The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st 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 www.tusla.ie

Main Duties and Responsibilities

•Support the delivery of efficient, effective and safe services for staff and clients, within national frameworks and for the resources allocated.
•Support the directorate of Finance and Corporate Services in the performance of the finance function.
•Work and collaborate with other Finance teams to optimise the delivery of a best-in-class financial service for the Agency.
•Lead, manage and direct staff in the delivery of effective, efficient, and quality services.
•Preparation, profiling and updating of the detailed annual budget (following consultation with senior management).
•Agree budget outline and monitoring process with all budget holders/line managers
•Preparation of the regional and Area monthly financial performance reports including commentary.
•Provide accurate monthly/annual financial information on a regular and timely basis
•To highlight, with recommended remedial corrective action, areas of financial variances to the Regional Chief Officer and Area Managers, following the provision of monthly financial performance reports to all senior managers
•Lead out on the delivery of reporting functions in partnership with service managers and business partners.
•Establish and maintain good working relationships with key internal and external partners in implementing the broader programme of services and activities.
•Co-ordinate the implementation and continued oversight of standardised financial processes, financial regulations, internal controls and compliance checks.
•Manage financial information and communications systems and flows across the Region/Area.
•Develop and maintain a strong focus on both internal and external communications relevant to the work of the functional area.
•Undertake direct project management of key financial projects.
•Ensure services are delivered to a high-quality standard maximising the output for the Directorate.
•To develop, maintain, update and efficiently operate in conjunction with appropriate Officers, the management and cost accounting systems
•Input and support the financial aspects of service level agreements with funded organisations including the ongoing financial monitoring and annual review of accounts
•Identify, plan and support the achievement of value for money initiatives.
•Participate in the specification and local implementation of new financial systems and upgrades to existing systems.
•Quality assuring the day-to-day management and control of financial processes.
•Deal with internal and external audit queries as required.
•Co-ordinate the collation of the activity data collection process locally and with those organisations with service level agreements.
•Work with Senior Management on all new initiatives/ developments/ projects which have financial implications, and having conducted a financial appraisal of same, to recommend, or otherwise the financial feasibility of the new initiative/ development/ project.
•Advise and assist in relation to compliance with the Financial Procedures, relevant Legislation (e.g. Tax), Accounting Standards and Regulations of Tusla.
•Test and support the implementation of local financial controls.
•Advise, support and monitor the Regions with implementation of all financial related Internal Audit recommendations to improve internal controls.
•Assist on preparation of Business Cases and annual estimates.
•To keep updated with new developments in management and accounting systems.
•Respond to queries from Comptroller and Auditor General as required
•Assist in the preparation of FOI and Parliamentary Queries
•To undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Budgeting, Financial Performance and Systems, and the National Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

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:

•Post Qualification Experience of 5 Years + with a recognised professional accountancy qualification from one of the following accountancy bodies:
o Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
                 Or
o Institute of Chartered Accountants
o Chartered Association of Certified Accountants
o Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
o Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland
o Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants
                Or
o a recognised equivalent qualification

•Have a minimum or 3 years’ financial management experience in a Finance setting within a large-scale Public or Private entity as relevant to the role.

•Significant management experience in managing a large diverse team.

•Have excellent IT skills including advanced Excel skills.

•Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

•The ability to work independently as well as work with a wider multidisciplinary team in a complex and changing environment.
•Experience of managing and working collaboratively cross functionally with multiple
internal and external stakeholders.

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.