DUBLIN city councillors have submitted an expanded brief to the Local Appointments Commission detailing the qualities they seek in a new city manager to succeed Mr Frank Feely, who retires in May.
It is believed to be the first time elected representatives of by local authority in the Republic have taken this step and underlines the importance they attach to finding the right person to fill the £70,000 a year post.
The amended brief was drawn up by a special subcommittee of the City Council, working on a non partisan basis. It included Mr Tommy Broughan TD [(Labour), Mr John Gormley (Greens) and Mr John Stafford (FE).
According to them, the "ideal candidate" for the city manager's job should have "a vision for Dublin that deals pro actively, dynamically and in an integrated way with the physical, social, cultural and economic environment of the city".
The councillors want someone who can communicate such a vision "in a passionate and forceful manner" but who will also be willing to work in very close consultation with the City Council and to seek co operation and consensus" across the board.
The brief favours a candidate who would take a "developmental view of local government" as well as having "the management skills to lead and foster the organisational restructuring necessary to face the challenge of the 21st century".
It also stresses the importance of finding someone who would have the leadership skills" necessary to "motivate, empower, encourage and achieve cost effectiveness and efficiency from a staff of some 6,400 people", within an annual budget of £330 million.
Finally, it calls for a person who would be "innovative", with a career record that "demonstrates the necessary vision, leadership, managerial and communications skills" required and the ability to maximise resources to develop Dublin Corporation's services.
Although the Local Appointments Commission is under no legal obligation to take the amended brief into account, the councillors believe it cannot ignore their recommendations, especially as the appointment of a new city manager must be ratified by the City Council.
The job, which is now limited to a seven year term, was publicly advertised 10 days ago, with March 7th as the closing date. It is expected to attract applications from within the local authority system - including Dublin Corporation itself - as well as from the private sector.
