Executive Officer

THE ROLE

The HR Unit is at the heart of bringing our organisational mission and strategy to life. We work to the NLI’s values of welcome, trust, collaboration and a progressive approach, and the Unit’s work is sited under the NLI’s strategic pillar of Innovation. Members of the NLI’s HR team are key strategy drivers and change makers, currently engaged in shaping the NLI’s workforce into the next decade.

Reporting to the HR Manager, the EO in HR will be responsible for managing key components of HR service delivery in the NLI for the full employee life cycle, including recruitment and onboarding; learning and development programming; Shared Services liaison; employee and manager first point of contact for local HR; standard HR reporting; and other such duties as required within the HR Department.

Building and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships, internally and externally, is a crucial part of this EO role.

The role is eligible for blended working arrangements, subject to the NLI’s Blended Working Policy, of up to three days remote working per week, in line with business needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful applicant’s duties will include the following tasks:

• First point of contact for HR related queries from staff and managers;

• Support the recruitment process, from point of receipt of sanction to onboarding;

• Management of the probation and leaver processes;

• Management of current and historic HR files in accordance with GDPR protocols, including off site storage arrangements;

• Co ordination of learning and development programming for the NLI, including identification of training options and providers, scheduling and communication with staff and managers;

• Liaison with NSSO (primarily HR Shared Services and PSSC); supporting staff and managers where appropriate in their NSSO interactions; responding to requests and queries from NSSO teams or referring these to Assistant Keeper in HR where appropriate;

• Day to day management of the NLI’s time and attendance system; supporting staff and managers in use of the system; liaison with system provider as required;

• General HR related correspondence;

• Quarterly EHECS returns for the NLI;

• Other standard HR reporting and projects as required;

• Any other duties relevant to the grade which may be assigned by NLI management.

The above is a general guide to the role and is not an exhaustive description of duties which are associated with the role or tasks which may be assigned to the role of Executive Officer in the HR Department in the NLI.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential Requirements:

• NFQ Level 5 qualification;

• A minimum of three years’ experience working in Human Resources;

• Demonstrated experience of managing HR operations;

• Demonstrated experience working with records management and data protection protocols;

• Demonstrated experience of managing full cycle recruitment and onboarding.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience of working in HR in a public sector context;

• Experience of coordinating Learning and Development programmes;

• Demonstrated experience of people management.

Person Specification

• Excellent interpersonal skills including a collaborative working approach within a small team environment;

• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills with ability to manage complex workloads;

• Excellent IT skills, with a high level of competency in the Microsoft Office suite;

• A solutions oriented approach;

• Proven ability to work with tight deadlines and multiple ongoing responsibilities;

• Excellent attention to detail;

• Flexible and positive attitude;

• Self motivated and takes ownership of tasks;

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to acquire new skills;

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to share skills for team learning;

• Sound decision making and judgement;

• Maintains discretion and confidentiality at all times;

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

PAY: The payscale applicable to the position is as follows (rates effective from 1st February 2026):

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC)

The PPC pay scale will apply where the appointee is an existing civil or public servant appointed on or after 6th April 1995 and is required to make a personal pension contribution. It will also apply to new permanent employees and fixed term unestablished employees.

*LSI 1 is Long Service Increment after 3 years on Max of scale

**LSI 2 is Long Service Increment after 6 years on Max of scale

Non Personal Pension Contribution (Non PPC)

The Non PPC (Personal Pension Contribution) salary for the position will apply where the appointee is a civil or public servant recruited before 6th April 1995 and who is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

€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* €59,592**

*LSI 1 is Long Service Increment after 3 years on Max of scale.

**LSI 2 is Long Service Increment after 6 years on Max of scale.

Important Note

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Candidates should note that different terms and conditions may apply if immediately prior to appointment you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Subject to satisfactory performance increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy (see Public Service Stability Agreement 2021 to 2022 paragraph 5.1 for recent changes).

The rate of pay offered will be payable fortnightly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of your choice. Payment cannot be made until you supply an IBAN and BIC number to the HR Unit.

Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate.

You will agree that any overpayment of salary or of travel and subsistence may be deducted from future salary payments due to you in accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991. You will be advised in writing of the amount and details of any such overpayment and you will be given at least one week’s notice of the deduction to take place, which will be deducted at an amount fair and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances.

Tenure

The successful candidate will be appointed to a permanent post, subject to successful completion of a 12 month probationary contract.

This does not preclude an extension to the probationary period in appropriate circumstances.

During the period of probation, the appointee’s performance will be subject to review by the relevant manager(s) to determine whether the appointee:

(i) has performed in a satisfactory manner.

(ii) has been satisfactory in general conduct.

(iii) is suitable from the point of view of health with particular regard to sick leave.

Outside Employment

The position will be full time and the appointee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which conflicts in any way with their official duties, impairs performance or compromises their integrity.

Location

The successful candidate will initially be based at the National Library of Ireland premises in Kildare Street, Dublin 2, but can be based at any of the Library premises in Dublin.

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 will, where appropriate, apply to this position.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be as fixed from time to time but will amount, on average, to not less than 41.25 gross hours per week (35 net hours per week).

Annual Leave

The annual leave allowance will be 23 days per annum, rising to 24 days after 5 years’ service, 25 days after 10 years’ service, 26 days after 12 years’ service and 27 days after 14 years’ service. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave and is on the basis of a five day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Health

A candidate and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Important notice:

The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate.

COMPETITION PROCESS

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a copy of their current Curriculum Vitae with a letter of interest by email to the Human Resources Unit of the National Library of Ireland at careers@nli.ie

.

Please note that all application documentation should be submitted in a single PDF document.

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of the information contained in the application. It is the responsibility of applicants to be available for interview on the allotted time and date.

The names and contact details of two referees will be required following an interview. The Library reserves the right to make such enquiries as it considers necessary in relation to an applicant before making an offer of a post to them.

Closing Date

Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications is 30th March 2026, at 3pm. This closing date and time will be strictly adhered to.

Canvassing will disqualify.