Agricultural Project Officer

ERINN Innovation Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working with flexi-hours

Pension contributions

Income protection

Travel opportunities

Employee ownership potential

Profit-sharing

Generous annual leave

Job summary

ERINN Innovation Ltd in Dublin, Ireland is seeking an Agricultural Project Officer to lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and transfer agricultural knowledge and innovations through stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer activities.

You will combine desktop research with in-person meetings to map knowledge flows, build networks, and support evidence-based decisions across the Irish agricultural and bioeconomy sectors.

Qualifications

• Educated to diploma/degree level in agricultural science or related field.
• Minimum two years' work experience in stakeholder engagement.
• Robust understanding of Irish agriculture and bioeconomy policy.
• Ability to translate research into practical knowledge transfer outputs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and transfer agricultural knowledge and innovations.
• Conduct desktop research, interviews, and in-person meetings on knowledge landscapes.
• Assess viability, scalability and impact for Irish agricultural sectors.
• Produce technical reports, policy briefs, and knowledge transfer assets.
• Run workshops and meetings to map knowledge flows among AKIS actors.
• Build and maintain networks across the Irish agricultural spectrum.
• Assist in project management, budgets, reporting, and contracting tasks.
• Participate in training, funding mapping, and cross-company knowledge transfer.

Skills

English (fluent)

Stakeholder engagement

Policy knowledge (CAP)

Research synthesis

Project management

Networking

Education

Diploma/Degree in Agricultural Science or related

Job description

ERINN Innovation is seeking a motivated individual to join our team working with CAP Network Ireland (Common Agricultural Policy).

The successful candidate will work to accelerate the uptake of agricultural knowledge and innovative practices to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of farming and of rural areas. This is an exciting opportunity to support disruptive, sustainable changes in the Irish agriculture and bioeconomy sectors within a committed, multidisciplinary team.

This role requires an individual who understands the realities of Irish agriculture. You must possess the critical foresight to appraise emerging research and innovations, identifying whether that knowledge has high impact potential and whether it can be transferred to end users in the Irish agricultural and bioeconomy sectors.

Overview

Contract: Full-time, 2-year contract (6-month probation) with potential for renewal contract and ultimately progress to Contract of Indefinite duration. Position available immediately.

Location: Dublin, Ireland

This is a hybrid role. Candidates must be resident in Ireland, and available to attend the office in Dublin a minimum of one day per week.

Closing date: 7th August 2026

About the Company

ERINN Innovation is a well-established organisation with a highly dedicated and focused team who work on projects, ideas, knowledge and technologies that will contribute to a better world and a healthier planet. Our team supports funding procurement for research projects, optimises knowledge management and effectively communicates and transfers key findings to stakeholders in policy, academia, industry and society to help solve challenges such as climate change, sustainable consumption and production, and improved food security.

Our multidisciplinary team covers diverse thematic areas including Agriculture, Marine, Environment, Climate Change, and Food. We pride ourselves on a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture that values curiosity, excellence, and a passion for making a difference.

Employee Benefits

• Intellectually stimulating work within a values-led company culture
• National and international travel opportunities
• Hybrid working conditions with flexi-hours options
• Employer pension contributions and Income Protection Insurances
• Opportunities for Employee ownership and profit-sharing
• Holiday entitlements are 20 working days per annum, an additional 5 days of company leave is given over the Christmas period and 1 extra day’s annual leave per year of service up to a max of 5.

The Role

The Agricultural Project Officer will lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and transfer agricultural knowledge and innovations. You will combine independent desktop research with active, person-to-person engagement to determine which outputs can drive real-world adoption in the Irish agricultural and bioeconomy sectors.

• Conduct rigorous independent desktop research, interviews, and in-person meetings to scan international and domestic research landscapes for innovative agricultural, bioeconomy and related sector knowledge.
• Strategic collection and evaluation of researched innovations to immediately determine their viability, scalability, and potential impact within the context of the Irish agricultural and bioeconomy sectors.
• Produce high-quality project deliverables and outputs, including technical reports, policy briefs, evidence summaries, press releases, knowledge transfer assets, and clear, accessible communication materials (infographics, video, website content, and social media).
• Run targeted knowledge transfer activities, participatory workshops, and in-person meetings to map and manage knowledge flows, connecting researchers, advisors, farmers, industry and other AKIS actors.
• Actively build, grow, and maintain vibrant professional networks across the Irish agricultural spectrum, including representing ERINN Innovation externally.
• Efficient project management with due regard to internal and external contracting authorities reporting requirements and statutory obligation, including budget management and monitoring.
• Engage in meetings, conferences, and project team events by delivering impactful contributions and effective presentations to diverse audiences, which may include partners and stakeholders from varied backgrounds and industries.
• Participate in other business services provided by ERINN Innovation such as proposal reviews, training and funding mapping, knowledge transfer activities across the company portfolio (full training will be provided).

Required Skills and Experience

Along with the essential and desired criteria below, candidates should clearly demonstrate how and why they are aligned to ERINN Innovation’s values.

• EEA work authorisation as well as fluent written and spoken English.
• Educated to diploma/degree level in a relevant area e.g. agricultural science, agribusiness, sustainable food systems etc., and at least two years previous work experience in Stakeholder Engagement.
• Robust understanding of Irish agriculture and the bioeconomy, including farming systems, sustainability challenges, climate change, and policy frameworks (such as the CAP Strategic Plan).
• Proven ability to execute independent desktop research, critically appraise scientific or technical innovations, and synthesise complex data into accessible, high-quality outputs and deliverables.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with experience running interviews, focus groups, or participatory workshops across diverse audiences (from farmers to policymakers), and the ability to communicate and converse clearly, courteously, and professionally.
• Creative approach to problem solving, pro-active and willing to learn.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within Ireland (and occasionally internationally) for events, workshops, interviews, and meetings, including occasional overnight stays.
• Full drivers’ licence is a requirement and access to a vehicle is preferential.
• Flexibility, as overtime may occasionally be required to meet deadlines as part of the contract. Roles may also be adapted in future depending on candidate strengths and the needs of the business.

Desired Criteria

• An existing professional network within Irish agriculture, bioeconomy, or rural development circles (e.g., Teagasc/advisory services, research bodies, or EIP-AGRI operational groups).
• Direct experience working with Irish government agencies, departments, universities, or agricultural stakeholders.
• Familiarity with knowledge management methodologies, co-creation, Living Labs, technology transfer, or EU policy processes.
• Familiarity with innovation accelerators, start-up funding strategies, or the assessment of intellectual property.

Application Procedure

Please send your CV and cover letter to [e-mail] with the subject line “AGRI PO CAP” by 5pm Friday 7 August 2026. Your cover letter should outline your agricultural and stakeholder engagement experience.

Note

The position will require the successful applicant to work in the Dublin office on a regular basis.

Interviews

• First round interviews will be held virtually (Teams/Zoom) from 20 August 2026.
• Final interviews will be held in person at the ERINN Innovation office in Olympic House, Dublin 8 (Eircode: D08 H67X) during the week of 31 August – 4 September 2026.

As part of the interview process candidates will be asked to complete demonstration tasks.

ERINN Innovation does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies at this time.

About

ERINN Innovation is a value-driven company owned by the staff who support research and innovation to have impact.

ERINN Innovation Ltd
Company No.: 600883 (Ireland)

Directors