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 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 Pension Specialist

The HR Pension Specialist role has been established to provide dedicated specialist expertise in response to the increasing volume, complexity, and regulatory demands of pension administration.

The role is responsible for the effective management and administration of the HRB’s Main Scheme and Single Public Service Pension Scheme in accordance with the Local Government Superannuation Scheme and Single Pension Scheme guidelines, including the collection, recording, and maintenance of pension‑related data for current, past, and retired staff.

It encompasses regular audits of pension files, review and implementation of administrative actions, preparation of required reports and statements, and the provision of timely, accurate responses to pension‑related queries, ensuring a high‑quality, compliant pension service across the full pension lifecycle.

 

Key Accountabilities will include but are not limited to:

Single Public Service Pension

Scheme Administration

  • Assess eligibility for Single Scheme membership based on employment history.
  • Confirm pensionable status of new roles and appointments.
  • Ensure correct scheme entry for qualifying employees from day one.

Record Keeping & Data Management

  • Track simultaneous employments and ensure proper vesting credit.

Annual Administration Activities

  • Calculate and record referable amounts for pension and lump sum.
  • Issue Annual Benefit Statements to members before July each year.
  • Monitor and report on vesting progress for all members.

Retirement & Benefit Processing

  • Process retirement applications and calculate final benefits.
  • Coordinate payment of pension and lump sum entitlements.
  • Handle death in service benefits and survivor pensions.
  • Apply rules for cost-neutral early retirement where applicable.

Purchase & Transfer of Benefits

  • Facilitate requests for purchase of additional retirement benefits.
  • Process transfers from other approved pension schemes.
  • Use standard forms (e.g., SPS 4, SPS 5) for purchase/transfer requests.

Compliance & Legislation

  • Ensure adherence to the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
  • Stay updated on circulars, regulations, and legislative changes.
  • Apply correct contribution rates and refund rules for non-vested members.
  • Review, collate and upload Single Scheme Reports into DPER Single Scheme database.

Communication & Support

  • Respond to member queries regarding scheme rules and entitlements.
  • Liaise with HR, payroll, and relevant authorities to ensure smooth administration.
  • Provide training and guidance to internal teams on scheme processes.

Local Government Superannuation Main Scheme

A number of the tasks listed under Single Scheme will also apply to managing Local Government Superannuation Main Scheme including:

  • Record Keeping & Data Management
  • Annual Administration Activities
  • Retirement & Benefit Processing
  • Purchase & Transfer of Benefits
  • Compliance & Legislation
  • Communication & Support

Professional Added Years Administration

  • Review and progress actions related to Professional Added Years (PAY) applications that have been received and to forecast potential PAY requirements. This will include a review of PAY rules and model and establish PAY guidelines and a PAY template and procedure.
  • Review and collate all potential PAY information to determine risks, potential requests and allow HRB to progress with assessments with an accelerated turn-around time.
  • Manage PAY assessments through DPENDR and PAPS (external consultant expertise)
  • Review retirement protocol guidelines to incorporate PAY rules and guidelines.
  • Manage calculation of pensioner salary adjustment in line with new pay deal increases

 

Other pension related tasks will include the following:

  • Assist in the development of HRB policy and procedures in relation to the ongoing operation of all pension schemes to ensure compliance with legislative and Government requirements.
  • Keep up to date with developments in the Pensions area and prepare briefing documents for senior management and to provide information and advice to Executive Team and HR & OD Manager on a wide range of pensions matters. .
  • Provide information and support services to members and pensioners on a wide range of complex and routine pensions matters and related issues.
  • Communication with Pensioners and Leavers
  • Management and reconciliation of pensioners and past employees with pension records, contact details, issuance of annual pensions statement to current main Scheme and Single Scheme members
  • Administration of relevant employee benefit schemes e.g. impact of career breaks, unpaid leave, buy backs, , AVC’s, etc. and implementation of relevant decisions.
  • Participate in the delivery of pensions information seminars to staff across the HRB.

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:

  • Achieved minimum qualification at NFQ Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree ) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Law, or a related discipline
  • A minimum of 4–6 years’ relevant experience in Public Service pension administration including:
  • Demonstrates specialist ability to interpret and apply Public Service pension legislation, scheme rules, and circulars accurately.
  • Proven skill in managing complex pension cases across the full pension lifecycle with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills, including data validation.
  • Must be CIPD qualification or seeking and/or eligible for CIPD membership.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to meet statutory deadlines in a high‑volume environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex pension matters to staff and pensioners.
  • High level of ICT and data‑management capability, including pension/HR systems, Excel, and adherence to GDPR and confidentiality requirements.

Desirable requirements include:

  • Experience contributing to process improvement or service enhancement within a pensions or HR function.
  • Ability to prepare management‑level reports and provide informed pension‑related advice.
  • Strong stakeholder‑management skills, including engagement with senior management and external bodies.
  • Experience mentoring or supporting colleagues in pension‑related matters.

 

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 Pension Specialist (HEO) Competency Framework

 

Reporting relationship

The Pension Specialist will report directly to the Head of Human resources or designate.

 

Salary scale:                  

Pension Specialist                                             € 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 25 May 2026

NOTE: Interviews for this position are expected to take place in our offices during the period from 08 to 12 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.