Senior Staff Officer

THE COMPETITION

Roscommon County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition.

Roscommon County Council will, following the interview process, form 3 panels for the post of Senior Staff Officer (Grade VI) from which future relevant vacancies may be filled, subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

These panels will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 12 months.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following panel(s):

Panel Formation

• A. 50% confined to employees of the sector.
• B. 30% open.
• C. 20% confined to employees of Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector) will comprise 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 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 Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly) will comprise successful applicants, in order of merit, from within Roscommon County Council and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly only.

The advertising process for filling posts according to these procedures is on the basis of:

• Advertising one competition.
• Forming three separate panels to meet the requirements of the ratio of posts to be confined to the local government sector, open competition, and confined to the local authority as indicated above.

Shortlisting

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview based on the information supplied in their application. Where it is considered reasonable not to admit all applicants to interview, due to the number of applications received and the standard of knowledge, training, or experience of the candidates, only persons likely to attain a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment will be called for interview.

QUALIFICATIONSPanel B1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Experience, Etc.

Candidates shall:

(i)

(a) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four 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
• Economics

And

(b) Have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included):

• Mathematics
• Accounting
• Business Organisation
• 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) Have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation, and control of staff.

Panel A & CConfined Competition

Candidates shall:

(v)(a) Be a serving employee of a Local Authority or a Regional Assembly and have not less than two years' satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or analogous post.

and

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

4. 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, 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, the UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

POST OF SENIOR STAFF OFFICERThe Role

The Senior Staff Officer is a middle management position within the Council and is assigned responsibility for the day-to-day administration and management of a section or department handling an area of the local authority's activities, including management and supervision of staff. The Senior Staff Officer is responsible for ensuring that goals set out in Departmental and Team Plans become operational actions through the planning, allocation, and prioritisation of work.

The Senior Staff Officer is a key point of contact and liaison with other Sections or Departments in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible. The Senior Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties with an understanding of the political context of local government and in such a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision-making.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government.
• Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns, and future direction.
• Understanding of the role of a Senior Staff Officer.
• Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level.
• Experience of managing and supervising staff, including managing performance.
• Experience of compiling, preparing, and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Effective financial and resource management skills.
• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

Key Duties

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Senior Staff Officer:

• Be responsible for the management and administration of a section or sections within the Council, including the management and supervision of staff.
• Support their line manager to ensure work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council's corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships, including providing information and assistance when required.
• Act as a key point of contact and liaison in relation to all operational matters for the service delivery section or sections for which they are responsible.
• Research, analyse, and communicate information on specific issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing, and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Represent the local authority on committees and at meetings and report on progress in their respective section or department as required.
• Provide support and administrative assistance in the delivery of projects as required.
• Be involved in the day-to-day financial management of capital and operational expenditure in the section or department.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in service delivery within the relevant area of responsibility.
• Implement and manage change management initiatives within the relevant area of responsibility.
• Manage and supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning and scheduling duties and workload, providing ongoing support, and handling day-to-day issues.
• Ensure compliance with all organisational policies and procedures within their area of responsibility and provide assistance in the understanding and interpretation of policies and procedures to employees, customers, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.
• Comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required.
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required or assigned from time to time.

Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned to any service area/role within the Local Authority at an analogous level by the Chief Executive at any time.

Competencies for the Post of Senior Staff Officer

Key competencies for the post include the following, and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form under each competency. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form, as any shortlisting or interview processes will be based on the information provided.

Management and Change

• Be effective in translating corporate mission and objectives into operational plans and outputs.
• Develop and maintain positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships.
• Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.

Delivering Results

• Contribute to the development of operational plans and lead the development of team plans.
• Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively.
• Establish high-quality service and customer care standards.
• Make timely, informed, and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

Leading, Motivating and Managing Performance

• Lead, motivate, and engage employees to achieve quality results and deliver on operational plans.
• Effectively manage performance.

Personal Effectiveness

• Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals.
• Manage time and workload effectively.
• Maintain a positive, constructive, and enthusiastic attitude to their role.
• Have effective written and verbal skills.