The Child and Family Agency was established on 1^st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services.  The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on http://www.tusla.ie 

Purpose of Role

The purpose of the post is to provide operational support to the Regional Chief Officer in administrative, financial, human resources and internal control matters

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Operational

• To provide a high level of Administrative Support and manage interactions between the Office of the Regional Chief Officer and the Management Teams and Directorates.
• To support the Chief Officer in his/her lead roles across the Service Directorate and Nationally which includes setting and delivering strategic objectives as required.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Office, including management & supervision of staff.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on all matters pertaining to the Chief Officer, including those of a highly confidential or critical nature.
• Prioritise and determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response, exercising judgement in line with the Chief Officers views and with Policies and Procedures/Best Practice guidelines.
• To work in conjunction with HR, Finance and Quality Assurance directorates to ensure good communication and strong effective working.
• Lead on the preparation of strategic and operational plans in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Prepare reports/presentations as required and follow up on Actions as required.
• Assist in the delivery, implementation and monitoring of the business and corporate plan including the tracking of actions.
• Compile, organise and analyse data/KPIs and Performance Reports and ensure follow up as appropriate.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are aligned with best practice, are well documented, complied with and communicated to others.
• To support procurement, tendering and commissioning activities within region
• To help establish and maintain links between TUSLA and other stakeholders to support service delivery.
• Work with the Regional Quality, Risk & Service Improvement Manager to progress the agenda within the region, including risk and incident management.
• Provide Leadership and responsibility for Estates, Capital/Minor Projects, ICT, PQs, Complaints and FOI/Data Protection.
• To create a positive working environment, which contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships.
• Undertake projects as delegated by the Chief Officer.

Standard and Practices

• Maintain own knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and practices to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met by own team.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation e.g. HSE Financial Regulations, Health & Safety legislation, Employment legislation, GDPR and Data Protection Acts 2018, FOI Acts etc.
• Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.

Human Resources

• Promote and participate in the implementation of any change management programme.
• Manage recruitment, retention and development of staff including training and continual assessment.
• Ensure policies and procedures are well documented and understood by staff within your section who are assigned to you.
• Provide leadership and motivation conducive to good staff relations and work performance.

Leadership

• Active participation in the Regional Management Team.
• Ensure strong linkages and collaboration with other business management/corporate service functions.
• Be accountable for own work and that of others as appropriate.
• Work on own initiative as well as part of a wider team.
• Deal with under performance in a timely and constructive manner

Finance and Governance

• Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to meet the needs of the Regional Chief Officer and the Agency.
• Ensure procurement process are managed and supported in line with requirements.
• Ensure all policies in place are up to date and operating effectively across the Directorate.
• Manage and coordinate audits and reviews.
• Oversee the implementation and application of consistent administrative and document recording systems within the Office.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description 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. 

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Have a minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland (or equivalent in another jurisdiction) in a relevant discipline

AND

• Have at least 5 years’ experience in the management of HR, Finance, Business Planning or similar.

AND

• Have experience of co-ordinating management information and systems analysis.

AND

• Possess knowledge of the work of Tusla, Child & Family Agency and the data processing and sharing activities carried out.

AND

• Demonstrate excellent MS Office skills to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

AND

• Possess sufficient administrative capacity to discharge the functions of Business Manager.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.