The Organisation

Teagasc - the Agriculture and Food Development Authority - is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. 

Our vision is to be a globally recognised leader in developing innovative science-based solutions for the sustainable transformation of our land resources into products and services for the benefit of society. 

Our mission to provide scientific leadership and support to Irish farmers and food companies in achieving a sustainable food system is underpinned by our recently launched organisational values of 'Respect, Excellence and Integrity'.

Teagasc employs in the region of 1,400 staff in over 50 locations across Ireland.

Teagasc HR Department

The Teagasc Human Resources Department has a key role to play in managing and supporting various aspects of the organisation’s workforce, and in aligning human resource practices and processes with the organisation's business strategy.  Comprising of approximately 20 staff members, the Department is more specifically responsible for providing a wide range of professional services across five main HR programme areas:

• Business Partnering
• Pay and Pensions
• Recruitment
• Staff Learning and Development
• Employee Relations and Staff Engagement

In addition to an extensive recruitment and staffing portfolio, the Department is also responsible for workforce planning, talent/performance management, staff engagement, change management, fostering a positive work environment, ensuring compliance with employment law and Corporate Governance codes, addressing staff concerns, and developing strategic initiatives that align with organisational goals and objectives.

The HR Business Partner Role

This HR Business Partner role is a senior position, with responsibility for engaging at a HR strategic leadership level, and for providing insightful guidance and HR operational expertise across the Knowledge Transfer (KT) and Operations Directorates. These two Directorates comprise approximately 700 staff members, including 12 Advisory Regions, 7 Agricultural Colleges, and 5 Head Office Operations Departments (Finance, ICT, Corporate Services, Business Delivery, and Human Resources).

The appointee will be an experienced and knowledgeable HR professional who will be capable of taking a lead HR role working autonomously, and as part of a highly driven and accomplished HR team, to deliver a comprehensive and seamless HR partnering service to assigned Directorates. The role is hands-on and requires strategic and operational capabilities, together with an ability to efficiently manage one’s own administration.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• As a key member of Directorate leadership teams as assigned, undertake the role of HR Business Partner and operational lead for people management and related matters.  
• Coach, facilitate and support Heads of Directorates and other senior managers to build organisational capability by utilising a range of HR initiatives, including performance management, workforce planning and succession planning.
• Lead the design and delivery of a comprehensive Staffing Plan for the Directorates to address programme priorities.
• Develop forward thinking staffing solutions that optimise the use and deployment of available resources; people and budget.
• Design and execute effective and engaging HR initiatives that re-enforce a high performance ‘Teagasc Together’ culture.
• Champion the Teagasc Values and contribute to new programmes that help to embed these Values.
• Ensure good governance and compliance with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) requirements regarding pay, terms and conditions, public sector codes, and Irish employment law provisions. This involves carrying out risk assessments on current practices in assigned Directorates, and driving forward changes to ensure risks are being managed/reduced and there is a high standard of governance.
• Lead and or support negotiations on industrial relations, including designing proposals that align with DAFM and DPER policies and requirements.
• Lead organisational change projects with a clear focus on maintaining positive employee relations, open consultation and best practice change management interventions.
• Facilitate the roll out of initiatives to support employee engagement and staff well-being.
• Provide in-depth advice and guidance to leadership teams and their direct reports on modern, LEAN HR interventions, policies and procedures to enable them to carry out their people management roles effectively.
• Support wider HR Department initiatives including the implementation of Teagasc HR strategies, and lead on specific projects, as assigned.
• Contribute to the development of people data analytics, and HR digital transformation within HR, as assigned.
• Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

* This Job Specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and responsibilities and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary: Starting at €79,086 with annual increments up to €98,559 (max).
• Pension: Defined Benefit pension scheme.
• Work-Life Balance: Agile working programme with the possibility of home working up to 2 days per week.
• Career Development: Support for further education and staff development.
• Flexible Options: Flexible working/unpaid leave schemes.
• Health & Wellbeing: Paid sick leave and death in service benefits. Employee well-being programme including flu vaccine, health checks etc.
• On-Site Benefits: Subsidised staff restaurant and free parking at our Carlow headquarters.

Application Process:

Candidates interested in applying for this post are strongly advised to read the attached HR Business Partner Information Booklet before submitting an application.

Applications will only be accepted through the Teagasc TOPJobs portal, and must include the following documentation: 

1. Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
2. Completed Supplementary Application Form (attached)

Note:  A cover letter is not essential.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

Applications received after the above closing date will not be considered.

Information provided as outlined above will be used in the selection process.

Selection Process:

The selection process for this role may include all or some of the following:

• Pre-screen interview
• Pre-interview Case Study
• Candidate shortlisted for interview will be advised in advance of the presentation title and all other relevant details** 
• Medical and reference checks

**Interviews will be held in person at Teagasc, Head office, Oakpark, Carlow on Monday, 16^th December 2024, or on the earliest date thereafter, subject to interview board members availability.

Teagasc reserve the right to invite candidates to a 2^nd round interview at its discretion.