Head of Recruitment and Talent Management - General Manager

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

Purpose of role:

The Head of Recruitment and Talent Management is a senior management role within the People and Change Directorate. The role provides national strategic and professional leadership for workforce supply, recruitment, and retention. The role is accountable for national recruitment, talent management, and retention policy, the recruitment operating model, recruitment systems, workforce supply and retention planning, candidate experience, performance and management reporting, and assurance. Whilst retention is a shared Agency responsibility, and line management is accountable for workforce planning and retention, this role is accountable for the national retention framework, analysis and reporting.

The role is accountable for ensuring systems are in place to demonstrate Tusla's compliance, as a licence holder, with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, as amended, and the CPSA Code of Practice.

Main duties and responsibilities:

The core duties and accountabilities of the role are set out below.

The list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him / her from time to time, and to contribute to the development of the role. The duties and accountabilities may be reviewed to reflect Agency reform, service requirements, public policy, and legislative changes.

• Prepare and implement a multiannual national recruitment, retention, and talent management plan, to position Tusla as an employer of choice, delivering a compelling Employee Value Proposition (EVP), aligned with the Agency's Corporate Plan, Business Plan, Performance Statement, People Strategy, approved workforce plans, funded establishment and pay numbers' requirements, and advise on performance and workforce risks.
• Establish and maintain national recruitment policy, procedures, service standards, ICT systems, governance, performance and assurance arrangements, Ensure that recruitment and selection processes are merit based, fair, consistent, transparent, and accessible, with appropriate standards for role analysis, eligibility, assessment selection boards, reasonable accommodation, records and pre-employment requirement, and demonstrably compliance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, as amended, and the CPSA Code of Practice. Ensure candidates are effectively engaged and supported through the full life cycle of the recruitment experience, from application to induction.
• Translate approved workforce demand, in partnership with operational management, national and regional HR, and the workforce planning function, into national and regional recruitment plans by grade, service, function, and network, prioritising critical posts that are challenging to attract and retain.
• Determine the appropriate national, regional, or approved external delivery arrangement for recruitment campaigns within authorised delegations and procurement requirements.
• Develop sustainable workforce career pathways through partnerships with third level educational institutions, apprenticeships, graduate recruitment, student placements, return to practice arrangements, and appropriately governed national, and international recruitment.
• Develop and maintain the national retention framework, analyse and monitor turnover, and coordinate targeted measures with national and regional HR, operational management, and relevant People and Change functions.
• Set up systems to report KPIs for workforce supply, vacancy levels, time to appointment, appointment outcomes, early retention, internal mobility, succession, equality, candidate experience, compliance and value for money (VFM) and use findings to improve recruitment and retention. Ensure consistent processes, data definitions, information quality, and governance for automation, and reporting.
• Lead, manage and develop assigned staff, nurturing specialist expertise and best practice in recruitment, retention, and talent management, ensuring the function is recognised as a professional, specialist team, that delivers for the Agency. Manage budgets, contracts and external service providers in accordance with public sector governance, administrative law requirements, procurement and financial requirements. Monitor devolved recruitment performance and compliance.
• Manage the recruitment and talent management function's risk, control and assurance arrangements and oversee corrective action arising from performance monitoring, review, complaints and audit. Respond to parliamentary questions, representations and FOI requests, as required.
• Build effective relationships across the Agency, with relevant government departments, professional regulators, education providers, professional bodies, staff partners, and represent Tusla on appropriate forums.

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.

Applicants must, by closing date of application, possess the following:

• A relevant qualification at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (or international equivalent) in human resource management, organisational development, organisational psychology, business, management, or a related discipline.
• Not less than 5 years' relevant management experience in an area related to the delivery of a recruitment and talent management function, change management, project management or a relevant business function in a large and complex public or private sector organisation.
• Experience of leading staff, managing significant budgets, contracts and service providers.
• Experience of working through national, regional and / or devolved management arrangements and establishing clear responsibilities, standards and assurance arrangements.
• Experience of designing and using management information and analysis to advise senior management, identify Agency risk and support decision making.
• Experience of managing and working collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders to achieve results.
• A proven track record of delivering significant change in a complex, fast paced, multi stakeholder environment.
• The requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.