Policy Officer – EDI

About Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland

Taighde Éireann - 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.

We are now recruiting for Policy Officer-EDI to join the Research Policy on a permanent basis. This represents an exciting career opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to be part of, and to influence, highly ambitious, innovative and potentially high impact research programmes.

As a Policy Officer-EDI, you will play a critical role in the delivery of Research Ireland’s mission. Successful candidates will initially be assigned to one of the teams on the basis of current business needs.

About the Role

The individual appointed to this role will lead on the delivery and guidance associated with the Agency’s External Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2023-2028 including the development and implementation of EDI-related policies. The role will also be responsible, along with other team members, for the Agency’s commitments to the Reform of Research Assessment, and the development and implementation of processes e.g., the Narrative CV, which support this endeavour. The individual appointed will keep abreast of relevant equality and anti-discrimination legislation (e.g., the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty) and ensure the Agency is adopting best practice in its data gathering and reporting structures as they pertain to our grant applicants and recipients of funding. The individual appointed will have exceptional communication skills to support their effective engagement with diverse stakeholder groups.

Research Policy has overall responsibility for ensuring that the Grants Research Ireland awards are underpinned by strong, evidence-based policy grounded on national / international best practice. These activities are critical in supporting the integrity and rigour of the outputs arising from Research Ireland’s grant funding, whilst ensuring these outputs contribute to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State. The Research Policy team works hand in glove with all teams within Research Ireland, ensuring the integration of policy mandates within programme call guidance and post award management. They frequently engage in consultation with a broad range of Stakeholders as part of policy development, spanning senior management in Research Performing Organisations and various governmental departments, to international funders/organisations working towards policy alignment. Policy and guidance in support of Data Management Plans, Open Research and Research Integrity are key areas of focus within the team, along with legal mandates concerning EDI, Grant Terms & Conditionsand compliance withState aidrules.

Key responsibilities:

• The development and implementation of EDI-related policies (e.g., Disability Policy) and associated processes (e.g., supplemental support)
• Co-lead on the Agency’s commitments to the Reform of Research Assessment, including its participation in relevant CoARA Working Groups and the CoARA National Chapter
• Work collaboratively with Research Ireland programme teams to implement gendered initiatives which progress the diversity of our research community
• Manage the Agency’s commitments to DORA and the Narrative CV by consulting with relevant community stakeholders (e.g., early-career researchers, Research Offices, etc.), updating and maintaining programme call document guidance, review practice and FAQ documents
• Lead on furthering the reach of the sex and gender dimension in research proposals, this ensuring the relevance and impact of our research outputs.
• Implement guidance from DORA and other relevant international bodies, ensuring internal and external policies are current; respond to queries concerning the organisation’s use of the Narrative CV
• Develop internal guidance associated with effective equality data collection based on thorough reviews of national and international good practice
• Support personnel in performing periodic data analytics and data visualisation projects concerning relevant agency data sets including internal and external EDI-related dashboards (e.g., the Gender Dashboard).
• Keep abreast of relevant equality and anti-discrimination legislation (e.g., the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty), and qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by national stakeholders
• Lead on broad, iterative stakeholder engagement with representatives from across the Research & Innovation sector, including representatives from Historically Underserved Communities
• Conduct periodic reviews of Research Ireland’s equality data collection and reporting processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and embody best practice as articulated by the Central Statistics Office’s Equality Data Strategy, the GDPR, and the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, as well as align with the guidance of relevant representative stakeholder groups such as TENI and Pride in STEM;
• Lead on internal and external communications regarding EDI-related policy timelines and updates, including managing and coordinating responses to internal and external policy and other EDI related enquiries
• Represent the Agency at various national and international forums where relevant
• Periodically present to relevant stakeholder groups on relevant policy updates.

Essential criteria:

• Hold a graduate degree with 3+ years’ relevant experience of funding, strategy, policy and / or research administration and further;
• Have proven knowledge and experience of EDI policy development and implementation in STEM and AHSS research and innovation.

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of the national research and development landscape
• Familiarity with schemes relevant to supporting STEM and AHSS research and innovation
• Experience of Tableau or other data visualisation software
• Experience of working with a research funding organisation in a similar position.
• Experience of working in an advisory or consultancy capacity on research policy matters.
• Experience in all Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.).

Key Competencies:

• Planning and organising
• Interpersonal, Communications Skills and Teamwork
• Project Management
• Specialist Knowledge and Expertise
• Stakeholder Engagement/Management
• Respect & Integrity

Application Process:

To apply for this post, applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how they meet 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 and applications will not be progressed if this is omitted.

Applications must be submitted as one document online through the online applicant management system Occupop on or before 18pm Irish Local Time on 15th December 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 €52,026 to €74,725 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
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Scheme)
• Favourable Hybrid / Blended working policy for employees.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Long term illness income protection.

Additional information

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 recruitment@researchireland.ie should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process with Research Ireland.