Senior Staff Officer

Main Duties

The successful candidates will assist and report to the Financial Reporting Accountant or such other person as may be designated.

Key Responsibilities

Management of aspects of the Housing Agency’s finances which may include aspects of:

• Oversee key areas of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and verification of financial data within the Financial Management System.

• Preparation and posting of monthly financial journals and fixed asset accounting.

• Completion of periodic regulatory submissions to the parent department.

• Support of the internal and external audit processes.

• Preparation of Annual Financial Statements ensuring full compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks.

• Deputise and advise at a senior level when required.

• Continuous improvement with a focus on process automation and reporting.

• Manage, mentor, and develop the Finance team to ensure efficient operations.

• Review, develop, and deliver training when implementing new financial policies and procedures.

• Assist with the implementation of a new Financial Management System.

• Develop, monitor, and report KPIs for financial process effectiveness, control adequacy, and risk management.

• Support senior finance management in delivering strategic and operational initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate – Knowledge and Skills

The knowledge and skills required include but are not limited to the following:

• High level of accuracy with strong attention to detail and numeracy skills.

• Be able to work within and effectively lead a team to ensure that optimum performance is achieved.

• Have extensive experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting.

• Take responsibility for delivering output on time and to a high standard.

• Ability to take initiative, multitask, and manage competing demands and work effectively to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpretive skills with an ability to think strategically and use sound judgement on complex issues.

• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to influence and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Understanding of controls and governance.

• Experience of internal and external audit processes.

• An ability to critically assess processes and procedures, identify improvements, and manage change effectively.

Personal / Educational Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working as part of a core finance function including:

Proven evidence of month-end reporting

Proven evidence of annual financial reporting input

Proven evidence of financial reporting analysis to support decision-making

Ability to demonstrate General Ledger verification

Experience working with financial controls

Staff supervision

Experience of managing change and process improvement

Desirable Requirements

• Third level qualification or equivalent professional qualification at NFQ Level 7 in Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.

• Member of a professional accounting body.

• Knowledge / Experience of working in the Public Sector.

Competencies

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills – Tailors communications to effectively reach an audience. Is assertive and professional when dealing with challenging issues.

• Delivery of Results – Manages and progresses multiple projects and work activities successfully. Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to exceed goals.

• Analysis and Decision Making – Analyses complex data and makes clear recommendations, takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions.

• People Management – Gets the best out of individuals and the team, encouraging employees to achieve quality results. Effectively manages team and individual performance.

• Specialist Knowledge – Demonstrates a high degree of specialist financial expertise and knowledge, adds value to the team by utilising their specialist knowledge and acts as a subject matter expert where required.

Salary Scale – Senior Staff Officer – Grade 6 – LA Scales

€56,754 - €58,108 - €59,758 - €62,862 - €64,716

LSI 1: €67,020

LSI 2: €69,337

New entrants will be appointed on the first point of the scale in line with government policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if immediately before appointment you are a currently serving civil/public servant.

Eligibility to Compete

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply. To qualify, candidates must be citizens of the EEA by the date of any job offer. Eligible candidates must be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. 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 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 Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.