HRB Grade VII Job Family (consisting of Services IV / R&I IV / Research Officer grade)

Background

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a statutory agency under the aegis of the Department of Health. As the lead agency in Ireland responsible for supporting and funding health research, generating health information and promoting the use of evidence in policy and practice, we are motivated and inspired by our vision – for better health through excellent research, data and evidence. The HRB’s mission is to support research that improves people’s health, promotes evidence-informed care and creates solutions to societal challenges.  An overview of the HRB’s objectives and activities may be found in The HRB Strategy 2021-2025, Health research – making an impact, (https://www.hrb.ie/strategy-2025/).

 

Key responsibilities of the post of Finance Accountant (Procurement)

The HRB is now seeking to recruit a full time, permanent Finance – Accountant (Procurement) to maintain and develop the procurement function at the HRB and ensure the continued provision of the financial services necessary for the day-to-day operation.  This role will report directly to the HRB’s Head of Finance.

Specific duties of the Finance Accountant (Procurement) will also include (but may not be limited to) the following areas:

Managing the procurement function withing the HRB

  • Excellent understanding of Irish public sector procurement requirements
  • Ensuring that procurement transactions and decisions are fair, equitable and provide value for money, and that decisions made, and actions taken can be justified
  • Developing, managing and implementing the HRB’s Procurement Policy, template contracts, terms and conditions, and related procurement documentation and templates
  • Monitoring spend and procurement activity within the organisation
  • Reviewing and approving Purchase Requisitions and managing open Purchase Orders
  • Managing all tender processes, including Business Case development, Risk management, managing the Procurement Review process, development of specifications, publication of notice, responding to queries from potential suppliers, evaluation of submissions, drawing up and providing feedback to suppliers via response letters, and execution of contract, and managing contract extensions
  • Liaising with ICT and internal stakeholders in relation to data management and GDPR – including but not being limited to Hosting arrangements, DPAs, and DPIAs
  • Negotiating and agreeing contracts, and contract variations and extensions with external suppliers and recording of same in FMS contract log
  • Monitoring the quality of service provided by suppliers
  • Preparation for audit, implementation of internal audit recommendations and ensuring level of compliance is identified as satisfactory
  • Providing quality control, expert procurement advice, and support to staff and management
  • Managing the implementation of appropriate governance, risk management, change management and audit controls on procurement activities ensuring that value for money is achieved
  • Managing and implementing of the Corporate Procurement Plan
  • Reporting to the Board and Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) procurement activity
  • Writing papers for Board approval on procurements as dictated by contract value
  • Ensuring appropriate Procurement updates and training are provided to all staff and that the skills needed to ensure that organisation can deliver high quality and responsive Procurement services are in place.

General Finance Responsibilities

  • Assisting with the production of monthly management accounts, reconciliations, journals and other such work that may be required as part of the process.
  • Assisting with the production of annual financial statements, supporting notes, schedules and Comptroller and Auditors General queries on procurement.
  • Assisting with the production of budgets, forecasts and cashflows.
  • Assisting with aspects of the financial systems, general ledger, accounts payable and the cash and banking systems.
  • Delivering financial information in a meaningful and useful way to a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the ongoing review, documentation, and improvement of the HRB’s Financial Internal Controls.
  • Contribute to the review and enhancement of Financial Policies in accordance with annual Service Plan timelines and the HRB’s Policy review Cycle
  • Provide training, as appropriate, to both Finance and Non-Finance Staff and to develop training aids to ensure that training materials are available as a resource for the wider HRB.

Data Stewardship

  • Act as the point of contact for any work related to the data in their unit in terms of Data Retention/Deletion and managing the Data Retention Schedule for the Finance Unit.
  • Work with HRB’s ICT unit to design folder structures for the Finance Unit and to develop and implement new retention approaches.
  • Have a scheduled routine interaction with ICT to ensure the correct development of the Data Retention/deletion roadmap.
  • Support identification and management of Data Protection risks.

Other duties may be assigned from time to time depending on need. This is a team-based role, and teamwork and coordination with others are crucial.

Essential requirements

Formal requirements include:

NFQ Level 9 qualification (Masters / Post Graduate Diploma) or suitable professional qualification (ACCA, ACA or CPA) in a relevant field, with a minimum of three years’ appropriate professional experience

OR

Minimum NFQ Level 8 Qualification (Bachelor’s degree / Higher Diploma) in Procurement, with a minimum of four years’ appropriate professional experience.

Appropriate professional experience includes but is not exclusive to:

  • Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures.
  • Detailed understanding of financial management structures and accounting ideally within the public sector.
  • Detailed knowledge of the current eTenders website (https://www.etenders.gov.ie/) and ability to manage tender competition process through the website
  • Detailed knowledge of Accounts Payable and Accounts receivable
  • Preparing Financial Reports to inform decision making, and practical experience of audits.

Desirable requirements include:

It will be advantageous if the candidate will have experience that includes:

  • Project Management, Contract Management and Contract Evaluation.
  • Relevant experience of working with Unit 4 ERP (Agresso)
  • Experience of working with internal and external audit teams

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Proven experience in making meaningful contributions to a high-performing professional team
  • Highly competent in the development of financial manuals and instructions for both finance and non-finance staff.
  • Proven ability in strategic thinking and operational and project planning skills necessary to contribute to the financial operations of an established public office
  • Highly proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
  • Excellent communication, creative and influencing skills and the ability to manage professional staff
  • Maintain oversight of the purchasing function and review and approve committed expenditure

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.

The complete list of core competencies for this post is in Appendix A.

Core Competencies for the Finance Accountant (Procurement) role is listed in Appendix A.

Reporting relationship

The Finance Accountant (Procurement) will report to the Head of Finance but will work closely with the Management Team in the HRB.

Salary scale

Salary Range for Finance Accountant (Procurement) – Grade VII                 € 59,419 – € 77,243

Note:  this post is a permanent, full-time position

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

How to apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae by email to recruitment@hrb.ie

Closing date for applications is 12.00 Noon on Friday 02 May 2025

Interviews for this position are expected to take place on Thursday 15 May 2025. Please note, the interviews will be conducted in person at our HRB offices.

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 https://www.hrb.ie/hrb_career/ 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.

 

Appendix A:  Core competencies – Finance Accountant (Procurement)

Team Leadership

  • Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing and performance issues if they arise and able to either a team leader or team member on evidence centre products
  • Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team and able to meet agreed deadlines
  • Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives
  • Leads and participates in the team by example, supporting individuals as required
  • Places high importance on people development, training and maximising the skills and capacity of the team
  • Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change.

Judgment, Analysis and Decision Making

  • Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, weighing up a range of critical factors.
  • Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions.
  • Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.
  • Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these.
  • Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Management and Delivery of Results

  • Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.
  • Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.
  • Structures and organises their own and others work effectively
  • Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.
  • Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required.
  • Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively
  • Applies appropriate systems/ processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.
  • Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers.

Interpersonal and communication skills

  • Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing own role.
  • Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management.
  • Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues.
  • Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits.
  • Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances.
  • Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing.
  • Collaborates and supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals

Drive and commitment to public service values

  • Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives.
  • Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands.
  • Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon.
  • Ensures that customers are at the heart of all services provided.
  • Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics and integrity.

Specialist knowledge, expertise and self-development

  • Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the unit and organisation and effectively communicates this to others.
  • Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his/her area of work.
  • Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance.