NSS Communications Officer

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is (as at 01/06/2026):

€58,477 | €59,871 | €61,572 | €64,767 | €66,677 | €69,056 | €71,442 | LSIs

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The position of Grade VI encompasses both managerial and administrative responsibilities which include the following:

Administration

• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies and plans that support the objectives of the National Screening Service (NSS).

• Implement service plan and workplan objectives within area of responsibility.

• Ensure the efficient management and administration of area of responsibility.

• Ensure deadlines are met and that service levels are maintained.

• Ensure that records are accurate, maintained confidentially and readily available to the appropriate authority.

• Monitor and track actions arising from correspondence and meetings, ensuring follow-up is progressed in a timely manner and outcomes are delivered.

• Exercise sound judgement and discretion in managing sensitive information, ensuring the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism and governance in all administrative processes.

• Provision of cover to colleagues during periods of leave or absence.

• Ensure line management is kept informed of issues arising.

• Ensure that stakeholders are kept informed and that their views are communicated to management.

• Maximise the use technology in ensuring that work is completed to a high standard.

• Contribute to the development of communication policies, procedures and best practice guidance.

• Support organisational change initiatives and service developments, including digitisation of services, through effective communications planning and delivery.

Content Development

• Develop content across external and internal communications channels, ensuring consistency with HSE and NSS standards, policies and branding requirements.

• Contribute to the development of NSS digital communications channels and content.

• Support stakeholder engagement through the development of stakeholder communications materials and developing responses to queries.

• Ensure communications activities comply with relevant HSE governance, approval and quality assurance processes.

• Assist in the planning and execution of programme communications to support screening uptake, engagement and service delivery objectives.

Customer Service

• Promote and maintain a customer-focused environment including monitoring efficiency of service provided by the team and notifying line manager of any deficiencies.

• Ensure that screening participants are treated with dignity and respect.

• Act on feedback from the public and other stakeholders, and report same to line manager.

• Represent our service in a positive manner.

Human Resources / Supervision of Staff

• Support the effective operation of the communications function through staff supervision, workload planning, performance monitoring, training delivery and the implementation of efficient administrative and project management processes.

• Manage the performance of staff, dealing with underperformance in a timely and constructive manner.

• Ensure an even distribution of workload, taking into account absence due to annual leave etc.

• Supervise and ensure the wellbeing of staff within own remit.

• Create and promote a positive working environment among staff members, which contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships.

• Promote cooperation and working effectively with other teams.

• Conduct regular meetings with assigned staff to keep staff informed and to hear views.

• Solve problems and ensure decisions are in line with local and national agreements.

• Identify and agree training and development needs of team and design plan to meet needs.

• Pursue and promote continuous professional development in order to develop management expertise and professional knowledge.

Service Delivery and Service Improvement

• Ensure accurate attention to detail in own work and work of team.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, manage communications queries and feedback, coordinate meetings and events, and support engagement activities across NSS programmes and functions.

• Maintain a good understanding of internal and external factors that can affect service delivery, including awareness of local and national issues that impact on own area.

• Embrace change and adapt local work practices accordingly by finding practical ways to make policies work, ensuring team knows how to action changes.

• Encourage and support staff through change processes.

• Monitor efficiency of service provided by team, identify and implement changes to the administration of the service where inefficiencies arise.

Standards, Policies, Procedures & Legislation

• Maintain own knowledge of employer policies, procedures, guidelines and practices, to perform the role effectively and to ensure work standards are met by own team.

• Maintain own knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation e.g. Financial Regulations, Health & Safety Legislation, Employment Legislation, FOI Acts, GDPR.

• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role, including Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc., and comply with associated HSE protocols.

• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/or experience

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

a. Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

i. Have satisfactory experience as a Clerical Officer in the HSE, TUSLA, other statutory health agencies, or a body which provides services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004.

OR

ii. Have obtained a pass (Grade D) in at least five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Leaving Certificate Examination, including Mathematics and English or Irish. Candidates should have obtained at least Grade C on higher level papers in three subjects in that examination.

OR

iii. Have completed a relevant examination at a comparable standard in any equivalent examination in another jurisdiction.

OR

iv. Hold a comparable and relevant third level qualification of at least level 6 on the National Qualifications Framework maintained by Qualifications and Quality Ireland (QQI).

Note: Candidates must achieve a pass in Ordinary or Higher-level papers. A pass in a foundation level paper is not acceptable. Candidates must have achieved these grades on the Leaving Certificate Established programme or the Leaving Certificate Vocational programme. The Leaving Certification Applied Programme does not fulfil the eligibility criteria.

And

b. Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability, for the proper discharge of the office.

Health

A candidate for 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.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

• Experience managing communications projects and delivering multi-channel communications plans, including writing, editing and creating clear, accessible content for a range of audiences and platforms, including service users.

• Experience of stakeholder communications, including developing proactive communications strategies and content to support organisation objectives and developing responses to stakeholder queries.

• Experience coordinating reports and publications, collating and analysing information, preparing accurate briefings and reports, and delivering work to agreed deadlines while ensuring quality and compliance.

• Experience working in a busy environment with senior management, service users and key stakeholders, including managing workloads, organising meetings, taking minutes and responding to feedback, comments and complaints.

• Experience supervising or managing staff, prioritising high-volume workloads, and delivering presentations, training or information sessions to staff, service users or other stakeholder groups.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge & Experience

Demonstrates:

• Understanding of the Irish healthcare environment, including the role of the HSE, the National Screening Service and the wider public health system.

• Knowledge of communications principles, best practice and contemporary communications channels.

• Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality, records management and information governance requirements relevant to communications activities.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience relevant to the role as per duties, responsibilities, eligibility criteria and post-specific requirements.

• Ability to maximise use of ICT, demonstrating excellent computer skills particularly Microsoft 365.

• Ability to work in line with relevant policies and procedures.

• Experience coordinating reports and publications, collating and analysing information, preparing accurate briefings and reports.

• Commitment to developing own professional knowledge and expertise.

Communications & Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrates:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to develop, edit and deliver clear, accurate and audience-focused content across channels.

• Ability to apply plain language and health literacy principles.

• Ensures consistency of messaging and adherence to organisational standards and brand guidelines.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Ability to present information clearly, concisely and confidently.

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

Planning & Managing Resources

Demonstrates:

• Strong planning and organising skills, structuring own workload and that of others effectively.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and high-volume workloads while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

• Effective use of ICT for management and delivery of results.

• Ability to take responsibility and be accountable for delivery of agreed objectives.

• Logical and pragmatic approach to workload delivery.

Commitment to a Quality Service

Demonstrates:

• Evidence of incorporating needs of participants into service delivery.

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

• Professional response to enquiries, feedback and stakeholder requirements.

• Proactive identification of improvement areas and solutions.

• Commitment to high quality customer service.

• Commitment to developing own knowledge and expertise.

Evaluating Information, Problem Solving & Decision Making

Demonstrates:

• Ability to gather and analyse information from relevant sources.

• Ability to make sound decisions with rationale.

• Initiative in resolving complex issues.

• Ability to develop proposals and solutions.

Team Working

Demonstrates:

• Supports, supervises and guides staff.

• Shares knowledge and contributes to training and mentoring.

• Initiative in improving communications processes and systems.

• Ability to lead by example and support team performance.

• Flexibility and willingness to adapt and support change.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment.