Regional Manager

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role within the relevant business unit and for HIQA as a whole:

The Regional Manager will join the Healthcare team within the Regulation Directorate. The Regional Manager role as advertised will manage and support a team of inspectors and/or other staff as required, ensuring that all staff within their sphere of responsibility discharge their duties in line with HIQA’s scheme of delegation, policies and procedures and quality assurance mechanisms. The Regional Manager will also be responsible for the programme of regulation and the assessment of compliance with legislation and national standards up to and including enforcement/escalation activity as required.

The role as advertised will involve monitoring public general hospitals, maternity hospitals, rehabilitation and community inpatient hospital services, and private hospitals following commencement of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023. It does not incorporate mental health services, residential care services for older persons or people with disabilities or monitoring exposure to ionising radiation. Separate recruitment campaigns are held for inspectors in these areas.

The Regional Manager will lead a team of inspectors to carry out all regulatory activities in accordance with HIQA’s policies, processes and procedures to determine compliance with legislation and national standards, report publicly on findings and respond appropriately when service providers do not meet requirements.

Behavioural Expectations

The way that HIQA people are expected to work to role model HIQA values:

The incumbent of this role is expected to demonstrate HIQA’s values in the delivery of every day work and interactions with clients and colleagues, by putting people first, being fair and objective, being open and accountable, demonstrating excellence and innovation and working together.

Common Tasks Team Member

• Seek clarity on the tasks associated with own role

• Complete tasks in compliance with policies and procedures

• Adhere to relevant legislation, standards and internal audits

• Fulfil any mandatory or professional competency requirements

• Maintain confidentiality and a professional approach

• Raise any concerns in relation to workplace health and safety

• Actively identify learning needs and development opportunities

• Actively contribute as a team member

• Follow direction and take on new and different tasks

• Set and achieve performance goals that contribute to HIQA strategy

• Regularly seek feedback to meet performance expectations and goals

Common Tasks Manager

Team management:

• Set clear strategic direction and action plans for direct reports

• Build team cohesion and cultivate an engaged, productive environment

• Undertake regular coaching, performance feedback and development conversations with direct reports

• Ensure direct reports access appropriate training and development

• Plan for and manage recruitment activity and vacant roles

• Manage staff retention and attrition effectively

Operational management:

• Contribute to business planning and knowledge management

• Forecast and manage resources in line with available budget

• Ensure that policies and procedures in area are current and adhered to

• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety standards

• Meet audit requirements and ensure legislative compliance

• Report on performance and relevant business measures as required

• Identify risks, and develop contingency plans where necessary

• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to work practices

Role Specific Tasks

The key tasks and activities associated with the role:

The nature of the tasks and activities associated with the role will vary accordingly. It will involve:

• Ensure adherence to the HIQA’s Code of Conduct.

• Deliver a programme of responsive regulation aimed at ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations and/or standards, whilst encouraging continuous improvement in the quality and safety of services.

• Ensure the inspection process and inspection reports are in line with the Authority Monitoring Approach and are to the highest standards of objectivity and quality.

• Take appropriate responsibility for all aspects of the regulatory framework, including registration, compliance, reviews, investigation, and enforcement, as required.

• Work effectively in regard to other assigned tasks including methodology development and/or internal quality assurance in line with the needs of the regulation directorate.

• Work effectively as part of a team of Regional Managers, to contribute to and support the achievement of the leadership and management team goals.

• Represent the Head of Programme Healthcare when engaging with key external stakeholders and participating in national working groups as required.

• Provide support to the Senior Management Team as required.

• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Director of Healthcare Regulation or Head of Programme(s).

• Be required to travel for regulatory activities including inspections.

• Overnight stays and out of hours working will also be required due to the nature of this role having regard to the business needs of the organisation.

The contents of any role description are not exhaustive and are intended to be indicative of the scope of the role.

Qualifications

The qualifications that are essential to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential qualifications that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process.

• Degree qualification (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in a healthcare related discipline, inclusive of healthcare management, as deemed relevant by the Authority for the post of Regional Manager as advertised and

• Full and current driving licence and have access to your own transport

The qualifications that are desirable to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

- An additional qualification in the area of Health Services Management, Health Sciences, Business Management, Quality Management, Regulation, Governance, Patient Safety, Human Factors or equivalent

Experience

The experience that is essential to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential knowledge and experience that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process.

- At least three years’ experience in a management role, with senior decision making in a healthcare, regulatory or other setting relevant to the post as advertised

Other knowledge and experience that are deemed necessary for the role:

• A knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework currently underpinning the regulation of health services deemed relevant for the post as advertised

• Demonstrate an understanding of best practice, current developments, emerging issues and legislation in the provision of health and social care services relevant to the post as advertised.

• A strong understanding of the systems of governance required to ensure a safe and effective service.

• Strong knowledge of inspection/investigation and/or audit/quality assurance processes

• Proven experience of using risk management frameworks

• Knowledge and experience of quality assessment, regulatory compliance, monitoring and inspection, within a regulatory, audit, or quality assurance environment

• Experience in reviewing evidence of best practices, reaching a conclusion and presenting the findings

• Experience of identifying, gathering, and evaluating the relevance of information and evidence to inform robust risk-based decision making.

• Experience in presenting complex information in an easily understood and accessible format.

• Demonstrate Strong computer skills with advanced skills in Word and Outlook and a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite

• Demonstrate strong skills in report writing based on objective observation and analysis of relevant data.

The experience that is desirable to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

• A working knowledge of regulation in health or social care or a similar sector

• Experience in health and social care research, both qualitative and quantitative

Principal Conditions of Service

Probation

A probationary period of six months applies to this position.

Pay

Candidates will be appointed on the minimum point of the salary scale (€87,510) and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines. The rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation. The incremental progression for this scale is in line with Government pay policy.

The salary scale for this position is as follows:

Engineer Grade I (PPC)

€87,510 €90,260 €93,015 €95,761 €98,508 €101,776 €105,493¹ €109,216²

1. After 3 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum

2. After 6 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum

Entry will be at the first point of the scale. An exception may occur where an appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale. In this case the appointment may be assimilated to the nearest point of the advertised salary scale with their incremental date adjusted accordingly.

Please note the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Superannuation

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Please note that the Single Public Service Pension 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. In certain circumstances, for example, where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply.

The legislation giving effect to the Scheme is the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

For those who are not subject to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (e.g. those transferring from other public service employment where the break in service, if any, is less than 26 weeks), the terms of the Health Information and Quality Authority Superannuation Scheme will apply.

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/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s reemployment 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/Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 30 days per annum.

Hours of attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 per week. The appointee may be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his or her duties subject to the limits set down under working time regulations.

Blended Working Arrangements

HIQA has introduced blended working to offer more flexible working arrangements to all employees. We aim to strike a balance between being flexible, efficient, and resilient by facilitating blended working where practical, while enabling onsite interaction, collaboration, and support as required.

All roles in HIQA have been assessed under the criteria of business needs and role suitability for blended working. This determined the proportion of time that employees will spend working in HIQA offices and working from home, depending on their role.

Depending on the role, there may be a requirement to attend the office for more than the allocated number of days for training and on-boarding purposes at the start of your employment and during the probation period.

A review of our blended working model confirmed that this model is working well in HIQA therefore we are now moving from Interim Blended Working to a long term Blended Working Model. Our existing policy and documentation will be revised and updated once the framework for the Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act is published. Our model is in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working in Ireland.

Further guidance on HIQA’s Blended Working Policy, which includes eligibility criteria will be issued to successful candidates. This is an opt-in policy and details on how you can apply will be issued to you before you start.

Selection Procedure

An information booklet and application form are available at: Careers with HIQA (recruitisland.ie)

How to Apply and Closing Date

The completed application form must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 19th October 2026. Only applications completed online through Careers with HIQA (recruitisland.ie) will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.

Selection Process

The Health Information and Quality Authority will convene a selection panel to carry out the competitive stages of the selection process to the highest standards of best practice. The approach employed may include:

• A shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their application

• One or more competitive competency-based interview

• Completion of assessments

• Presentation or other exercises

• Any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate.

Please note the role competency overview referred to in the above role description. This will assist you when completing the application form and preparing for the competency based interview.

The number of applications received for a position generally exceeds that required to fill existing and future roles. While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the role are such that it would not be practical to progress all candidates to the next stage of the selection process, HIQA may decide that a smaller number of candidates based on order of merit from shortlisting may be called to the next stage of the process.

HIQA will conduct a shortlisting process to select a group who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the role. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be more qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

The applications will be shortlisted by a selection panel. They will examine each application form against the essential shortlisting criteria (outlined in the role description above) and the Evidence of Competencies section on the application form.

The onus is on candidates to establish eligibility for the role, therefore it is in each candidate’s interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications, experience and Evidence of Competencies as requested on the application form.

Competition updates will be issued to the email address as entered on the application form. The onus is on each candidate to ensure that they are in receipt of all communication. Candidates are advised to check emails on a regular basis throughout the duration of the competition; in addition, being sure to check junk/spam folders should any emails be mistakenly filtered. HIQA accepts no responsibility for communication not accessed or received by a candidate.