Senior Staff Officer

The Competition:

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Senior Staff Officer. The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly will, following the interview process, form three panels for the post of Senior Staff Officer from which future vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for inclusion on these panels:

• Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within the Local Authority Sector only, i.e. candidates serving in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly (where applicable).

• Panel B (Open Competition) will comprise of all successful applicants in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly, and external candidates.

• Panel C (Confined to EMRA and Dublin City Council) will comprise of successful applicants, in order of merit, from within EMRA and Dublin City Council only.

The Role:

The Senior Staff Officer is a middle management supervisory position within the Regional Assembly. A Senior Staff Officer will generally work under the direction and management of an Administrative Officer, Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade and may from time to time be required to deputise for more senior staff.

In the first instance, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is recruiting for a Senior Staff Officer to be appointed to the Corporate/Finance/HR/IT section to coordinate the administrative functions of the Assembly.

The successful candidate will be based in the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly offices in Ballymun, Dublin 9.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Financial

• Oversee the implementation and operation of the financial management system (Agresso MS4), ensuring compliance with financial processes and public sector procurement regulations.

• Manage the Assembly’s accounts, overseeing payroll functions, including budgeting, financial analysis, cash flow forecasting, and preparation for annual audits.

• Liaise with the Department and relevant bodies regarding financial reporting and recoupments.

Human Resources

• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures for all staff.

• Oversee HR operations, including recruitment, payroll, superannuation, and PMDS rollout, in conjunction with MyPay shared services and for both EMRA and the Irish Regions European Office.

• Provide HR support and guidance to management and staff.

Corporate Affairs & IT

• Support the administration of Assembly meetings and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.

• Develop and maintain office policies, procedures, and the Employee Handbook.

• Oversee the Assembly’s communications platforms (website, social media) and coordinate statutory and programme reporting.

• Manage relationships with third-party IT suppliers and ensure effective operation of office IT systems.

• Support the Assembly’s compliance with Freedom of Information legislation, including coordinating responses to FOI requests in conjunction with the designated FOI Officer.

The appointee is required to carry out the duties attached to the post, under the general direction of the Administrative Officer or Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs, to whom they report and to whom they are responsible for the performance of these duties.

The duties outlined are not intended to be exhaustive and may be reviewed, revised or updated from time to time, as organisational needs require. The appointee may be required to undertake such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Essential Requirements

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education, Knowledge and Experience

Open Competition – Panel B

(i)

a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five (5) subjects (or four (4) if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and

b) Have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three (3) subjects in that examination (or two (2) subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics)

or

(ii) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

or

(iii) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard

(iv) Shall have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Confined Competition – Panel A & C

a) To be a serving employee in a Local Authority or Regional Assembly and have at least two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post, and

b) Have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of regional and local government policies and structures.

• Experience with financial management and payroll systems (e.g., Agresso, CORE HR).

• Experience with drafting and implementing policies and procedures.

• Experience of accounting procedures and familiarity with computerised accounting and payroll systems, including a sound understanding of VAT rules and employment cost calculations.

• Proficiency in the use of office productivity tools, including Microsoft 365 applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, as well as experience supporting collaborative working and digital document management.

• Experience of managing and motivating staff.

• Possess excellent communication and analytical skills.

• Project management experience.

Terms and Conditions

1. The Post

The post is whole-time and permanent.

2. Probation

There will be a 6-month probation period which may be extended to one year at the discretion of the Director.

3. Salary

Salary shall be at Local Government Senior Staff Officer - €57,322 – €58,689 – €60,356 – €63,491 – €65,363 – €67,690 (LSI1) – €70,030 (LSI2).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Persons who are not serving local authority employees on or after 1st January, 2011 will be based on the minimum of the scale.

4. Hours of Work

35 hours per week. The successful applicant may on occasion be expected to work outside of normal office hours if necessary without additional remuneration. Flexi Leave arrangements may apply.

The Assembly reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

5. Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days per annum.

6. Residence

Post holders shall reside in, or at an address convenient to the Regional Assembly, as approved by the Director.

The Director reserves the right to assign the post holder to any premises, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.