Job Specification. Interim Regional Service Director for Tusla Child and Family Services

Transcription

1 Job Specification Interim Regional Service Director for Tusla Child and Family Services Job Title and Grade Campaign Reference Interim Regional Service Director for Child and Family Services x 2 Grade: Q138 Service Director Tusla 023/TR & TR Applications Opening date for Applications Closing Date for Applications Proposed Interview date(s) Contact for Informal Enquiries Location of Posts Applications are invited by submission of a detailed CV and a cover letter to tuslarecruit@tusla.ie 28 th July, pm on 8 th August 2016 Interviews will take place during week of 15 th August, 2015 Mr Jim Gibson, Interim Chief Operations Officer Direct line: Main line: jim.gibson1@tusla.ie Immediate vacancies West x 1 WTE and Dublin Mid Leinster x 1 WTE Details of Service The Child and Family Agency was established on 1 st January 2014 and is responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of services for the development, welfare and protection of children and the support of families ever undertaken in Ireland. It is an ambitious move which brings together some 4,000 staff who were previously employed within Children and Family Services of the Health Service Executive, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services: Child Welfare and Protection Services, including Alternative Care Services and family support services Family Resource Centres and associated national programmes Early years (pre-school) Inspection Services Educational Welfare responsibilities including School completion programmes and Home School Liaison Domestic, sexual and gender based violence services

2 Services related to the psychological welfare of children Further information is available on Reporting Relationship Scope of the Role Purpose of the post The person appointed will report to the Chief Operations Officer of Tusla and will be expected to contribute to the policy development, strategy and direction of the agency. To be accountable for the efficient and effective operational delivery of a range of services under the responsibility of the Children and Families. To participate as part of the National Management Team To create a single point of authority and accountability in the Region for the sage and effective operational delivery of performance of day to day services in the region Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Direction To lead the development and implementation of appropriate management and controls system that will improve responsibility and accountability throughout the services. To take a lead role in the performance management process that uses logistics management, operations management and analytics to optimize performance. To lead in the development of the annual Service Plan for the Region to ensure the Plan is implemented within resources and targets are met. To implement the corporate strategy and National annual service plan as directed by the Chief Operations Officer. Operational Excellence and Managing and Delivery of Results/Performance To hold budgetary responsibility and be accountable for ensuring that services operate with agreed service levels and budgets are delivered to the highest best practice standards and level of efficiency possible, demonstrably providing value for money. To ensure easy and timely access for the public to appropriate services at the level commensurate with their needs at all times. To continuously review operational processes with a view to ensuring efficiency and effectiveness while benchmarking against best practice across the system. To be responsible and accountable for the efficient, effective and safe delivery of services in the Region as set out in the service plan. Ensure the processes and procedures in place make certain that service users and their families are cared for in a child and person centered environment In conjunction with Area Managers for Child and Family Services be responsible for identifying and promoting areas for development of clinical and clinical support services outlining the associated service business case. Lead support and supervise the Area Managers for Children & Families Service Managers in the delivery and reconfiguration and performance of services and ensuring that there are robust quality and safety systems in place.

3 Organisation Change and Development To lead on implementation of national change programmes with the view to optimising the opportunities for improved service provision. To lead and implement staff development programmes to include management performance evaluation schemes. To contribute significantly and commit to the development and implementation of the strategic development of Children & Families Services. To be responsible for promoting a culture of excellence in the delivery of services and the attainment of registration/accreditation where such approved processes exist. Working with and through others Influencing to Achieve To ensure and fully demonstrate that all Corporate policies, procedures, standards etc. are implanted at services operational level as prescribes for by the National support/corporate functions. To play a key role in service governance and quality programmes in the services particularly in relation to the following: o Risk Management o Audit o Quality, Evaluation, Standards Programme o Children and Service User Fora o Accreditation Programmes o Health and Safety Programmes o Complaints Building and Maintaining Relationships Communications Assist in the development and management of effective relationship between and across relevant external agencies at regional and local levels including the relevant services in health, education, An Garda Síochána, funded agencies. To act as a spokesperson for the organisation in line with the Agencies Communications Plan. To act for and represent the Chief Executive/Chief Operations Officer in matters pertaining to his/her are of responsibility as directed delegates by him/her from time to time. The above 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 contribute to the development of the post while in office.

4 Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge The successful candidate will be strong in the following competencies: Leadership and Direction Demonstrate a track record of service innovation and leading through influence. Having demonstrated effective leadership in a challenging environment. Demonstrate an aptitude for strategic thinking, coupled with leadership skills and the ability to motivate and lead specialist professionals. Operational Excellence Managing and Delivering Results Have a clear focus on operational performance, results and an understanding of the performance systems needed to manage in a complex organisation. Show a strong degree of self sufficiency, being capable of personally pushing proposals and recommending decisions on a proactive basis while actively suggesting improvements and adapting readily to change. Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money. Working with and through others Influencing to achieve. Be flexible, team oriented and a relationship builder and have a significant track record of achievement in the area. Demonstrate leadership and team management skills including the ability to work with multi disciplinary team members. Critical Analysis and Decision Making Have the ability to consider the range of options available, involve other parties at the appropriate time and level and to make balance and timely decisions. Demonstrate knowledge and application of evidence based decision making practices and methodologies. Building Maintaining Relationships Communications Demonstrate the capacity to lead, organise and motivate staff to function effectively. Possess the interpersonal skills to facilitate working effectively in teams, and demonstrate the ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning. Have excellent interpersonal and communications skills and be willing and able to act as a media spokesperson when required.

5 Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and / or Experience Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following: A relevant 3 rd level Qualification relevant to the role or Have a minimum of 5 years experience at senior management level in the delivery of a service 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. Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age. Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Professional Knowledge and Abilities A working knowledge and strategic understanding of legislation, policy, research and practice relevant to the Child and Family Agency. Demonstrate the ability to plan, develop and ensure the achievement of short, medium and long term priorities and goals. Have an in-depth knowledge of the issues and developments and current thinking about Workforce Learning and Development including legislation and policy. Ability to use project management methodology. Demonstrate an emphasis on service user focus in the delivery of quality services. Operational Excellence Managing and Delivering Results Demonstrate a significant track record of achievement in strategic and operational management in a relevant area. Have a clear emphasis on operational performance, results and an understanding of the performance systems needed in this area. Have proven ability to organise people and resources at both strategic and operational level to ensure that objectives can be met within budget and specified timeframes to high standards. Communicate ideas and information clearly and effectively and be willing and able to act as a media spokesperson if required. Critical Analysis and Decision Making Have critical analysis and decision making skills including the ability to analyse and evaluate, in a rational, objective, consistent and systematic manner, a range of complex information while identify the core issues and arguments at hand and make balanced and timely decisions.

6 Leadership and Direction Other requirements of the role Have the required leadership skills, vision and competencies to lead and manage whole systems change within a complex and challenging environment. Demonstrate initiative and energy and have the capacity to lead organise and motivate staff to function effectively in a changing environment. Have excellent interpersonal influencing and networking skills to facilitate effective multi-agency team working. Have experience in driving organisational change. Access to transport as the post will involve travel Campaign Specific Selection Process Shortlisting / Interview Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application. The criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements. Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process. Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to interview. Code of Practice The Recruitment Service Child and Family Agency will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on Tusla Child and Family Agency is an Equal Opportunities Employer Tusla Child and Family Agency recognises its responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 2003 & 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014

7 Terms and Conditions of Employment Job Title: Interim Regional Service Director - Grade Code: Q138 Tenure The current vacancies will be filled by Temporary Assignment for initial period of 4 months pending permanent filling of the posts. Appointment as an employee of the Child & Family Agency is governed by the Child and Family Agency Act, 2014 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act The Salary scale for the post is: Remuneration 89,212, 92,897, 96,650, 100,475. (rate as at 01/07/2016) Working Week The standard working week applying to the post is: 37 hours Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the post is 30 days per annum. Superannuation Current Pension scheme membership will apply to the temporary appointment for the specified period. Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001 Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale ( 64,812 as at ) Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale ( 64,812 as at ) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below; A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive not later than 31 st January in the following year. B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of Tusla and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if

8 this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive. C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission s website