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 Ireland’s 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
€37,919 €39,860 €40,956 €43,094 €45,010 €46,864 €48,711 €50,519 €52,366 €54,207 €56,160 €57,469¹ €61,216²
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
€36,343 €38,534 €39,400 €41,269 €43,086 €44,850 €46,602 €48,319 €50,055 €51,746 €53,531 €54,751 €56,504¹ €58,274²
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.
Contact our HR Manager, Katherina Sage ksage@hfa.ie if you require a job description in an accessible format. In 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.
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