Healthy Ireland Coordinator

The Position

Westmeath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for the position of Healthy Ireland Coordinator for which permanent and fixed term contract vacancies shall be drawn.

Background – Healthy Cities & Counties 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.

WHO European Healthy Cities - WHO Healthy Cities is a global movement working to put health high on the social, economic and political agenda of National and Local Governments. The Healthy Cities movement has been a driver of change, creating healthier places that support the health and wellbeing of the people that use them.

The Healthy Cities vision acknowledges the critical role that cities, counties and local governments play in tackling health and wellbeing issues through innovation, partnerships, and advocacy. Its approach seeks to put health and community wellbeing high on the political and social agenda and to build a strong movement for public health at the local level.

The WHO European Healthy Cities Network enters Phase VIII (2025-2030) with its overarching goal being to advance health, wellbeing, and equity for all by addressing health challenges through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. The National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network and the cities of Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway were accredited to the Network for Phase VII and the goals and themes proposed for Phase VIII will be significant guiding principles within the work programme for the Healthy Ireland Administrative Officer positions.

National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network - The National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network is an initiative that brings together City and County Councils across the country to create collaborative and sustainable actions that improve wellbeing outcomes. The National Network has a focus on strengthening the capacity of local government to lead on improving health and wellbeing outcomes and address key health determinants areas at the local and regional level and regarding specific thematic health and wellbeing areas of interest.

A cross-government steering committee supports the Network's work through enabling the Healthy Cities and Counties Programme to serve as a catalyst for regional and local implementation of the Healthy Ireland Outcomes framework, the Sláintecare Health reform agenda and relevant elements of the Programme for Government: “Securing Ireland’s Future”, ensuring strong alignment with National priorities. The Minister for Public Health and Wellbeing is the Political lead for the National Network.

Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework - The National Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing, 2013-2025, was launched in 2013 to make Ireland a healthier place to live, work and play. It’s four high-level goals were:

Goal 1: Increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life.

Goal 2: Reduce health inequalities.

Goal 3: Protect the public from threats to health and wellbeing.

Goal 4: Create an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland.

A cross-government and cross-sectoral Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, 2021-2025, was developed as a unified roadmap to achieving the high-level goals, with the Department of Health responsible for its strategic planning and implementation. A Healthy Ireland Fund (HIF) was established in 2016 to support implementing project activities that contributed to the Outcomes Framework and the Department of Health has since then, approved four HIF rounds.

Round 4, is an outcome-based approach delivered by Local Authorities and though in its final year, has been extended out to 31st December 2026 to progress approved outcomes and the achievement of full spend under HIF Round 4 and also provide maneuverability for a new Outcomes Framework currently being worked on by the Department of Health which is planned for 2026.

Introduction

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 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 designated officer by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate.

The Coordinator will be 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 multilevel 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 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 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. 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 Westmeath County Council for the advancement of the Healthy Cities & Counties Programme.

Duties & Responsibilities

• 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

• Collaborate 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 an evidence case for resource allocation or intervention

• Develop a 5 year Healthy Cities & Counties Work Programme based on local needs 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 forums; 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 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

• 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 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 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.

The post holder may 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 duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

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:

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.

Education, Training, Experience

Candidates shall have:

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

(b) At least 2 years of experience in roles involving:

• 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 the ability to work across boundaries of role, sector, and geography.

• Project management and delivery, budgeting, and performance-monitoring experience.

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.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of Sláintecare Reform and the Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework.

• Experience in building, managing, and nurturing partnerships and relationships across a wide range of key stakeholders.

• An understanding and/or experience of local government structures and the political environment.

• Facilitation and group-work skills.

• Understanding of those who experience health inequalities.

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

• Effective communication skills.

• Excellent IT and administration skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Experience in managing budgets and finances, including processing payments.

• An understanding and/or experience in gathering qualitative and quantitative data, analysis, research, and evaluation to inform policy and practice.

• Appreciation of the 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.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a motivated and committed individual with a track record of delivering community health or wellbeing programmes. They will demonstrate leadership, initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively in partnership with multiple stakeholders.

Particulars of Office

The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent and fixed-term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

Salary

The current salary for the post of Healthy Ireland Coordinator is €60,011 - €78,015 per annum (including Long Service Increments), which is analogous to the Administrative Officer scale as per Circular EL 07/2025. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. New entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. 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. You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your wages (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5).

Probation

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation.

(b) Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period.

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

The Local Authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointments within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement shall be 30 days per annum. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and local agreements which may apply from time to time.

Working Hours

Normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend training. All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 as amended.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Location

Westmeath 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.