Location: Teagasc Rural Economy Development Programme, Athenry Co. Galway or other agreed Teagasc Location
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 14/10/2025 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 24 months, subject to contract. 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:
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 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.
Job Objectives
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.
Skills Requirement
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
* An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in social sciences, human geography, psychology, sociology, agricultural economics, rural development, or a related field.
* A PhD or Masters degree and/or research experience would be a distinct advantage.
Skills
* Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative research, mixed-methods and data analysis.
* Proficiency in statistical software.
* Proven record in research communication.
* Project management experience.
* Experience in stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches.
* Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
* Experience in survey design, stakeholder engagement and data collection.
* Familiarity with ethical standards in social research and data protection protocols.
* Familiarity with digital platforms for data collection and analysis.
Knowledge
* Strong research background in sustainability, social sciences, rural development, or related fields.
* Strong understanding of sustainability concepts, particularly in relation to social aspects.
* Knowledge of Irish or EU Agriculture and related policy would be a distinct advantage.
* Knowledge of farm level data and sustainability assessment.
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
* Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
* Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
Other
As this role will involve travel around the country, the candidates must have their own car and must also satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
Eligibility
This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.
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.