Dublin Inner City Community
Co-operative Society (DICCCS)
CEO Recruitment Pack
1. Background
Dublin Inner City Community Co-op Society is made of 15 member organisations (see
appendix for list of members) who came together in late 2014 to form the Co-op for the
purposes of delivering the SICAP1 programme in Dublin’s Inner City.
In April 2015, DICCCS was awarded the contract to deliver the SICAP programme in Dublin
Inner City, and a contract was signed between the Co-op and the Local Community
Development Committee – within Dublin City Council’s auspices.
The board of directors of the Co-op is now looking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer as the
first employee to lead the establishment of DICCCS as a ground-breaking new organisation
that both facilitates and oversee the delivery of community development actions and
services by its member groups in Dublin’s inner city.
Application is solely via the official application form only, and all applications should be
made by the closing date of Tuesday 9th June 2015. (see more details below).
2. Overall Purpose and Level of the Role
The person in this position will report to the board of directors of the Co-op, through the
Chairperson of the board.
S/he will be responsible for the leadership and strategic development of DICCCS as a vibrant
membership cooperative, and for conducting the day-to-day operational and project
management in a professional, effective and efficient manner.
The post holder will be required to have political acumen, sound judgement and a strategic
mindset as well as high motivation, positive disposition and a very flexible attitude in
response to organisational change and development.
The post holder will be responsible for provision of direct line management to members of
staff as appropriate and as recruited. The DICCCS is currently in start-up mode and it is
envisaged, that funding-depending one or two part time staff may be recruited.
3. Working Relationships
The post holder will develop and maintain positive professional relationships particularly
with the Chair and other members of the board of directors; member organisations of the
Co-op; a range of statutory agencies; and community and voluntary organisations in pursuit
of the interests of Coop and its members. She/he will ensure through the most appropriate
means that the Coop’s objectives, as developed by the board and the membership, are
appropriately understood by all key audiences.
Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme – Successor to Local Community Development
Programme managed by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
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She/he will work in a respectful, co-ordinated and integrated way with colleagues, statutory,
community and voluntary bodies; and, the political system. She/he will work in the Coop in
such a way as to encourage the best from, and support the efforts of, others.
4. Main responsibilities and Duties
The primary focus of the work will be to be responsible for devising and implementing all
aspects of the operational plans for DICCCS taking into account the unique start-up nature of
the organisation; the context and rationale for its existence; its role as a community
development organisation; and the need to take responsibility immediately for the roll-out
of the SICAP programme from 2015 – 2017.
The post-holder will be responsible for the setting up of all required policies and procedures
for ensuring professional operations according to the values and ethos of the Coop and that
appropriate measures for evaluation and measurement are included (reference Appendix 2
for principles of a co-operative society). The post holder will be expected to take hands on
responsibility for large parts of the operations of the organisation. Key responsibilities
include
Operations:
 Review the operations budget for the Coop for 2015 and develop budgets for 2016+ and
subsequent years. Monitor all budgets and financial procedures, ensuring the
organisation is managed in a financially accountable manner both in accordance with the
law and best practice.
 Set up and ensure correct operation of all necessary financial procedures; including
management of cash-flows and expenditure against the agreed plans.
 Review draft ‘memoranda of understanding’ or ‘service level agreements’ that are in
place interim sense between the Co-op and its members vis a vis delivery of the SICAP
programme; put in place any changes needed for final versions; ensure their
implementation of same, and reporting as required.
 Establish all necessary procedures and reporting with member organisations to monitor
the implementation of SICAP, including an early-warning system for information that is
provide either late or in incorrect format by member groups.
 Ensure all necessary reporting of funded activities happens according to funder
proscribed protocols
 Develop a system to identify and deal with reporting failures on a timely basis.
 Ensure all members have all the necessary SICAP reporting materials and have been
made aware of the associated reporting requirements.
 Review and ensure development of the system for collating the information from
members (in line with data protection guidelines and good practice) and ensure correct
input into Pobal’s IRIS system.
 Ensure that the Cooperative meets all the requirements of all public sector contracts and
service level agreements which the Co-op has with public sector organisations such as
Pobal; Dublin City Council etc.
 Ensure appropriate expertise and advice on data protection is available for the Co-op
and also for its members. Ensure that the Co-op is at all times fully compliant with Data
Protection legislation.
 Ensure that all legal and financial responsibilities are fulfilled.
 Establish an office for the Co-op with all necessary logistics and administrative
functionality that is required by the level of operations of the organisation.
 Develop and ensure implementation of any policies and procedures needed to oversee
smooth operations of the office.
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Manage all the resources of the organisation in the most effective manner possible.
Staff related:
 To recruit, appoint, line-manage, evaluate, support or if necessary, replace members of
staff as well as any interns or volunteers.
 Develop skills in line with the requirements of the organisation.
 Ensure all necessary procedures and behaviour are in place to comply with legislation
associated with people-management as well as best practice.
Board support:
 Report to the board in writing monthly as per format agreed with Chairperson.
 Support the board in fulfilling its leadership role, facilitating any necessary planning days
/ strategy days as needed.
 Co-ordinate a process for strategic development of the Co-op, identifying and proposing
new areas of development for consideration by the board and by members as
appropriate.
 To advise and support the Board of Directors with regard to current and emerging issues
of interest and concern to the Co-op’s mission.
 Support the board to fulfil its governance responsibilities, including the progressive
adoption of the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charitable
Organisations.
 Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Chairman of the Board
of Directors from time to time.
External Relations:
 Represent the Co-op on committees and working groups as needed; and establish good
working relationships with funders and other in/external partners and agencies.
 Identify, generate and pursue opportunities to enable the Co-op to extend its range of
programmes and to enhance its contribution to community-development oriented
actions and services in the Dublin inner-city area.
 Identify funding opportunities to ensure the continuing capacity of the Co-op to respond
to emerging needs.
 Actively protect the Co-op’s integrity through honesty, sincerity and service to its
members.
5. Person Specification
Likely Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience
 Have at least 5 years management experience.
 Have expert working knowledge in implementation of policies and strategies in a
changing organisation, particularly in a community development and start-up context.
 Have in-depth understanding of monitoring and reporting required by state agencies.
 Have a proven track record in driving the implementation of a strategic plan (ideally
leading a significant new initiative) and monitoring and reporting its success.
 Have a proven record of managing and developing staff objectives and recruiting and
line managing staff and /or volunteers.
 Have excellent communication skills, presentation skills, public speaking.
Skills & Competencies
 Ability to quickly understand the ‘business drivers,’ of a start-up cooperative like DICCCS.
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Dynamic – ability to bring energy and leadership to the organisation but not be afraid to
get hands dirty.
Extremely strong interpersonal skills.
Very strong attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
Ability to interface effectively with all levels with the community Co-op membership as
well as all levels of national and local state agencies.
Strong personal impact (e.g. high personal credibility, influencing skills, tough minded,
networking, etc.).
Very detail oriented, and given to completing detailed tasks easily.
Strong analytical skill.
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
Commitment to and understanding of working within a voluntary organisation in an
inclusive manner.
6. Details:
The salary range level as set by the board is €50,000.
The office location will be a Dublin city-centre location.
The standard working hours per week will be 38 hours.
The length of the contract will be to the end of 2017, and is renewable, subject to continued
availability of funding.
7. How to Apply
Applications on official application form and a CV may be attached if desired. The closing
date is Tuesday 9th June with first interviews for short-listed candidates on Monday 15th
June.
Applications should be addressed to Kieron Brennan, Chairperson, Dublin Inner-City
Community Co-operative Society Ltd and sent electronically to: kieron.brennan@nabco.ie
CEO RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:
Sign off by board of job spec:
May 18th 2015.
Advertising period:
From May 20th 2015.
Closing date: Tues 9th June 2015.
First interview:
Monday, June 15th 2015.
Second interviews:
Afternoon of Thursday 25th June 2015.
This role is funded from specific income streams, including SICAP. At present these
funding streams are approved on an annual basis. The post and its continuation is
wholly contingent on funding to the Coop being available.
Dublin Inner City Community Cooperative Society Ltd is an equal opportunities
employer.
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APPENDIX 1: Name of DICCCS member organisations
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An Siol CDP (NWICDP Ltd.)
19 Manor Street, Dublin 7
Community After Schools Project
1 Portland Square, Dublin 1
Community Technical Aid
Unit 1 Killarney Court, Buckingham Street, Dublin 1
Inner City Enterprise
Unit G10 Spade Enterprise Centre,
North King Street, Dublin,7
Inner City Organisations Network
(ICON) Ltd.
22 Lower Buckingham Street, Dublin 1
Lourdes Youth & Community Services
(LYCS)
Lr Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1
Nascadh CDP Ltd.
Sean O'Casey Community Centre
St. Mary's Road, East Wall, Dublin 3
New Communities Partnership (NCP)
53 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1
North Wall CDP
Lr Sheriff Street, North Wall, Dublin 1
North West Inner City Network
117 – 118 North King Street, Dublin 7
Robert Emmet Community
Development Project
SWICN
Ground Floor Unit, Block G, Ushers Street, Dublin 8
South Inner City Community
Development Association
90 Meath Street
Dublin 8
Taca Clann Community
Project/Daughters of Charity
Community Services Ltd. (DOCCS)
9 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1
CASPr
The SWICN Computer Clubhouse Rainsford Street,
Dublin 8
North Inner City Drug & Alcohol Task Force,
22 Lower Buckingham St, Dublin 1
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APPENDIX 2: SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF A COOPERATIVE
The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into
practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and
willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political
or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively
participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected
representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members
have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also
organised in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative.
Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition
of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes:
developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would
be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative;
and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they
enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from
external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and
maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives,
managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative
movement by working together through local, national, regional and international
structures.
7. Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies
approved by their members.
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