The IFA has advertised for the position of director general (DG), the new name for the general secretary.

Accountancy firm KPMG is handling the recruitment process and in an advert in Friday’s Irish Times sets out the role of the director general.

“Reporting to the president, the director general will have full responsibility for the efficient and effective day to day running and operations of the IFA and will play a key role in the formulation of policy and the development of strategy.

“The DG will motivate and direct a strong management team ensuring that all necessary resources are in place and that all budgets are set and adhered to.

“The successful candidate will be a people oriented individual with well developed interpersonal skills,” the advert states.

Interestingly, the advert does not give a deadline as to when applications and CVs must be sent in by.

Splitting of functions

The DG role is new to IFA. As part of his review of the IFA in the wake of the pay controversies in 2015, former IFA economist Con Lucey recommended the splitting of roles previously held by the general secretary.

In his report, Lucey said “a new post of Secretary should be created, which would have a high degree of independence from the chief executive (director general) in defined areas dealing with governance and transparency, and would also take over some of the responsibilities the current post of assistant general secretary.”

Lucey surmised that there too many “administrative” functions with the general secretary and the new director general should be more focussed on offering leadership to the association.

Pat Smith

Former general secretary Pat Smith resigned in November 2015 following revelations regarding his salary. It emerged following work by whistleblower and former Co Carlow IFA chairman Derek Deane that Smith had earned a salary in 2013 of over €530,000.

Smith succeed Michael Berkery in 2009 and held the position until November 2015.