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 in excess of €800m and delivers its services through circa 5,000 people in 350 locations across the Country.

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

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Family Support
• Alternative Care • Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Purpose of Role

To monitor and maintain resources within the agency for the assigned area of the post. Work collaboratively with Finance, Service Managers and HR Managers within the region/other regions and at corporate level to ensure that resources are appropriately managed in line with best practice with emphasis on workforce planning and resource allocation.

Assist in the development of robust reporting systems to report on variances and provide an analysis of resources within the system. Use the analysis and reports to provide a staffing plan that links directly to the staffing budget allocations for the region. Contribute to the development of an operational workforce plan that provides for short-term staff needs within the upcoming year and contributes to development of a strategic workforce plan for the agency.

Responsible for the delivery of a range of HR/ER services within the Area and the provision of advice and guidance on HR and IR issues in order to support the Service Managers. Support the process in the changing structure of Tusla Child & Family Agency.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a system of working collaboratively with the Service Managers/Operations to develop a Workforce Plan to meet the current and future resource needs of the assigned Region.
• Monitor an agreed headcount/resource allocation/vacancies and provide reports for each Area within the region.
• Ensure that Job Orders for recruitment are timely and within allocated budget by engaging with Service Managers/Operations on a daily/weekly basis.
• Engage and consult with Service Managers/Operations to ensure the areas are supported from a recruitment perspective to meet the exigencies of the service.
• Work closely with Tusla Recruit and Service Managers/Operations to ensure recruitment processes are progressed in a timely manner to meet the needs of the service.
• Monitor agency usage in line with agreed processes.
• Quality assure the day to day management of associated HR processes e.g. Job order submission, reporting and recruitment planning.
• Deal with internal and external audit queries in consultation with the Regional and Corporate HR Management.
• To advise and assist Hiring Managers and Management in relation to compliance with the Codes of Practice set down by the Commission of Public Service Appointments.
• To work with Senior Management, as assigned by the line Manager, on all new initiatives/ developments/ projects which have a resource allocation implication.
• To keep updated with estimates, business plans and strategies on resource allocation.
• Prepare information/reports for submission to HR Management/ Operations/Board Reports.
• Provide regular recruitment reports that capture all recruitment and selection activity for the region.
• Develop relationships with the Regional Management Team and other relevant stakeholders to implement the above outlined responsibilities at Regional Level with a clear focus on change management and Workforce Planning.
• Provide expert support and guidance while monitoring activity levels to ensure the correct resources are provided and are on target with plans and deadlines set
• Supervise and manage any assigned staff.
• Provide expert guidance and support to Service Managers / Operations on HR policy, procedure and legislation to ensure compliance with best practice.
• Liaise with Corporate HR Teams – Tusla Recruit, HR Business Support, Corporate Employee Relations, Health and Wellbeing.
• Provide support to the Regional HR Manager in IR/ER processes and attend meetings with staff partners, as required.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the HR team.
• Assist in the training of colleagues where required.
• Deputise for the Regional HR Manager as required.

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:

• Be currently in employment with Tusla – Child and Family Agency, with the HSE or within other statutory health agencies, or a body which provides services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38/39 of the Health Act 2004 or within a body that provides services on behalf of Tusla under Section 56 of the Child and Family Act 2013.
• Have at least 2 years’ administrative experience in a designated office within the services mentioned above.
• At least 3 years’ experience at working within a HR setting with a working knowledge of General HR activities including employment monitoring and recruitment and selection processes.
• Significant experience of public sector recruitment process and procedure along with relevant operational knowledge.
• Proven experience of having delivered on various HR projects achieving the delivery of significant results through a project management approach.
• Experience of achieving results through engagement with multiple stakeholders and competing demands as relevant to the role
• 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