Programme Administrator

The purpose of this role within the relevant business unit and for HIQA as a whole:

The purpose of this role is to join a multidisciplinary team with responsibility for the effective implementation of HIQA’s programmes to deliver high quality health technology assessments (HTAs), other evidence-based advice and evidence synthesis outputs and therefore to embed evidence-based methodology in the health decision making processes in Ireland. The HTA Directorate comprises approximately 60 analysts. HIQA works collaboratively with high-level stakeholders, with academic groups and with international HTA agencies to deliver these objectives.

The scope of the HTA Directorate’s work includes providing evidence synthesis and evidence-based advice to inform public health policy and providing HTAs to inform decision making on investment or disinvestment in health technologies and programmes, including decisions in relation to national screening and national immunisation programmes. Teams within the HTA Directorate also perform evidence synthesis to support the development of National Clinical Guidelines and the development of national health policy, and evidence synthesis reviews to inform decisions related to the generic justification of practices involving medical exposure to ionising radiation.

Since 2025, HIQA hosts the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), Ireland’s National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). Staff from the HTA Directorate provide the clinical, technical and administrative secretariat for NIAC to support the development of independent evidence-based advice on vaccines, immunisation and related health matters to inform health policies in Ireland, and updates to the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland.

The post holder will actively engage in the work of the HTA Directorate and of HIQA to deliver on the annual business plan in line with the strategic objectives as outlined in HIQA’s Corporate Plan. The remit of this role encompasses general administration and project support for the HTA Directorate.

Behavioural Expectations

The way that HIQA people are expected to work to role model HIQA values:

The incumbent of this role is expected to demonstrate HIQA’s values in the delivery of everyday work and interactions with clients and colleagues, by putting people first, being fair and objective, being open and accountable, demonstrating excellence and innovation and working together.

Common Tasks

Team Member

▪ Seek clarity on the tasks associated with own role.

▪ Complete tasks in compliance with policies and procedures.

▪ Adhere to relevant legislation, standards and internal audits.

▪ Fulfil any mandatory or professional competency requirements.

▪ Maintain confidentiality and a professional approach.

▪ Raise any concerns in relation to workplace health and safety.

▪ Actively identify learning needs and development opportunities.

▪ Actively contribute as a team member.

▪ Follow direction and take on new and different tasks.

▪ Set and achieve performance goals that contribute to HIQA strategy.

▪ Regularly seek feedback to meet performance expectations and goals.

Role Specific Tasks

The key tasks and activities associated with the role:

The nature of the tasks and activities associated with the role will vary accordingly. It will involve:

▪ Work as part of a team to support and deliver the Directorate’s business plan objectives.

▪ Organise and schedule meetings, for example, Expert Advisory Group meetings; this includes contacting attendees, obtaining and processing declarations of interest, preparing and circulating agendas, taking meeting minutes and preparing other relevant documentation for meeting purposes.

▪ Support the HTA Directorate in preparation for meetings, conferences and presentations.

▪ Support the organisation of events and training.

▪ Support the induction process for new joiners to the HTA Directorate.

▪ Collate data and information for the purpose of reporting on the outputs and work progress of the HTA Directorate.

▪ Support programme management processes led by the HTA Directorate Programme Manager.

▪ Prepare and update policies, procedures and other guidance documents on the controlled document management system.

▪ Support the development and testing of AI processes within the HTA Directorate.

▪ Raise purchase orders to support the work of the HTA Directorate.

▪ Share key information with the HTA Directorate in a timely and efficient manner.

▪ Communicate effectively with Expert Advisory Groups and other key internal and external stakeholders.

▪ Participate in internal quality assurance and quality improvement programmes as required.

▪ Assist in the production of broad comprehensive HTAs and evidence reviews by multidisciplinary teams within defined timelines.

▪ Assist in the preparation of regular corporate performance and risk reports.

▪ Proactively engage in performance development reviews and actively seek out learning and development opportunities

▪ Undertake other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Director of Health Technology Assessment.

The contents of any role description are not exhaustive and are intended to be indicative of the scope of the role.

Qualifications

The qualifications that are essential to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential qualifications that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process.

▪ Qualification (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in a discipline deemed relevant by the Authority.

Or

▪ Has passed an examination at the appropriate level within the National Framework of Qualifications framework which can be assessed as being comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher. (Information in relation to the Irish National Framework of Qualifications is available here https://www.qqi.ie).

The qualifications that are desirable to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

▪ A degree (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in a health-related discipline.

Experience

The experience that is essential to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential knowledge and experience that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process.

▪ A minimum of two years’ experience working in an administrative role relevant to the post.

Other knowledge and experience that are deemed necessary for the role:

▪ The candidate must be able to clearly demonstrate the following:

▪ Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

▪ Demonstrate ability to complete tasks accurately in an operationally complex and busy environment.

The experience that is desirable to effectively meet the requirements of the role:

▪ Experience of working in a clinical, health service research or health policy environment.

Principal Conditions of Service

Probation

A probationary period of six months applies to this position.

Pay

Candidates will be appointed on the minimum point of the salary scale (€38,419) and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines. The rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation.

The incremental progression for this scale is in line with Government pay policy. The salary scale for this position is as follows:

Executive Officer (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 €59,928¹ €62,601²

After 3 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum

After 6 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum

Entry will be at the first point of the scale. An exception may occur where an appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale. In this case, the appointment may be assimilated to the nearest point of the advertised salary scale with their incremental date adjusted accordingly.

Please note the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Superannuation

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Please note that the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. In certain circumstances, for example where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply. The legislation giving effect to the Scheme is the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

For those who are not subject to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (e.g. those transferring from other public service employment where the break in service, if any, is less than 26 weeks), the terms of the Health Information and Quality Authority Superannuation Scheme will apply.

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 23 days, rising to 24 days after 5 years’ service, 25 after 10 years’ service, 26 after 12 years’ service and 27 after 14 years’ service.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 per week. The appointee may be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his or her duties, subject to the limits set down under working time regulations.

Blended Working Arrangements

HIQA has introduced blended working to offer more flexible working arrangements to all employees. We aim to strike a balance between being flexible, efficient and resilient by facilitating blended working where practical, while enabling onsite interaction, collaboration and support as required.

All roles in HIQA have been assessed under the criteria of business needs and role suitability for blended working. This determines the proportion of time that employees will spend working in HIQA offices and working from home, depending on their role.

Depending on the role, there may be a requirement to attend the office for more than the allocated number of days for training and on-boarding purposes at the start of your employment and during the probation period.

A review of our blended working model confirmed that this model is working well in HIQA; therefore, we are now moving from Interim Blended Working to a long-term Blended Working Model. Our existing policy and documentation will be revised and updated once the framework for the Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act is published. Our model is in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working in Ireland.

Further guidance on HIQA’s Blended Working Policy, which includes eligibility criteria, will be issued to successful candidates. This is an opt-in policy and details on how you can apply will be issued to you before you start.