Healthy County Co Ordinator

THE POSITION

The Healthy County Co Ordinator will be responsible for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme areas and act as 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. He/She will be responsible for management of the day-to-day operations of the relevant programme and be a contributor to the strategic and policy making decisions of the local authority.

The Co Ordinator 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. He/She 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 his/her respective section or department. He/She will also be expected to support the operations of the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees, Municipal Districts and other Council Structures.

The job description below outlines the requirements for the position which will operate within a multi-level governance environment—from municipal district and community level to national and EU levels. The postholder will be responsible for coordinating, influencing, and aligning activity across political, managerial, sectoral, and community domains, working at local, municipal district, plenary, regional, national and European levels. The position requires a professional with the ability to coordinate, influence, and lead cross-sectoral and community initiatives that address health inequalities, promote prevention, and build resilient, inclusive place within their designated Local Authority.

The Co Ordinator will support the delivery of the emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026, and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network (Phase VIII) objectives at local and regional levels. The role prioritises actions to improve the wider determinants of health through local government’s statutory and developmental responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on empowering communities, research and innovation, intersectoral collaboration, data management and evidence-informed decision-making.

SALARY: €60,011- €78,015 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc. Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 30 days per annum

HOURS OF WORK: While the normal working week will constitute 35 hours, the appointee will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, which will include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post. A flexible working hours system is in operation.

THE PERSON

The Healthy County Co Ordinator will be responsible for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme areas and act as 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. He/She will be responsible for management of the day-to-day operations of the relevant programme and be a contributor to the strategic and policy making decisions of the local authority.

The Co Ordinator 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. He/She 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 his/her respective section or department. He/She will also be expected to support the operations of the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees, Municipal Districts and other Council Structures.

The job descriptions below outline the requirements for the position which will operate within a multi-level governance environment—from municipal district and community level to national and EU levels. The postholder will be responsible for coordinating, influencing, and aligning activity across political, managerial, sectoral, and community domains, working at local, municipal district, plenary, regional, national and European levels. The position require professionals with the ability to coordinate, influence, and lead cross-sectoral and community initiatives that address health inequalities, promote prevention, and build resilient, inclusive place within their designated Local Authority.

The Co Ordinator will support the delivery of the emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026, and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network (Phase VIII) objectives at local and regional levels. The role prioritises actions to improve the wider determinants of health through local government’s statutory and developmental responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on empowering communities, research and innovation, intersectoral collaboration, data management and evidence-informed decision-making.

Eligibility Criteria:-

CHARACTER:

Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed applications:

• be of good character with a friendly, open and outgoing disposition is essential

• have the ability to stay focused and resilient under pressure

• the capacity to interact effectively with local elected members and people from a broad range of sectors including local development/community organisations

• have the enthusiasm for meeting and working with a variety of people and groups on an ongoing basis

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

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE, ETC.:

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

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

(ii) have a minimum of 2 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.

CITIZENSHIP:

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

a) a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

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

Desirable Requirements:-

Knowledge, Skills and Attitude etc.

• Knowledge and understanding of Sláintecare Reform, Healthy Ireland 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:-

The Healthy County Co Ordinator will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Kerry County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities & Counties Programme. The appointed 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.

• Work with relevant Healthy Ireland partners to ensure integrated and improved delivery of health and wellbeing initiatives and support programmes across the City/County Council.

• Use and gather relevant local datasets to target communities experiencing the greatest health inequities and build evidence case for resource allocation or intervention.

• Develop a 5 year Healthy Cities & Counties Work Programme based on local need and priorities- established from innovative and participatory community engagement and needs assessment exercises with Annual Action Plans comprising of Healthy Ireland Fund or similar funding to action local priorities.

• Participate in Regional Healthy Ireland Coordinator Cluster and National Network fora.

• Map, align and leverage local authority activities that influence the wider determinants of health and include within relevant Healthy Ireland data gathering exercises.

• Advise elected members and senior executives on relevant policies and programmes related to health and wellbeing and deliver relevant upskilling/enabling opportunities.

• Facilitate Local Authority wide/Regional Health and Wellbeing Networks and support the development of local wellbeing forums, and wellbeing leadership initiatives within communities.

• Work confidently and sensitively with elected representatives, senior executives, and cross-sectoral leaders to address determinants of health activity within the local authority.

• Act as a catalyst and connector across directorates and sections (e.g planning, transport, housing, environment, community) to align activity with health and wellbeing objectives.

• Champion whole-system, place-based, preventative approaches to health and wellbeing, working across local authority directorates and with external partners to create enabling environments that foster wellbeing for all.

• Explore resource mechanisms across all Government Departments and at EU level to address local community priorities.

• Leverage research, data, innovation, and WHO/EU collaboration to encourage local government leadership in improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Develop or contribute to funding bids where appropriate in conjunction with communities to resource local priority initiatives.

• Capacity to influence, align, and coordinate across internal directorates and external stakeholders and demonstrate partnership management and stakeholder engagement skills e.g co-ordination of Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Implementation Team.

• Use local data, research, and evidence to shape decisions and measure outcomes and.

• Represent the Local Authority in regional and national networks and participate in international platforms such as the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

• Drive whole-of-local-government, whole-of-community and whole-of-place approaches to wellbeing, focusing on the social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health.

In addition, appointees will be required to:

• assist in the provision of prudent financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation

• comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times

• ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders

• prepare reports as required

• attend training as required

• participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade

• undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

• deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required