Post Type: Temporary ADO Panel.

Reporting to: Regional Manager.

Grade/Salary: Agricultural Development Officer Grade I with a starting salary of €42,921 per annum. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Basic Function: Agricultural Development Officers (ADO’s) play a central role in the delivery of advisory, education and training services within Teagasc. 

ADO’s are involved in the development of agriculture in a particular geographic region. They work closely with assigned clients and students to ensure the sustainable development of their farm business through improved technical and financial efficiency and sustainable resource management.  They deliver the advisory service to clients through one-to-one consultations, farm visits, technical workshops, farm walks, open days and discussion groups.  Advisors may be assigned to roles across a number of enterprise areas (e.g. dry stock, dairy, tillage and education) focused mainly on delivering a specialised schemes support service, the delivery of a technical advisory service to clients. Education ADO’s will focus on delivering agricultural education, training programs and knowledge transfer to part-time and distance education courses in the region.

This competition seeks to establish a recruitment panel from which temporary advisor/education vacancies in the Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal advisory region will be filled.

Background: The Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal advisory region is one of 13 Advisory Regional units with advisory offices & education centres located in Mohill, Manorhamilton, Ballymote, Ballybofey, Letterkenny and Carndonagh. Temporary ADO's that are appointed to the region will work within these offices. Find out more about the region here.

Please note that interviews for this competition are likely to be scheduled the week of 27th July 2026.

• Play an active part in the development of sustainable agricultural production systems across a particular geographic area as part of a locally based advisory team.
• Contribute to and support the overall Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) that provides support to farm families engaged in agriculture and rural enterprise.
• Challenge and support farmers and clients in a nominated region by effectively using a range of advisory tools including one to one support, discussion group, short education course, demonstrations / public events / meeting activities.
• Actively promote the uptake of research and advisory tool such as Profit Monitor, PastureBase, Nutrient Management Planning and AgNav among clients.
• Provide physical and financial analysis & business planning for development of farm business.
• Facilitate clients in the analysis and planning of succession and inheritance.
• Provide a specialised scheme support service to clients including BISS, TAMS, Derogations, NMPs, Cross-compliance, ACRES and other ad-hoc schemes.
• Contribute to the provision of Level 5 and Level 6 education courses at local level.
• Use digital communication tools and social media in a targeted way.
• Support advisory campaigns as required.
• Support the overall profile of Teagasc in the delivery of local, regional and national events, publications and public relations.
• Represent Teagasc on various events, committees and meetings.
• Provide input and deliver on assigned objectives of the agreed business plan as part of an Advisory Region.
• Liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Other Responsibilities:

• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Take responsibility for own professional development.
• Contribute to the annual business planning and risk management process for the relevant business unit.
• Provide support to other Teagasc activities as and when required.
• Continually up-skill and meet regulatory requirements to run programmes and activities under DAFM schemes.
• Take accountability for the effectiveness of the safety management system in their area of responsibility and communicate a responsible attitude to safety, health and welfare by personal example.  Ensure that all processes and procedures are resourced, planned and completed without negative safety impact.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions 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.
• Assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan through adherence to best practice protocols.
• Carry out 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.  Job descriptions will be issued with offers of appointment.

  Person Specification