Information Systems Analyst Developer

The ideal candidate must:

·     Be a self-starter, capable of continuous self-learning, new thinking, working to very tight deadlines and committed to achieving high quality results

·     Have an ability to take the initiative and adopt a proactive approach to the introduction of ICT-based solutions

·     Possess a keen intelligence, strong detailed analytical ability and sound judgment

·     Be decisive and innovative

·     Have a strong commitment to the implementation of change including practical experience of the management of change, including development of policies, procedures, and work practices and their implementation

·     Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal, team-building and motivational skills including a strong record of collaboration

·     Possess excellent planning and organisational skills

·     Be able to deliver within budgetary constraints and identify, develop and implement value for money indicators in respect of all IT operations

·     Have a commitment to quality customer services

Candidates will be required to demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of:

·     The environment in which the National Waste Collection Permit office operates, its culture, key operations and a strong awareness of the strategic direction of the local government waste shared services

·     Current ICT systems and platforms within a local authority and the NWCPO

·     Transact SQL and SQL Server or analogous

·     Customer Relationship Management

·     Data Analytics, Management and Protection

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

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

IT Experience & Practice incl. Project Management

·       Developing, implementing and supporting ICT infrastructure & systems within an organisation

·       Platforms and software package support and management

·       Network / Security management

·       Application management and support including web technologies both backend and frontend

·       Mobile technologies

·       Virtualisation and Cloud technologies

Data Analytics and Data Management

Management and Delivery of Results

·       Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions

·       Leads on preparing for and implementing change

·       Pinpoints critical information and address issues logically

·       Develops operational and team plans having regard to corporate priorities, operational objectives and available resources

·       Establishes high quality service and customer care standards

·       Allocates resources effectively to deliver on operational plans

·       Identifies and achieves efficiencies

·       Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures

Performance through People

• Effectively contributes to the performance of individuals and teams to achieve operational plan targets and objectives
• Leads by example to motivate staff in delivery of high quality outcomes and customer service
• Understands effective communications at all levels within the organisation
• Actively listen to others
• Demonstrates high level of verbal and written communication skills

Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships Networks, persuades and influences others to deliver

Personal Effectiveness

·       Initiative and creativity

·       Enthusiasm and positivity about the role

·       Resilience and Personal Well-Being

·       Personal Motivation

·       Understands the importance of corporate governance

·       Commitment to integrity & good public service values

·       Understanding the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of an IS Analyst Developer

·       Political awareness

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Details of Key Duties and Responsibilities are outlined under “Particulars of Office”

QUALIFICATIONS

1.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must have on the latest date for receipt of completed applications;

(a)            A qualification at level 8 on the National Framework of qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e. honours degree) in a relevant computing discipline and at least 3 years directly relevant, recent ICT hands-on experience from your employment to date

OR

(b)            A qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award (i.e honours degree), or higher, with computing taken in the final year and at least 4 years directly relevant, recent ICT hands-on experience from your employment to date *

OR

(c)             A level 6 NFQ major award qualification in the relevant computing discipline and at least 5 years directly relevant ICT hands-on experience from your employment to date *

And

Have satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

* Copies of qualifications must be attached to support this application. Failure to provide qualifications will deem this application invalid.

2.     Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels 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.

3.     Driving Licence

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

4.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

5.     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.

* 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.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1.     The Post:

The post is permanent, whole-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill appropriate positions that may arise for its duration. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2.     Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.  Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.   Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.  Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale.  The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €57,322 - €70,030 LSI 2

3.     Duties:

The duties of the post 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 2001 and 2014, 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 subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

·     Operate under the direction of, and report to, the NWCPO IS Project Leader or to any other such person as may be determined by the Council from time to time;

·     Ensure that the NWCPO’s ICT infrastructure and business applications operate efficiently, perform to agreed targets, and deliver a secure and compliant platform for the Office to carry out its business;

·     Act as a senior internal ICT specialist, leading where necessary, in the delivery of solutions to complex technical issues;

·     Investigate and recommend new and emerging technologies that would contribute to the improvement, efficiency and enhancement of existing information systems and maximise ICT opportunities;

·     Proactively develop, monitor, support, improve and manage the ICT infrastructure environment including networks, servers, cloud services, desktop/laptop and mobile systems

·     Assist in the development of long-term, strategic plans, for the development of ICT capabilities within the Council;

·     Implement and develop the ICT strategy/vision to support Offaly County Council’s overall Corporate Plan strategic objectives and ensure compliance with best practice standards and codes of practice;

·     Provide effective leadership and management of ICT staff including implementation of the Performance Management Development System (PMDS) within the section;

·     Manage the IT Operations team as a customer-focused service function;

·     Support the provision of infrastructure that will maximise the potential of and promote the use of e-business/e-service;

·     Ensure the security and integrity of Council data and ICT infrastructure;

·     Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery technologies and processes are appropriate to the organisation’s needs and risk management policies;

·     Ensure compliance with licencing requirements and make the most cost-effective use of ICT licences;

·     Contribute to the development and review of ICT policies;

·     Advise on the technical specification relating to new information systems or ICT infrastructure, to include the preparation of a Business Case when required;

·     Contributing effectively to business process improvement initiatives;

·     Procure ICT hardware, software and licenses (including contract negotiation);

·     Manage and procure external technical support services when required to ensure service quality, standards and targets are achieved;

·     Analyse, interpret and communicate effectively, technical information and concepts to the local authority, management, staff and elected members;

·     Liaise with other sections of the Council to ensure that the ICT functions and capabilities align with the business goals of the Council;

·     Negotiate between the Information Systems function, other directorates, and external suppliers to resolve technical or contentious issues and conflicts to ensure that projects and services are delivered on time and within budget;

·     Plan and prioritise work effectively and be proactive and self-directed;

·     Work under pressure to tight deadlines and to take a strategic approach in the delivery of key policy objectives;

·     Manage and deal with conflicting demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines;

·     Implement all Health and Safety management systems;

·     Carry out duties at all times in a fair and impartial manner that enhances public trust and confidence;

·     Deputise for line manager when required;

·     Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

4. Work Base:

Offaly County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

5. Working Hours:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remunertation will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Offaly County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy.

6. Annual Leave:

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended)

7. Sick Leave:

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

8. Probation:

Appointees will be on probation for the first year of employment. The terms of the Offaly County Council Probation Policy will apply.

9. Superannuation:

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1st January, 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time 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. A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5%, of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme. Pension and retirement lump sum based on career-average pay, pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory (SPC).

For persons who commenced public sector employment prior to 1st January 2013: Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (ie. 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 dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

10. Retirement:

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement age of 65 years.

11. Travel:

Holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Offaly County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.