Staff Officer

Role

Mayo County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates, with relevant experience, for the position of Staff Officer – Milestone7 Agresso Support Team. The post is arising from a vacancy created with the filling of the Project Co-Ordinator for the FMS Modernisation Programme, which is a temporary whole-time role. This post is therefore also a temporary whole-time role which will remain in place until at least mid-2028 or until the Local Authority has successfully completed its migration to Unit4’s cloud environment—whichever occurs first.

The position of Staff Officer (Grade V) Milestone7 Agresso Support Team is a supervisory position within the Finance Directorate, with responsibility for maintaining and supporting the organisation’s Financial Management System, Agresso Milestone7. A Staff Officer in the Council is required to be an effective, participative member of a team with responsibility for managing and supervising staff, meeting deadlines, presenting reports, and assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals and standards set out in Departmental and Team Plans.

The post holder has a supervisory role in the day-to-day operations of a work area or as a team leader. The Staff Officer is expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

Qualifications1. 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, Training, Experience

Each Candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

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 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

b) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

or

c) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard

or

d) 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.

4. ESSENTIAL

It is essential that the successful candidate demonstrates the following through the completion of their application form and at interview:

a) A strong working knowledge of the Agresso Milestone7 Financial Management System and the roles and responsibilities of all users. b) A high degree of analytical and problem-solving skills relative to the Agresso Financial Management System. c) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels. d) A good understanding of the operations and governance structures within local authorities, including Financial Management and Financial Processing.

In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications to meet the requirements above. Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

5. 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.

Particulars of the Post1. Position

A panel will be formed from qualified candidates from which the appointment may be made. This is a pensionable temporary whole-time position on the basis of a 35-hour, 5-day week.

2. Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services, which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

SALARY SCALE: €51,722, €53,266, €54,844, €56,454, €58,076, €59,967 LSI I (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum), LSI II €61,865 (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum). The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale, and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

3. Duties

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and:

a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative, or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions, and duties; to exercise such powers, functions, and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level if qualified to do so.

The following are among the principal duties envisaged:

a) To manage and support the day-to-day operations of the FMS Agresso Milestone7 System and Team to ensure service to all users is maintained. b) To manage the tasks within the team to ensure timely progression of FMS key tasks and routines including:

• Update and set up of Users

• Set up and maintenance of Milestone attributes and relations

• Customer and Supplier Set Ups

• Job Code Set up and Maintenance

• Rates Demand routines

• Subscriptions and accruals

• Maintenance of Purchase Orders and Requisitions

• Processing of payments routine

• Fixed Asset postings

• Month end and Year end routines

• Other routines as required

c) To support the Finance teams and wider organisational teams in the achievement of their objectives by overseeing and assisting in the running of specific routines. d) To support the line manager to ensure section or department work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s operational plan, including supervising the work of the team. e) To update the system with LGMA approved changes to ensure the most up-to-date version of the system is in place including Chart of Account amendments. f) To manage the Agresso Ticketing Helpdesk system by identifying, allocating, and prioritising tasks. g) To examine and develop best practice processes and procedures in order to achieve efficiency improvements. h) To assist in the training of end-users where there are changes to procedures and to highlight areas where there is new functionality in Milestone. i) To provide assistance and support to the Programme Coordinator with responsibility for the FMS Modernisation Programme to support the achievement of the project objectives within the given timeframe. j) To comply with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies, and procedures and safe systems of work. k) To develop and maintain productive working relationships. l) To compile, prepare, and present reports, presentations, and correspondence as necessary. m) To supervise employees in supporting roles, including assigning tasks and duties, scheduling and prioritising work, and monitoring and reporting on progress. n) To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required. o) To perform any other duties which may be assigned from time to time by your supervisor.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

a) A strong working knowledge of the Agresso Milestone7 Financial Management System and the roles and responsibilities of all users. b) A high degree of analytical and problem-solving skills relative to the Agresso Financial Management System. c) A strong working knowledge of Local Government Finances and transactions. d) Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government. e) Knowledge of current local government issues. f) Understanding of the role of a Staff Officer. g) A career record that demonstrates an ability to manage staff to ensure delivery of complex work programmes. h) An ability to supervise a team effectively to achieve a common goal, ensuring strong governance and ethics standards are adhered to and maintained. i) The ability to motivate, empower, and encourage staff under his/her supervision to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS). j) Understanding of the changing and operational environment in the Council and be capable of leading change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens. k) Effective financial and resource management skills. l) Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems. m) Relevant administrative experience. n) Experience of supervising staff. o) Experience of working as part of a team. p) Experience of preparing reports and correspondence. q) Strong resource management skills.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved, and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Competencies

Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include two practical examples which demonstrate these competencies. Interviews will be competency-based, and marks will be awarded under these skill sets.

Delivering Results

• Contribute to the development of operational plans and lead the development of team plans.

• Assume personal responsibility for and deliver on agreed objectives/goals.

• 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.

• Critically evaluate outcomes and processes used to achieve them.

Performance Through People

• Motivate and engage employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans.

• Lead by example in terms of commitment, flexibility, and a strong service ethos.

• Have effective verbal and written communications skills and present ideas clearly and effectively to individuals and groups.

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Personal Effectiveness and Change

• Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals.

• Manage time and workload effectively and operate in an environment with significant complexity and pace.

• Remain calm under pressure and maintain a positive, constructive, and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

• Be proactive in keeping up to date on issues and key developments that may impact on own area, the department, and/or wider public service.

• Review own performance and set self-challenging goals and targets.

• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Relevant Knowledge and Experience.

Understanding Purpose, Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Development

• Understanding the role of Staff Officer in the Local Authority.

• Clearly understanding one’s role in the delivery of organisational objectives and targets.

• Relevant experience to date.

• Knowledge and awareness of key topical and priority issues.

• Understanding of political reality / context of issues.

• Understanding compliance standards, policies, procedures, and legislation.

• A clear understanding of Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Residence

Holders of the position shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per year.

Travel

Mayo County Council reserves the right to provide a vehicle to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a vehicle will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Shortlisting

Normally, the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies. While candidates may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Mayo County Council may decide that a number only will be called to interview.

A shortlisting process will apply whereby a group of applicants will be selected for interview who, based on an examination of the documents provided by each applicant, appear to be the most suitable for the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates who are, prima facie, better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

In the event of a shortlisting exercise being employed, the shortlisting process can take the form of:

• Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of information contained in their application form (It is therefore in the interests of each candidate to provide a detailed and accurate account of his/her qualifications/experience on the application form).

• Other written, oral, or practical tests appropriate to the position.

• Preliminary interviews to reduce the number of candidates to a more manageable number for the final Interview Board.

• Preliminary interviews to determine qualified candidates, after which a selected number of the qualified candidates are called back for final interview.