HRB Grade VI Job Family (consisting of Services III, Researcher II, R&I III grades

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 – healthy people through excellent research and applied knowledge. The Health Research Board’s (HRB) mission is to improve people’s health and enhance healthcare delivery.  An overview of the HRB’s objectives and activities may be found in The HRB Strategy 2026-2030, Bringing research to Life, HRB Strategy 2026-2030.

The HRB employs approximately 130 people and has an estimated budget of €70m pa. The research it funds is central to Ireland’s ambition of becoming a knowledge economy. It is a key communicator to the public on the value of research and information systems in the health area. The HRB is organised around three Directorates:

(1) Corporate Operations Directorate,

(2) Research Strategy and Funding Directorate and

(3) Health information and Evidence Directorate.

Further information about the HRB is available at www.hrb.ie

The Research Accounts Officer post will be situated in the Corporate Operations and will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the HRB’s strategic objectives by ensuring effective financial management of research funding.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality financial reporting, strengthening financial controls, and supporting the optimisation of finance systems and processes.

Working closely with the Research, Strategy and Funding Directorate and other internal and external stakeholders, the post holder will ensure that financial operations deliver value for money and provide timely, accurate and meaningful financial information to support organisational decision-making.

 

Key responsibilities of the post of Research Accounts Officer (Finance)

Duties will include (but are not limited to) the following areas of activity:

Research institutions and research schemes – compliance and value-for-money monitoring

  • Review of the periodical financial reports submitted to the HRB by research award holders
  • Review the financial aspects of budget reallocations and no cost extension requests
  • Preparation and administration of the financial records on HRB’s Grant Management System (GMs)
  • Review Final Financial Reports and track and request refunds when required
  • Build and maintain relationships with the finance offices in the Host Institutions and other funding agencies
  • Assist in the preparation of EU Financial Reports
  • Ensuring the accuracy of award data within the Financial Management System in relation to the set-up of new awards and award budgets.
  • Assist in the review of detailed financial reports for infrastructure grants and other targeted funding streams, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and alignment with funding requirements.

Monitor the financial status of grant schemes; 

  • The Research Accounts Officer will work closely with the Research Accountant, and Senior Research Accountant and the HRB’s Research, Strategy and Funding Directorate (RSF) to monitor the financial status of grants awarded
  • Prepare grant payments for issue and maintain the payment records on HRB’s Grant Management System (GMs)
  • Assist in the preparation of revenue and capital expenditure reports on research funding activities and detailed reports on variances between budgeted and actual expenditure
  • Preparation of Capital Claims for submission to the Department of Health.

Deliver on the financial accountability; 

  • Assist with the regular payment process for award payments including review of expenditure to ensure it is appropriate and that financial controls operate effectively
  • Assist with the preparation of the multi-annual award budget in collaboration with the Senior Research Accountant
  • Assist in the preparation of the award notes for the Financial Statements
  • Assist with award queries that arise from a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to the Office of the Comptroller & Audit General; Department of Health; Host Institutions and the HRB’s Research Strategy & Funding Directorate
  • Assist in selection of Host Institutions for audit, developing work programme for audits, reviewing the audit reports, and following up on implementation of audit recommendations
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline financial reporting, enhance data accuracy, and strengthen overall process efficiency
  • Contribute to the ongoing review, documentation, and continuous improvement of the HRB’s Financial Internal Controls.
  • Contribute to the review and enhancement of Financial Policies

In addition to the above responsibilities the Research Accounts Officer may be required to undertake other related duties.

 

 

Essential knowledge and experience

Formal requirements:

  • FIRST REQUIREMENT
    • Minimum NFQ Level 9 Qualification (Master’s Degree) or suitable professional qualification at an equivalent level, with a minimum of three years’ appropriate professional experience.

OR

    • Minimum NFQ Level 8 Qualification (Honours Bachelor’s degree / Higher Diploma) in a relevant field, with a minimum of five years’ appropriate professional experience.

 

  • SECOND REQUIREMENT
    • Membership of a recognised professional accounting body – ACCA, ACA or CPA

AND/OR

    • Professional experience in a Research Performing Organisation or working closely with a Research Performing Organisation

 

 

Desirable requirements include:

  • Knowledge of national health research system, and of the Irish academic and health services environment
  • Knowledge of relevant government circulars
  • Experience in a finance office in a Research Performing Organisation
  • Proven experience inter-acting with the finance personnel in Research Performing Organisations and Government Departments
  • Detailed working knowledge of Unit 4 ERP (Agresso)
  • Experience of significantly contributing to the development and implementation of a Grants Management System and/or a Financial Management System

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A detailed knowledge of the national and international health research funding environment and have the ability to contribute strategically to health research in Ireland
  • Proven experience inter-acting with the finance personnel in Research Performing Organisations and Government Departments.
  • Experience in developing, reviewing, and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and organisational policies
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and timelines
  • Excellent accounting software user and administration skills, ideally with Unit 4 ERP (Agresso).
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation, report writing and communication skills.
  • Proven communication, creative and influencing skills
  • Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
  • Highly proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
  • Willingness to travel when required

 

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  Research Accounts Officer (Administrative Officer)

 

 

Reporting relationship

The Research Accounts Officer post will report to the Research Accountant or their designate.

 

 

Salary scale:

Salary Range for Research Accounts Officer (Finance)    €58,477 – €71,442

NOTE:  This post is a permanent, full-time post

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 15 October 2026

NOTE: Interviews for this position are expected to take place in our offices on 5 November 2026.

 

If you require further information, please contact Ruth Bourke, HR Generalist at recruitment@hrb.ie or please refer to the Careers – Vacancies 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.

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.