Director of Surrogacy - Principal Officer

Director of Surrogacy - Principal Officer

• Dublin, Ireland
• Full time, Permanent

Who We Are

The Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) is a new, independent Irish statutory authority established under the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. The principal function of the AHRRA is to protect, promote and, in so far as is practicable, ensure the health and well-being of children born as a result of AHR, persons undergoing AHR treatment, and intending parents. The AHRRA will regulate AHR and surrogacy by licensing treatment providers, publishing codes of practi

The Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) is a new, independent Irish statutory authority established under the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. The principal function of the AHRRA is to protect, promote and, in so far as is practicable, ensure the health and well-being of children born as a result of AHR, persons undergoing AHR treatment, and intending parents. The AHRRA will regulate AHR and surrogacy by licensing treatment providers, publishing codes of practice, approving surrogacy agreements that comply with the Act, maintaining databases and registers to be established under the Act, as well as other functions as required.

Description AboutUs

The Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) is a new, independent Irish statutory authority established under the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 . The principal function of the AHRRA is to protect, promote and, in so far as is practicable, ensure the health and well-being of children born as a result of AHR, persons undergoing AHR treatment, and intending parents. The AHRRA will regulate AHR and surrogacy by licensing treatment providers, publishing codes of practice, approving surrogacy agreements that comply with the Act, maintaining databases and registers to be established under the Act, as well as other functions as required.

Role Purpose

TheDirector of Surrogacywilloversee the work of the AHRRA inregulation of surrogacy arrangements,providing informationtothe public about prospective and retrospective surrogacy processesin both the domestic and internationalcontext.

The role is central to safeguarding the welfare of children born through surrogacy, protecting intending parents and surrogates, and ensuring high quality, compliant clinical practice.

The Director will lead the end to end establishment, operationalisation, and ongoing oversight of the surrogacy regulatory framework under theHealth(Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024and any amending legislation. This framework will ensure thatall domestic and international surrogacyapplicationsareassessedin accordance withstatutory requirements, ethical standards, and the AHRRA's regulatory mandate.

The Director will alsobe responsible forensuring that thedecisionsmade by the AHRRAwith respect to surrogacyagreementsaremadetransparentlyin accordance withfair proceduresand natural justice. Serving as a key part of the AHRRA leadership team,theDirector of Surrogacywillcontributetooverall progression of the AHRRA in its implementation of the legislation in addition topolicy development and information sharingregardingsurrogacy andassistedhuman reproduction.

Key Requirements

• Significantsenior levelexperience inserviceregulation, public administration, health policy, legal practice, or a related field.
• Demonstratedexpertisein complex statutory implementation, regulatory operations, or oversight of clinical or legal processes.
• Goodunderstanding of assisted human reproduction, family law, or health sector governance.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage high stakes operational environments.
• Excellent judgement, analytical capability, and decision making skills.
• Excellent skills in thecompilation andpresentation of data and or research.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders, Government Departments, and the public.
• Experience in undertakingor co-ordinatingresearch intothe area of surrogacy or family formation.
• Working knowledge of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance at Principal Officer (PO) level. PO is a senior leadership position and the full narrative for the competencies can be found in the candidate booklet.

Eligibility to Work in Ireland

Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. Candidate must meet one of the following at the time of application:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission
• Please note that a 50 TEU Visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

The AHRRA is an equal opportunities employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and feels valued, respected and supported to be their authentic selves.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, where required, throughout the recruitment process. To discuss or request accommodations in confidence, please contact .

Paid Time-Off for Vacation and Sick Days

The Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer