Applications for this competition close on Tuesday, 13th of October.
Apply Now!The Role
The work of a health policy analyst in the Department will vary depending on the particular Division of the Department to which the individual is assigned, but typically covers one or more of the following:
- Using their relevant experience and qualifications, undertaking health policy analysis to contribute to the development of evidence-based health and social care policy and legislation;
- Supporting senior management of the relevant policy Unit’s role in providing leadership and strategic direction for the work programme of the Unit;
- Working in partnership with colleagues across the Department, the HSE and other health agencies, including engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in driving forward the work programme;
- Providing all relevant supports as required to the Principal Officer/Head of Unit, Management Board Member and the Minister in accounting for the work of the Unit to the Government and the Oireachtas;
- Coordinating and managing the Unit’s responses to Parliamentary Questions, public and political representations, and other correspondence, ensuring accurate, timely and evidence-based communications;
- In some cases, overseeing and managing a small team of staff within the Unit who will deliver the day to day operations of the Unit.
The Department of Health
The role of the Department of Health is to provide leadership, strategic policy direction and governance for the health sector in order to improve health outcomes and to ensure accountable, effective and high-quality health and social care services.
The overall purpose of Ireland's health and social care system is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland by keeping people healthy, delivering the care and support they need, providing high-quality services and ensuring the effective use of public resources. The Government's health reform programme, Sláintecare, continues to drive the transformation of health and social care services, with a focus on delivering accessible, integrated, person-centred care based on need and provided in the right place at the right time. These reforms continue alongside the ongoing requirement to deliver the best possible services within the resources allocated.
Essential Requirements
Applicants for this position must, on or before the closing date of Tuesday 13th October 2026 have:
- (i) a first or second class primary honours degree (at Level 8 on the National
Framework of Qualifications) in a health or social care related discipline regulated by
the Medical Council, Dental Council, Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland,
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or CORU or in a health, social care or healthcare
management field,
- OR
- (ii) a Master’s degree or Post Graduate Diploma (at Level 9 on the National
Framework of Qualifications) in a health or social care related discipline regulated by
the Medical Council, Dental Council, Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland,
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or CORU or in a health, social care or healthcare
management field,
- OR
- (iii) a first or second class higher diploma (at Level 8 on the National Framework of
Qualifications) in a health or social care related discipline regulated by the Medical
Council, Dental Council, Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland, Pharmaceutical
Society of Ireland or CORU or in a health, social care or healthcare management
field, and a first or second class primary honours degree in any discipline (at least
Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications)
- AND
- (iv) successfully demonstrate the required capabilities for this role. It is expected that from the outset, those newly recruited will be able to make a substantive contribution to the work of the Civil Service. While training is to a significant extent ‘on the job’, induction and training courses in specific skills and areas of work will be provided to assist you to become familiar with the public sector.
IMPORTANT: Please see Appendix 1 of the Candidate Information Booklet for more information on the Capability Framework and preparation guidelines.
NOTE: Qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the process, therefore, those candidates who do not possess the essential requirements, by Tueday, 13th October 2026, and proceed with their application are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this competition.
Hear from our colleagues in the Department of Health
Aoife
Resources Division
My role entails utilising detailed research and analysis skills to evaluate proposals and submissions for new grades, roles and apprenticeship schemes across the health sector in line with workforce reform and pay policy. This involves working with various stakeholders to ensure that there is a suitable healthcare workforce in Ireland with the appropriate skill mix and to ensure future readiness.
I applied for this position as I have always been interested in the work of the health sector. As part of my masters degree, my final research project examined inequalities in women's health. This experience strengthened my ability to critically evaluate evidence, identify trends and develop informed recommendations, leading to my interest in working in the Department and contributing to better health outcomes.
Read More About Aoife
Administrative Officer
Building
Future Readiness
Digital Focus, Innovation
& Upskilling for the Future
Strategic Awareness &
Change
Leading &
Empowering
Leading, Motivating
& Developing
Leading with
Specialist Insight
Capability:
Behaviours
Skills
Strengths
Knowledge
Values
Motivation
Interests
Evidence
Informed Delivery
Delivering
Excellence
Analysis, Judgement
& Decision Making
Communicating
and Collaborating
Communicating
& Influencing
Engaging
& Collaborating
Building
Future
Readiness
Digital Focus, Innovation
& Upskilling for the Future
Leading
&
Empowering
Leading,
Motivating
& Developing
Strategic, Awareness
& Change
Leading with
Specialist Insight
Capability:
Behaviours
Skills
Strengths
Knowledge
Values
Motivation
Interests
Evidence
Informed
Delivery
Delivering Excellence
Analysis, Judgement
& Decision Making
Communicating
& Collaborating
Communicating
& Influencing
Engaging &
Collaborating
Building Future Readiness
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to embrace change and innovation. We strive to create an inclusive customer centric strategy and vision that keeps pace with environmental, social and technological changes. Adopting an agile and digital-first approach, we will continually upskill, change and improve how we do things to meet current and future demands.
Digital Focus, Innovation & Upskilling for the Future
Digital Focus
- Maximises the use of technology and digital solutions to drive efficiencies and support better service delivery
Innovation & Creative Solutions
- Delivers innovative ideas, creative solutions and useful suggestions, with a good understanding of the practicalities
- Tries new or different approaches, demonstrating the flexibility to learn from mistakes, adapt and improve
Upskilling for the Future
- Proactively seeks development opportunities, building on strengths and addressing weaknesses or gaps with a positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Committed to building knowledge and skills for the future
Key Skills Examples
- Innovation
- IT and digital skills
- Continuous learning
- Design thinking
- Process improvement
Strategic Awareness
& Change
Strategic Awareness & Future Focus
- Contributes to the development of policy, strategy and future planning for their area
- Understands where their works fits within the broader team and organisational and departmental strategy and sets goals that contribute to strategic objectives
Contextual Awareness
- Keeps up to date with wider Civil Service policies and developments relevant to their own area
- Considers the wider impact of policies and strategies, including who or what they affect
Facilitating Change
- Supports others through change, highlighting the benefits of change, innovation or new technology
- Identifies and makes recommendations for change based on their analysis, expertise and insights
Key Skills Examples
- Supporting change
- Strategic thinking
- Strategy implementation
- Goal setting
- Policy development
Evidence Informed Delivery
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to make evidence based and well-informed judgements and decisions, prioritise objectives and effectively manage resources, using relevant information to evaluate the delivered outcome to ensure maximum benefit for the people we serve.
Delivering Excellence
Managing Work Effectively
- Manages, plans and prioritises workload to ensure targets and deadlines are met
- Works in a systematic, organised and efficient manner, getting up to speed with new tasks at an appropriate pace
- Manages projects effectively, reporting on progress and challenges
Delivering Quality Outcomes & Service
- Sets high standards and goals and shows commitment to meeting these
- Has procedures in place to ensure work is of high quality
- Delivers excellent customer service and prioritises the customer experience
- Seeks feedback and evaluates delivery against required outcomes
Attitude, Initiative & Flexibility
- Demonstrates initiative and self-sufficiency in managing and progressing projects and work
- Maintains resilience and a 'can-do' attitude when working under pressure or constraints, seeking support when necessary
- Flexible and agile in the face of challenges or changing demands
Key Skills Examples
- Project management
- Customer service
- Risk management
- Goal setting
- Project evaluation
Analysis, Judgement & Decision Making
Research & Analysis
- Strong research skills, can gather and analyse data from a range of sources, to identify key information or core issues
- Utilises data appropriately to inform research, policy and decision making
- Analyses and evaluates complex verbal and numerical information in an accurate and timely manner
Problem Solving
- Solves problems in a logical manner, gathering relevant information and data, exploring different solutions and escalating issues where necessary
Informed Judgement & Decision Making
- Makes balanced judgements and decisions, drawing from evidence, experience and relevant policies and procedures.
- Makes appropriate and timely decisions, seeking support when required
- Exhibits good judgement in dealing with difficult, ambiguous situations and 'on-the-spot' issues
Key Skills Examples
- Research skills
- Data management & visualisation
- Data analytics
- Critical thinking
Leading and Empowering
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to lead in our areas of expertise, inspire others and create a clear vision. We are committed to developing, supporting, and empowering our colleagues to meet their potential and to creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone's contribution is valued.
Leading, Motivating & Developing
Leadership Capacity, Coaching & Developing
- Shows leadership capacity, through coaching, supporting and motivating others
- Has a good understanding of other’s strengths and makes an effort to utilise and develop these
- Provides feedback and/or supports performance management, where appropriate or with managerial support
Empowerment, Trust & Honesty
- Empowers and trusts their colleagues, delegates tasks where possible and values others’ input and opinions
- Helps create an inclusive, safe and open teamworking environment
- Works with integrity, honesty and accountability
Social & Emotional Awareness
- Prioritises wellbeing for self and others, showing consideration, empathy and support
- Demonstrates good self-awareness and ability to manage own emotions and behaviour, particularly in challenging situations
Key Skills Examples
- Performance management
- Coaching and feedback
- Conflict management
- Managing remote or blended teams
Leading with Specialist Insight
Specialist Expertise & Professional Development
- Demonstrates a high degree of specialist expertise and knowledge in their area
- Committed to continuous professional development, engaging in relevant courses, conferences and activities to keep knowledge up to date
Leading, Advocating & Knowledge Sharing
- Leads and advocates in their area of expertise, through openly sharing insights, knowledge, evidence and rationale
- Finds opportunities to share and transfer knowledge
- Capable of describing technical terms in an easily understandable manner
Working Independently & Autonomously
- Capable of working independently, as well as with their team and with other areas or functions
- Comfortable working autonomously, determining what work needs to be done and how to do it, with the ability to self-motivate
Key Skills Examples
- Specialist skills in own area of expertise
- Communication and influencing skills
- Research skills
Communicating and Collaborating
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to work together, build relationships and collaborate enabling a joined up, whole-of-Government approach. Effective engagement and communication with our customers, clients and colleagues will enhance and build trust in our services.
Communicating & Influencing
Communicating Effectively & Listening to Understand
- Communicates and presents in a clear, professional and engaging manner, across verbal, digital and written communications
- Shares the appropriate level of detail and presents relevant information and data in an accessible and understandable format
- Demonstrates understanding of own communication approach, developing their skills and adjusting style, as appropriate
- Prioritises diversity and makes an active effort to involve and listen to different people and perspectives
Influencing & Negotiation Skills
- Tactfully influences and persuades others and considers compromise when necessary
- Style of influencing, negotiating and managing conflict is appropriate and respectful at all times
- Approaches difficult discussions, questions or negotiations with consideration and sensitivity, seeking support where required
Key Skills Examples
- Written skills
- Presenting
- Active listening
- Influencing and negotiation skills
Engaging & Collaborating
Networking, Engaging & Consulting
- Builds useful networks, internally, externally and internationally
- Prioritises engaging and consulting with relevant stakeholders
Collaboration, Teamwork & Building Relationships
- Effectively collaborates within and outside of their team
- Utilises interpersonal skills to build positive and effective working relationships, even in a blended or hybrid environment
- Keeps their team, colleagues and manager appropriately informed, involved and updated
- Asks questions to understand the work happening across other areas and offers to support cross-functional projects where possible
Key Skills Examples
- Networking skills
- Collaboration
- Teamwork
- Interpersonal skills
Additional Information
For more information visit the Interview Advice page.
To download the Capability Framework (PDF or plaintext accessible version)
please click below: