Appointments as Chairperson and Ordinary Member to the Board of the Student Grant Appeals Board

Vacancy Information

Appointments as Chairperson and Ordinary Member to the Board of the Student Grant Appeals Board.

Closing date for this vacancy is 09/06/2026, 15:00.

Vacancy ID: 5040.

Department/Authority: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Role Overview

The Minister invites applications for Chairperson and Ordinary Member positions on the Board of Student Grant Appeals Board. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of experience at a senior level in the following areas:

• Previous experience of board membership and ideally experience of chairing a board
• One or more of the essential criteria listed below

Ordinary Member

Candidates must demonstrate experience at a senior level in one or more of the following areas:

• a) Student Representation - Demonstrable ability to represent the user perspective, either as a third level student or through another representative capacity; particularly desirable to have advocacy experience and knowledge of the student support system.
• Part of the assessment of cases before the Board involves review of financial circumstances; candidates should have demonstrable professional experience in financial management/accountancy or an area requiring financial literacy.
• c) Academic administration - Knowledge of the system of academic administration/policy and the student support system, as demonstrated by professional experience in third level administration or as an academic in a position of responsibility (e.g., Head of Department).
• d) Public sector administration - Senior professional experience administering complex schemes within the public service, including the ability to read, understand, and interpret complex legislation and budgetary processes.
• Significant experience in advocacy and the education sector, with familiarity with relevant legislative provisions.

Desirable Additional Experience

• Administrative experience at a high level, preferably in the civil or public service
• Knowledge of social welfare, health schemes, the education sector and/or income support schemes
• Experience in Information Technology, as the appeals process operates online
• Experience in operating and continuously improving complex administrative processes
• Familiarity with funding and policy interfaces and schemes
• Aware of stakeholders and the broader policy landscape
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in applying principles of good administration (fairness, impartiality, consistency, transparency, timelines) and sound judgement
• Previous experience on a Board, ideally a State Board
• Professional experience in interpretation of legislation
• Professional accountancy experience
• Qualification and/or membership of a relevant professional body
• Experience in reading, analysing and comprehending various statutes, regulations, and complex summaries of evidence for hearings
• Experience and understanding of the Post Leaving and Higher Education Sectors
• Experience in advocacy/community sector in education
• Knowledge of immigration, refugee and child welfare law

Closing Date

15:00 on Tuesday 9th June 2026.