Sláintecare Local Community Development Officer

The Position

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer position is assigned functional responsibility for the management of their respective Healthy Ireland Programme areas.

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer is the primary point of contact and liaison with other sections in relation to all operational matters for the Healthy Ireland Programme for which they are responsible and other assigned duties/functions, depending on the organisational arrangements in place.

The post holder will work under the direction and control of the Senior Executive Officer or analogous grade or other officer designated by the Chief Executive or Director of Services as appropriate.

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer is responsible for management of the day-to-day operations of the relevant programme and is a contributor to the strategic and policy making decisions of the local authority.

He/she will be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies and to work closely with the elected councillors, Oireachtas members and senior managers in delivering services to the highest standard.

The post holder may represent the Local Authority on committees and at meetings, including for example Municipal District meetings, Strategic Policy Committee meetings and may be asked to report on progress in his/her respective section or department.

The post holder will be expected to support the operations of the elected Council, the Strategic Policy Committees, Municipal Districts and other Council Structures.

The job descriptions below outline the requirements for the two Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer positions that operate within a multi-level governance environment—from municipal district and community level to national and EU levels.

This is not a conventional Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer position. The postholder will be responsible for coordinating, influencing, and aligning activity across political, managerial, sectoral, and community domains, working at local, municipal district, plenary, regional, national and European levels.

The positions require professionals with the ability to coordinate, influence, and lead cross-sectoral and community initiatives that address health inequalities, promote prevention, and build resilient, inclusive place within their designated Local Authority.

This role will support the delivery of the emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026, and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network (Phase VIII) objectives at local and regional levels.

The roles prioritise actions to improve the wider determinants of health through local government’s statutory and developmental responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on empowering communities, research and innovation, intersectoral collaboration, data management and evidence-informed decision-making.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The Sláintecare Local Development Officer will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Tipperary County Council for the advancement of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme.

The Sláintecare Local Development Officer will report under the general direction of a Director of Service or any other officer as designated by the Chief Executive.

Duties include inter alia:

• Work intensively with identified disadvantaged areas and marginalised groups to co-design health and wellbeing interventions that reflect local priorities.

• Apply principles of empowerment, participation, social justice, and equality in all aspects of planning and delivery.

• Work with relevant local Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme services (e.g., HSE, family support, education providers) to ensure integrated and improved delivery of health and wellbeing initiatives promotion and support programmes.

• Use and gather relevant local datasets to target communities experiencing the greatest health inequities and build evidence case for resource allocation or intervention.

• Develop a 5 year Sláintecare Healthy Communities Work Programme based on local need and priorities- established from innovative and participatory community engagement and needs assessment exercises with Annual Action Plans comprising of seed funding to action local priorities.

• Map, align and leverage local authority activities that influence the wider determinants of health and include within relevant Healthy Ireland data gathering exercises.

• Advise elected members and senior executives on relevant policies and programmes related to health, equality, and wellbeing.

• Facilitate Community Health and Wellbeing Networks and support the development of local wellbeing forums, and wellbeing leadership initiatives within communities.

• Work confidently and sensitively with elected representatives, senior executives, and cross-sectoral leaders to address health and wellbeing inequalities.

• Act as a catalyst and connector across directorates and sections (e.g planning, transport, housing, environment, community) to align activity with health and wellbeing objectives.

• Champion whole-system, place-based, preventative approaches to health and wellbeing, working across local authority directorates and with external partners to create enabling environments that foster wellbeing for all.

• Explore resource mechanisms across all Government Departments and at EU level to address local community priorities.

• Leverage research, data, innovation, and WHO/EU collaboration to encourage local government leadership in improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Develop or contribute to funding bids in conjunction with communities to resource local priority initiatives.

• Capacity to influence, align, and coordinate across internal directorates and external stakeholders and demonstrate partnership management and stakeholder engagement skills e.g co-ordination of Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Implementation Team.

• Use local data, research, and evidence to shape decisions and measure outcomes and .

• Represent the Local Authority in regional and national networks and international platforms such as the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

• Drive whole-of-local-government, whole-of-community and whole-of-place approaches to wellbeing, focusing on the social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

In Addition, Appointees Will Be Required To:

• Ensure compliance with all required local authority financial, management and governance reporting requirements.

• Comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times.

• Ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders.

• Prepare reports as required.

• Attend training as required.

• Participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade.

• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.

• Deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required.

• Full valid driving license and access to own transport.

Qualifications for the Post1. 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 an efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

3. Education, Training and Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the office –

(i) hold a third-level degree (NFQ Level 8 or higher) in a relevant field such as community/sports development, youth work, social sciences, public health, social policy, public administration, planning, or related discipline.

(ii) have a minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience in any of the following:

• Local government, public sector, or similar roles involving strategic planning, project coordination, or community engagement.

• Work with disadvantaged communities or target populations to address social exclusion or inequality.

• Cross-sectoral coordination or partnership development.

• Policy development, research, or evaluation related to the determinants of health.

• Operating effectively within political, community and policymaking environments, demonstrating ability to work across boundaries of role, sector and geography.

• Project management and delivery, budgeting and performance monitoring experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitude etc.

• Knowledge and understanding of Sláintecare Reform, Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework.

• Experience of building, managing and nurturing partnerships and relationships across a wide range of key stakeholders.

• An understanding and/or experience of local government structures and political environment.

• Facilitation and group-work skills.

• Understanding of those who experience health inequalities.

• Experience of report writing, strategic planning and funding application processes.

• Effective communication skills.

• Excellent IT & administration skills, including MS Word, Excel & Power Point.

• Experience in managing budgets and finances and experience with processing payments.

• Experience in gathering qualitative and quantitative data, analysis, research and evaluation to policy and practice.

• Use of social media and varied communication platforms, including media interviews.

• Understanding of multi-level governance and/or experience of working across local, regional, national and European contexts.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK). c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons. d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa. 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. 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 the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa. g) Non-EEA citizens with a valid work permit.

Salary

Current Salary Scale: €60,011- €78,015 ((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 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 €60,011.

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.

Hours of Work

Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed/promoted staff are 35 hours per week. All posts will be offered on the basis of the candidate working wholetime.

Location & Assignment / Appointment

Tipperary County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Tipperary County Council also reserves the right to, at any stage, reassign the successful candidate to a comparable grade within the local authority.

Probation

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

(a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, duing 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 exceed 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 to contribute:

• 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus

• 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration.

Persons liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute 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.

Retirement Age

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants 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)

Retirees under the ISER Scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or sector and therefore may not apply for this position.

Annual Leave

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

Office closure days will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement.

Residence

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

Drivers Licence

Employees may be required to use their car on official business. The employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have adequate insurance for business use.