Secondment Opportunity – Project Director (Principal Officer)

Secondment Opportunity – Project Director (Principal Officer)

Expressions of interest are invited from eligible public sector employees in the Education Sector for the position of Project Director (Principal Officer) in the Higher Education Authority.

The secondment will be for a period of two years with potential to extend for an additional year.  

The arrangement will be reviewed at 3 months and at 6 months to ensure it is meeting the expectations of both parties.

Expressions of interest are sought from staff currently serving at levels that correspond to the indicative competency levels and salary bands associated with the post of Principal Officer.  

The secondee will remain on the payroll of the parent organisation and all agreed costs associated with the secondment will be the responsibility of the HEA.

Expressions of interest to be submitted to  

by

. All EOI’s should include a current CV and statement outlining how the candidate meets the essential criteria set out in the role profile. 

Candidates must ensure they have the support of their employer before submitting an expression of interest and should include appropriate contact details for their HR Department in their EOI.

Role Profile:

The role includes leading on the project management of the review and redesign of the current Student Record System ensuring it is adaptable, fit for purpose and responsive to the needs of a constantly changing higher education landscape and teaching and learning environment. In addition, the Project Director will consult with the sector on the design and content of a Staff Record System in the HEA allowing the sector to meet its commitments as set out in the HEA Legislation. The role will require a Project Director to:

• review the existing student record systems leading to the development of an enhanced system reflecting the current higher education system in Ireland that efficiently and effectively provides a quality evidence base to inform policy.
• Establish a framework for a new staff database capturing a comprehensive set of data reflecting the human resource profile of our higher education institutions at all levels from researcher to President. 

Key tasks and responsibilities include (but will not be limited to):

• Consult widely with the relevant stakeholders on the requirements and design of both databases. This will involve the design of a consultation framework.
• Establish the optimal data structure including the base unit and frequency of collection for the student and staff databases.
• Develop a code book for each database including comprehensive data definitions that are standard and consistent across the sector.
• Engage in the process of tendering for an IT support partner to develop the systems for data collection.
•  Liaise with the support partner in the development of a business case for both databases and oversee the development and test and transfer phases of the old database to the new databases.

Eligibility:

Candidates must, on 12th May 2023:

• Be already serving in the public service in a post that approximately corresponds to the competency level and within the indicative range of the salary band associated with the grade of Principal Officer.
• Have satisfactorily completed probation in their current role, or have obtained a satisfactory rating in their organisation’s performance management system for the year 2022 and be suitable from the point of view or health, with particular reference to sick leave Circular 05/2018 and satisfactory attendance.
• Possess the necessary experience, skills and competencies required to perform the role and be remunerated approximately within the range of the salary band associated with the post being applied for.
• Have pre-approval for the application by their organisation’s HR Division.
• Offers will be dependent on satisfactory references from the releasing line manager confirming satisfactory conduct and levels of absence/sick leave.

Essential Skills and Competencies:

Essential

• NQF Level 8 qualification or higher in a relevant discipline area. 

• Experience at Senior Management level in a Higher Education environment.

• Substantial knowledge of higher education data.

• Excellent Communication and leadership skills.

• Knowledge of databases and IT systems.

• Be a self-starter capable of working on his/her own initiative, with strong multitasking capability and flexibility.

• Good planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively in a dynamic and pressurised environment.

• High level of attention to detail to ensure that work is of a high standard.

• Good understanding of the higher education sector.

Desirable

• Has a breadth and depth of knowledge of relevant Government Strategy and Policy, along an awareness of wider political and organisational priorities.
• Similar experience of implementing a systemic change initiative.

Conditions of Assignment:

• The secondment will be for a period of 24 months.
• This arrangement will be reviewed after three and six months to ensure that it is meeting the expectations of both parties.
• In the event of the level of performance not being satisfactory, the secondment arrangement will cease and the secondee will return to their parent organisation.
• While on secondment, the secondee will continue to have access to promotional opportunities in their parent organisation
• Flexi time applies where applicants have this in their current position.
• At the end of the period of secondment, staff will return to their parent organisation. In the event that there is no suitable position in their parent organisation, staff will return to work in accordance with the secondment policy provisions in place within their organisations at that time.

Application Process:

Applications, which must be pre-approved in principle by your organisation’s HR Department, should be made by 4 p.m. on the 19th May 2023 to [email protected].

Applications should include a CV, contact details for the parent association HR Department and a personal statement addressing the essential and desirable requirements set out in the role profile.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Selection Process:

If the numbers applying are such that it would not be practical to interview all applicants, it may be necessary to shortlist only those that appear most suitable for the role based on the information contained in their application.

The interview may include a presentation by the candidate. Where this is required, candidates will be provided with additional information in advance.

It is intended that interviews will be in person. Details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance.

Interviews will be held in June and the onus is on candidates to make themselves available to attend interview during this period of time.

The HEA is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to championing an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects modern Ireland and the people we serve. We strive to create a culture where all staff have equal access to opportunity and feel comfortable and confident to be themselves at work. Reasonable Accommodations will be provided to candidates, if required, during this recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact the HEA’s Disability Liaison Officer, Nicola Patten [email protected].