Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have an opportunity for a Head of Research, Policy & Risk position to join our team.
The Head of Research, Policy & Risk is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, with responsibility for the achievement of all business objectives as determined by the Board, and as outlined in the organisation's strategy and annual business plans.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Research, Policy & Risk is responsible for the overall management and development of the Research, Policy & Risk Division, for the achievement of its targets and business objectives, for the strategic development and management of these key areas to support IFI in achieving its strategic corporate goals.
ABOUT US
Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
More information can be found by visiting our website.
VISION, MISSION & VALUES
Vision
To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.
Mission
To protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.
Values
We work collaboratively with professionalism
We are open, transparent and accountable
We act with respect and integrity
We are committed to stewardship and sustainability
You will be responsible for leading IFI’s research team and delivery with oversight of research development, our project portfolio, policy, and responsive research engagements. This includes: the development of a research & policy strategy, the development of a programme of IFI commissioned research specific to national needs; building relationships with key funders, partners and decision-makers; leading a programme of research aligned to IFI’s strategic plan; overseeing the quality, timely delivery and management of finance and risk across programmes and projects; and ensuring that IFI’s research & policy work is aligned with the organisation’s policy and public engagement efforts and ensures that IFI’s work achieves positive impact.
This is a key role with the potential to shape IFI’s research and policy narratives. You will bring extensive expertise in applied research, a track record in leading projects and a deep understanding of the policy and delivery context of IFI.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities
Work with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to communicate and promote the organisation’s work and to identify opportunities for research and evidence to influence policy and practice across IFI activities.
Support the governance of the organisation, including producing or contributing to reports and presentations to the ELT, Working Groups, Board, and external stakeholders.
Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team & the Board of Directors in developing the strategic direction of IFI’s research portfolio and research team capability. This includes developing annual strategic research and policy plans.
Play an active role in the leadership of IFI as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Work closely with the Chief Executive and Heads of other functions to guide the organisation and ensure that IFI is fulfilling its vision, mission while adhering to its values.
Manage staff and all resources.
Research management and delivery.
Accountable for delivery of IFI’s Policy & Research Strategy and the full portfolio of research programmes and partnerships, ensuring collaborative research team activity is planned and delivered effectively and milestones, budgets and reporting requirements are met.
Enable the team through effective supervision and guidance to use a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods to deliver research aims, producing reports & policy/position papers, analysing and interpreting patterns and trends.
Lead IFI’s responsive and proactive research support to emerging policy or media engagements, ensuring that IFI’s overall research portfolio and thematic expertise is closely aligned to IFI’s evolving policy work and public engagement agenda.
Participate and co-ordinate research programmes in association with the National Environmental Research Programme i.e. cross agency, cross government & all island) which is co-ordinated and funded group chaired by the EPA.
Work with colleagues to identify and secure sources of income including through proactive approaches to funders and partners, responding to tenders and calls for proposals.
Engage and lead in developing IFI’s response to statutory, legislative and other consultations with all external stakeholders including Government Department, other statutory agencies.
Consistently engage with the Operations & Barriers Divisions and ensure that their needs are met in terms of the provision of scientific & policy advice to support the conservation & restoration activities of both functional areas.
Policy/Advocacy
Have a strong policy voice within the sector at local, national, and international levels.
Translate best practice/evidence into succinct, effective, policy recommendations.
Production of evidence and policy briefs and deliver highly focussed advocacy messaging to stakeholders.
Working closely with the Board, Executive Leadership team to develop and oversee delivery of IFI’s policy/advocacy strategy. This includes working to identify decision-makers in government and international institutions IFI should reach and identify allies and methods of getting our policy/advocacy messaging across to key stakeholders.
Actively seek a leadership position within the sector, where our leadership will be strategic and further our policy advocacy objectives.
Support IFI’s advocacy strategies to ensure the collection of robust evidence during policy research trips and the production of research papers, policy briefs, briefing notes and reports that will enable IFI to reach its target audiences with evidence-based advocacy messages.
Oversee the preparation and sign off submissions to consultations on issues relevant to IFI.
Identify, own, and resolve any ongoing challenges, risks that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
Functional level budget and resource management responsibility
Keep up to date with key developments in policy, research, and practice and on innovations in research and evaluation methods and tools.
Lead the team to develop research approaches, methodologies and tools that are suited to the work IFI engages in.
Risk Management
Working with the Chief Risk Officer to deliver the risk strategy to the organisation and addressing risk management issues that directly impact the operations and strategic direction of IFI.
Responsible for the leadership, innovation, governance, and management necessary to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor the organisation's operational and strategic risk.
Ensures the organization's risk management policies and strategies are in compliance with applicable regulations, and strategic imperatives of the organisation.
Establishes the Risk Management architecture for the company.
Monitors and analyses risks within the organisation's divisions and reports on these risks to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Board.
Provides key inputs into the IFI’s risk & audit or other committee that oversees the risk management process and ensure alignment with organisational objectives.
Responsible for the Business Continuity Planning activities for IFI.
Stakeholder Management Responsibilities
Develop and maintain effective relationships and networks with key stakeholders involved in relevant policy, delivery, and research – including national and local government and other research centres and think tanks.
Lead and oversee the research team’s work with external partners to design and deliver research and associated activities.
Lead on regular and strategic communication with external partners or funders to effectively report on research progress and impact.
Build relationships and develop collaboration with research institutes, universities, and other state agencies/bodies.
Accountable for project reporting and monitoring for funders and end of project impact and review documentation as well as internal evaluation of research activity and impact.
Build supportive positive relationships across the organisation at all levels, promoting a collaborative and agile approach, championing equality and diversity values, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Communications and Impact Responsibilities
Proactively provide advice, support, and guidance to colleagues across IFI in order to improve the quality and impact of IFI’s research, working closely with the Heads of Function and Senior Leadership Team.
Work with IFI’s communications team to strategically plan and deliver engagement activities for research projects/programme and policy.
Represent IFI externally to share research findings or contribute to other external events as a key ambassador of IFI’s work.
Engage with the media on behalf of IFI as required.
This document is not intended to supply an exhaustive of duties; this job description merely sets out to describe the main functions and activities of the post. The successful candidate will be required by management to undertake additional tasks related to the function from time to time.
KEY EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will have the following;
Essential
A Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8) in Scientific or Environmental discipline together with an advanced degree (NFQ Level 9/10 or equivalent) in Business, Management, Science, Environment.
A minimum of 7 years’ management experience, including teams, and managing resources at an appropriate scale and senior level.
Have a full driving licence valid in the state
Experience of developing a strategy for research with particular emphasis around research impact
A track record in policy engagement with a clear knowledge of policy making processes and an ability to establish clear links to different routes for you to engage with policymakers.
Proven record of accomplishment in delivering complex and high-profile programmes of research including managing and mobilising resources and delivering to time and quality expectations within budget.
Experience of developing and leading high-performance team, including coordinating and managing projects and priorities, and supporting professional and personal development
Proven experience in applying for and management of funding associated with large scale research projects
Demonstrated experience of applying scientific rigor to research planning and outputs
Proven track record in building strong relationships with funders, partners, and other key stakeholders
Experience in the presenting of research findings to a wide audience, including stakeholders, policymakers, academics, and the public
Comprehensive knowledge of the sector in which IFI operates together with knowledge of legislation related to Fisheries, Environment
Advanced knowledge of a range of research and evaluation methods and their application
A clear understanding of project management processes and the importance of clear project/performance management frameworks
Desirable
Experience of delivering a range of research outputs
Some Experience in Corporate Risk Management Approaches
Demonstratable understanding of best practice in research ethics and data management.
KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
Essential
Ability to review and critically appraise data and empirical literature.
Ability to develop strong working relationships and trust with a broad range of people to foster productive collaborations and future partnership
Excellent organisational and planning skills, including programme, resource, and performance management
Ability to design, develop and utilize appropriate methods and tools to support high quality research
Strong people management skills, including developing and motivating direct reports, colleagues, and consultants
Proven skills in writing for and speaking to a range of audiences to ensure impact, and in using different channels and media
SALARY
The salary scale for the position is at the level of Principal Officer grade. It is a 7-point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s): Point 1: €103,781.47, Point 2: €108,233.54, Point 3: €112,655.77, Point 4: €117,112.10, Point 5: €120,866.94, Point 6: €124,762.50 (LSI), Point 7: €128,651.68 (LSI). Scale as of 01/03/2025)
Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1 subject to Haddington Road Agreement and subsequent Government Agreements.
TENURE
This post is offered on a permanent contract basis.
APPLICATIONS
A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae) should be submitted by midnight on the 16th July 2025.
Late applications will not be processed.
Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV.
Canvassing will disqualify.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
