Basic Function:

Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF are collaborating to create AgNav, a farmer-centric sustainability platform to enable the delivery of sustainability targets for the agricultural sector.  Research funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is now further facilitating this initiative through a dedicated research project.  As part of this initiative, Teagasc is currently seeking a highly motivated Research Officer to develop farm-level social sustainability indicators within the AgNav platform.  Building on developments in advancing social sustainability metrics within the Teagasc National Farm Survey and the Bord Bia Sustainability Survey, the feasibility of generating suitable metrics through the AgNav Platform will be investigated across a range of farm systems.  The successful candidate will join the Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department and will work specifically with project partners and stakeholders to co-design, collect, and analyse data that reflects the broad social objectives of the CAP.  This position offers a significant opportunity to support and accelerate the development of the AgNav platform working across the Research and Knowledge Transfer directorates of Teagasc.

Background:

Teagasc is one of the key actors in facilitating the sustainable development of the Irish agricultural sector as set out in Food Vision 2030. The vision aims to position Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems over the next decade, delivering benefits for the Irish agri-food sector, society and environment.  To address the social challenges facing the agricultural sector and rural communities, one of the key objectives of the CAP 2023-2027 is to enhance the viability of rural regions, to support generational renewal, to protect food quality and health and to preserve landscapes.  The collection of data relating to social sustainability on Irish farms is critical to assessing the performance of the CAP and related policies across their social objectives.

The integration of relevant data through AgNav will allow for and facilitate sustainability assessment (economic, environmental and social) for Irish farms.  The successful candidate will deliver on Teagasc commitments to the programme of work funded by DAFM in the development of the social sustainability component of the AgNav platform and associated research tasks and project requirements. 

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Undertake a comprehensive literature review to provide an overview of social sustainability measurement approaches and data collection techniques to inform best practice.
• Scope out and document any existing data available through the various sources within the AgNav Platform which could be used for social sustainability assessment at the farm level.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders in the selection of appropriate metrics and supporting data requirements for social sustainability measurement.
• Develop suitable instruments in the collection of social sustainability data on farms within the AgNav platform.
• Pilot and test proposed metrics in collaboration with farms and agricultural stakeholders.
• Engage with and support project partners in the collection of farm level social sustainability data to develop suitable metrics.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from case studies, surveys, and field trials.
• Interpret research findings and assess social sustainability performance across a range of farm systems and explore synergies and trade-offs across relevant economic and environmental performance.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs.
• Present findings at academic conferences, industry forums, and stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to training materials and toolkits for farm-level application of metrics.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any 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 is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

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

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.