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 www.tusla.ie

Policies and Procedures 

• To enhance and develop policies and procedures.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are aligned with best practice, are well documented, complied with and communicated to others
• Embed the Commissioning Strategy and Model

Service Level agreement Process

• Lead the operational governance, development and continuous improvement of the National Commissioning Portal and Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework
• Support governance assurance, risk identification, compliance monitoring and oversight processes relating to Service Level Agreements, commissioned services and Section 56 organisations.

Training & Development

• Develop guidance materials, training resources and standard operating procedures to support consistent commissioning practices nationally.
• To conduct a training needs analysis for staff and develop and implement an appropriate training programme
• To provide training to staff and service providers relating to the commissioning portal and service level agreement process
• To lead and deliver training for the commissioning model

Data Management / ICT software system – Commissioning Portal

• To develop data systems and reporting mechanisms for SLA process with support the Regional Data Manager
• Analyse data and support the Regional Data Manager within the Regional Services
• To develop and Serve as the primary point of contact for commissioning portal and Section 56 Service Level agreement.
• Compile, organise and analyse data/KPIs and Performance Reports and ensure follow up as appropriate.
• Lead and support ongoing system enhancement and user engagement initiatives relating to the commissioning portal.
• Support the development of performance dashboards, management information reports and data analytics to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.

Quality Service

• Work with Q&R to assist local commissioners and services to assess quality services.
• To support the implementation of Tusla’s Outcomes Framework
• Promote outcomes-focused commissioning approaches and support the development of appropriate performance and outcome reporting mechanisms.

Commissioning Plans

• To work in conjunction with Regional Services and Networks to develop and review commissioning plans.
• Support strategic commissioning planning aligned with identified service needs, population demand and organisational priorities.
• To support the review of commissioning plans

Finance

• To assist in development of standard guidance for services provision and service specifications.
• To serve as the primary point of contact for Finance queries relating to Section 56 Service Level agreement.

Other National Projects

• To support the implementation of the WRC agreements for Section 56 organisations and provide relevant expertise and data as required.
• Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of nationally commissioned services and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the monitoring of National SLAs assigned to the unit.

Communications and Partnership

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Regional Services, DCDE, community and voluntary organisations and other statutory agencies.

General Other Duties

• To provide a high level of Administrative Support and manage interactions between the Office of the Commissioning Unit, the Management Teams, Regional Services and Directorates.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement, innovation and process standardisation across commissioning and SLA processes.
• To support the GM / SD in his/her lead roles across the unit 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 SD /GM, 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 SD/ GM and with Policies and Procedures/Best Practice guidelines.
• Take special responsibility for meeting deadlines for internal and external communications including Internal Audit.
• 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.
• To help establish and maintain links between TUSLA and other stakeholders to support service delivery.
• Provide Leadership and responsibility for Projects, ICT, PQs, Complaints and FOI/Data Protection.
• To create a positive working environment, which contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships.
• Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of service plans
• Undertake projects as delegated by the SD/ GM

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

• 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
• Support organisational change initiatives and promote continuous improvement within a complex and evolving service environment.

Finance and Governance

• Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to meet the needs of the GM / SD 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.

Education and Training

• Maintain continuous professional development and participate in team-based development, education training and learning.
• Complete all mandatory training
• Attend relevant conferences, webinars, workshops, training relevant to role.

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:

• A 3^rd level qualification relevant to the requirements of the role.
• Have five years relevant post qualification experience to include experience of developing and delivering training, managing a software system i.e. portal
• A proven track record of achieving results through stakeholder and community networking and cross sectoral working as relevant to the role.
• Ability to analyse complex problems, and able to develop business models to investigate a number of options/solutions and their viability, evaluating risk within a changing environment

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.