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:
The position of Grade VII Employee Relations Advisor, will encompass both management and administrative responsibilities which include the following;
• Provide a high level of support to the National Employee Relations
Management Team.
• Provide a high level of ER support and advice to National, Corporate and Regional HR.
• Lead out on the Employee Relations Advisory Service via the National Employee
Relations helpdesk. Provide expert ER advice on the Agency’s policies, procedures and employment legislation. Complex employment matters will be referred to the ER management team for consideration, and the issuing of policy directions, as required.
• Lead and contribute to strategic/operational projects and initiatives to include a
Toolkit of National ER standardised template documents and communications
etc.
• Conduct research and ensure the Agency’s compliance with appropriate
standards, employment law and support current and up-to-date advice in line
with Legislation, Policy and relevant Case Law.
• Collate and compile ER statistical data in order to compile information on trends in relation to employment matters, to support the Agency and all relevant
stakeholders for the purpose of making evidence-based business decisions.
• Participate on Working Groups, where appropriate.
• Initiate and lead out on quality improvement projects.
• Support the training and co-ordination of the Agency’s Support Contact Persons panel, in conjunction with the Support Contact Persons Panel lead
• Supervise and provide development support to the ER Department’s
administrative team and ensure an effective service is maintained.
• Provide cover for the National Employee Relations Managers as required.
• Assess and analyse compliance with relevant National and EU legislative obligations.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation e.g. HSE
Financial Regulations, Health & Safety legislation, Employment legislation and Case Law etc.
• Pursue continuous professional development in order to develop
management expertise and professional knowledge.
• Contribute to the development and review of HR policies, procedures, memos, reports, and newsletters
• Deal with and advise on industrial relations matters and support a
harmonious employee relations climate through a partnership approach.
• Initiate continuous ER improvement and quality assurance across the Agency.
• Collaborate with other organisations to develop good practice in the management of ER across the Agency and manage the relationship with shared service providers in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.

Education and Training
• Participate in mandatory training programmes.
• Pursue continuous professional development in order to develop
professional knowledge and keep updated with current and relevant HR
legislation.
• Identify educational and training needs of the administrative team

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 minimum of 2 years’ experience working in Human Resources and/or
Employee Relations relevant to the role to include excellent knowledge of
employment legislation, HR policies/procedures and a proven ability to
manage and deliver effective HR/ER strategies.
• Experience of managing staff and supporting the professional development of staff to deliver a high-quality service.
• A proven record of delivering change, working in a complex environment
through strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Experience of achieving results through engagement with multiple internal
and external stakeholders and competing demands as relevant to the role.
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of
the office.
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.