BUSINESS ADVISOR LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE (GRADE VI) TWO YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT QUALIFICATIONS

Transcription

1 BUSINESS ADVISOR LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE (GRADE VI) 1. CHARACTER Candidates shall be of good character. TWO YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT QUALIFICATIONS 2. HEALTH Candidates shall be in a state of health such as, would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms must: (a) Hold a professional qualification at degree level (level 7 NFQ) or above in Business / Entrepreneurship or equivalent. (b) have significant experience of working in or working with small and micro businesses and be familiar with the broad range of supports and agencies available to support local businesses. (c) be computer literate and have good verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable speaking in public. 4. DRIVING LICENCE The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

2 BACKGROUND: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the local first-stop shop for new entrepreneurs and existing micro-enterprise and small business owners. The LEOs are the front door through which all information on State supports for small and micro-businesses can be accessed and through which financial and other supports can be provided to the business community. The dissolution of the previous City and County Enterprise Boards and the transfer of their functions to Enterprise Ireland led to the formation of the 31 LEOs in The Local Enterprise Offices are funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and operate under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities and are a significant element in the enhanced role which local authorities now have in the whole area of economic development. The Carlow Local Enterprise Office was established in April 2014 and involved the amalgamation of the business support unit of Carlow County Council & Carlow County Enterprise Board - and forms part of the Economic Development Directorate of Carlow County Council. Its offices are currently located in Enterprise House, O Brien Road, Carlow, but due to the nature of the work all roles involve the performance of duties at a variety of locations as required. The main functions of the office are the provision of: Business Information and Advisory Services Enterprise Support Services Entrepreneurship Support Service Local Enterprise Development Services / Economic Development The ideal candidate should: Have an excellent understanding of commercial business and significant experience in working with the business community Have excellent communications skills and experience in client/customer engagement and management Have significant experience in event management and/or delivery of projects Be experienced in the use of financial management systems both from an administrative and reporting perspective Have experience in the management and utilisation of new communications technologies in particular digital marketing Have a strong capability to multi task and work to deadlines Be self motivated with an ability to work on own initiative but within a dynamic small-team environment Have a strong understanding of the needs of small and micro businesses and the role of the Local Enterprise Office, including knowledge of its supports, services and processes Have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under his/her control to achieve maximum performance Possess a strong business acumen with experience that demonstrates an understanding of the phases of business development including a demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret business proposals from various perspectives, e.g. finance, marketing, process/operations, etc.

3 PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS ADVISOR LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE (GRADE VI) TWO YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT The office is whole-time, temporary and pensionable on the basis of a two year fixed term contract. Note: The following represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of the office shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority. The role and responsibilities of the Business Advisor encompass the following key areas: Financial management, accounting, budgeting and reporting for the LEO. This includes financial and other reporting to the Council bodies, to Enterprise Ireland, to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to various other government departments and to any other bodies as required from time to time. The provision of one to one business advice and guidance to anyone thinking about starting a business or any existing business in County Carlow. Development and managing the delivery of new and existing training and management development programmes in response to the needs of small businesses including preparation of programmes specifications, processing of tenders/quotes, client recruitment and engagement, ensuring the recording of all outputs and deliverables and managing the allocated budgets.

4 Development and delivery of sector and cohort specific programmes, e.g. food, creative industries, female entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship. Development and managing the delivery of the Local Enterprise Office Business Advisory programme including procurement of services, service and budget management and ensuring full recording of outputs and deliverables. Managing the delivery of the Second Level Schools Enterprise Programme on an annual basis, including the recording of all outputs and outcomes. Contributing to the development/ management and delivery of LEO events, programmes and pilots, both local and national. Management of the LEOs external contracts and ensuring best practice in the procurement of the LEOs goods and services Management and delivery of Customer Services Management of the LEOs front-office services Development and maintenance of the LEO Web Site and social media platforms Contributing to the on-going awareness campaign of the Local Enterprise Office The development, resourcing and delivery of new initiatives and programmes within the Local Enterprise Office in support of enterprise and economic development in Carlow. Engaging on collaborative initiatives and EU programmes as required by the Head of Enterprise. Promoting and implementing innovation and continuous improvement in the processes and programmes of the Local Enterprise Office. Contributing to the delivery of national initiatives within the Local Enterprise Network as required. Other duties required to contribute to the successful management of the LEO services as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of the LEO and/or other nominated members of the LEO management team. PROBATION: Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation; (b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period; (c) such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory. (d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts. (e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

5 SALARY: 44,849-45,954-47,289-49,797-51,294-53,157 LSI 1-55,031 2 nd LSI per annum The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time in line with national policy. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy. LOCATION Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. HOURS OF WORK The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 37 hour week, involving evening and weekend attendance, where necessary. Carlow County Council operate a flexible working day with the earliest start time of 8.30 a.m. and a latest start time of a.m. and the earliest finishing time of 4.30 p.m. and the latest finishing time of p.m. Lunch break consisting of 30 minutes or one hour must be taken between p.m. and p.m. Flexi Leave Scheme available, on request. GARDA VETTING The candidate will be required to complete and return a Garda Vetting form should they come under consideration for appointment. HEALTH For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before being appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. SUPERANNUATION: Persons who become pensionable public servants on or after 1 st January 2013 will become members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and, as such, will be required to pay contributions of 3% of pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of

6 social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. All persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5%of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. RETIREMENT: There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Persons who are NOT new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 are subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years. With effect from 1st January 2013, persons who are pensionable under the terms of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will have a minimum retirement age of 66 years initially rising in line with the State Pension age changes. Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

7 RECRUITMENT Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. A panel may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Carlow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate. Shortlisting may be on the basis of information supplied on the application form and the likely number of vacancies to be filled. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/experience on the application form. The candidates shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview. The Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview. Candidates whose names are on a Panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the Panel, be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise. Carlow County Council will require the person to whom appointment is offered to take up the appointment within a period of not more than one month and if the person fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as Carlow County Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Carlow County Council will not appoint him/her. It should be noted that the terms of Paragraph 13 of Circular Letter EL 02/09 - Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement may need to be considered in some instances. It is a condition of this scheme as set out in the Department of Finance Circular 12/2009 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Furthermore, persons who have availed of a Redundancy Payment Scheme should not that is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts ) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. Thereafter the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment. Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of either of the above schemes. CARLOW COUNTY COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SHORTLIST CANDIDATES IN THE MANNER IT DEEMS MOST APPROPRIATE

8