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Specialised Scheme Advisor

Location: Galway/Clare Advisory Region based in the Ennis Advisory Office, Station Road, Ennis Co. Clare V95 R889
Advisory/Education
Salary: Agr Development Officer Grade I with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 05/01/2026 12:00 PM
Permanent Full Time

Job Description

Permanent . A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

Basic Function

To perform an advisory role specialised on the delivery of schemes support to farmers. The Specialised Scheme Advisor will play a pivotal role in supporting farm families to maximise the contribution of schemes to support the financial viability for the farm business and the impact of schemes in delivering on policy objectives. The role will provide an opportunity to have a specialised role in the delivery of scheme and regulatory support to farmers without the overall responsibility for providing additional technical advice to contracted clients and farmers. Appointees will be supported to develop an expertise in particular schemes relevant to the business. Specialised Scheme Advisors will work in close collaboration with Enterprise and Farm Advisors in the Advisory Regions, and with the Schemes Support Unit specialist team.

Background

The Ennis office is one of five advisory offices in the Galway/Clare Advisory Region. The specialised scheme advisor will deal with scheme work for drystock and dairy clients, while also contributing to overall office team at Ennis.

Job Objectives

Provide a specialised scheme advisory service to assigned clients through one-to-one consultations, farm visits, workshops, farm walks, open days and local seminars.
Achieve key SMART targets and key performance indicators as set out in the unit business plan annually. Advisors will be required to provide scheme support to farmer clients who have been referred to the Scheme Support Unit from both Enterprise and Farm advisors including BISS, TAMS, Derogations, NMP’s, Cross-compliance, ACRES (where relevant) and other ad-hoc Schemes (Schemes and regulation activities to be referred to Specialised Schemes Advisors will be under constant review depending on new and evolving schemes and the resources available).
Develop an area of interest/expertise relevant to the business such as TAMS, BISS, schemes etc.
Participate in dedicated in-service technical training as delivered by Specialist teams.
Contribute to provision of Level 5 and Level 6 education courses at local level in the relevant subjects.
Contribute to the overall successful delivery of the scheme support service for farmer clients by mentoring new/temporary staff.
Take responsibility for own professional development. Seek out and upskill in DAFM/EU scheme knowledge and attend all Teagasc/DAFM training provided. Build strong working relationships with specialists and attend all technical and scheme related training in the relevant area
Work in accordance with the Teagasc Together ethos, with Enterprise and Farm advisors at local level to provide a complete advisory service to Teagasc clients.
To assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices
To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
Take responsibility for the marketing of services and contract with clients consistent with the achievement of the area income targets
To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
Take responsibility for the marketing of training programmes
Liaison with relevant stakeholders in the industry and education sectors
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.

Skills Requirement

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	A Level 8 Degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Agricultural Science or equivalent Candidates must be accredited as a Farm Advisory System (FAS) Advisor. Candidates who are not currently on the list of approved FAS Advisors may be eligible where they have completed DAFM FAS training or where their degree is eligible for FAS accreditation.	Relevant post graduate qualification Completion of Module 01 and 02 of CECRA training programme and ideally on pathway to becoming a CECRA certified advisor.
Knowledge/Skills	Candidates must show expert agriculture and environmental knowledge and demonstrate how they stay abreast of current best practices and research. Candidates must be able to identify and shape the best practical applications of this knowledge in order to enhance the capabilities of farms and other enterprises. Candidates must stay abreast of current concepts and use effective teaching and advisory methods to impart this knowledge to clients and students. Candidates must act as an effective conduit to the latest thinking and methods that may give farmers a competitive edge or sustain their viability.	Financial analysis and farm business planning. Familiarity with Teagasc financial management packages. Knowledge of QQI quality assurance procedures.
Behavioural Competencies	Ability to work successfully with multiple stakeholders including internal and external. Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme. Strong focus on compliance, quality control and risk minimisation. Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos, including to be able to operate effectively in an environment of referral and sharing of tasks between advisors associated with the same client. Ability to communicate effectively through a one-to-one, group and public speaking to deliver key messages on regulatory and scheme requirements to farmers. Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively. A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability. Ability to work independently, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables to achieve Key Performance Indicators set out in the business plan. Ability to work in a ‘campaign’ approach in terms of workload planning and delivery within required timeframes. A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and shifting work priorities. Ability to set clear standards and have a quality customer service focus.
Other	Advisers will be required to have their own transport in order to efficiently carry out the duties of the role. Travel and subsistence expenses will be payable at approved public service rates. Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

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

Attachment(s):

ADO_Grade1_InformationBooklet.pdf

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