Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Job Description

This is the first time appointment of a CEO for the organisation.

The post of Chief Executive will be central to the growth and development of DORAS and will play a leading role in the promotion of positive policies and practices on issues relating to Asylum seekers, Refugees and Migrants.

The Chief Executive will have executive responsibility for the strategic development and management of the organisation, the preparation and implementation of the DORAS strategic plan for 2007 - 2010 and for the growth and expansion of the organisation, under the supervision of and with the support of, the Board of Directors.

Reporting to the Chair and the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive will have overall responsibility for service delivery, advocacy, policy development and research programmes.

Responsibilities

Strategic Management of the Organisation

• Play a key role in the formulation of the DORAS Strategic Plan 2007-2010;
• Strategic and effective management of the organisation in line with agreed plans and mission statement;
• Management and leadership of the organisation in line with the strategic plan.

Achieving key outcomes of the Organisation

• Ensure that Asylum seekers, Refugees and Migrants in the Limerick region are serviced and supported and their human rights are protected;
• Ensure that the findings of DORAS are fed into the appropriate national organizations leading to policy change;
• Link with all key stakeholders.

 Financial Development

• Secure adequate future funding to ensure that DORAS has stable, secure long-term lines of funding;
• Manage the DORAS finances efficiently and effectively;
• Ensure best practice procedures are adhered to in the management of the DORAS finances and management information systems.

Communications

• Develop effective internal and external communications;
• Ensure that there is a clear communications strategy and policy on relations with the media, coordinate the DORAS media response at external meetings, in interviews etc., and, where possible and appropriate, represent DORAS on such occasions;
• Encourage and support staff to network effectively;
• Developing new and effective forms of communication within the organisation and the sector in general;
• Ensure communications with funders are clear and effective and meet the organisation's reporting requirement;
• Establish and develop excellent communication networks with key decision-makers in the field.

Organisational Development

• Overall responsibility for the performance and activity of the organisation;
• Work closely with staff to manage and coordinate the DORAS programme of activities and ensure that strategies are understood and implemented successfully;
• Draw up action plans and annual reports to ensure progress on objectives set out in the Plan;
• Report in a transparent and thorough manner to the Board of Directors on all matters relating to the management and finances of the DORAS;
• Ensure the availability of a skilled and motivated staff who perform to the best possible standards;
• Manage career development needs of employees and good worker relationships, develop and implement an annual performance-review system for staff;
• Ensure that DORAS is run in accordance with all relevant statutory regulations, providing the Board of Directors with information on relevant laws, policies and codes of practice on matters such as statutory requirements, governance and membership, and changes therein.

 Other Responsibilities

•   Any other responsibilities which might be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Accountability

Accountability will be to the Board of Directors. This will be exercised through regular verbal and written communications on all areas of the management and development of DORAS

Specific criteria by which performance will be judged include:

• Achievement of overall DORAS objectives;
• Operational and development performance of DORAS as measured against the Strategic Plan and budgets;
• Relationships with external stakeholders;
• Effectiveness DORAS structures, processes and systems within the office;
• Quality and effectiveness of service delivery, advocacy, policy development and research programmes;
• Quality of reports, plans and budgets presented to the Board of Directors.

Desired Outcomes

• Ensure that DORAS is capable of responding to the needs of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants;
• Increased awareness that Human Rights must be protected and respected across the board. eg., Social, Political, Economic and Cultural;
• Increased empowerment of Migrant Communities to participate in Social, Economic, Political and Cultural life;
• Steady implementation of the Strategic Plan;
• Funding secured;
• Organisation structure in place for staff.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, strategic manager with the proven ability to drive change within a challenging sector.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a high degree of success in the following areas:

• Policy-promotion and direction of service delivery, advocacy, policy development and research programmes;
• The management of voluntary organisations / NGOs;
• The development, implementation and management of business strategies and plans;
• Skills in the development of communications, including the ability to negotiate and deal with the media, funders and government bodies;
• Strong motivational approach to management.

Previous Experience and Knowledge

The successful candidate will have

• At least a primary degree or professional qualification;
• Previous experience at a senior level in a policy development, NGO or related environment;
• A thorough understanding of the sector, and an interest in issues facing the Refugee, Asylum Seeking and Migrant communities in Ireland;
• Experience of lobbying and influencing policy-makers, legislators, service providers;
• Experience of working in partnership with a range of other organisations .

Skills and Aptitudes

• Leadership skills and ability to motivate others to achieve to their highest potential;
• Ability to think strategically and to translate strategy into manageable actions;
• Highly organised;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Personal credibility in the field of asylum, refugee and migrant rights;
• Excellent communication skills.

A competitive salary package will be offered.

Office Manager - Job Description

DORAS Luimni is a critical stage of its development in providing services to refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in the mid-west region. The organisation is in the process of appointing a CEO who will be responsible for developing executing the organisation's programmes in accordance with its constitution and mission. A central part of the CEO's team will be the DORAS Office Manager.

Responsibilities and Accountability

• The Office Manager will work in close cooperation with management, i.e. the board of DORAS and the CEO, to ensure that the day-to-day activities of DORAS Luimni are carried out in accordance with the stated aims and objectives of the organisation at all times.
• The Office Manager will be responsible for the day to day running of the DORAS Luimni office, overseeing the work of the staff and volunteers of DORAS Luimni and ensuring that outreach programmes achieve maximum potential.
• The Office Manager will have a particular concern for fostering good relationships with the Department of Justice and the Reception Integration Agency. The Coordinator will network with local statutory and non-statutory bodies, such as but not limited to the Health Service Executive, Legal Institutions, Garda Siochana, Social Workers, Family Affairs, Churches and other Voluntary Organisations. The Coordinator will also attend relevant conferences at local, national and international level, and keep up-to-date on current policy issues and knowledge of situation of asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers in Ireland . In tandem with other agencies, the Coordinator will assist DORAS in combating racism by means of workshops, publicity, school visits, media contact, and any other opportunities as they arise.
• The Office Manager will make occasional visits to Direct Provision Hostels and foster good relationships with management and staff of such hostels. The Coordinator will visit also prisons, where asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers are detained for whatever reason, with a view to ensuring that the resources of DORAS are available to such persons where appropriate. The Coordinator will also accompany asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers to court proceedings as appropriate, with a view to ensuring fair treatment for all.
• The Office Manager will attend management meetings of DORAS Luimni as required and report on the work of DORAS Luimni. The Coordinator will also meeting with the Financial Director of DORAS Luimni once weekly or as required to discuss the financial day-to-day running of the project.
• The Office Manager will develop education opportunities for asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers and liaise with local education service providers to that end and will also liaise with sports clubs and similar organizations to develop recreational activities for asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers. Additionally, the Coordinator will assist with the d development of new projects for the asylum seeker/refugee/migrant worker Community e.g. Women's Groups, Acting Classes, Music Classes, Singing Groups, Soccer Teams.
• The Office Manager will report to CEO of DORAS.

Pre-requisites for appointment

• Experience of working within a busy office environment;
• Excellent Computer literacy (preferably with Microsoft Office);
• The ability to work effectively within an established team environment;
• The ability to work on his/her own initiative
• Excellent interpersonal, organization and communication skills
• Knowledge of the NGO sector in Ireland;
• Some understanding of the issues relating to the Asylum Seeker, Refugee and Migrant Community.

A competitive salary package will be offered.