Research Strategy and Funding Directorate (RSF)

HRB Grade VIII Job Family (consisting of R&I V / Senior Researcher / Service V 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 recently launched a new Strategy (2026-2030)- Bringing research to life, accessible at https://hrbstrategy2030.ie/.

Within the HRB, the Research Strategy and Funding Directorate (RSF) is responsible for the HRB’s external research funding and support activities. RSF allocates approximately €55 million per annum in the broad areas of patient-oriented research, health services research and population health sciences. It does this through a number of grant schemes and instruments, including project and programme grants, capacity building and grants, funding for enabling research infrastructure and networks, and funding to advance clinical trials and evaluations of healthcare interventions.

At any time, staff in RSF design, manage, monitor and evaluate a grant portfolio of almost 400 grants, valued in excess of €200 million to ensure effectiveness, relevance, outcomes, impact and return on HRB investments. HRB staff work with a wide range of national and international partners to address shared research and evidence goals and to ensure that our policies, systems and practices are aligned with best practice.

The HRB continues to expand its footprint in the area of evidence-informed policymaking, i.e., supporting the generation of policy-relevant evidence and strengthening decision-makers capacity to use evidence. We are therefore looking to recruit a Programme Manager on a 24 month Fixed Term Contract) to join the team in the Research Strategy and Funding Directorate working in this area. This is an exciting career opportunity for an ambitious programme manager interested in driving the growth of evidence-informed policy and practice portfolios in the HRB.

NOTE:

Applications will be considered from candidates seeking a temporary assignment via secondment, subject to agreement with their current employer.

 

Key responsibilities of the post of Programme Manager (24 month fixed term contract)

As a Programme Manager, you will play a critical role in the delivery of the HRBs mission to support research that improves people’s health, promotes evidence-informed care, and creates solutions to societal challenges.

The Research Strategy and Funding Directorate delivers on its objectives via three Units, organised around key strategic portfolio areas. Programme Managers, reporting to a Head of Unit lead the design, delivery and evaluation of thematic/portfolio areas, and manage staff, budgets, practices and systems and external relationships. In addition to managing pre-and post-award programme delivery activities, Programme Managers actively contribute to policy and strategy development.

The successful candidate will join a team that works closely with the Department of Health and other policy partners to convert policy needs into researchable questions, to support key forms of evidence such as rapid evidence syntheses and to develop, manage and monitor priority-driven research calls to the research community. The role requires strong delivery skills, strong stakeholder management and the ability to design and manage research calls under tight timelines.

 

Key responsibilities include but are not limited too: 

  • Leading on the development and management of new and existing programme calls aligned to HRB and national research strategies.
  • Translating policy objectives into funding calls, eligibility criteria and assessment frameworks.
  • Management of assessment processes including the review of proposals, preparation of review documentation, conducting internal and panel reviews and evaluations.
  • Development of the post-award management and evaluation process for the awards.
  • Management and monitoring of awards; organising and conducting reviews and preparing associated reports, annual/final report evaluation, analysis and follow-up on issues.
  • Identification of opportunities for multi-agency and multinational collaboration.
  • Ensuring that HRB continues to operate within a best practice regulatory, legislative and policy environment in supporting health research initiatives.
  • Taking a lead in developing policies and practices that enhance HRB research funding activities.
  • Managing and coaching direct reports and developing capability and capacity across the team.
  • Building and managing productive relationships with researchers, higher education institutions, health service partners, government, public and patients and funders.
  • Conducting regular engagement with funded researchers and research teams to assess progress and representing the HRB at national and international fora.
  • Convening meetings, workshops and webinars to promote and advance research actions, as appropriate.
  • Working closely with the Communications team on programme calls and strategic initiatives.
  • Providing oral and written briefings and papers as required.
  • Inputting to business planning, performance reporting and impact assessment activities.
  • Preparing material for corporate reports/HRB website, press queries, briefing and FOI requests.

 

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 knowledge and experience

Programme Managers interact closely with the academic and healthcare research community, with governmental and statutory bodies and with other national and international funding agencies and should therefore have a strong interest in and understanding of these environments.

Essential requirements

  • A NFQ Level 9 Qualification (Masters Degree/Postgraduate Diploma) is required as a minimum, a NFQ level 10 (Doctorate) is desirable in a relevant field
  • Have significant relevant experience, with a minimum of five years’ appropriate professional experience post qualification in academic, governmental, commercial or not-for-profit settings.
  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Irish academic and health services environments and a working knowledge of good research practice.
  • Experience managing research related programmes, grants or complex projects.
  • Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in diverse stakeholder engagement.
  • Possess excellent planning skills including proven project management experience, with an ability to work at a strategic level yet also drive daily execution.
  • Proven ability to multitask, prioritise, meet deadlines and manage competing and changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Experience in managing team members, particularly in leading and motivating staff for delivery of results.
  • Have excellent collaboration skills and enjoy working in teams.
  • Excellent IT skills and the capability to learn new IT skills readily.
  • Proven ability to articulate, synthesise and distil complex information and concepts into a simple and accessible format
  • Willingness to travel in order to deliver effectively on your role.

Desirable skills and attributes include:

  • An appreciation and understanding of the role of the HRB, of its relationships with other key stakeholders.
  • Experience of evidence syntheses and rapid evidence products.
  • Experience translating complex health research into accessible, actionable policy briefs or recommendations for government and public health stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of governance, regulatory, legislative and policy issues pertaining to the broader research agenda.
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI or Tableau.
  • Prior experience of developing partnerships and designing programmes would be an advantage.
  • Commitment to continuous personal learning and development.

 

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 can be found at Assistant Principal Competency Framework.

 

Reporting relationship

The Programme Manager will report to Head of Unit and work closely with the Director in RSF. They will work closely with other Programme Managers in RSF and teams across the organisation (such as communications, finance, governance) to fulfil the role.

 

Salary scale

Salary Range for Programme Manager – RSF (Grade VIII)                 € 83,911 – € 101,207

This post is for a 24 month fixed term contract on a full-time basis. Applications will be considered from candidates seeking a temporary assignment via secondment, subject to agreement with their current employer.

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

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 24 June 2026

NOTE: Interviews for this position are expected to take place in our offices on the  20 July 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.