OWN Ireland   Post of Chief Executive Officer

Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010

Older Women's Network (OWN) Ireland
Bantracht na Sinsear
Senior House,
All Hallows College,
Grace Park Road, Dublin 9.
Tel: 01-8844536/537/538 Fax: 01-8844534
Email: ownireland@eircom.net

The Older Women's Network (OWN) Ireland is a national network of women aged 55+ and organisations working for the social inclusion of older women. The main objective of the Network is to give a voice to older women in policy and decision making.

OWN Ireland is inviting applications from suitably qualified people for the post of CEO.
This is a part-time post with initial contract for three months until 31st March 2011 and continuation subject to further funding.

Reporting to the board of Directors, the CEO of OWN Ireland will be responsible for:
- Determining and formulating strategies and policies and providing the overall direction for the Older Women's Network within the guidelines set up by, and agreed with, the Board of Directors and in accordance with Strategic Plans agreed by the members of OWN.
- Planning, directing, and coordinating operational activities for the Network to deliver on OWN's mission and vision.
- Managing staff and resources in compliance with funding contracts.

Full details of the job brief and person specification are available in the attached document.

The successful candidate will be based in the OWN National office in Dublin 9.
Salary will be Grade VII, subject to experience

To apply for this post, please forward a letter of application and detailed CV by 5 p.m. on Wednesday 17th November, 2010.

Applications should be sent to: The Chairperson, OWN Ireland, Senior House, All Hallows College, Gracepark Road, Dublin 9 marked 'CEO application'.
All applications are treated in confidence.
OWN Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

First interviews are likely to be held during the week of 29th November.

OWN Ireland
Post of Chief Executive Officer

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to: the Board of Directors of OWN Ireland

The post will be part-time - 3days (21 hours) per week.

Salary: The salary of the successful candidate will be Grade VII. on a scale subject to experience.

Job Description

OWN Ireland is a national network of women aged 55+ and organisations working for the social inclusion of older women. The main objective of the network is to give older women a voice in policy and decision making.

The CEO of OWN Ireland will be responsible for:
- Determining and formulating strategies and policies and providing the overall direction for the Older Women's Network within the guidelines set up by, and agreed with, the Board of Directors and in accordance with Strategic Plans agreed by the members of OWN.
- Planning, directing, and coordinating operational activities for the Network to deliver on OWN's mission and vision.
- Managing staff and resources in line with funding contracts

Major Areas of responsibility

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

- To project income, expenditure and cash flow on an annual basis
- To provide monthly management accounts
- To be responsible for the process of annual external auditing
- To be responsible for the Corporate Governance and act as Company Secretary
- To ensure that all requirements of compliance and contractual reporting to funders are met
- To secure funding for existing programmes and new programmes and initiatives from traditional and non traditional funding sources.

POLICY REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT
- To develop the strategic plan and direction of the Network to ensure the organisation delivers on its vision of giving a voice to older women.
- To work with other older people's, social inclusion and equality organisations to identify and develop new opportunities for partnership to support wellbeing of older women.
- To develop strategic alliances with relevant bodies and networks to jointly explore and generate new economic and social opportunities for older women.
- To work with external bodies to influence public policy relevant to older women. To provide submissions and position papers in support of same.
- To develop the overall culture of the Network to create a climate / environment that reflects the vision and values of the Network.
- To ensure the necessary structure and resources are in place to meet the Network's strategic and governance agendas.
- To review operations on an ongoing basis to evaluate performance of the organisation and its staff in meeting objectives, and determines areas of potential opportunity and areas of potential risk.

REPRESENTATION AND OTHER DUTIES
- To facilitate the participation of board members and network members in consultative processes.
- To represent the network at local and national levels to various bodies, both statutory and voluntary, with a view to promoting the views and needs of older women, exchanging ideas and accomplishing objectives.
- To ensure compliance with all statutory responsibilities.
- As Company Secretary, to be responsible for the preparation and the organisation of the AGM in accordance with Company Law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of OWN Ireland.
- To carry out any other duties and responsibilities required by the board.

Person Specification
The CEO will be a highly motivated and efficient person with extensive experience in the development and implementation of strategy, policy and operations of a national network. Specific requirements of the position will include:

Education
The ideal candidate will preferably have an appropriate bachelor's degree

Knowledge and Experience
- Five or more years experience working in community development or related field.
- Previous experience at CEO or general manager level with full governance responsibility.
- Proven knowledge of national, European and international policies as they relate to older women

The candidate will have proven skills and demonstrable experience in the following areas:
- Financial management, budgeting, external auditing and the role of Company secretary
- community sector governance best practice.
- policy development
- older people's issues and social inclusion work.
- business planning/forecasting, financial management, analysis budgeting and expenditure control.
- human resource management.
- writing successful funding applications and co-ordinating projects.

The candidate should also have:
- the ability to work co-operatively with a wide range of organisations
- Competence in using a PC, software packages, databases and spreadsheets.
- Proven analytical skills and ability to think creatively.

Strategic Decision Making Abilities
- A strong strategic perspective with the ability to build, prioritise and implement focused and viable strategies for the Network.
- The ability to manage change, both in terms of identifying when fundamental changes are needed and also implementing change through consultation and planning.
- The ability to manage contract negotiations and implementation of same.

Leadership / Teamwork
- Proven ability to develop, motivate, and lead all levels of the network
- The ability to both work independently and participate as part of a team.
- The ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines; hands-on approach to getting things done.

Interpersonal / Communication Skills

- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and networking skills with a demonstrated capacity to build effective relationships across a wide spectrum of situations both within and outside the Network including the Board of Directors.
- Ability to liaise with relevant and appropriate agencies in the promotion of the Network.
- Ability to identify and manage conflict and sensitive issues to achieve positive outcomes with a high degree of probity, integrity and confidentiality.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write clearly, succinctly and correctly in a well-structured and logical way.