HRB Grade 6 Job Family (consisting of Services 3, R&I 3, Researcher 2 grade)

Background

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a statutory agency under the aegis of the Department of Health. As Ireland’s lead funding agency, we support innovative health research and deliver high quality data and evidence that improves people’s health and patient care. We are committed to putting people first, and ensuring data and evidence are used in policy and practice to overcome health challenges, advance health systems, and benefit society and economy.

Key responsibilities of the post of Digital Communications Officer

In recent years, the HRB has expanded significantly, increasing its activities and adopting many important new roles, responsibilities and functions. Furthermore, we recently launched our Strategy 2026-2030 – Bringing research to life, which will see the organisation grow further in scale and ambition. This all requires a high level of communications support, particularly digital communications support.

Key Accountabilities will include but are not limited to:

Website

  • Act as webmaster for the HRB website and support the development of the National Office for Research Ethics Committees and Secretariat for the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee websites
  • Support development of HRB websites in line with communications and organisational objectives
  • Participate in the web steering group, providing advice and guidance on development requests and new innovations
  • Keep abreast of developments in WordPress plugins and other new technology that could advance our web presence
  • Work with developers to test and implement changes to website
  • Liaise with third party suppliers and ICT to support development and maintenance
  • Support the Content and Media Specialist to ensure compliance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive
  • Source suitable imagery for website in consultation with communications team and in line with image guidelines
  • Measure and report on our website analytics and integrate changes accordingly. Measurement will be based on specific KPIs.

Social media and digital marketing

  • Develop and manage a calendar of content for all HRB social media channels
  • Select, or create as required, suitable imagery in line with guidelines
  • Post approved content on HRB social media platforms
  • Work with Content and Media Specialist to manage production of the monthly ezine. Tasks include gathering content and imagery, sending ezine and managing subscribers
  • Measure and report on our social media and digital marketing analytics and integrate changes accordingly. Measurement will be based on specific annual goals and specific campaign goals
  • Assist in the development of HRB presence on other social media and digital marketing channels as appropriate

Events

  • Engage with relevant staff to gather content to promote conferences and events
  • Develop all digital content around events in line with established templates
  • Capture key content from events in a useable format for re-use on all digital channels
  • Build YouTube channel content using speaker materials and videos created at conferences.

Video and podcasts

  • Record and edit video content linked to communications / organisational objectives for use on digital channels
  • Work with the Communications Manager or designate to define strategy for creation of HRB podcasts and streaming of same
  • Coordinate schedule and speakers for a minimum of four podcasts per year
  • Assist with re-use and repurposing of video and podcast material for posting across multiple platforms.

AI

  • Participate on the organisation wide working group on AI
  • Review potential uses of AI to create efficiencies in communications processes in line with policy and develop a plan in line with organisational policies to introduce new AI tools for communications.

Data Visualisation

  • Work with the Content and Media specialist and cross organisational team to develop HRB approach to data visualisation
  • Support the development of a plan for the introduction of data visualisation across HRB digital platforms.

Team Support

  • Help to shape the annual communications implementation plan
  • Support the team to deliver on digital aspects of communications plans and promotional campaigns
  • Conduct data retention and deletion activities on behalf of the communications team in line with data retention policies
  • Monitor communications email accounts on a regular basis and following up on related queries
  • Support procurement and handle purchase orders for all tasks under digital communications officer profile

Other duties may be assigned depending on need. This is a team-based role, and teamwork and coordination with others are crucial elements of the job description

 

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Formal requirements include:

  • A minimum of a NFQ Level 8 Qualification (Honours Bachelor’s degree / Higher Diploma) in a relevant field (ideally in Digital Marketing)
  • A minimum of four years’ relevant experience, ideally in a public relations firm, media firm or an in-house role in a similar organisation.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Proven ability to work on multiple projects to tight deadlines
  • Proven ability to develop and execute digital communication plans and activities in line with strategy and business plans
  • Expertise in developing material that explains complex issues in a way that resonates with the public.

Desirable requirements include:

  • Strong technical ability in relation to development of websites
  • A proven track record of establishing a social media presence and tracking impact of the same
  • A proven track record of measuring and reporting on website analytics
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Demonstrate an ability to deliver a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • Confidentiality and discretion will be important attributes for this role
  • Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Canva, Photoshop, Google Analytics, SEO, email marketing software and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

 

 

Competencies:

Competencies incorporated into this role profile reflect the competency framework issued in conjunction with the Civil Service Competency Framework which has been adopted by the HRB.  A comprehensive list of expected competencies ca be found at Digital Communications Officer (AO) Competency Framework.

 

Reporting relationship

The Digital Communications Officer will report directly to the Content and Media Specialist or designate.

 

Salary scale:                  

Digital Communications Officer                  € 57,898 – € 70,734  (Salary Scale @ 01 February 2026)

NOTE: This is a Permanent, full-time post

Appointment will be made in accordance with the Department of Health guidelines. New entrants will be appointed at the first point of the scale.

 

 

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae by email to recruitment@hrb.ie You must include the name of the post that you are applying for in the email subject line.

Closing date for applications is 12.00 Noon on 05 June 2026

NOTE: Interviews for this position are expected to take place in our offices on Tuesday 23 June 2026.

If you require further information, please contact Karen O’Donnell, HR Officer at recruitment@hrb.ie or refer to the recruitment page on the HRB website at http://www.hrb.ie/about/recruitment/  for full details on this campaign.

 

 

 

 

 

The Health Research Board is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We do not discriminate based on gender, age, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, membership of the Travelling community or family status. If you have a disability and require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process, please contact HR in advance and we would be happy to assist.

Please Note:

To be eligible to apply for this competition, candidates must be nationals of a European Economic Area (EEA) Member State or otherwise have a current and valid legal entitlement to work in Ireland.

Candidates who do not meet this requirement will be deemed ineligible.