Job Vacancy:Chief Executive Officer Closing date Friday 26th March 2021

ICA is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association is looking for a person with exceptional drive and commitment to become ICA CEO at this time of great challenge and change in our community. ICA is a national membership based organisation of 7,000 + women, with an emphasis on member centred governance and a clear objective to advance education and benefit the community through the cooperative effort of women coming together. ICA promotes heritage and contemporary crafts, arts, drama, produce, Irish language and culture and much more.
A wide variety of courses take place in An Grianán ICA’s Adult Educational College in County Louth which is open to all.

To apply for this position send your CV with a covering letter to recruitgeneralsecretary@ica.ie on or before 26^th March 2021. ICA is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will disqualify.

For further information, please go to www.ica.ie.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer, ICA

Tenure: Fulltime, Five Year Fixed Term Contract

(subject to successful completion of 9 month probationary period)

Base: Central Office, 58 Merrion Road, Dublin 4 / An Grianán

Reporting to: National President and Board of ICA

Salary: Competitive

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) is seeking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer to assist the Board in undertaking a new phase in the development of the Association.

The ICA is a national charitable voluntary organisation founded in 1910. We are a membership based organisation of 7,000 + women with an emphasis on member centred governance, underpinned by a Constitution.

Our mission is to advance education and benefit the community through the cooperative effort of women coming together in fellowship and friendship and developing their well-being, knowledge and skills. A hallmark of the ICA’s work for over a century has been its contribution to community life, in leading the advancement of women’s roles, their rights and opportunities.

ICA is structured into Guilds (local) and Federations (counties) which are represented on the National Advisory Committee and governed by an elected Board.

ICA Central Office provides support to the whole organisation and manages the secretariat, administrative functions and resources of the Association.

An Grianan, our college in County Louth is a lifelong learning centre for all.

Chief Executive Officer Job Description:

The CEO will be accountable to the National President and the Board. The CEO will take primary responsibility for managing the ICA, for liaison with the National President and the Board, with external bodies, and for identifying development opportunities. The CEO will take responsibility for the fulfillment of the Association’s targets and objectives as set by the Board.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

provide leadership in the development of ICA in compliance with statutory and regulatory standards
provide leadership and vision to ICA and promote it to potential funders and members
exercise authority over the resources delegated by the Board in order to discharge responsibility for implementing the Board’s policies and strategies
be responsible for identifying potential funding and business opportunities to enable ICA to fulfil and expand its mission
manage the efficient and effective delivery of services provided by ICA

The immediate priorities of the role are:

to increase membership of ICA
to explore funding opportunities
compliance with the Charities Governance Code and Company Law

Principle Responsibilities, Priorities and Functions

to plan and manage the work of Central Office
to provide leadership and line management in Central Office
to ensure the consistent and effective development and implementation of policy/standards and support services
to work with the Finance Manager and other managers in preparing annual budgets and projections for Board approval
to attend Board and Committee meetings as required
to work closely with the Board and any committees, in particular the National Advisory Committee, in strategies to develop and maintain membership
to identify potential sources of funding for ICA and to assist the development of business opportunities

While this job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post, the Chief Executive Officer may be allocated other duties from time to time as determined by the National President and the Board.

Person Specification

Required Qualifications and Experience

Significant experience at a senior level in a multi-functional organisation, ideally in the voluntary sector
Knowledge and understanding of a membership organisation
Ability to work with a voluntary Board of Directors and advise on Governance and compliance obligations in line with legislation
Empathy with, and understanding of, and commitment to the mission of the ICA
Excellent interpersonal, influencing and networking skills
A third level degree appropriate to the role is desirable.

The ideal candidate will have :

a significant track record in management
the capacity to lead, organise and motivate staff and volunteers to function effectively
the required leadership and vision to lead and manage change
excellent spoken and written communication skills and the ability to describe complex issues in a clear and accessible fashion
knowledge of Employment legislation and HR obligations
capacity to identify funding, sponsorship and business opportunities and exploit them
an appreciation of and commitment to the culture, core values and mission of the ICA

Shortlisting of candidates may apply according to the above criteria.

To apply for this position, please send Covering letter and your CV to recruitgeneralsecretary@ica.ie Closing date 26th March 2021

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association

58 Merrion Road

Ballsbridge

Dublin 4

Tel: 01 6680002

www.ica.ie RCN20006730