This newly created role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) in the Department of Education offers an exciting opportunity to be the digital leader for the education sector, driving digital transformation and change as well as influencing the future direction of digital technologies in education. The Department of Education is looking for a senior digital/ICT professional with the vision, energy, skills and experience who, as the CIO, will drive the digital transformation agenda in the Department and across the wider sector.

• Leading the digital transformation of the Department, DFHERIS and the wider education sector;
• Leading and directing the work of the Department’s Digital and ICT team to develop, support, maintain and modernise the Department’s digital, data and ICT infrastructure and services including mission critical business support applications, digital services for our customers across the sector and to enhance cyber security measures;
• Effective delivery of secure and resilient ICT Shared Services to the Education sector and wider public sector;
• Maximising the use of digital and data to enable evidence-based policy making and service delivery across the sector;
• Improving digital and ICT capacity and cyber readiness for DoE and DFHERIS including the major operations and shared services delivered and overseen by the DoE;
• As the senior digital leader for the sector, contributing to, and advising on, review and implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools and the one million learners in the system it serves;
• Advising on digital strategies for the provision of Tertiary Education and implementation of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy;
• Collaborating with colleagues on the development of a new Data Strategy for the DoE, providing expert advice and support on data analytics, and working with stakeholders across the sector to manage data assets effectively;

• A successful track record of leading and delivering significant technology-enabled transformation and the relevant experience, expertise, and knowledge to operate effectively as the Departments and sectoral digital leader and CIO.
• Strong experience in working with top-level management to contribute effectively to the overall strategic management of the organisation.
• A proven track record in effective interpersonal skills, managing relationships and influencing in a change environment at senior management levels in the Departments and key stakeholder organisations as well as the ability to apply these skills effectively in a political environment.
• Senior leadership and management experience of Digital/ICT functions for a large organisation and preferably experience in ICT delivery within a complex sector;
• Strong management and organisational skills with the ability to develop high performing teams and manage staff based in a number of locations;
• A proven ability for effective resource allocation and financial management in a resource constrained environment;
• Extensive and successful experience in the anticipation and management of digital transformation and change: this includes the ability to drive and develop dynamic innovative change in a complex, fast-moving environment;
• Demonstrate sound judgement, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills and excellent leadership and interpersonal skills at a senior level in an organisation;
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to build effective relationships internally and with other organisations and diverse stakeholders;
• A proven track record of programme and project management and delivery including governance, problem solving, risk management and stakeholder management; and
• The capacity to contribute to the work of the Department of Education at Assistant Secretary General level in respect of any of the Department’s functions and to contribute effectively as a member of the Department’s Management Board.