Applications are now sought to recruit a Head of ICT (PO) at the HFA. The closing date for receipt of applications is 3pm on 10 December 2024.BACKGROUNDThe HFA is a public body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The HFA’s board is appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. There are twelve board members. The HFA has a staff complement equivalent to 28 whole time staff members and is currently recruiting additional staff to facilitate planned growth under our Strategic Plan.The HFA’s main remit is to lend to local authorities, approved housing bodies and Higher Education Institutions for housing and related purposes and to borrow or raise funds to enable such lending. The HFA has four teams –Corporate Services, Finance, Lending and Risk and Compliance. The Head of ICT will be a member of the Senior Management team, currently reporting to the CEO. THE ROLEThe Head of ICT is a new senior management role within the HFA. They will be responsible for the overall leadership of the HFA’s ICT Strategy implementation and development. The ideal candidate will have responsibility for the agency’s digital and ICT requirements. They will have experience in ICT planning, digital and ICT service management and cyber security capability with a strong background in the delivery of technology transformation. They will have demonstrated an ability to strategically manage third party service-providers and will have expertise in emerging digital technologies. They will have a history of delivering advice and guidance at senior management level. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES•Responsibility for the overall leadership of the ICT Department and the strategic development of the digital capabilities of the HFA Advising and regularly reporting to the ICT Steering Group, the management team and the Board on digital and ICT projects, expenditure and proposed initiatives.•Manage the development, implementation and support for end-to-end business applications, digital solutions, infrastructure and networking services, ICT and cyber security as well as service delivery operations across a broad set of leading technologies and for a range of customer types, internal and external, businesses and individuals.•Ensure the adoption of effective project/ portfolio/ programme management approaches to deliver on-time and on budget solutions.•Develop and implement the HFA’s ICT digital strategy and support its continuing development.•Ensure IT policies and procedures are up to date.•Ensure HFA ICT systems operate to the highest security standards, adhering to relevant security frameworks and maintaining the security posture of the HFA.•Identify, assess and manage risks associated with the ICT environment, including cyber threats, data breaches and system failures, ensuring robust contingency plans are in place.•Oversee the management of ICT projects and services, leading the ICT department’s activities by allocating resources appropriately to ensure the delivery and development of the services, whilst adhering to best practice.•Regularly review vendor performance to ensure that the HFA receives high-quality, value for money services. •Regularly review market conditions to ensure that the HFA is leveraging the best available technology solutions.•Ensure a quality end-user ICT experience for HFA customers and staff.•Oversee the management of data within the organisation, ensuring data is accurate, accessible and secure.•Identify a clear focus on optimising the application of technology for business value, identifying opportunities to improve the customer experience or create efficiencies for staff.•Present updates, policies and strategy developments to the HFA’s Board and Audit & Risk Committee. •Review and oversee the HFA’s digital and ICT expenditure, within budget.•Oversee the negotiation, implementation and management of ICT contracts, ensuring that service level agreements are met and the organisation receives value for money.•Direct the implementation of the Harnessing Digital & Connecting Government 2030: A Digital & ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service in the Office to ensure these strategies are aligned with the work of the HFA and its digital, ICT and data strategies.•Work with and provide guidance to colleagues to ensure any changes and development align with overall public-sector policies and strategies.•Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.REQUIREMENTSEssential Qualifications, Skills and Experience•A qualification at minimum level 8 Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent in the National Framework of Qualifications.•A minimum of six years’ work in an IT role of which four years has been in a senior IT management role.•Proven track record in project and programme management.•Experience in the procurement and implementation of new IT systems.•Significant experience in IT security and governance including a thorough understanding of the management of IT risks, including cybersecurity.•Experience in developing an ICT strategy and IT user policies.•Broad experience with infrastructure and network management•Experience in running cloud-based infrastructure which includes Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and SharePoint/MS Teams.•Experience with surface attack management and digital threat protection systems.•Experience in Antivirus and endpoint management systems.•Experience in business continuity and disaster recovery methodologies.COMPETENCIESThe ideal candidate shall demonstrate the ability to deliver on the following competencies:Professional Knowledge & Experience:•Wide knowledge of digital/ICT technologies, practices and trends;•Self-starter with ability to take ownership of tasks/projects and follow them through to completion;•Excellent communication skills - oral and written - with an ability to present to Board Level committees;•Strong organisational and analytical skills and be able to demonstrate sound judgement and objectivity when approaching problem solving;•Comprehensive understanding of governance and control frameworks;•Ability to manage reporting lines and relationships with the ability to work effectively within a small team and across the organisation.Managing & Delivering Results•Takes personal responsibility for delivering results;•Balances strategy and operational detail to meet HFA needs;•Makes optimum use of resources and implements performance measures to deliver on objectives;•Ensures the optimal use of ICT and new delivery models;•Critically reviews projects and activities to ensure their effectiveness and that they meet HFA requirements.Leadership, Direction and Team working skills•Demonstrates effective leadership in a challenging and busy environment including a track record of the delivery of improvements through key initiatives;•Ability to support, supervise and develop staff in a challenging environment within existing resources;•Ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members and other stakeholders to facilitate high performance, developing and achieving clear and realistic objectives;•Flexibility and adaptability to meet the requirements of the role.Critical Analysis, Problem Solving & Decision Making•Ability to demonstrate a clear decision-making framework and consider the impact of decisions before taking action;•The ability to evaluate complex information/challenging situations from a variety of sources and make effective decisions;•Significant experience in effective operational problem solving utilising an inclusive approach.Building Relationships / Communication•Proactively engages with colleagues at all levels of the organisation and across other Departments/ Organisations and builds strong professional networks;•Ability to explain and express ideas in a convincing manner, and actively liaise with individuals and groups both internally and externally;•Influencing others, builds consensus, gains co-operation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals;•Excellent written communication skills including the ability to produce professional reports.PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICETenureThe appointment is on a permanent full-time basis subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.Salary ScaleThe salary scale for the position (rates effective from 1 October 2024) is as follows:PRINCIPAL OFFICER €102,913 €107,280 €111,613 €115,978 €119,661 €123,481¹ €127,295²All new appointees coming from private sector must start on the first point of the above scale which is €102,913 and will also be required to make a personal pension contribution.Any current public or civil servant will be placed on the relevant point of the scale once their current salary has been verified. Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI 1) and 6 (LSI 2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.PRINCIPAL OFFICER €97,768 €101,910 €106,028 €110,182 €113,679 €117,309¹ €120,930²This rate will apply where the appointee is a civil or public servant recruited before 6th April 1995 and who is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.Important NoteSalary will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Subject to satisfactory performance increments may be payable in line with current Government policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if, immediately before appointment, you are a currently serving civil/public servant.Annual LeaveIn addition to the usual Irish public holidays annual leave for this position is 30 working days, based on a five-day week.The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate.Hours of WorkOperating on a 35-hour per week model with core hours from 08.00am – 6.30pm. The HFA currently operates a hybrid-working model, with staff currently expected to work a minimum of two days in the office in Dublin 2.APPLICATION PROCEDUREHow to Apply • Applications should be submitted via HIREHIVE only• Each candidate should submit a short covering letter outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position along with an up-to-date CV.If applicable, please contact our HR Manager, Katherina Sage ksage@hfa.ie if you require a job description in an accessible format. In addition, candidates called for interviews and/or aptitude tests may request reasonable accommodations. Please note: all job offers are subject to satisfactory references and a pre-employment medical assessment. The Housing Finance Agency PLC is an equal opportunities employer.