Higher Executive Officer: Internal Communications Executive

The Role - HEO

Internal Communications Executive

Working under the direction of the Head of Communications and Customer Relations, the purpose of this role is to manage the delivery of a high-impact internal communications plan that supports organisational performance, strengthens culture and enables the effective delivery of the HSA’s statutory mandate.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key accountabilities that are typically allocated, but are not limited to, the role:

■ Develop, implement and continuously review processes and procedures to support effective internal communication.

■ Work with senior management to deliver an organisation-wide internal communications plan that delivers key messages at key stages, to support the HSA’s Strategy Statement, Programmes of Work, Executive Team priorities, organisational culture, and public sector governance and accountability requirements.

■ Based on agreed priorities, translate organisational strategy, regulatory priorities and operational initiatives into clear, accessible and staff-relevant messaging.

■ Ensure internal communications reinforce the HSA’s vision and values.

■ Ensure strong coordination between the internal communications role, senior management and operational divisions.

■ Oversee and continuously improve the HSA’s internal communications channels, including:

o Staff intranet (eXchange)

o Webinars

o Leadership updates and internal meetings

o Internal publications and digital content

■ Ensure all content is clear, consistent, accessible and aligned with HSA brand and accessibility requirements.

■ Provide guidance and support to managers across the organisation in planning and delivering effective internal communications.

■ Build strong working relationships across divisions to ensure coordinated and aligned messaging.

■ Lead internal communications for key organisational initiatives, including:

o Strategy development

o Culture and engagement programmes

o HR and wellbeing initiatives (in partnership with HR)

o Organisational change and transformation programmes

■ Support as required the delivery of internal campaigns that drive awareness, engagement and behavioural change.

■ Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of internal communications using feedback and performance data, where available.

■ Provide insights and recommendations to improve communication effectiveness and staff engagement.

■ Identify and implement new tools, platforms, and approaches to enhance internal communications effectiveness.

■ Promote best practice in internal communications across the organisation through guidance, templates, and training.

■ Support internal communications during incidents or critical events to ensure staff are informed in a timely and accurate manner.

■ Ensure alignment between internal and external messaging during high-profile or sensitive issues.

Essential Requirements

■ A Level 7 qualification (or higher) in a relevant discipline.

■ A minimum of three years’ relevant experience in an internal communications role.

■ A track record of working with senior managers in delivering successful internal communications outcomes.

■ Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible and engaging content.

■ Experience using internal communications channels and tools, including intranet, email, webinars, staff events or digital content platforms.

Desirable Requirements

■ Experience supporting culture, engagement or organisational change initiatives.

■ Experience working in a public sector, regulatory or complex stakeholder environment.

■ Knowledge of accessibility, plain English and inclusive communications principles.

Conditions of Service

Tenure

Appointment from this competition will be a full-time permanent Higher Executive Officer grade in the public service following successful completion of a nine-month probation period.

Salary

For persons paying Class A rate of PRSI contributions, the scale is as follows:

€60,029 €61,785 €63,537 €65,286 €67,044 €68,792 €70,547 €73,077¹ €76,546²

Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI-1) and 6 (LSI-2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

The starting salary will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation.

Appointments arising from this competition are subject to Section 52, of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Authority.

Note: Different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the successful candidate is already a serving civil or public servant.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

Successful candidates will be placed on a panel from which appointments will be made. Vacancies will be offered to candidates based on the order of merit from the interview process. Any panel formed as part of this campaign, will expire 12 months from its establishment.

Probationary Period

On appointment, the appointee will serve a 9 month probationary period. Prior to the end of this probationary period, a decision will be made on substantive appointment to the position.

Location

This role can be based in the Authority’s Dublin HQ or in one of the regional offices as may be agreed by the Authority and the candidate. The role will have a nationwide remit. The Authority reserves the right, at its discretion, to change the primary location to any other place within Ireland.

Pension Abatement

If the appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and is in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during his/her re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, (the 2012 Act).

Pension Accrual

A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one pre-existing public service pension scheme (i.e., non-Single Scheme) as per the 2012 Act shall apply. The 40-year limit is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.

Early Retirement Schemes and Redundancy Schemes within the public sector

Such schemes imposed certain conditions on those availing of these schemes in relation to employment later in the wider public service. The onus is on each applicant to ensure, that if they have availed of such a scheme, they are eligible to apply for this competition.

Ill-Health Retirement

Please note that where an individual has retired from a Civil/Public Service body on the grounds of ill-health his/her pension from that employment may be subject to review in accordance with the rules of ill-health retirement within the pension scheme of that employment.

For further information in relation to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme please see the following website: www.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie

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.

Declaration

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.