Grade VI

Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme

Job Specification, Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade / Grade VI Project Officer
Sexual Healthand Crisis Pregnancy Programme
Grade Code 0574
Campaign Reference / NRS02741
Closing Date / Monday, 21st September 2015, 12 noon.
Proposed Interview Dates / Week commencing 19th October 2015
Taking Up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, Health Service Executive (HSE) 4th Floor, 89-94 Capel Street, Dublin 1
Informal Enquiries / Helen Deely, HSE Head of Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme, Ph: 01 8148832, email:
Details of Service / The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme is a national programme charged with developing and implementing national strategy to address the issue of crisis pregnancy in Ireland.
It now also encompasses the coordination of sexual health services to improve effectiveness and impact of services and preventative work in line with the forthcoming National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020.
The National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020, is the first national framework for sexual health and wellbeing of the Irish population. The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme will be responsible for leading out on the implementation of the majority of actions in this strategy.
Through our strategic objectives the programme is focused on leading a process of providing high quality information, education, support, research and advice. We work in partnership with statutory and non-statutory organisations to achieve improvements in sexual health behaviors and crisis pregnancy outcomes.
Reporting Relationship / The Project Officer will report directly to the Head of the Programme.
Purpose of the Post /
  • To work with the Clinical Lead for sexual health and the Head of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme
  • To develop programme plans, assist in process and data performance analysis, log and manage issues and risks, advise on stakeholder and communications management and report on the status of the programme.
  • To work with services and stakeholders to enable them implement relevant action areas of the national strategic approach to sexual health in Ireland
  • To ensure that assigned projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard.

Duties and Responsibilities / The Project Officer will be responsible for :
  • Planning and supporting the development of an implementation plan in line with the forthcoming National Sexual Health Strategy, the Crisis Pregnancy Programme’s Strategy and annual Business Plans.
  • monitor development of the action plan, report and record detailed activities
  • Working with the Clinical Lead for Sexual Health, Head of Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme and other team members
  • Working with the national implementation group and associated subgroups
  • Develop and manage stakeholder engagement and communication plans
  • Manage standard project management processes e.g. risk and issue logging, status reporting, planning, etc
  • Co-ordinate meetings, prepare documentation, design templates, document workshop outputs, version control of documentation.
  • Manage sign off processes with all stakeholder groups
  • Contribute on behalf of the programme documentation required for mandatory health services processes, e.g. estimates and service planning processes, senior management team reports, parliamentary questions, etc.
  • Provide feedback to Head of Programme and clinical lead on any issues or concerns arising
  • Ensure all programme documentation and information is disseminated to colleagues as appropriate
  • Working in consultation with relevant HSE Departments and other service providers
  • Any other duties may be assigned by Head of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
  • Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etcand comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
  • 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
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/or experience / Only existing staff of the HSE and TUSLA are eligible to apply.
Applicants must demonstrate all of the criteria listed below:
  • Experience of working within a Project Management environment
  • Experience of managing and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders including senior management
  • Experience in producing complex reports to multiple stakeholders
Age
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Health
Candidates 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
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Post Specific Requirements
Other requirements specific to the post
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / In the execution of the role, the Project Officer will work as a member of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy team to ensure the effective delivery of the strategic objectives.
Working as a member of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy team the post holder will develop and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders both internal and external to the HSE
Successful candidates must demonstrate:
Planning & Organising
  • excellent time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes and achieve quality results
  • excellent planning and organisational skills including an awareness of resource management and the importance of value for money
  • effective project management capability and the capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently
  • the ability to develop, deliver and implement projects
  • the ability to achieve results through collaborative working
  • the ability to work to tight deadlines and operate effectively with multiple competing priorities
  • the ability to promote the development of staff to maximise potential in line with personal and organisational goals.
  • Planning, allocation and evaluating of work carried out by teams and individuals
Evaluating Information, Problem Solving & Decision Making
  • the ability to analyse and interpret information and contribute to decisions quickly and accurately as appropriate
  • the ability to confidently explain the rationale behind decisions when faced with opposition
  • the ability to rapidly assimilate and analyse complex information
  • the ability to recognise when it is appropriate to refer decisions to a higher level of management
  • a capacity to develop new proposals and recommend decisions on a proactive basis
Leadership & Teamwork
  • team work skills including the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team environment
  • flexibility and adaptability
  • an ability to achieve results through collaborative working
Commitment to a Quality Service
  • a commitment to developing own knowledge and expertise
  • the ability to document effectively and appropriately.
  • an ability to cope with competing demands without a diminution in performance
  • a commitment to providing a professional service to internal and external stakeholders
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders on an individual and team basis
  • appropriately and efficiently dealing with communications, queries, callers or visitors to the office, implementation of the office management procedure and provision of all administrative support required by the Programme Manager.
  • ensuring open and transparent communication across the programme through accurate reporting and collaboration.
  • maintain confidentiality and a high level of professionalism.
  • the ability to interact in a professional manner with other Health staff and other key stakeholders
  • provide advice and support to service managers regarding information management.
Professional Knowledge
  • practical experience of preparing business plans, project management plans,
  • ensure and support an effective records management system.
  • knowledge of project management, change management and quality management methodologies and theories
  • Knowledge and understanding of the evidence base related to sexual health and health promotion
  • Awareness of standards such as ICT standards, ISO standards and accreditation
  • proficiency in Microsoft software products such as Word, Excel, and Presentation and ideally have experience of using MSVision, MSProject, statistical software packagesor similar
  • will have knowledge of the issues and developments and current thinking in relation to best practice in health care policy and service delivery.

Campaign specific selection process
Short listing/ Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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 ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executive 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. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates”.Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme

Project Officer Grade VI

Tenure / The appointment is whole-time and permanent. The post is pensionable.
A panel will be formed from which current and future permanent or temporary posts of whole time or part time duration will be filled.
Appointment as an employee of the Child and Family Agency is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004
Remuneration / The Salary scale for the post is: €44,849 - €55,032 (7 point scale as at 01/11/2013)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016.
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post will be outlined at job offer stage.
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
Infection Control / Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc