Executive Officer

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated HR Executive Officer to support the delivery of high-quality HR services across the organisation. It is expected that an initial vacancy to be filled from this panel will be a specific purpose role for a period of 12 months.

Reporting to the HR Manager, the successful candidate will play an important role in the day-to-day running of the HR function. They will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure HR processes are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in line with public sector best practice.

This role would suit someone who is passionate about people and is interested in building a career in human resources. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator who is comfortable dealing with a range of stakeholders and can build positive working relationships. They will be organised, reliable, and able to manage competing priorities in a busy environment.

Key responsibilities will include supporting recruitment and onboarding processes, maintaining accurate HR records, assisting with employee queries, and contributing to HR projects and initiatives as required. The role will also involve supporting the implementation of policies and procedures, with a particular focus on promoting equality, diversity, and disability inclusion in line with the NDA’s values.

The successful candidate will show initiative, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. They will handle sensitive information with discretion and demonstrate a high level of professionalism at all times.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain broad HR experience in a supportive and purpose-driven organisation, while contributing to work that has a real impact on people’s lives

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The core duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Support the HR Manager in delivering HR services across the organisation
• Act as a first point of contact for HR queries, providing clear and practical guidance to staff and managers in line with HR policies
• Support recruitment and selection processes, including advertising roles, coordinating interviews, note taking, and preparing contracts and related documentation
• Coordinate health and wellbeing initiatives
• Maintaining and updating all employee records accurately, including new hires, offboarding records and any changes in employee details 
• Support attendance management processes, including the recording and monitoring of leave and liaising with managers and payroll where required.
• Prepare and analyse HR reports, including attendance, leave, and workforce data, identifying key trends or issues
• Provide letters and documents for staff as requested e.g. proof of employment to support reference checks in line with NDA policy on same.
• Contribute to HR projects and initiatives led by the HR Manager, including the review and development of processes such as Performance Management Development System.
• Assist with employee relations processes as relevant and appropriate by preparing documentation, note taking, coordinating meetings, and maintaining accurate records
• Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes and practices
• Support internal and external audit requirements by gathering and organising relevant documentation
• Ensure HR processes are carried out in line with organisational policies and public sector standards
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Person Specification

 

The following criteria is required for the post:

 

• Proven experience in HR operations, with a comprehensive understanding of HR processes and best practice
• Good knowledge of Irish employment law
• The ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including handling confidential matters with discretion;
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• An appreciation of the NDA's mission and a commitment to promoting disability inclusion and equality.

 

The following requirements are considered essential for the post:

 

Eligible applicants are required to:

 

• Hold a minimum Level 7 degree in HR or a closely related area; and
• Have a minimum of two years’ experience in a HR role; OR
• In the absence of a Level 7 degree, have a minimum of three years’ experience in a similar HR role.

 

The following requirements are considered desirable for the post:

 

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• Experience with HR systems such as Softworks/Clockwise highly desirable
• Payroll and pension experience
• Experience contributing to HR projects or process improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, HR policy within the public sector

 

 

Shortlisting

Normally the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies to the position. While you may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, the National Disability Authority may decide that a smaller number of applicants will only be called to interview. In this respect, the National Disability Authority provide for the operation of a shortlisting process to select a group for interview who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position.

An expert board will examine the application forms against a pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience. It is therefore in your own interests to provide a precise, detailed, accurate account of your qualifications/experience in your application.

A panel of successful candidates may be formed as a result of the interviews. Candidates who obtain a place on the panel and who fulfil the conditions of the selection process may, within the life of the panel, be considered for subsequent approved vacancies. The candidate who obtains first place on the panel will be the first candidate considered for a position, subject to satisfactory clearances, and so on in order of merit.

 

Confidentiality

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 applications will be treated in strictest confidence.

Other Important Information

The National Disability Authority will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend interview, or a successful result notification, is not to be taken as implying that the National Disability Authority is satisfied that such a person fulfils the requirements or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview. If you do not meet these essential requirements as outlined above but nevertheless attend for interview you will be putting yourself to unnecessary expense.

Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position the National Disability Authority will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed a final determination cannot be made nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made.

Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it or if an additional vacancy arises the Board may, at its discretion, select and recommend another person for appointment on the results of this recruitment process.

Candidates’ Rights and ObligationsCandidates' Rights - Review Procedures in relation to the Recruitment Process

The National Disability Authority will consider requests for review in alignment with the provisions of the codes of practice published by the CPSA. The Codes of Practice are available on the website of the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

Should a candidate be unhappy with an action or decision in relation to their application they can seek feedback. An initial review will be carried out internally by the Corporate Services Department as to why their application was deemed unsuccessful. The outcome of this review will be sent to the candidate in written format.

·        To request an initial review, a candidate must write to the NDA within 5 working days of receiving notification of the decision on their application. The NDA will carry out the initial review without delay. If the candidate is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may resort to the formal procedures within 2 working days of receiving notifications of the outcome of the initial review.

·        The decision arbitrator will be a person unconnected with the selection process and he/she will adjudicate on requests for review. The decision of the decision arbitrator in relation to such matters is final.

Candidates’ Obligations

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify and will result in their exclusion from the process.

Candidates must not

·        Knowingly or recklessly provide false information

·        Canvass any person with or without inducements

·        Interfere with or compromise the process in any way

·        A third party must not personate a candidate at any stage of the process

·        Any person who contravenes the above provisions or who assists another person in contravening the above provisions is guilty of an offence. A person who is found guilty of an offence is liable to a fine/or imprisonment.

In addition, where a person found guilty of an offence was or is a candidate at a recruitment process, then:

·        Where he/she has not been appointed to a post, he/she will be disqualified as a candidate; and

·        Where he/she has been appointed subsequently to the recruitment process in question, he/she shall forfeit that appointment.

Specific candidate criteria

Candidates must

·        Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned

·        Be suitable on the grounds of character

·        Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned and if successful, they will not be appointed to the post unless they:

·        Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;

·        Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by the National Disability Authority, or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as required by the Authority relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

Citizenship Requirement

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 41 or a Stamp 5 visa

1 Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Data Protection Act 2018

When your application is received, we create a record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature and as part of the recruitment process. Such information held by the NDA and the employing organisation is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information on how we retain and use your personal data, please review the National Disability Authority’s Privacy Policy which includes instructions on their right to withdraw consent at any point.

To make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 2018, please submit your request in writing to: Data Protection Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, or email dataprotection@nda.ie

Ensure that you describe the records you seek in the greatest possible detail to enable us to identify the relevant record. Certain items of information, not specific to any individual, are extracted from records for general statistical purposes.

Principal Conditions of Service

Principal conditions of service will be applied in line with all relevant governmental circulars/procedures and policies applicable at time of placement.

Salary

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale of the Executive Officer Standard Scale. The salary scale for the position is as follows:

Pay scale with effect from 01 February 2026 for Civil Servants appointed on or after 6th April 1995 paying the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and making an employee contribution in respect of personal superannuation benefits (PPC):

Executive Officer Standard Scale - PPC

€38,419 – €40,360 – €41,456 – €43,594 – €45,510 – €47,364 – €49,211 – €51,024 – €52,890 – €54,749 – €56,722 – €58,044 – €59,928 LSI1 – €62,601 LSI2

 

Executive Officer Standard Scale

€36,843 – €39,034 – €39,900 – €41,769 – €43,586 – €45,350 – €47,102 – €48,819 – €50,556 – €52,263 – €54,066 – €55,299 – €57,069 LSI1 – €59,592 LSI2

 

Entry will be at the first point of the scale. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave

23 rising to 24 after 5 years´ service

25 after 10 years´ service

26 after 12 years´ service

27 after 14 years´ service

 

This allowance is subject to conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public sector and is based on a 5-day week, exclusive of public holidays.

 

Hours of Work

Hours of attendance will be not less than 35 hours net per week. Your normal working hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The NDA operates a blended working policy which requires a minimum attendance on site of two days per week. This requirement is dependent on the requirements of the role and will vary from time to time. Details of this arrangement are agreed locally with your line manager.

Rest Periods

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 will apply to this appointment.

Place of work

The National Disability Authority is currently located in 25 Clyde Road, Dublin, D04 E409.

Tenure

This is a Executive Officer Panel (Full Time, Permanent and/or Specific Purpose). You will be required to undergo a probationary period.

Sick Leave

Pay during sick absence will apply in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations.

PRSI

Officers who pay Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts directly to the National Disability Authority. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits.

Outside Employment

Appointees to full-time positions may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.