Healthy County Coordinator

The Position

The Health and Wellbeing Division within the Department of Health has been instrumental in the development of the Healthy Ireland Programmes within Local Government. These programmes encourage local authorities to lead on health and wellbeing within their communities to bring about improved health and community wellbeing outcomes. This happens across the whole range of local government activities and services to help address what’s called the wider determinants of health and wellbeing – what many people term the causes of the causes of what make people unhealthy. This growing focus and responsibility given to Local Authorities for community well-being encourages local government to lead collaboration within its’ county to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The Healthy Ireland Programme plays an important role in helping to understand the complex interplay of factors that are crucial in improving overall wellbeing outcomes in communities and encouraging local government to avail of the opportunities to address the public health challenges of today.

The Healthy Cities and Counties Programme is a Department of Health funded initiative located within local government with a concerted focus on life-long wellbeing, prevention of illness; enabling wellbeing environments and the reduction of health inequities. More specifically, the programme highlights the important role and responsibility that local government has in enhancing community wellbeing outcomes. The programme has a formal governance arrangement within the LCDC structure which gives it a strong platform from which to build collaborative effort and support high level goal efforts within Local Economic and Community Plans.

A Healthy Ireland Fund secured from the Department of Health is provided to each Local Authority, through the LCDC to help leverage activity in specific outcome areas. Kildare is currently implementing its 4th Healthy Ireland Programme as agreed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Health. A Healthy Ireland Coordinator is in place to oversee this work, but this post is due to conclude when this role is recruited. The HI fund is used to lever support for projects in specific outcome areas and its management and administration forms part of the overall work programme of the coordinator.

The Competition

The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Kildare County Council from which permanent and temporary posts may be filled as Healthy County Coordinator as vacancies arise.

The Role

The Healthy County Coordinator 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. The post holder 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 Coordinator will be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies and to work closely with the elected members, 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 their respective section or department. The post holder 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 post holder 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 professionals with the ability to coordinate, influence, and lead cross-sectoral and community initiatives that address health inequalities, promote prevention, and build resilient, inclusive places within their designated Local Authority.

The Coordinator will support the delivery of the emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Healthy County Coordinator 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 Kildare County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities and Counties Programme.

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 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 County 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 County 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 from a range of statutory/voluntary sector/business and local communities 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 interagency meetings.

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

• 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.

• Plan, implement, oversee and report on funding assigned to the post in line with agreed priorities.

Qualifications

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, Training and Experience etc.:

Each candidate must, on the latest date, receive completed application forms:

• 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.

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.

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.

• Understanding and experience of working with people/communities who experience health inequalities and the social determinants of health.

• Facilitation and group-work skills.

• Experience of report writing, strategic planning and funding application processes.

• Effective communication skills.

• Excellent IT & administration skills, including MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint.

• Experience in managing budgets and finances and experience with processing payments.

• Experience in gathering qualitative and quantitative data, analysis, research and evaluation to policy and practice.

• 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.

Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form.

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.

Drivers Licence:

Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own car.

Competencies for the Post of Healthy County Coordinator

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 to these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates:

Management and 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.

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.

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.

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.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrates understanding of the role of Healthy Ireland Programmes and WHO European Healthy Cities Network in the context of wider local authority service delivery.

• Demonstrates awareness of 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.

• Demonstrates knowledge & understanding of the structure and functions of local government and in particular working across boundaries and with elected members.

• Demonstrates knowledge of 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.

Particulars of Employment

The Post

The post is whole time (i.e., 35 hours per week) and the appointment is permanent.

Location

The location will be Aras Chill Dara. Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Kildare County Council 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 they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week, the hours of work are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays (rotas operate for lunchtime opening). Kildare County Council also has a flexi time system in operation, details of which are available from the Human Resources Section. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

The role will employ flexible working hours to include evening and weekend work on occasion.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements

The Healthy County Coordinator will report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply –

a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation.

b) Such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period.

c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory.

d) The period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts.

e) There will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration

€60,011 per annum to €72,790 per annum (maximum)

€75,395 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum)

€78,015 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum)

On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.