Operations Manager: Job & Person Profile.
Introduction.
Sage was established in 2014 with the support of the HSE and The Atlantic Philanthropies under the
governance of Third Age. The model of service it is developing is one of core staff supported by and
in turn supporting a network of well trained volunteers working in the roles of advocate, facilitator,
support person and legal / financial specialist. Its approach is to collaborate where possible and to
challenge where necessary and it aims to be flexible and innovative in its response to requests for
support.
The mission of Sage is “To promote and protect the rights, freedoms and dignity of older people by
developing support and advocacy services wherever ageing poses a challenge for individuals.” In
support of this mission Sage is working to build a team of people capable of tackling the most
complex support and advocacy challenges faced by older people.
Sage is now emerging from its establishment phase and is entering an exciting new phase of
development in which there are likely to be many challenges. Among these challenges are:
developing a minimum level of service in all areas of the country; developing the capacity of well
trained and supported volunteers to undertake support and advocacy roles in respect of complex
issues; developing the service in congregated settings for people with intellectual disabilities and for
patients in acute hospital environments.
To support the Programme Manager and the growing team in the next phase of development Sage is
now seeking an Operations Manager. This role will require someone with considerable experience
in developing services, managing performance and mentoring the development of a diverse group of
individuals so that they can work more effectively as individuals and as members of a team.
Application Process.
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Read the job & person profile and contact the Programme Manager, Mervyn Taylor, on 086
8227998 if you would like to have an informal discussion.
Complete the application form provided. You may attach a copy of your CV but a CV alone
will not be sufficient. Email application to mervyn.taylor@sage.thirdageireland.ie
The closing date for submission of applications is Friday February 19th.
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Sage – Operations Manager. Job & Person Profile. January 2016.
OPERATIONS MANAGER - THE JOB.
OVERALL ROLE:
To develop and manage the support and advocacy services provided by Sage, to analyse
issues, trends and outcomes and to mentor and support those responsible for developing
and delivering these services.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Programme Manager.
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
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Planning the development of support and advocacy services by Sage in collaboration with
the Programme Manager and implementing relevant sections of the Operational Plan for the
development of Sage.
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Organising and ensuring the delivery of effective support and advocacy services in line with
Sage’s mission, key task and resources available.
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Effective management, monitoring and reporting of complex and challenging
support and advocacy cases escalated by team members in collaboration with
relevant staff and specialist advisers.
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Analysing and reporting on the activities of the service and the outcomes of these activities
to Programme Manager, the National Advisory Committee and its work groups, key funders
and organisations with whom there are Service Level Agreements and the Sage Team.
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Ensuring effective mentoring, support and supervision of the development staff of
Sage both directly and in collaboration with external providers.
Managing individual and team performance.
All Sage Development Workers and relevant support staff and, through them, Sage
Representatives (volunteer advocates, facilitators, support people) working in all
care settings across the country.
Any new projects developed under the aegis of Sage at the request of the HSE, the
Department of Health or any other statutory or non-government organisation.
Ensuring that all activities and services provided or developed by Sage reflect the
principles and the practices indicated in Quality Standards for Support and Advocacy
Work with Older People.
Engaging with relevant service providers, regulators and stakeholders as agreed with
the Programme Manager.
The provision of timely and accurate draft reports to the Programme Manager,
National Advisory Committee funders and relevant others including responses to
parliamentary questions.
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Sage – Operations Manager. Job & Person Profile. January 2016.
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Planning and coordinating team meetings in consultation with team members and
the Programme Manager.
Undertaking other tasks that may reasonably be expected within the scope of the
post taking into account the emergent and developmental nature of the service.
Deputising for the Programme Manager as and when required.
DELIVERABLES:
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Successful development of high quality support and advocacy services for people
challenged by ageing or disability in all care settings in all parts of Ireland.
Responses to requests for support which are timely, flexible and adaptable to
changing patterns of demand or emergent issues.
A highly motivated, skilled and effective core team of paid and volunteer staff who
are well supported and capable of meeting the most complex support and advocacy
challenges faced by older people
A sustainable process for the recruitment, training, support and supervision of
volunteers to ensure that the participation of citizens in the provision of support
and advocacy services is demonstrably able to promote and protect the rights,
freedoms and dignity of older people.
Demonstrably effective models of ‘Circles of Support’ for individuals who want to
continue to live and, where necessary, to die in their own home or to return to their
home from another health or social care facility.
Regular, accurate and comprehensive reports for the Programme Manager and the
National Advisory Committee and its work groups on activities, trends and
outcomes.
Effective and efficient use of all resources associated with the role.
A positive image of Sage among older people, funders, partners and all relevant
stakeholders.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
To be agreed on successful selection. The reserved responsibilities of the Programme
Manager will also be identified at this time.
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Sage – Operations Manager. Job & Person Profile. January 2016.
OPERATIONS MANAGER – THE PERSON
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
 A third level qualification
 A post graduate
in a relevant discipline
qualification in a relevant
e.g. management, quality,
discipline e.g.
health, law, social work.
management, quality,
health, law, social work.
QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE
CORE SKILL SET
 Three years operational
management experience
in a similar service
environment.
 An understanding of
advocacy at an
operational and at a
policy level.
 Understanding of the key
issues involved in
supporting and
advocating with and for
older people and people
with intellectual
disabilities.
 Management
performance and
mentoring skills.
 Leadership and
motivational skills.
 Resource management
skills - people, systems,
finance and facilities.
 Strategic and systems
thinking skills.
 Problem solving skills structured and creative.
 Decision making skills objective focused.
 Proficient in core ICT
functions including MS
Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
MS Project.
 Ability to support staff
and volunteers with
complex advocacy issues.
 Perceptive regarding
when to escalate issues
and problems.
 Skilled in developing
information graphics,
mindmapping, process
mapping.
 Skilled in use of
Salesforce CRM system
and in development of
related reports.
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Sage – Operations Manager. Job & Person Profile. January 2016.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
 Planning, organisational &
project management
skills.
 Effective writing and
speaking skills and
experience in delivering
to a range of audiences in
various media formats.
 Enthusiastic about
developing support and
advocacy services for
older people and people
with intellectual
disabilities.
 Strong people and team
management skills.
 Participative and
transformational in
management style.
 Ability to give and to take
direction.
 High integrity and
committed to the mission
and key task of the
service.
 Effective and reflective
listener.
 Ability to handle and
resolve conflict.
 Strong interpersonal and
Influencing skills to
enable effective
interaction with a wide
range of people in many
roles and settings.
 A team player who can
also challenge team
behaviours and
performance.
 Mature and balanced
with a well developed
sense of humour and
irony.
CONTRACTUAL ISSUES
Contractual and salary issues will be negotiated with the successful applicant. The indicative
salary range is €50-57,000. The post will be based in Dublin but a considerable amount of
travel will be required. Irregular hours of working will be required in order to meet the
needs of the service and of clients.
This is a fixed contract until 31st December 2017 at which stage the role will be reviewed in
the context of availability of future funding.
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Sage – Operations Manager. Job & Person Profile. January 2016.