ABOUT THE CITIZENS INFORMATION BOARD

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy. CIB funds and supports a range of 22 Service Delivery Companies including; the Citizens Information Services, the Money Advice and Budgeting Services, MABS Support, National Traveller MABS, the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities, the Sign Language Interpreting Service and the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters.

CIB-funded service delivery organisations are independent companies limited by guarantee under the Companies Act, 2014. Exchequer funding is provided to these community/voluntary sector organisations by the Citizens Information Board which works with its delivery service organisations on the basis of Service Level Agreements to meet its statutory functions.

The Citizens Information Board also delivers information directly to the public via the web citizensinformation.ie and mabs.ie amongst other publications.

The Citizens Information Board had an annual budget of €61.283m for 2023. Of this, over 68% goes directly to the delivery service organisations with the balance used to provide support services such as ICT, training, publications, and other supports.

The Citizens Information Board has a staff of 79 whole time equivalents. These are public sector employees.

The network of independent grant aided service delivery organisations has over 590 approved whole time equivalent staff, who are not public sector employees.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Nature and scope
The Chief Executive is responsible for providing the leadership, direction and overall vision for all staff and management in CIB by implementing the Board of CIB’s strategic plan which sets out the main objectives and targets for the organisation.

Reports to
The CEO is accountable to the Chairperson and the Board of CIB. The performance of the CEO will be reviewed annually in accordance with the process determined by the Board.

Responsibilities
Lead all aspects of the organisation and ensure its continual improvement in accordance with the priorities and objectives set out in the Citizens Information Board’s Strategic Plan. The CEO is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic relationships with a range of stakeholders, both statutory and voluntary, with particular emphasis on overseeing the governance of CIBs funded companies, outlined in service level agreements, to deliver strategic objectives, whilst fostering productive relations with Department of Social Protection.

Leadership and Management:

• Lead Citizens Information Board in a dynamic way, overseeing the implementation of the Strategic Plan, delivering results within timelines agreed with the Board.
• Enable a positive and collaborative culture, leading and supporting the Central Management team, all CIB staff and resources. Ensure organisational effectiveness by fostering a motivated and results orientated organisation, equipped to deliver independent Information, Advice, Money Advice and Advocacy Services through the network of 22 Service Delivery Companies funded and supported by CIB.
• Drive accountability and compliance, relating to the provisions of the Acts governing the Citizens Information Board, the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007 and the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008, financial requirements under Circular 13/14 as well as the requirements established under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Public Spending Code.
• Support innovation and strategic leadership through future-proofing CIB’s offering, ensuring that they remain fit-for-purpose and inclusive of all citizens.
• Drive a comprehensive risk management approach and report to the Board, the Governance Committee and the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee on strategy, risk management and governance matters.
• Undertake such other duties as may be directed from time to time by the Board.

Communication:

• Represent the organisation by effectively communicating CIB’s; mission, strategy, achievements, priorities, vision, and values internally and externally to promote and raise awareness of the work of Citizens Information Board and Service Delivery Company’s.
• Oversee and evaluate CIB operations, providing necessary updates to the Board as required.
• Oversee CIBs dealings with Government departments and other statutory/non-statutory bodies.

Finance/Operations:

• Oversee the management of the annual budget, authorise and monitor expenditure to ensure that sufficient funds are made available to meet CIB’s Strategic Plan in line with agreed revenue and expenditure budgets.
• Present annual operating budgets and plans, annual reports and audited accounts for approval to the Board.
• Lead the development, establishment and achievement of operational targets and service level agreements.
• Oversee effective reporting and accountability to the Department of Social Protection, including reporting and delivery of the annual Performance Delivery Agreement and compliance with the Oversight Agreement.
• Guarantee strict adherence to financial governance principles and compliance with Circular 13/14 guidelines, Public Spending Code and Public Procurement Guidelines whilst overseeing the responsible management and accountability of public funds allocated to CIB.
• Act as the Accountable Officer for CIB.

Reporting Relationships:
Four Principal Officers currently report directly to the Chief Executive:

• Head of Division, Corporate Services
• Head of Division, Standards & Development
• Head of Division, Compliance & Reporting
• Head of Division, ICT Digital & Data

The Chief Executive also leads the Central Management team (CMT) which consists of the Heads of Division as well as the Finance Manager and the HR Manager.

This list is not exhaustive but serves to reflect the nature of the duties included in the role. Given the nature of the organisation and the requirement to respond to citizens’ needs on an ongoing basis, the role is subject to change over time.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this role, candidates must:

• Provide a comprehensive CV highlighting details of experience of operating at senior leadership level. The candidate should include the name and contact details of two referees who will be in a position to provide professional references for the candidate. One of the referee’s should be the candidate’s current or most recent employer. Referees will not be contacted without the candidate’s expressed permission.
• Attach a separate cover letter (Max two pages) demonstrating their skills knowledge and experience under the competencies required for this senior role.
• Include a high-level organisational chart showing their job role in their current employment
• Completed applications for this role should be sent by email to: cibceo@osborne.ie

All documents must be submitted in Word or PDF format. For security reasons, files send by email as links to documents in shared cloud-based servers will not be accepted.

Please note: The Citizens Information Board have retained the services of Osborne Recruitment to manage the administration of the recruitment campaign and to carry out the initial shortlisting process. Candidates must give their explicit consent to their application being shared between Osborne Recruitment and the Citizens Information Board for the specific purpose of being considered for the role of Chief Executive of CIB. Candidates are required to note their consent in the body of the email accompanying their application. Failure to follow this process will result in the candidate’s application being excluded from the competition.

Closing date
Please note latest receipt for applications is 5.30pm on Thursday, 14 November 2024. Incomplete applications, postal applications or applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered.