JOB DESCRIPTION
Head of Quality Assurance & Improvement
(Learning & Employability)
The Rehab Group is a charity that provides services for over 20,000 adults and children,
and champions the value of diversity and inclusion for people with disabilities or
disadvantage in their communities throughout Ireland and the UK.
We work with people with disabilities, people on the autism spectrum, people with mental health difficulties,
people who are disadvantaged in some way in the labour market, and people who want a fresh start.
Our VISION is of a charity that champions the value of diversity and inclusion for people with a disability or
disadvantage, in their communities. Together, we will constantly learn and seek to provide excellent services to
foster and enhance social and economic independence.
Our MISSION is helping the people we serve to be more independent; helping them to contribute to and be more
included in their communities; empowering them with the skills and confidence to be active in the workforce; and
supporting them to be in charge of their health and wellness.
Our VALUES underpin all we do, shape who we are and how we work with one another, in our organisation and in
the community:
Advocacy: Challenge exclusion and promote inclusion
Quality: Strive for excellence in all aspects of our work
Dignity: Respect the unique worth of every person (that includes people who access our services, families,
employees and volunteers)
Justice: Act with integrity, honesty, commitment and accountability in everything we do to ensure equity, fairness
and transparency
Team Work: Foster an environment that encourages change, growth, trust in our organisation and in partnership
with others, working together as one Rehab team
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Head of Quality Assurance & Improvement
(Learning & Employability)
Applications are invited for the following position:
Head of Quality Assurance & Improvement
Permanent Contract
Location: Roslyn Park College, Dublin
REQ: # 4546
Closing Date: Friday, 30th June 2017
1.
JOB PURPOSE
To lead a team in the development and implementation of effective Quality Assurance and Accreditation systems
and processes related to learning and employability services. To ensure compliance with statutory, contractual
and funding requirements in partnership with Operations Management.
Maximise Groups delivery on Quality Assurance and Improvement integrating all aspects of Risk/Health and
Safety and Policy and Procedure in partnership with Senior team of the Quality & Governance Directorate
2.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE
Formal Education / Training 
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Work Experience
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Skills and Knowledge
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A third level qualification (NFQ8) or equivalent experience in the field in a relevant
discipline
Substantial knowledge and experience of standards and accreditation systems
A minimum of 5 years’ experience of managing or supporting delivery of vocational
training, education and/or employability services
History of delivering high standards of contract compliance in an outcomes driven
environment
Experience of engaging with public, private and voluntary sector stakeholders
Experience of managing the work of others and planning over significant timescales
(circa 1 year or more) either through service/programme management
responsibility or via a strategic commissioning, policy and/or advisory role.
Experience of developing approaches to ensure organisational policies/objectives
are delivered and improvements in practice and service delivery occur.
Knowledge of funder and certifying body requirements relating to quality assurance
Relevant and current knowledge of quality approaches and systems
Knowledge of person-centred service delivery
Effective written and verbal communication
Ongoing training on developments in quality systems and standards relating to the
area of responsibility
Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills in order to lead staff
and/or to win hearts and minds of others (internally and externally) in order to
bring about necessary changes in behaviour and to achieve the required outcomes.
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3.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Area
1.
Lead development of effective quality assurance systems and processes within education and employability
services to ensure compliance with mandatory standards and continuous improvement in service provision.
2.
Develop and implement monitoring, review and audit systems within education and employability services to
identify areas of non-compliance and support corrective actions where required.
3.
Work closely with Operations management and support functions to promote staff awareness of quality
assurance systems appropriate to the needs of the business and funder requirements.
4.
Liaise with Strategic Planning & Development function on quality and accreditation requirements within
education and employability new services and projects.
5.
Lead development and review of organizational policies relating to quality assurance and continuous
improvement to ensure that policies reflect legislative requirements and good practice.
6.
Develop and implement accessible systems to enable service users and other stakeholders to express
satisfaction or dissatisfaction with services and to respond to complaints effectively.
7.
Liaise with external agencies as necessary such as Certification/Accreditation Bodies, statutory regulators,
funders and private contractors.
8.
Provide comprehensive and timely information on quality assurance developments and outcomes to relevant
Board Sub-committees, Senior Leadership Team and Senior Operations Team to include deputizing for the
Director of Quality and Governance when required.
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4.
COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Typical Level of
Interaction
☐ Standard: Typical interaction is to request and provide information. Courtesy, tact
and effectiveness are required.
☐ Advanced: Influence using logic and facts. Communication is important but not
critical to the achievement of job objectives.
 Expert: Win the hearts and minds, changing opinion of people. Critical in
achieving the job objectives.
Primary Audience
(Internal)
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Level of Audience
(Internal)
☐ Clerical / Operational
Director of Quality & Governance,
Senior Leadership Team members,
Regional & Local Operations Management
☐ Supervisory / Junior Professional
 Middle Management / Seasoned Professional
 Senior / Top Management
Primary Audience
(External)
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Level of Audience
(External)
☐ Clerical / Operational
Funders (primarily the HSE)
Regulatory Bodies (HIQA)
Service Provider bodies & associations
Participation in Working Groups on behalf of the sector.
☐ Supervisory / Junior Professional
 Middle Management / Seasoned Professional
 Senior / Top Management
5.
KEY DIMENSIONS AND RELATED JOB RESULTS
Financial and budget responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Quality & Governance.
There are five staff members reporting directly to this role and other indirect reporting lines by members of
regional interdisciplinary teams on quality elements of their roles.
6.
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
This role is based in head office but will require travel to other locations as necessary.
The post holder will report to the Director of Quality & Governance and will be a member of a senior
Interdisciplinary team within the Directorate.
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7.
KEY COMPETENCIES
A commitment to living the values of Team work, Dignity, Justice, Advocacy and Quality
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Leadership &
Strategic Direction
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Judgement & Decision
Making
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Management &
Delivery of Results
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You lead the team, setting high standards, tackling any performance problems
and facilitating high performance.
You facilitate an open exchange of ideas and foster an atmosphere of open
communication.
You contribute to the shaping of Departmental / Organisational strategy and
policy.
You develop capability and capacity across the team through effective
delegation.
You develop a culture of learning & development, offering coaching and
constructive / supportive feedback
You lead on preparing for and implementing significant change.
You anticipate and respond quickly to developments in the sector / broader
environment.
You actively collaborate with other colleagues, and Organisations.
You identify and focus on core issues when dealing with complex
information/situations.
You assemble facts, manipulate verbal and numerical information and think
through issues logically.
You see the relationships between issues and quickly grasping the high level
implications.
You identify coherent solutions to complex issues.
You take action, making decisions in a timely manner and having the courage to
see them through.
You make sound and well informed decisions, understanding their impact and
implications.
You strive to effectively balance the departmental issues, organisational
elements and the service user / employee impact in all decisions.
You initiate and take personal responsibility for delivering results/services in
own area.
You balance strategy and operational detail to meet business need.
You manage multiple agendas and tasks and reallocates resources to manage
change in focus.
You make optimum use of resources and implements performance measures to
deliver on objectives.
You ensure the optimum use of ICT and new delivery models.
You critically review projects and activities to ensure their effectiveness and that
they meet Organisational requirements.
You instil the importance of efficiencies, value for money and meeting corporate
governance requirements.
You ensure the team are focused and act on Business plans priorities, even
when faced with pressure.
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Building Relationships
& Communication
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Practice and
Professional
Development
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Planning and
Organising
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Speaks and writes in a clear, articulate and impactful manner
Actively listens, seeking to understand the perspective and position of others
Manages and resolves conflicts / disagreements in a positive & constructive
manner
Works effectively within the Organisational process, recognising & managing
tensions arising from different stakeholder perspectives
Persuades others; builds consensus, gains co-operation from others to obtain
information and accomplish goals
Proactively engages with colleagues at all levels of the organisation and across
other Departments and builds strong professional networks
Makes opinions known when s/he feels it is right to do so
You continually monitor, evaluate and reflect on:
o your knowledge and skills;
o your attitudes and behaviour;
o any experiences and personal beliefs that might affect your work;
o how well you practice and what could be improved;
o the processes and outcomes from your work.
You take action, with supervision and support, to access development
opportunities that will enhance your knowledge and practice.
You review the impact of such development opportunities on your work.
You challenge poor practice constructively and in ways that support others and
promote the use of best practice.
You provide constructive feedback to enable others with whom you work to
identify how their practice could better meet service and practice needs.
You develop high level plans for your own area of responsibility, ensuring input
from appropriate parties.
You communicate those plans to those team members affected by them.
You pro-actively raise deviations (actual or potential) from the plan with
appropriate personnel and work to find ways to address these.
You know when to be detail oriented and when to take a wider perspective.
You coach others on effectively planning and organising their workload ensuring
they take account of individual’s preferences in line with organisation and legal
requirements.
You help resolve conflicts which may arise as staff endeavour to balance their
own duties and responsibilities with the individual’s needs and preferences.
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