Senior Executive Officer

THE ROLE/DUTIES

Senior Executive Officer (Operations Support Team Manager – LAWPRO)

Reporting to the Director of Services, the Operations Support Team Manager (Senior Executive Officer) will be responsible for managing the corporate services necessary for the Programme, to enable efficient and effective support to the wider Programme so that the strategic objectives, and annual work programme can be achieved. She/he will also co-ordinate the supporting functions of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and be an active member of the Senior Management Team. The SEO will also provide support to the Farming for Water EIP Administration Team.

The role will include:

• To determine the nature, level and pattern of demand for the services in the Programme and to recommend both service level and strategic policy priorities to the Director of Service (DoS);

• To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in the strategies as required;

• To manage and supervise staff up to the position/grade of Administrative Officer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of LAWPRO staff;

• Supervise and participate in the Performance Management Development System (PMDS);

• To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation;

• To build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment and maintain sound employee relations and morale as relevant, in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation;

• To develop and maintain relationships with DHLGH and other departments and external agencies, e.g. CCMA, LGMA, and to ensure the agreements to co-ordinate work programmes are implemented;

• To co-ordinate national reporting on the service deliverables of LAWPRO;

• To prepare a draft Service Level Agreement in conjunction with the SMT for signoff by Tipperary and Kilkenny County Councils and the DHLGH;

• To co-ordinate and manage the LAWPRO human resources functions with the two lead authorities and the DHLGH HR Section;

• To implement the systems necessary and co-ordinate the resources to support the service. This includes systems to manage finance and budgets and ensure value for money; to oversee LAWPRO’s financial reporting to the DHLGH, Councils, and the LAWPRO Oversight Committee;

• To oversee the co-ordination of the Environmental Health and Safety Management System (EHS), which covers staff from LAWPRO, including the FFWEIP, An Forám Uisce, and Waters of LIFE Integrated Project;

• To manage the Communications Team and work with the Communications Lead and Management Team in the preparation and implementation of a Communications Strategy, annual and quarterly progress reports, as required;

• To co-ordinate and manage the LAWPRO’s information system and data and GIS functions and develop linkages, as required.

The ideal candidate will:

• Understand the workings of local government and its role as the second tier of government within the county and within tier 3 of the Water Framework Directive Governance structure;

• Lead, manage and motivate a team to deliver on the particular functional areas and programmes within their remit, ensuring a strong focus on delivery of results;

• Initiate, develop and drive appropriate change programmes that can enhance the range and quality of services;

• Work with Elected Councils, Strategic Policy Committees, the Local Community Development Committees, in developing policy and strategic plans for their areas of responsibility that are in line with overall national priorities and aim to deliver services in the most efficient manner possible, to meet the specific needs of the local community;

• Contribute to and implement the Council’s corporate plan, and deliver national and local programmes in a resource efficient manner;

• Develop and support their staff to ensure optimum service delivery including full utilisation of the PMDS system;

• Network effectively with internal and external stakeholders including representatives of Government departments, state agencies, business and community representatives and other bodies to deliver priority programmes and projects;

• Critically analyse and manage the deployment of resources (including human and financial resources), within their areas of responsibility to ensure the delivery of optimal results with the available resources;

• Promote the role of LAWPRO and the Council and ensure a strong customer focus amongst their teams, reflecting the requirements for balanced and fair decision making and equity of treatment;

• Operate and continually review effective risk management systems for their area of responsibility;

• Keep abreast of relevant external developments, trends and opportunities which may be beneficial to their functional area, including external funding opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE ETC.

Candidates shall:

(a) be well educated.

(b) have satisfactory experience in any discipline and satisfactory experience in the organisation and control of staff.

The candidate should ideally have:

• the ability to lead, foster and effectively implement appropriate change;

• an understanding of procurement, risk, information technology, financial management, governance and accountability;

• the capacity to work in a complex and dynamic political environment;

• high levels of honesty and integrity and a focus on operating in an impartial and transparent manner to deliver the best possible services to the citizen/customer;

• Understand the workings of local government and its role as the second tier of government within the county and LAWPROs role within Tier 3 of the Water Framework Directive Governance structure;

• Lead, manage and motivate a team to deliver on the particular functional areas and programmes within their remit, ensuring a strong focus on delivery of results including full utilisation of the PMDS system;

• Initiate, develop and drive appropriate change programmes that can enhance the range and quality of services;

• Contribute to and implement the LAWPRO Strategy and Work Plans, and deliver national and local programmes in a resource efficient manner;

• Network effectively with internal and external stakeholders including representatives of Government departments, state agencies, business and community representatives and other bodies to deliver priority programmes and projects;

• Critically analyse and manage the deployment of resources (including human and financial resources), within their areas of responsibility to ensure the delivery of optimal results with the available resources; and

• Operate and continually review effective risk management systems for their area of responsibility.

Salary:

Current Salary Scale: €80,967 - €107,004 (2nd LSI)

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €80,967).

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath 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.

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:-

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

(b) the maximum period shall generally be one year for permanent contracts and such other period as may be required in relation to temporary or fixed term/purpose contracts as set out in the council’s probationary policy. No probationary period shall excess 12 months in duration.

(c) such a person shall cease to hold 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.

Superannuation:

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority as follows:

1.5% of their pensionable remuneration

plus

3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (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 officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

Retirement Age

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

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Hours of Work:

The hours of work are 35 hours per week. 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.

Flexible working arrangements apply. LAWPRO requires employees to record their hours using the Kelio clocking system. It is likely that parts of the work schedule will be outside normal office hours, so flexibility will be required.

LAWPRO has adopted a Blended Working Policy that maximises the opportunities for a blended working approach to deliver our work programme.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum.

The Chief Executives of Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny County Council retain 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.

Residence:

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Driver’s Licence:

Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny 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 for business use and to indemnify Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny County Council with the indemnity specified on the 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.

Code of Conduct/Organisational Policies:

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny 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. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council intranet.

Training:

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Location of assignment/appointment:

The Senior Executive Officer (SEO) will lead and manage the Operations Support Team.

The SEO will be based in the LAWPRO head office, in Ballingarrane, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Commencement:

Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny 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 (subject to notice requirements) 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, Tipperary County Council shall not appoint them.

Reporting Arrangements:

The Senior Executive Officer will report directly to the LAWPRO Director of Services.

A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Health & Safety:

Tipperary County Council/Kilkenny County Council as an employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.

Tipperary County Council operates under the ISO45001 standard that provides a framework to manage occupational health and safety (OH&S).