Basic Function:    

To manage and support the operation of the Teagasc Authority and its committees and the ongoing work programme of the Business Delivery Unit.  The post holder will also provide support to the Director’s Office as required.

Background:    

Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. It was established in September 1988 under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988.

The organisation is funded by State Grant-in-Aid;  fees for research, advisory and training services; income from national and EU competitive research programmes; and revenue from farming activities and commodity levies. Around 75% of Teagasc's yearly budget comes from the Irish exchequer and EU funding with the balance generated from earned income. 

The 11 member Teagasc Authority is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and has representatives from the farming organisations, the food industry, universities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc staff.

Teagasc is a client-based organisation employing approximately 1,100 staff at 55 locations throughout Ireland with an annual operating budget in excess of €160 million. We operate in partnership with all sectors of the agriculture and food industry and with rural development agencies. We have developed close alliances with research, advisory and training agencies throughout the world and are continuously seeking to expand our international contacts.

The ‘Business Delivery Officer – Authority Affairs’ will be an integral member of the Business Delivery Unit which is part of the Operations Directorate of Teagasc. The Business Delivery Unit is responsible for Project Management, Business Planning, Risk Management, Customer Service, Corporate Reporting, Data Sharing and Authority Affairs functions.

Hybrid Working:
Applications under the Home Working and/or Remote Working polices of the Agile Working Programme may be considered for up to 2 days per week.

Diversity & Inclusion:
At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation. We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'. We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
 

The main duties and responsibilities of this position include:

•    Manage the efficient operation of the Teagasc Authority and its Committees under the direction of the Secretary of the Authority.
•    Liaise with the Secretary of the Authority to ensure all policies, procedures and activities of the Authority and its Committees are fully implemented.
•    Monitor progress and follow up of actions from the Authority and its Committees’ meetings, including follow up of audit issues.
•    Ensure the contents of the Authority Manual are updated as required to reflect the decisions of the Authority and good corporate governance including as set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and other relevant codes and guides.
•    Provide support to the Chair of the Teagasc Authority and Authority members including processing of their travel expenses, the provision of induction training to new members in conjunction with the Secretary of the Authority.
•    Attend and prepare draft minutes of Authority, its Committees and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings including the assembling, posting on digital meeting platform and distribution in a timely manner of the agenda and papers for Authority and Committee meetings.
•    Manage and coordinate the arrangements for meetings of the Authority and its Committees including hotel arrangements for members and catering.
•    Manage the collation of Authority related reporting including submissions to SIPO and maintenance of conflicts of interest register. 
•    Provide support to the offices of the Director and COO as required.
•    Support the work programme of the Business Delivery Unit including Business Planning and management reporting, Data Sharing, QCS, Risk Management and supporting the roll out and implementation of project management initiatives across the organisation with the support of the Business Delivery team.
•    Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations.  This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
•    Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
•    Actively participate in the annual business planning, risk management and Performance Management Development Systems (PMDS) processes.
•    Take responsibility for his/her own on-going personal and professional development.
•    To carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. Duties and responsibilities will be reviewed with the post-holder from time to time.
 

Person Specification 

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.