Assistant Secretary, Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

Responsibility at Assistant Secretary level for operational, policy and legislative developments relating to improving access to high quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare and for First 5, a whole of government, 10 year strategy for babies, young children and their families.

Responsibility at Assistant Secretary and Director level shall comprise:

the achievement of objectives relevant to the area (as specified in the department's Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 and its successors) and managing work to that end
overseeing the day-to-day management of the business of the area
advising departmental management and the Minister or Government on strategic direction, the formulation of policy and the implementation generally of relevant Government policies
managing the overall performance of the area, including implementation of the Performance Management and Development System in the area
the general management of staff in the area
preparing the relevant elements of the Statement of Strategy and associated progress reports for approval by departmental management and the Minister
strategic planning for the Assistant Secretary/Director area in line with the strategic objectives of the Division and the department
contributing to dialogue with other departments, representative bodies (including the social partners) and interested organisations, as well as at EU and international forums, on economic and social matters and strategic developments
ensuring the proper use of resources in the area, including effective governance and financial management, and the provision of cost-effective public services appropriate to the area, including the relevant agencies/bodies therein
overseeing the assignment of specific responsibilities to individual officers or groups of officers within the area
ensuring the maintenance of appropriate systems and structures to support the work of the area
taking appropriate steps to ensure the effective management of risk in the area and contributing to the identification and management of corporate level risks
ensuring the co-ordination and alignment of the area's activities with those of other areas within the Division and between Divisions, as appropriate
participation on the MB and other internal management groups, including the Senior Management Team that comprises all Management board members and PO’s/Heads of Units