Healthy Ireland Coordinator

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent or temporary vacancies for the position of Healthy Ireland Coordinator (Grade VII) in Monaghan County Council shall be filled.

Healthy Cities and County Programme

The Healthy Cities & 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 Healthy Cities & Counties Programme promotes a whole-of-local-government approach and seeks to demonstrate how coherent actions across the wider determinants of health and wellbeing areas of local government activity can produce benefits across broader development objectives and many other related policy areas. This alignment of health and wellbeing activity alongside other local government initiatives with shared objectives is important in driving coherence and collaboration across local government. 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.

The Healthy Ireland Coordinator is responsible for the delivery of the programme. A Healthy Ireland Fund secured from the Department of Health is provided to each Local Authority to help leverage activity in specific outcome areas. The 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 primary work of the Healthy Ireland Coordinator is a collaborative and networking role to encourage implementation of key wellbeing determinant objectives within local government, explore resource and partnership opportunity locally, regionally and nationally to influence resource allocation flows to the Local Authority for wellbeing outcome focused projects, and seek out opportunity from a European perspective considering the WHO European Healthy Cities Network approach and relevant EU programme activity.

Further information on the programme is available on request from Human Resource Management, Monaghan County Council, County Offices, The Glen, Monaghan, H18 YT50.

The role

The Healthy Ireland Coordinator (Grade VII) will be responsible for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme areas. The Healthy Ireland 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 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 Healthy Ireland 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.

The Healthy Ireland Coordinator 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 Healthy Ireland Coordinator 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Healthy Ireland 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 Monaghan County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities & Counties Programme.

The duties of the post of the Healthy County Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• 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 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.
• Plan, implement, oversee, and report on funding assigned to the post in line with agreed priorities.
• Any other duties that may be assigned to the post to promote lifelong health and wellbeing in the community.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of the Healthy Ireland Coordinator and may be subject to change in the future. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate officer or such designated officer as may be assigned from time to time by Monaghan County Council.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

Each candidate shall 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)         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.

4.      Education, Training and Experience

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

(a)    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.

(b)   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

Desirable, Knowledge, Skills and Attitude

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

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. Oversees qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are outlined in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

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.
• Demonstrate 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.

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.

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.

PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Competition

Monaghan County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and temporary vacancies for the post of Healthy Ireland Coordinator (Grade VII) shall be filled. The post(s) shall be wholetime, permanent and pensionable.

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Holders of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

The salary scale for the post is: -

€60,011, - €61,480, - €63,194, - €64,914, - €66,634, - €68,170, - €69,745, - €71,269, - €72,790, - €75,395 €78,015

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: -

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

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

(c)              such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty:

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Driver’s Licence

The holder of the post shall hold a current full clean driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving License. The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport in the course of their duties and maintain the vehicle to the satisfaction of the local authority. Monaghan County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on the insurance policy.