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

The HRB Evidence Centre conducts evidence syntheses commissioned by the Department of Health to inform health policy (the advertised post refers to the evidence syntheses team). We also contribute to HRB’s key role in drugs and alcohol by running the HRB National Drugs Library, commissioning research and monitoring the national drugs and alcohol strategies, and by acting as the designated Irish Focal Point for the European Union Drugs Agency.( https://www.hrb.ie/data-collections-evidence/hrb-evidence-centre/ )

The HRB is now seeking to recruit two full-time permanent Research Officer.

 

 

Key responsibilities of the Research officer (Evidence centre) post

The Research Officer will be responsible for commissioning or completing assigned evidence centre products to inform health policy.

 

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

Completing evidence products using a systematic approach

  • Scoping the literature
  • Turning policy questions into research questions
  • Collaborating with an information specialist to implement a rigorous and documented search
  • Mapping the information and literature available in collaboration with an information specialist
  • Assessing the suitability of literature to answer research questions
  • Assessing the quality of literature
  • Extracting findings systematically
  • Analysing, synthesizing, and applying GRADE to published data
  • Identifying what is known about a topic, and subsequently, gaps in knowledge
  • Preparing presentations and writing briefing papers and reviews in specific areas.

 

Commissioning evidence reviews

  • Assisting with the preparation of a business case for the executive team
  • Assisting with the completion of a needs assessment for evidence reviews with policy makers or planners and agreeing the review questions
  • Preparing evidence review with the Head of Unit specification for the executive team and procurement review team
  • Working with the Head of Unit and procurement manager to advertise the review, answer applicants’ questions and evaluate tenders
  • Working with the Head of Unit, procurement manager, and legal officer to prepare contracts and finalise the awardees work plan and timeline
  • Representing the HRB and working with the academic team and policy maker to agree changes to questions, approach to literature search, and final report
  • Managing the academic team to agree search methods, agree extraction sheet, agree quality assessment, and read draft reports
  • Overseeing and negotiating with the academic team to ensure policy makers or practitioners comments are attended to
  • Securing peer reviewers and ensuring their comments are attended to
  • Managing the academic team to ensure the schedule of deliverables in the contract is complied with and payments for completed work are sanctioned.

 

Providing research training and mentoring to stakeholders

  • The stakeholder training and mentoring will include information or assistance on completing a literature search, reading a research paper (including the tables and figures), critically appraising a paper, analysing basic statistical data, and analysing basic text-based data.

 

Assisting the HOU with the development of guidance documentation to ensure research work is completed using best practice and agreed standards through preparing and updating guidelines and protocols.

For example,

  • Measure the quality of research proposals and outputs
  • Commission research
  • Disseminate research (knowledge brokering)
  • Protocols for managing large databases, mapping research, and conducting reviews using systematic methods.

 

Disseminating research to policy makers, service planners and practitioners using innovative methods which will include:

  • Membership of DOH and HSE working groups (policy makers, service planners, service providers, service users and researchers)
  • Writing briefs
  • Presenting oral reviews, and
  • Other novel methods.

 

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 knowledge and experience

The Research Officer will work with information specialists and Department of Health Policy makers and should therefore have a deep interest in health and social care policy and planning.

Formal requirements include:

  • NFQ Level 9 qualification (Masters / Post Graduate Diploma) in a relevant field with a heavy emphasis on research
  • Minimum of four (4) years’ relevant research experience, which includes the completion and publication of evidence or quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods systematic reviews.

Desirable criteria

  • A PhD and peer review publication record would be an advantage
  • Knowledge and experience of meta-analysis, meta-ethnography, other qualitative review and/or mixed methods is desirable
  • Knowledge and experience using referencing and review management packages is advantageous.

 

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.

Additional Competencies for the Research Officer role include the following:

  • Ability to work as a team member and able to lead a team
  • Ability to assess a situation and respond effectively to it
  • Ability to develop research questions, search, manage, quality appraise, and synthesise research
  • Ability to deliver high-quality results within deadlines
  • Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Ability to perform at a high-level in a challenging environment.

 

Reporting relationship

The Research Officer will report to the Head of the HRB Evidence Centre or designate as appropriate.

 

Salary scale

Salary Range for Research Officer (Grade VII)                                       €58,254–€75,728

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 Thursday 07 August 2025

Interviews for this position are expected to take place on either Tuesday 19 August or Thursday 21 August 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 – Research Officer (Evidence Centre)

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.