HR Officer - Occasional Onboarding

The Role

Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.

The Human Resources Department is seeking to appoint a Human Resources Officer to join the Human Resources Operations team on a temporary basis to provide Maternity Leave cover for the substantive post holder. This role will support a broad remit of HR functions associated with onboarding and lifecycle requirements of the occasional worker cohort. The HR Officer will work with the wider HR team managing the implementation and administration of national and University policies, providing advice and guidance to the University community, delivering a high-quality service, and promoting best practice. There will be a particular emphasis on relationship management with Heads of Department, Line Managers, and staff across the University community.

This role has a broad remit with constantly changing demands in a busy environment with, at times, conflicting priorities. The successful candidate will have experience working as part of a team in a busy HR function, have excellent interpersonal skills, be organised and flexible, with experience of managing multiple tasks against tight deadlines. They will exercise a high level of discretion with confidential information and must be able to demonstrate ability to work under pressure, working on their own initiative and as part of a team.

The position represents an excellent opportunity for an individual who is keen to expand their Human Resources experience and skills, and to contribute to ongoing change in a busy Department.

The post-holder will have responsibility for a range of duties supporting Occasional worker onboarding and life-cycle requirements, including:

• Managing the implementation and administration of national and University policies and processes.

• Providing first point of contact support and guidance for the University community in the provision of high-quality service.

• Develop subject matter expertise, contributing to the ongoing enhancement of polices and processes associated with occasional workers.

• Maintain and update HR Information Systems and databases, produce reports and management information as requested by the HR Management Team.

• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement leveraging best practice, technology solutions, and processes to meet the objectives of the HR team.

• Support the delivery of strategic HR initiatives with the HR management team where required.

• Proactive approach to dealing with queries and requests received by Human Resources, responding in a timely, efficient and accurate manner.

• Working collegially the wider Human Resources team to provide high quality, general support for the day-to-day running of the Human Resources function.

• Conducting Human Resources business in a confidential and professional manner.

• Undertaking other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post, that may be assigned by the Human Resources Management team.

• Third level qualification in human resources or a related discipline, or related professional experience (a post graduate degree/diploma would be an advantage).

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in Human Resources, preferably in a public sector environment.

• Up to date knowledge and experience implementing Human Resources policies, best practice, and adhering to employment legislation.

• An understanding of the requirements of the higher education sector, practical experience of compliance requirements within the public sector would be advantageous.

• Demonstrable experience of working within a team to deliver a range of service offerings.

• Experience in an advisory role, providing guidance and support at all organisational levels and across a range of service areas.

• Demonstrable experience of working with a HR Information System (ideally CoreHR), data extraction and reporting tools.

• Excellent and effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Adaptable and flexible approach to adjusting priorities in a constantly changing environment.

• Proven strong organisational skills to effectively prioritise and manage a varied workload.

• Collaborative approach to working with others.

• Demonstrable customer service ethos.

• A proactive approach with the confidence and ability to work on own initiative.

• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft productivity tools (Excel, Word, Teams, etc).

• Strong data analysis skills, demonstrating attention to accuracy and detail.

• Demonstrable knowledge of HR Information Systems (ideally CoreHR) and reporting.

• An ability to exercise sound judgement, discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive information, data, and documentation.

The Human Resources Department provides a broad range of services to the University in the areas of recruitment, management of employment contracts, employee relations, resource planning, staff wellbeing, learning and development, administration of personnel records, and the provision of human resources advice and support.

As a growing and developing department, this is an exciting time to join Human Resources. This role presents an opportunity to build on existing expertise in a collaborative and progressive working environment. As this post encompasses a range of Human Resources duties, the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute, develop and gain valuable experience.

Maynooth University is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching and community engagement. Located in Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over 15,000 students on a campus with 18th century roots and 21st century dynamism.

The strategic trajectory and accomplishments of Maynooth University, in the 25 years since its establishment as an autonomous public university, are exceptional, and a source of great pride to the university community, staff, students and alumni. Maynooth University in 2024 ranked in the top 90 global Times Higher Education (THE) Young University rankings, placing 86th in the world. Maynooth University’s growing global reputation is based on the originality, quality, importance and impact of its research and scholarship, commitment to teaching and learning, the quality of academic programmes, and its leadership in widening participation in higher education. The sources of success are the dedication of its staff and the energy and engagement of its students.

Maynooth University is a place of lively contrasts – a modern institution, dynamic, rapidly-growing, research-led and engaged, yet grounded in historic academic strengths and scholarly traditions. With over 15,000 students Maynooth offers a range of programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level in the humanities, science and engineering and social sciences, including business, law and education. The University also offers a range of international programmes and partnerships.

Maynooth’s unique collegial culture fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research, which its world-class academics bring to bear in tackling some of the most fundamental challenges facing society today. The University’s research institutes and centres consolidate and deliver this impact as vibrant communities of learning, discovery and creation. Research at Maynooth also is very much central to its teaching and the University prides itself on placing equal value on its research and teaching missions.

Our values define who we are, what we believe in and how we act as a community. They underpin our future success and guide our expectations of ourselves and each other. Our values apply to everyone in the University community:

• Integrity

• Collegiality

• Responsibility

• Freedom of expression

• Ambition

This is a full time, temporary post for a specified purpose (temporary maternity cover), which is anticipated to be 9 months duration.

Administrative Officer II (2025): €45,958 – €65,145 p.a. (9 points) Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions.

A 35-hour working week is in operation in respect of full-time positions (pro-rated for part-time positions).