JOB DESCRIPTION
& PERSON SPECIFICATION
Head of Human Resources
1.0WTE Indefinite Duration Post
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:
Head of Human Resources
REPORTING TO:
Chief Executive Officer
SALARY SCALE:
Department of Health Children salary scale will apply
HOLIDAYS:
30 days (222 hours) per annum pro rata
HEALTH:
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be free
from any defect or disease which would render him/her
unsuitable to hold the office and be in a state of health as would
indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to attend regular and
efficient service.
CHARACTER:
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good
character.
HOURS OF WORK:
Hours of work will be agreed with Chief Executive
Details of starting and finishing times, which may
accordance with Hospice needs, will be notified to you
Head of Department/Deputy. There will be times when
be required to work outside of the normal office hours.
WORKING WEEK:
Will be determined by Head of Department.
ETHICAL CODE:
The post holder is requested to respect the special charism,
ethos and tradition of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services and
to observe and comply with its general policies, procedures and
regulations.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
You will have access to various types of records/information in
the course of your work. Such records and information are
strictly confidential and unless acting on the instruction of an
authorised person, on no account must information concerning
staff, patients or other Hospital business be divulged or
discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition,
records may never be left in such a manner that unauthorised
persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe
custody when no longer required.
JOB PURPOSE:
The post holder will have responsibility for leading and managing
all staff with the Human Resources Department of Our Lady’s
Hospice & Care Services while acknowledging the ethos and
values of the Organisation. In the course of his/her duties he/she
will attend meetings as required and will advise Our Lady's
Hospice & Care Services through the Chief Executive Officer
and the Board of Management on related matters. He/she will
also be required to liaise with other Department Managers both
on the overall management of the Hospice and the
implementation and development of Hospice policy in related
areas.
2
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources
Officer.
vary in
by your
you will
Role:

Lead and supervise the Human Resources department.

Play a strategic role in the overall vision and strategic direction of the Hospice, in light of the
underpinning ethos and values of the organisation.

Participate in, and comment on, policy, service profile and development of the Hospice.
Responsibilities:
Management

Participate as a core member of the Management Team and contribute to the preparation of
plans for services.

Develop and implement an effective human resource strategy and human resource policies
for the Hospice.

Responsible for workforce planning, recruitment, selection, orientation and appraisal, working
with different Heads of Department as appropriate.

Optimise the return from allocated resources.

Prepare and analyse reports for the Management Team and Board of Management in relation
to the Human Resources area, covering areas such as activities and expenditure, objectives
and action plans.

Negotiate terms and conditions for new employees.

Provide professional advisory support to other members of the Management Team and
Heads of Departments.

Participate in the processes of job evaluation, salary administration, reward management and
promotions.

Devise appropriate mechanisms for staff retention.

Handle formal grievance and disciplinary process and appeals.

Attend Board and Committee meetings as required.

Represent the Hospice at external meetings as required.
Leadership

Provide the necessary leadership to ensure standards and appropriate operational policies
and procedures are developed and implemented for the effective delivery of patient-centred
non-clinical support services.

Report to and be accountable to the Chief Executive Officer in all matters relating to the
policy, service profile and development of all human resource matters within Our Lady’s
Hospice & Care Services.
3
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources

Develop and manage the implementation of strategic long-term and short-term organisational
plans and objectives of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services.

To ensure integration of Mission and Values into policies and procedures in key operational
areas.

Play a strategic role in the overall vision and direction of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
and contribute to the strategic development of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services.
Education & Development

Work with the Director of Education & Research to ensure appropriate in-service education
programmes and on-going training/development needs of staff are met.

Assess and provide for future manpower needs and ensure that good working relationships
are maintained among all staff.

Develop and monitor professional performance indicators.

Conduct professional audits, incorporating benchmarking and peer review.

Promote professional development.
Financial Management

Participate as a key manager in the overall development and financial planning of the
Hospice.

Ensure financial resources allocated to the Human Resources function are utilised most
effectively.

Ensure expenditure is controlled within budget and identify potential for efficiency saving
through improved practices and innovation.

Ensure, with support from the Financial Controller, that the service performs within the
allocated budget.

Work with the Finance Department in preparing annual financial estimates of Human
Resources and related manpower, including education and training needs.
Quality Assurance

Ensure that the human resources function is providing a satisfactory level of service to the
various functional areas.

Understand and implement employment legislation, providing advice on the principles and
details of such legislation and provide general advice on best practice guidelines.

Deal with performance issues and ensure that employees have, and are aware of, Human
Resources policies which conform to relevant regulations.

Ensure the Hospice complies with Health & Safety standards.

Mitigate organisational Human Resources risk.
4
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources
General

To adhere to departmental and Hospice policies at all times.

To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by
the Chief Executive Office or appointed nominee.

To have a working knowledge of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services policies.

To present and act in a professional manner at all times.
Self-Development

To be aware of current developments and issues in health care by reading current literature
and keeping abreast of new developments, attending ‘in-house’ seminars, lectures and
courses when possible and as appropriate in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.

To assume responsibility for his/her own professional development and safe work practice.

To ensure a safe environment for himself/herself, colleagues and visitors.

To attend relevant training programs to enhance skills and competencies.
Garda Vetting
Arrangements have been introduced, on a national level, for the provision of Garda Vetting in
respect of candidates for employment in areas of the Health Services, where it is envisaged that
potential employees would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. Each
candidate will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form.
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. This job description will be subject to review in the light of changing
circumstances. It is not intended to be exhaustive but should be regarded as providing
guidelines within which individuals work.
5
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources
Person Specification
Factors
Qualifications
Experience
Essential Criteria

Hold a professional relevant degree level
qualification in Human Resources or related
discipline

Relevant post graduate qualification

CIPD Membership

A minimum of 3 year’s managerial/leadership
experience within the last 5 years

Substantial Human Resources experience

Experience of strategic plan development and
implementation

Excellent knowledge of financial planning and
budgetary procedures

Strong knowledge of the health sector

Excellent knowledge of the voluntary sector
Desirable Criteria
Core Competencies required for the role:

Proven leadership skills

Strategic, analytical and decision making skills

Proven experience of complex change management

Proven record of delivery and innovation

Proven ability to plan and organise effectively including the ability to deliver to multiple priorities whilst
retaining a thorough attention to detail.

Excellent interpersonal skills, including persuasion, diplomacy, networking and negotiation.

Strong senior level communication skills
6
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources

Ability to build strong relationships at all levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders.

Excellent financial management skills, including the ability to forecast.

Strong IT skills – including Word, Access, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
7
Job Description & Person Specification – Head of Human Resources