Slaintecare Local Development Officer

About Fingal County Council

Fingal is a highly attractive place to live, work, visit and do business. It comprises a geographical area of 450 sq.km stretching from Balbriggan in the north, to Blanchardstown in the west and to Howth in the east. The area is defined by the diversity of its landscape and settlement patterns with rural, urban and suburban locations all rolled into one county. There is 88kms of coastline, three large protected estuaries and salt marsh habitats and 13 major beaches.

Fingal County Council is one of the county’s major local employers and currently employs approximately 1,600 staff. The Council is mandated to deliver a diverse range of functions and services which can be broadly described under the headings of the provision of physical and social infrastructure, housing, economic and tourism development, community development, recreation and amenity services and the management of the planning and environmental regulatory framework. The role of the County Council as provided for in law is to represent, lead and serve the communities of Fingal.

1. Background

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme is a national initiative funded and led by Sláintecare and Healthy Ireland within the Department of Health. Delivered in partnership with national and local agencies, the programme aims to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities.

The programme targets areas where higher levels of health risk and poorer health outcomes are linked to social and economic disadvantage. Its purpose is to deliver targeted, community-based initiatives that address these challenges and promote sustainable improvements in health and wellbeing for people of all ages. This is achieved through collaboration with a wide range of local and national stakeholders.

In the first phase of implementation, 19 programme areas were established, with expansion to 23 areas planned in 2026. Each programme area has a dedicated Local Development Officer (Administrative Officer grade), working across 16 Local Authorities, responsible for supporting programme delivery locally.

The Local Development Officer works with local communities, community groups, statutory agencies, and strategic partners to ensure communities are sustainable places to live, where everyone has access to the conditions necessary for good health. The role focuses on addressing the wider determinants of health, raising awareness of how these factors influence wellbeing, and enabling multi-agency collaboration to tackle health inequalities.

An annual Seed Funding allocation of €75,000 is provided to each programme area to support local health and wellbeing initiatives based on identified community needs. Managing and leveraging this funding forms a key part of the Local Development Officer’s work programme.

2. The Role

The Sláintecare Local Development Officer positions are assigned functional responsibility for the management of their respective Sláintecare Healthy Communities Area – currently Fingal has one area located in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The Sláintecare Local Development Officer is the primary point of contact and liaison with other sections in relation to all operational matters for the Sláintecare Healthy Communities 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 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. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies and to work closely with the elected councillors 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 Area Committee Meetings, Strategic Policy Committee meetings and may be asked to report on progress in their respective section or department.

The position requires professionals with the ability to co-ordinate, influence, and lead cross sectoral and community initiatives that:

·        Address health inequalities

·        Promote prevention and wellbeing

·        Build resilient, inclusive communities within Fingal County Council.

The role will support the delivery of:

·        The emerging outcomes framework for Healthy Ireland in 2026

·        The WHO European Healthy Cities Network (Phase VIII) objectives at local and regional levels.

 

The role prioritises actions to improve the wider determinants of health through local government’s statutory and developmental responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on:

·        Empowering communities and fostering inclusive participation

·        Research, innovation, and evidence-informed decision-making

·        Intersectoral collaboration across public, private, and community stakeholders

·        Data management, monitoring, and reporting on programme outcomes

 

3. Duties

The duties of the post of the Sláintecare Local Development Officer include, but are not limited to:

·        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.

·        Collaborate with 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 an evidence base for resource allocation or interventions.

·        Develop a 5-year Sláintecare Healthy Communities Work Programme based on local needs and priorities, established through innovative and participatory community engagement and needs assessment exercises, with Annual Action Plans including seed funding to implement local priorities.

·        Map, align, and leverage local authority activities that influence the wider determinants of health, incorporating them into relevant Healthy Ireland data-gathering exercises.

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

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

·        Co-ordinate, facilitate and deliver Social Inclusion programmes and projects including but not limited to youth programmes, non-fire night and community initiatives.

·        Collaborate with social inclusion and programmes, initiatives with internal and external stakeholders as required.

·        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, collaborating across local authority directorates and with external partners to create enabling environments that foster wellbeing for all.

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

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

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

·        Demonstrate capacity to influence, align, and co-ordinate across internal directorates and external stakeholders; manage partnerships effectively (e.g., coordination of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Implementation Team).

·        Use local data, research, and evidence to inform decisions and measure programme outcomes.

·        Represent the Local Authority in regional, national, and international networks, including 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.

·        Any other duties that may be assigned to the post to promote lifelong health and wellbeing in the community.

These tasks which are indicative rather than exhaustive are carried out under general supervision.

Persons appointed will be required to work in any location within the Fingal administrative area.

4. Qualifications and Requirements of the Post

CHARACTER

Each candidate must 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, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Candidates must on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms have:

(a) 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.

(b) 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 policy-making environments, demonstrating ability to work across boundaries of role, sector and geography.

·        Project management and delivery, budgeting and performance-monitoring experience.

The ideal candidate shall have:

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

·        Knowledge and understanding of Community Development Principles and a strong understanding of the social determinants of health to support the delivery of priorities.

·        Strong leadership and project management skills.

·        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.

·        An understanding of those who experience health inequalities.

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

·        Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.

·        Excellent communication skills, including written communications and social media skills across various platforms.

·        Excellent IT, data management & administration skills, including MS Word, Excel & Power Point.

·        Good character with a friendly, open and outgoing disposition is essential.

·        The ability to stay focused and resilient under pressure.

·        The capacity to interact effectively with local elected members and people from a broad range of sectors including local development/community organisations.

·        The enthusiasm for meeting and working with a variety of people and groups on an on-going basis.

·        Experience in financial administration, budgetary management and processing payments.

·        An understanding and/or experience in gathering qualitative and quantitative data, analysis, research and evaluation to policy and practice.

·        An understanding of multi-level governance and/or experience of working across local, regional, national and European contexts.

 

 

Candidates may be shortlisted based on the desirables listed above.

 

5. The Selection Process:

Fingal County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications, if required. This is not to suggest that any candidate may be unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the duties of the post advertised, but rather that there may be candidates who have demonstrated that they are better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

 

The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview shall be determined by the local authority from time to time, having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

 

Step 1: Initial Screening

In the first instance, all applications received by the latest date/time for receipt of completed applications are screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualifications for the post as set out in this booklet and declared by the Minister for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001.

 

Step 2: Shortlisting

Each candidate’s application may be assessed against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this booklet. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and/or experience in their application form and to outline the relevance of their experience in the examples provided.

Step 3: Interview

Candidates who are successful in the shortlisting process will be invited to attend for interview(s). Fingal County Council will endeavor to give sufficient notice of the interview to shortlisted candidates. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the candidate to make themselves available on the date/time selected. Candidates who do not attend for interview will be deemed to have withdrawn their application from the competition. Expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview, will be at the candidates own expense.

An independent interview board will be established by the Senior Executive Officer, People Services, or other designated officer, to assess the candidates shortlisted for interview. The interview board will generally comprise of a Chairperson and two other members, who will have expert knowledge in the relevant field. The objective of the interview board is to identify candidates who best meet the objective criteria and competencies required for the position and to place them in order of merit.

Candidates who are successful in the interview will be qualified in order of merit for appointment to the post of Sláintecare Local Development Officer and placed on a panel. It should be noted that placement on a panel may not necessarily lead to a job offer. The selection process is not concluded until such time as references have been sought and clearance checks, i.e. Garda vetting, occupational health, verification of education qualifications, etc, have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Council.

6. Benefits

At Fingal County Council, we value our employees and want to support them to develop their careers. We offer flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries and pension benefits, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, a defined career path in a supportive and inclusive culture and the opportunity to make a difference, along with the following benefits:

• Standard working day is 9-5
• Excellent Work/Life balance with Family Friendly Schemes such as Shorter Working Year and Work-sharing
• Opportunities for promotion and career development
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Blended Working available - up to 2 days per week
• Ongoing training and higher educational support
• Cycle to Work Scheme

7. Particulars of Employment

The employment is whole time, permanent and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

PROBATION

(a)   there shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such employment on probation,

(b)   such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c)    such persons shall cease to hold employment at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

SALARY

€60,611; €62,095; €63,826; €65,563; €67,300; €68,852; €70,442; €71,982; €73,518; €76,149 (1st LSI) €78,795 (2nd LSI) per annum.

Persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of the scale.

Holders of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

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 or 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 or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

 

GARDA VETTING

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Fingal County Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be subject of Garda Vetting’.

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