Head of Third-Party Oversight & Risk Management

The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services.  The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure. 

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare 
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care 
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption 
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation 
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

A significant proportion of the Agency’s services and supports are delivered through, or purchased from, third parties. The Agency currently engages with over 3,000 third-party providers, accounting for approximately €874.7m in annual non-payroll expenditure, spanning clinical, care, goods, other services and cash allowances.  The Agency is therefore establishing a national Third-Party Oversight & Risk Management (TPO&RM) function within Finance & Corporate Services, to deliver a single, risk-based operating model across the full third-party lifecycle. This post is the senior leadership post for that function and will also be responsible for leadership of the National Procurement Unit.

The post holder will provide strategic ownership, leadership and accountability for third-party oversight and risk management across the Agency’s for-profit third-party portfolio of 3,000+. As the senior accountable officer for the function, the post holder will oversee the implementation and embedding of the Agency’s Third-Party Oversight & Risk Management Operating Model.

The post holder will maintain accountability for a cross-agency system, involving stakeholders across a variety of relevant Functions and Directorates, that supports safeguarding, regulatory and contractual compliance and value-for-money outcomes arising from third-party arrangements. The post holder will also champion proportionate, risk-based oversight and provide assurance and reporting to senior leadership, the Executive Management Team and the Board.

The post holder also holds senior accountability for the Agency's National Procurement function, providing leadership across the end to end third party lifecycle from sourcing and contracting through to oversight, assurance and exit.

Applications are invited by CV, together with a personal statement clearly stating suitability for the role as linked to the stated competencies (250 words max) to Alan.Burns@tusla.ie by 12 noon, Monday 16th November 2026.

For any informal enquiries regarding the position and job specification please contact: Assumpta Corley, PA to the National Director of Finance and Corporate Services Finance; 087 3654060