People Services & Payroll Officer, Executive Officer (PPC)

About the Housing Finance Agency (HFA)

The Housing Finance Agency plc (HFA) provides loan finance to Local Authorities Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and Higher Education Institutions to facilitate the delivery of social and affordable housing. The HFA is a key stakeholder in Irelands national housing strategy supporting the implementation of government policy.

The Role

The People Services and Payroll Officer is responsible for delivering accurate and timely payroll pension and HR administration services ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and supporting the People & Culture team in providing high-quality employee services. The position covers a broad range of activities including payroll and benefits administration pension management HR systems and data integrity recruitment support onboarding and employee engagement. The role also involves preparing statutory reports maintaining governance standards and contributing to HR projects and process improvements. Acting as a key point of contact for HR payroll and pension queries this role ensures efficient operations and a positive employee experience across the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll & Benefits Administration

Ensure accurate administration and processing of payroll information including the onboarding of new hires terminations status changes increments deductions and allowances etc.

Advise the payroll provider on changes impacting employee pay or benefits such as pay restorations.

Manage administration of employee benefits and statutory leave entitlements (maternity parental illness etc.).

Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee details including bank information next of kin and personal data.

Pensions & Compliance

Engage with key stakeholders and pension advisors to ensure compliance and timely issuing of pension statements.

Prepare and submit pension-related reports including SPSPS databank updates.

Stay informed on SPSPS policy and procedure changes and regulatory updates impacting pensions.

Ensure compliance with Revenue pensions and statutory leave requirements in a timely manner.

HR Systems & Data Management

Maintain and update the employee database to ensure accurate records.

Administer and maintain the time & attendance platform ensuring data integrity and compliance.

Record salary and personnel changes including increments and promotions.

Support HR projects including digitisation of personnel files and process improvements.

Recruitment & Onboarding

Prepare recruitment files and monitor the online recruitment platform (currently Hire Hive).

Assist with onboarding processes including preparation of employee files and induction materials.

Track probation periods ensure timely reviews and maintain accurate documentation for compliance.

Employee Engagement & Communication

Circulate employee communications such as EAP updates employee schemes new policies and HR initiatives.

Provide effective and reliable HR support to employees on HR payroll and pension-related queries.

Reporting & Governance

Prepare and submit statutory government payroll pension and ad hoc reports as required.

Prepare annual leave sick leave and ad hoc HR reports as needed.

Other Duties

Keep up to date with HR Circulars relating to HR payroll and pensions and ensure correct application.

Assist employees with HR queries and liaise with the payroll provider for payroll-related questions.

Support the onboarding of new HR systems and associated processes to support continuous improvement in our ways of working.

Provide support to the People & Culture team as required.

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the HFA.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA/QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Qualifications & Experience

A Minimum 3 years experience in processing payrolls

Good knowledge of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme or a willingness to complete training

HR administrative experience e.g. employee database management and recruitment file preparation

Have demonstrated an ability to work effectively with a collaborative style within teams

Desirable Experience

Experience working in a public sector or regulated financial environment

A qualification in finance or human resources field is desirable but not essential

COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate shall demonstrate the ability to deliver on the following competencies:

Analysis & Decision Making

Effectively deals with a wide range of information sources investigating all relevant issues

Understands the practical implication of information in relation to the broader context in which they work procedures divisional objectives etc.

Draws accurate conclusions & makes balanced and fair recommendations backed up with evidence

Delivery of Results

Takes ownership of tasks and is determined to see them through to a satisfactory conclusion

Is logical and pragmatic in approach setting objectives and delivering the best possible results with the resources available through effective prioritisation

Minimises errors reviewing learning and ensuring remedies are in place

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Modifies communication approach to suit the needs of a situation/ audience

Maintains a focus on dealing with stakeholders in an effective efficient and respectful manner

Expresses self in a clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing

Specialist Knowledge Expertise and Self Development

Displays high levels of skills/ expertise in own area and provides guidance to colleagues

Has a clear understanding of the role objectives and targets and how they support the service delivered by the unit and Department/ Organisation and can communicate this to the team

Leads by example demonstrating the importance of development by setting time aside for development initiatives for self and the team

People Management

Encourages and supports new and more effective ways of working

Actively shares information knowledge and expertise to help the team to meet its objectives

Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values

Is committed to the role consistently striving to perform at a high level

Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Tenure

The appointment is on a permanent contract subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period.

Hours of Work

Operating on a 35-hour week with core hours between 08.00am 6.30pm. The HFA currently operates a flexible work model with staff currently required to work a minimum of two days per week in the office in Dublin 2.

Salary Scale

The Executive Officer Standard salary scale for the position (rates effective from 1 August 2025) is as follows:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER STANDARD SCALE - PPC

59335¹ 61216²

This rate applies to new entrants and will also apply where the appointee is an existing civil or public servant appointed on or after 6th April 1995 and is required to make a personal pension contribution.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER STANDARD SCALE

56504¹ 58274²

This rate will apply where the appointee is a civil or public servant recruited before 6th April 1995 and who is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI 1) and 6 (LSI 2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

Important Note

N.B. Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Subject to satisfactory performance increments may be payable in line with current Government policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if immediately before appointment you are a currently serving civil/public servant.

Annual Leave

In addition to the usual Irish public holidays annual leave for this position is 23 working days based on a five-day week. This will rise to 24 days after 5 years service and to 25 after 10 years service.

The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via HIREHIVE link only.

Each candidate should submit a short covering letter outlining why you believe your skills experience and values meet the requirements of the position along with an up-to-date CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 3pm on 6 January 2026.

If applicable please contact our HR Manager Katherina Sage if you require a job description in an accessible addition candidates called for interviews and/or aptitude tests may request reasonable accommodations.

Please note: all job offers are subject to satisfactory references and a pre-employment medical.

The Housing Finance Agency PLC is an equal opportunities employer.