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Job description

The Head of Sustainability Engineering and Estate Safety (SEES) will report to the Director of Health Esates and shall be a member of the senior management team for Health Estates. The post holder will be expected to work closely with senior officials in all Northern Ireland Departments relating to the functions of SEES to ensure that the aims of the Department are understood and realised. As Head of SEES the postholder will be required to contribute to the overall business strategy, performance and management of Health Estates Directorate and will be responsible for the delivery of the business objectives assigned to SEES. The postholder will be expected to maintain a knowledge of operational estates related matters and have a high level of understanding of legislation, policy and guidance together with an appreciation of departmental and political issues. The postholder will also be involved in contributing to the directorates wide decision-making and will have to consider issues ranging from business strategy; business performance and improvement; risk management; and change management. The postholder will need to maintain a range of business and working relationships across the NICS, Health and Social Care Organisations and other UK administrations and the Republic of Ireland. While the postholder will be from a professional engineering background, you will be required to engage, influence and inspire representatives and staff drawn from both professional and non-professional backgrounds. Attendance at meetings or addressing audiences, whether at seminars or conferences, will present the postholder with the opportunity to influence their listeners’ attitude or approach to estates and medical device matters and help fulfil the role of promulgating and promoting best practice associated with the functions of SEES.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking the role of Head of Engineering for the Mechanical/Electrical Profession for the Department and lead DoH official for estates safety, medical device.
• and other estates matters through the provision of appropriate professional advice to Minister, Permanent Secretary and senior departmental officials.
• Leading and managing a team of professional, technical and general service staff to deliver a focused specialist advisory service to the Minister and DoH senior officials.
• Providing specialist professional mechanical/electrical engineering and estates infrastructure safety related professional and technical advice and support in the development of estate and medical device management strategies, policies and guidance.
• Providing specialist professional mechanical/electrical engineering advice and support in relation to the management of the HSC estate including compliance with legislation, policy and guidance.
• Providing professional engineering advice on estates related Health and Safety issues.
• Providing professional engineering advice on climate change actions and sustainable development as it affects the HSC estate journey towards zero carbon operation.
• Act as the policy lead for the decontamination of reusable surgical instruments, flexible and non- flexible endoscopes, dental and podiatry instruments, including the review and monitoring the implementation of the Regional Decontamination Strategy.
• Developing the professional, technical and civil service competency of SEES staff.
• Providing strong leadership and vision through personal drive with commitment, enthusiasm and persuasive communication.
• Maintaining and continuously developing professional knowledge and competence to provide a leading source of expertise and authoritative advice and ensure high professional standards and decision making.
• Any other relevant duties as required by line management.
• The above list is not exhaustive but provides a good indication of the extent of and the key responsibilities of the post. The responsibilities and emphasis on specific duties can change over time in line with business needs.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Hold a degree in Engineering in an area relating to Building Engineering Services (Mechanical/Electrical) or equivalent and have full registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council.
• At least 3 years’ experience of having successfully discharged senior management responsibilities either in one of the areas listed on page 11 of the Candidate Information Booklet.
• Have a successful track record of leading a team in either the delivery of, or the provision of expert advice in, a complex operational environment within a robust governance structure.
• Have a successful track record of managing a team and delivering demonstrable and measurable improvement to service or patient safety outcomes.
• Please refer to the Candidate Information Booklet for further details on the Eligibility Criteria.

Desirable Skills

• The panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the strength and breadth of the evidence of experience provided in response to eligibility Criteria 3. This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applications will proceed

Further Information

Location: Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 27th March 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethic communities are particularly welcomed from this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC320606)