delivery of high-quality outcomes and customer service

·       Develops staff potential

·       Manages underperformance or conflict

·       Understands effective communications at all levels within the organisation

·       Actively listen to others

·       Demonstrates high level of verbal and written communication skills

·       Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with relevant stakeholders externally.

Personal Effectiveness

•           Commitment to equity, inclusion and community empowerment.•           Demonstrates resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to solving complex problems.•           Maintains a reflective practice approach, learning from experience, data, and feedback.•           Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles. •           Demonstrates a curiosity and openness to research, innovation, and EU opportunity.•           Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace [DL1] 

·       Initiative and creativity

·       Enthusiasm and positivity about the role

·       Resilience and Personal Well-Being

·       Personal Motivation

·       Understands the importance of corporate governance

·       Commitment to integrity & good public service values

·       Understanding the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of an Administrative Officer in this context

·       Political awareness

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Details of Key Duties and Responsibilities are outlined under “Particulars of Office”

QUALIFICATIONS

1.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -

·        A third-level degree (NFQ Level 8 or higher) in a relevant field such as public health, social policy, public administration, youth work, social sciences, community/sports development, planning, or related discipline.

A minimum of two years’ relevant experience in any of the following:

·        Local government, public sector, or similar roles involving strategic planning, project coordination, or community engagement.

·        Work with disadvantaged communities or target populations to address social exclusion or inequality.

·        Cross-sectoral coordination or partnership development.

·        Policy development, research, or evaluation related to the determinants of health.

·        Operating effectively within political, community and policy-making environments, demonstrating ability to work across boundaries of role, sector and geography.

·        Project management and delivery, budgeting and performance-monitoring experience.

* Copies of qualifications must be attached to support this application. Failure to provide qualifications will deem this application invalid.

2.     Knowledge, Skills and Attitude etc.

·        Knowledge and understanding of Sláintecare Reform, Healthy Cities and Counties Outcomes Framework.

·        Experience of building, managing and nurturing partnerships and relationships across a wide range of key stakeholders

·        An understanding and/or experience of local government structures and political environment

·        Facilitation and group-work skills.

·        Understanding of those who experience health inequalities.

·        Experience of report writing, strategic planning and funding application processes

·        Effective communication skills.

·        Excellent IT & administration skills, including MS Word, Excel & Power Point

·        Experience in managing budgets and finances and experience with processing payments

·        An understanding and/or experience in gathering qualitative and quantitative data, analysis, research and evaluation to policy and practice.

·        Appreciation of use of social media and varied communication platforms

·        Understanding of multi-level governance and/or experience of working across local, regional, national and European contexts.

2.     Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a)          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). 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 UK 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 the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

3.     Driving Licence

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

4.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

5.     Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates

* Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1.     The Post:

The post is permanent, whole-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill appropriate positions that may arise for its duration. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2.     Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.  Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.   Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.  Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale.  The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €60,011 - €78,015 LSI 2

3.     Duties:

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and

a)     such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b)    to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require. The Healthy Cities & Counties Coordinator will report under the general direction of a Director of Service or any other officer as designated by the Chief Executive.

Duties include inter alia:

•                   Work intensively with communities of interest and place to co-design, develop, and implement locally tailored wellbeing initiatives.

•                   Apply principles of empowerment, participation, social justice, and equality in all aspects of planning and delivery.

4. Work Base:

Offaly County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

5. Working Hours:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remunertation will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Offaly County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy.