Healthy County Coordinator

The Role

Leitrim County Council invites applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Healthy County Coordinator.

The Healthy County Coordinator is an Administrative Officer grade post. The Coordinator will be assigned functional responsibility for the management of the Leitrim Healthy Ireland Programme area.

The Coordinator 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, as well as other assigned duties or 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 Coordinator 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. They 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 and Strategic Policy Committee meetings, and may be asked to report on progress in their respective section or department. The post holder will be expected to support the operations of the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees, Local Community Development Committee and Healthy Ireland Sub Committee, Municipal Districts and other Council structures.

The job description below outlines the requirements for the position, which operates within a multi level governance environment from municipal district and community level to national and European Union 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 role will support the delivery of the emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026 and the World Health Organization European Healthy Cities Network Phase Eight 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.

While this is not a conventional Administrative Officer position, the post holder should be aware that, should the need for the role cease to exist, they can be moved or reassigned within the local authority on a grade equivalent basis.

The Duties

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 Leitrim County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities and Counties Programme.

The duties of the post of the Healthy County Coordinator may include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• 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

• 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 five year Healthy Cities and 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 them within relevant Healthy Ireland data gathering exercises

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

• Facilitate Local Authority wide or 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 such as planning, transport, housing, environment and 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 European Union level to address local community priorities

• Leverage research, data, innovation and World Health Organization and European Union 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 for example coordination of Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Implementation Team

• 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 World Health Organization 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

• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Local Authority.

The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours.

The Qualifications

Character

Candidates shall be of good character, with a friendly, open and outgoing disposition.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Citizenship

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

i. A citizen of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

ii. A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

iii. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

iv. A non European Economic Area citizen who is a spouse or child of a European Economic Area or United Kingdom or Swiss citizen and has a stamp four visa; or

v. 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 four visa; or

vi. A non European Economic Area citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, a European Economic Area member state or the United Kingdom or Switzerland and has a stamp four visa

Education, Training and Experience

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

a) A third level degree National Framework of Qualifications Level eight or higher in a relevant field such as community or sports development, youth work, social sciences, public health, social policy, public administration, planning or related discipline

b) 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

Notes

• Candidates must submit a copy of educational qualifications meeting the requirements of section four a above with their application

• Applications received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further

• Non Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Foreign language qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document

Candidates must also hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the European Union Model Driving Licence and must advise if this is not the case. A copy of licence must be submitted with your application.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have

• Knowledge and understanding of Sláintecare Reform and 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 information technology and administration skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• 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

The Principal Terms and Conditions

The post is whole time, permanent and pensionable and will be based in Leitrim County Council Offices in Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim.

A panel will be formed from which Healthy County Coordinator vacancies arising during the lifetime of the panel, twelve months, may be filled.

Duties

The duties of the office 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, 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 sub paragraph a of this paragraph

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority.

The duties will include, but will not be limited to, the duties set out under the Duties Section above.

Salary

The salary scale for the position of Healthy County Coordinator Administrative Officer Analogous will be within the range scale effective from first February 2026:

€60,611 - €62,095 - €63,826 - €65,563 - €67,300 - €68,852 - €70,442 - €71,982 - €73,518 - €76,149 LSI1 - €78,795 LSI2

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies other than his or her inclusive salary payable to or received by him or her by virtue of the post or in respect of any services which he or she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Residence

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof and will be required to serve in the Local Authority’s Offices, or wherever assigned by the Local Authority.

The holder of the post will be based in Leitrim County Council Offices in Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim. Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, reassign an employee to any Department now or in the future. Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, assign an employee to any base or to any premises in use by the Council now or in the future.

Probation

All contracts will be subject to a probationary period, during which the performance of the successful applicant will be regularly evaluated.

Where a person is permanently appointed to Leitrim 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 one year but the Chief Executive may, at his or her 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) There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period

Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he or she is appointed to a permanent position, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum. Annual leave year runs from first January to thirty first December.

Working Hours

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time. The nature of the role will require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including evenings and or weekends, as necessary.

All hours of work will be 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.

Superannuation

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after first January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration plus 3 percent of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sums for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career average pay. Pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory Scheme.

Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government Superannuation Consolidation Scheme 1998 and are liable to pay the Class A rate of Pay Related Social Insurance contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration, that is pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children. You will also be required in respect of the Local Government Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of Pay Related Social Insurance contribution will be required in respect of his or her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5 percent of pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children or Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5 percent of pensionable remuneration.

Retirement Age

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme as provided by the Public Service Pensions Single Scheme and Other Provisions Act 2012 commenced with effect from first January 2013. The Act introduced new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after first January 2013, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. In accordance with Circular Letter 24 2020 Single Pension Scheme Members normal retirement age will be in line with the age of eligibility for the State Pension Contributory. Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2004.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2004, had been subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years. The Public Service Superannuation Age of Retirement Act 2018 provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age of most pre 2004 public servants from age 65 to age 70.

Pension Abatement

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to, or in receipt of, a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil or Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions Single Scheme and Other Provisions Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department, Office or Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.