Project Officer - Education & Public Engagement Permanent About Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.
Research Ireland will drive world class research and innovation in Ireland, funding research and innovation excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and others.
Background and Context We are now recruiting for two Education & Public Engagement (EPE) Project Officers to join our 'Research for Society' division on a permanent, wholetime basis.
The Project Officers will report to an EPE Programme Manager.
An EPE Project Officer role represents an exciting career opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to manage ambitious, innovative and impactful research, education and public engagement programmes - supporting dialogue between researchers and the public about all aspects of science and research.
As an Education & Public Engagement Project Officer, you will play a critical role in the delivery of Research Ireland's mission.
Research for Society leads on the delivery of a broad portfolio of Research, Education and Public Engagement initiatives and funding calls, including flagship activities such as Science Week and the Discover programme.
In addition, it leads programmes that fund individual- led research grants for researchers at all career stages, international partnership programmes and PhD training programmes.
It also leads on the development and delivery of a suite of challenge-based funding initiatives, including the 'National Challenge Fund', and on the Public Service Fellowship, forging researcher-policymaker collaboration.
Research Ireland is dedicated to fostering an engaged, research-informed public in Ireland.
Our Education and Public Engagement (EPE) team champions initiatives that ignite curiosity, promote science/research literacy, and empower researchers to connect with diverse audiences.
We believe research is truly impactful when it is shaped and informed by the society it serves.
The EPE portfolio supports a wide range of activities that support public engagement with research and researchers' engagement with wider society, including the Discover programme (a competitive call to support others to deliver education and public engagement programmes/activities), the Curious Minds schools programme and Science Week.
The team also manages the Irish European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Research Ireland, and the 'Science in Ireland Barometer'.
About the Role If you are an experienced and motivated individual who is excited by the idea of inspiring the public to get involved in STEM, and researchers to engage more with the public, we want to hear from you.
We need someone who can work on their own initiative to deliver a fast- moving programme of activity.
You should have experience of delivering effective partnerships.
You'll have strong evidence of where you have worked within a team to deliver projects, on time and within budget, including providing regular progress updates to management and mitigating any issues that arise.
You are interested in broadening participation in research and science and creating equal access for everyone.
You should be capable of managing an interesting and diverse workload and have the ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines.
The role may require travel nationally.
Key responsibilities:
Deliver Education and Public Engagement activities and programmes run by Research Ireland, including running campaigns and identifying projects that engage young people and the general public with research and STEM.
Facilitate and support effective assessment and evaluation of programmes.
Ensure that projects and initiatives are inclusive and accessible, reaching diverse audiences.
Manage relationships with Research Ireland stakeholders, including funded awardees, national partners, contractors and international expert reviewers.
Support communications and PR actions to enhance the delivery of projects, including website and social media content.
Procurement of services and budget management, ensuring value for money.
Manage and co-ordinate relevant events - for example stakeholder meetings, consultations.
Undertake any other duties that may be required from time to time.
This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.
It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.
Essential criteria:
Hold a Third level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent.
A minimum of four years' relevant experience.
Knowledge and experience of, and a passion for the coordination of Education and Public Engagement programmes or projects.
Proven experience of project management from ideation to design and delivery of the project.
Candidates will be asked to demonstrate examples of where they played key roles in delivering projects.
Experience of delivering projects with multiple stakeholder input.
Proven ability of building effective relationships across multiple stakeholder groups.
Demonstrable initiative to drive projects to delivery.
Ability to represent Research Ireland credibly and effectively in external fora.
Ability to manage a diverse workload and deliver high quality completed projects to tight deadlines.
Excellent organisational, financial and administrative skills.
Desirable criteria:
Knowledge of the Irish research and education systems Event management skills; including relevant Health and Safety management
Key Competencies:
Project Management Specialist Knowledge and Expertise Analysis and Decision Making Teamwork Initiative and Creativity Interpersonal and
Communication Skills Application Process:
To apply for this post, applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how the applicant meets the requirements for this role (maximum of two pages) as set out in the job specification together with an up-to-date CV.
Please note that the cover letter is essential.
Applications must be submitted as one document online through the online applicant management system Occupop on or before 12 noon Irish Local Time on 11 th February 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role and/ or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate.
Research Ireland reserves the right to invite candidates to a second-round interview and to undergo further assessment, including the use of psychometric assessment if so required.
Please note, interviews may take place over videoconference or other remote technology where appropriate.
Salary The salary scale for the position will be Level D. Minimum of €50,501 to €72,534 per annum plus contributory superannuation pension.
Please note that Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public service should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation.
Please note that new entrants to the public sector will be appointed at the minimum point of the salary scale.
Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.
Benefits 29 days annual leave per annum, (+ 1 Organisation holiday day + 10 additional public holidays = 40 days).
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Scheme) Favourable Hybrid / Blended working policy for employees.
Subsidised canteen.
Long term illness income protection.
Additional information Note:
A panel of successful candidates may be formed following the final interview stage.
The Panel will be in place for a maximum period of 12 months and may be used to either fill similar posts at the same grade that arise, or to progress panel candidates to an automatic final interview staged for less similar, same level roles, but placement on a panel is not a guarantee of appointment to a position.
The role will be based in the Research Ireland office located in Three Park Place, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland, D02 FX65.
Research Ireland currently operates a hybrid/flexible working model.
Research Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of our workforce.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly at
should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process with Research Ireland.