Application Details for HR and Compliance Executive

Please note the following instructions:

Please ensure that you have fully read and understood the Information for Candidates and the Job Description and Person Specification.
It is important that you complete all sections of the Personal Details Form.
You must submit the Personal Details Form, a covering letter and a CV as part of your application.Applications will not be considered if all three documents are not submitted.
The closing date for applications is4 pmFriday 02 March 2018. Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted.
Applications must be emailed to .
Candidates should note that there may be a time delay in receiving e-mail applications. Therefore, we recommend that a minimum of one hour be allowed to reach
It is proposed to hold interviews on week beginning Monday 19 March 2018
Candidates should note that appointment will be at the minimum of the scale.
safefood is an equal opportunities employer.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

About safefood

One of the major developments of the Northern Ireland peace process was the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement which was signed by both Britain and Ireland on 10 August 1998. Part of this agreement was the establishment of an all-island policy development body, the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC). The NSMC is responsible for co-ordinating and managing a number of all-island policy areas, six of which are delegated to corresponding North-South Implementation Bodies. These bodies are:

The Languages Body (Foras na Gaeilge and Ulster Scots)

Special European Programmes Body

Waterways Ireland

Intertrade Ireland

The Loughs Agency

The Food Safety Promotion Board (safefood)

Another body, Tourism Ireland, whilst not an Implementation Body, was later also established for the whole of the island.

These bodies were set up under the North South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999 and the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. The Food Safety Promotion Board (An Bord um Chur Chun Cinn Sabháilteachta Bia) was formally established on 2 December 1999. safefood was adopted as our brand name.

Our role

Our role is determined by the above legislation which can be found on our website. To summarise, our key functions are to promote food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland. We achieve this through the commissioning and funding of research, the co-ordination and development of scientific co-operation through networks and promoting consumer knowledge, education and awareness through the media.

safefood receives funding as approved by the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil Eireann. safefood is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas. Departmental responsibility for safefood rests with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland.

Our functions are carried out by the Chief Executive Officer under the policy of the NSMC. There is a twelve member Advisory Board and a twelve member Advisory Committee to advise the Chief Executive in the discharge of safefood’s functions.

safefood’s mission, vision and values

Our name and brand defines us and we want to ensure that we communicate in such a manner that people perceive safefood as trustworthy, friendly and knowledgeable. Our vision is to create:

An environment where consumers eat safely and healthily

Our mission statement is:

'To contribute to public health and well-being, by promoting food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland’

In order to fulfil our strategy, we recognise that there has to be a strong ethos which embodies the vision and mission statements. This ethos is fundamental and underpins the overall organisational culture. These values and behaviours are at the core of the organisation.

In achieving our vision and mission and delivering our strategy, we aim to demonstrate the following core behaviours:

Accountability

Demonstrating transparency and openness, strong teamwork and trust, thorough execution and follow-through and a tight focus on results and delivering value for money to ensure the most efficient possible return on taxpayer funds.

Reality and Truth

Focusing on realistic solutions for consumers on the island of Ireland and developing resilience to cope with the external environment – learning and applying lessons from experience is critically important and applying lessons from experience is critically important and anticipating challenges and developing creative, flexible solutions to those challenges. Robust evidence is essential to support our work.

Delivering on commitments

Delivering on commitments builds trust and integrity and enhances safefood’s performance and reputation as a strong collaborative partner on programmes across the island and as a provider of clear, accurate and consistent advice.

Challenge and Feedback

Nurturing an environment where people have the confidence and skill to voice different views and to engage in constructive dialogue when their own view of the world is challenged and to provide and receive feedback in order to learn and improve the performance of both the individual and the organisation.

Location

Our headquarters are in Cork with a sub office in Dublin and whilst candidates will be appointed to a base office, staff may be required to be based at alternative locations from time to time.

General Terms and Conditions

Outlined are the general terms and conditions applicable to the post:

All permanent and fixed term posts are pensionable positions.
Hours of work are 0900 hrs to 1730 hrs Monday to Thursday and 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs Friday. The working week is approximately 37 hours. However, on occasions, staff will be requested to work additional hours as the needs of the business dictate.
Holidays and salary grades are determined by the Department of Health.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Covering letter and Curriculum Vitae

Candidates should endeavour to address the five competencies outlined in the Person Specification in their covering letter. This should cover one A4 page and must be typed.

The CV should give relevant education details and career history and ideally should be no longer than two pages.

Shortlisting for Interview

The information given on the covering letter and CV will be measured against the Job Description and Person Specification and only those candidates who can meet all of the Essential Criteria will be considered for interview. In the event of a large number of candidates meeting all of the Essential Criteria, a shortlisting process may be initiated by applying the Desirable Criteria (where stated) progressively in the order they appear on the person specification.

Candidates who meet the Desirable Criteria to a lesser extent should not be deterred from applying as long as they can meet the Essential Criteria.

In the event of very large numbers of applicants for any post advertised, safefood reserves the right to use skills evaluation testing. Candidates will be notified should this happen.

Selection of successful candidate

The selection process will cover the following stages:

Stage OneCV, covering letter and Personal Details Form
Stage TwoSkills Evaluation Tests (if required)
Stage ThreeCompetency based interview
Stage FourSecond interview if required

Applicants will be judged solely on the following information:

Information on the CV and covering letter
Test scores (where applicable)
Information provided at interview

Competency-based questions for interview

Competency based interviews are based on the premise that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. The interview will seek to obtain information about the applicant with questions that relate directly to the essential criteria and competencies outlined in the job description and person specification.

Questions will focus on past situations and the applicant’s behaviour in those situations. safefood will be looking for specific examples describing exactly what the applicant did in certain situations, not what the team’s role was as a whole or what the applicant would do in an hypothetical situation. The applicant can choose to use relevant examples for their current job, a previous job or a situation outside of work.

The interview will also include other criteria such as motivation, creativity and technical skills concentrating on areas which are the most important for the particular job.

Timescale

All candidates will receive a letter or an e-mail acknowledging receipt of the application form within two weeks of the closing date. safefood will endeavour to hold all interviews within two months of the closing date.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the interview within two weeks. The selection panel will grade all applicants and the person achieving the highest grade will be offered a position. (At its discretion, safefood may form a panel of successful applicants, who may be offered a position should a future vacancy arise).

Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003

Only information applicable to the recruitment process will be requested. When an application is received, we create a record in the applicant’s name which will contain the personal information supplied. Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. To make an access request under the Data Protection Acts, please submit a request in writing to:

The Data Protection Officer

safefood

7 EastGate Avenue

EastGate

Little Island

Co Cork

T45 RX01

Additional information

Candidates who submit a Personal Details Form by e-mail will be required to sign a hard copy of the form should they proceed in the competition.

We will require references and, if relevant, background checks for the successful candidate. We will request your permission before contacting the references provided by you. All background checks will be carried out with your consent.

Applications must be returned by the specified time and date in the advertisement.

Please note that for all posts, entry point will normally start at the base of the relevant scale.

Applicants with a disability who require assistance to attend interviews/testing sessions will be accommodated upon request.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE / Human Resources & Compliance Executive
SCALE / Executive Officer €29,341 - €45,618
REPORTS TO / Corporate Operations Manager
LOCATION / Cork; however as safefood is an all island body there will be a requirement to travel from time to time.

JOB PURPOSE

The HR and Compliance Executive will provide advice and assistance to the Corporate Operations Manager in developing and implementing safefood’s HR and compliance strategies. They will review and maintain HR systems, policies and procedures in line with safefood’s business plan, legislation and best practice. They will represent safefood at applicable North/South Bodies meetings and develop key relationships with other colleagues in these bodies. They will advise on, manage and/or maintain the safefood Pension Scheme, Equality and Disability Schemes, Freedom of Information Code of Practice and Data Protection policies and procedures. They will act as the Data Protection Officer for safefood. The HR and Compliance Executive will ensure that health and safety arrangements at safefood meet legislative and best practice standards. They will demonstrate an ability to research the latest legislation and guidance, provide advice, draft and implement policies and procedures and monitor compliance for safefood on issues arising.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide advice on policy formulation in regard to human resources and administration.

Undertake and manage the process of recruitment and selection of staff to the organisation.

Manage and administer the performance appraisal system.

Assist the Corporate Operations Manager with the management of employee relation issues, e.g. grievance, appeals, discipline and other performance-related matters.

Ensure HR practices and procedures are in developed in accordance with legislation, relevant codes of practice and best practice and changes are implemented in a timely and pro-active manner.

Assist the Corporate Operations Manager with the coordination and management of safefood’s pension scheme.

Act as Data Protection Officer for safefood.

Manage and maintain the Statutory Equality Scheme and Disability Action Plans and provide advice to the Corporate Operations Manager as and when required.

Manage the HR information system and database.

Advise directors, managers and staff of safefood on HR, equality, Data Protection, FOI and health and safety matters.

Implement, maintain and manage safefood’s Safety Statement providing advice to the Corporate Operations Manager and IS and Facilities Manager on health and safety requirements.

Liaise with appropriate external parties and agencies including government departments and agencies, professional bodies and institutes.

Provide advice to the Corporate Operations Manager on employment and equality issues in Northern Ireland as they pertain to safefood’s functions as an all-island body.

This list is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to take on other tasks and duties for the proper and effective performance of your role. Your role will change as the needs of the business change and you will be required to adapt to these changes and to develop your role going forward.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND
EXPERIENCE /

A Business or HR related degree and/or relevant professional qualification, e.g. Member of CIPD (part qualified may suffice)
At least 3 years’ HR/Compliance experience gained within the public, private, voluntary or community sectors.
Ability to demonstrate HR generalist knowledge and experience.
Demonstrate the ability to research and implement policy required for compliance with equality and data protection legislation.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES / Leadership Potential

Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change.
Contributes to the development of policies in own area and the broader organisation.
Maximises the contribution of the team, encouraging ownership, providing support and working effectively with others.
Seeks to understand the implications of taking a particular position on issues and how interdependencies need to be addressed in a logical and consistent way.

Analysis and Decision Making

Effectively deals with a wide range of information sources.
Identifies and understands key issues and trends.
Understands the practical implication of information in relation to the broader context in which s/he works – procedures, objectives etc.
Draws accurate conclusions and makes balanced fair recommendations.

Delivery of Results

Takes ownership of tasks and is determined to see them through to a satisfactory conclusion.
Ensures proper service delivery procedures/protocols are in place and implemented.
Is logical and pragmatic in approach, setting objectives and delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Modifies communication approach to suit the needs of a situation/ audience.
Maintains a focus on dealing with customers in an effective, efficient and respectful manner.
Expresses self in a clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
(Continued) / Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

Displays high levels of skills/ expertise in own area and provides guidance to colleagues.
Has a clear understanding of the role, objectives and targets and how they support the service delivered by the directorate and organisation and can communicate this to colleagues.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND
EXPERIENCE /

Membership of CIPD.
Experience in Equality and/or Disability areas.

Working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Health and Safety, Equality, Data Protection, with experience of advising on and actioning compliance issues.
Experience of industrial relations issues and working with trade unions.

safefood is committed to equality of opportunity.

Confidential Personal Details

How/where did you hear of this vacancy?
1. Personal Details
Surname: / First Names (please underline the name you are known by): / Title:
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr
Address:
Contact Details for interview: / Home No: / Mobile No: / E-mail address:

2. Supplementary Information (successful candidates may be asked to supply documentary evidence in support of stated salary)

Please state length of notice required: / Present Salary:
Reason for leaving:
3. Interview Arrangements (Please provide details of any special arrangements in relation to either communications or access which you may require at the interview centre):
4. References: Please give the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. One referee must be your most recent employer.
Name and Position: / Name and Position:
Company and Address: / Company and Address:
Telephone No: / Telephone No:
Fax Number: / Fax Number:
E-Mail: / E-Mail:
5. Additional Information
Have you applied for a position at safefood before? / Yes / No
We ask candidates to disclose relevant convictions which are not yet ‘spent’ under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and certain Disclosure) Act 2016. If you are not sure whether your convictions are ‘spent’, please seek legal advice.
Do you have any ‘unspent’ convictions? / Yes / No
Are there any restrictions on your right to work in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland? / Yes / No
Are there any restrictions on your right to travel outside of the island of Ireland? / Yes / No
Have you previously availed of a Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme or any other Redundancy Scheme in the Public Sector?
If YES, do the terms of the Scheme allow you to apply for this position? / Yes
Yes / No
No
If any of your answers are yes, please give further details:
6. Declaration

I confirm that the information that I have provided in this form and on my CV is correct and complete. I understand and accept that if I knowingly withhold information, or provide false or misleading information, this may result in my application being rejected, or if I am appointed, in my dismissal. If required, documentary evidence must be supplied. I understand that I must fully complete this form in order to be entered into the screening process. I further understand that employment with safefood is contingent upon satisfactory reports on a check of my references and medical examination.

Signed: ………………………………………………..…. Date: …………….………………..