Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator - Administrative Officer

The Position

The Healthy Ireland Coordinator is an Administrative Officer grade post. Administrative Officer positions are assigned functional responsibility for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme areas. The Co-Ordinator 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 Co-Ordinator 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, 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, Municipal Districts and other Council Structures.

The job description below outlines the requirements for the position that operates within a multi-level governance environment — from municipal district and community level to national and EU levels.

This is not a conventional Administrative Officer position. 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 positions 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 role 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.

Role & Duties of the Post

The Healthy Ireland 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 Longford County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities & 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 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.

• 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.

Competencies Key competencies for the post of Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of their competence under each of these headings. Take particular note of the competencies below listed as any shortlisting or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidate in their completed application form.

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.

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.

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.

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

Qualifications

1. 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 on-going basis.

2. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

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

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

• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

• 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

• 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

• 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.

4. Education, Training and 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 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.

5. Desirable 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 & 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 platform.

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

Particulars of Employment

1. The Post The post is wholetime (i.e. 35 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary.

2. Location Longford 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.

3. Commencement Longford 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, Longford County Council shall not appoint them.

4. Working Hours The person appointed will be required to work a 35-hour week, Monday to Friday. A flexible working system is in operation. Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

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. Longford County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

5. Reporting Arrangements

Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator will report both to the appointed Senior Officer in Longford County Council/Chief Officer, LCDC, as designated by the Chief Executive. 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.

6. Residence

The holder(s) of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

7. Probationary Period of Employment There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Chief Executive.

Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory. Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service. Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service.

8. Remuneration

The current salary scale for the post of Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator is €60,011 - €78,015 (LSI2) gross per annum (Circular EL 07/2025). The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars.

On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by Pay-Path directly to the employee’s 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.

9. Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended, or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January, 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks:

  • Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

  • Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

10. Annual Leave The current annual leave entitlement for Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Longford County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures (e.g. Christmas Office Closure). Any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

11. Driver’s Licence & Insurance

Longford County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Longford County Council with the indemnity specified on your insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

12. Code of Conduct/Organisation Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Longford County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to: Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment.