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HELG Chair

Job description:

Job Title: Chairperson – Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) 
Location: Flexible/Hybrid (Occasional national travel required) 
Type: Part-time, Fixed-Term (4 years) 4 days a year 
Remuneration: In line with Civil Service Chairperson rates, based on experience 

Overview 

The Horticulture Industry Forum sub-committee is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chairperson to lead a newly established multi-stakeholder committee (Horticulture Education Leadership Group). This group is tasked with driving the implementation of recommendations from the Horticulture Education Review Report 2025 (National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 to 2027) published in May 2025, focusing on 4 key areas: 

1.HELG should provide input into the review of horticultural educational content at all levels in line with the findings in the report. 

2.HELG should provide input to continuing professional development offerings in line with the findings in the report. 

3.HELG should coordinate and prepare material that can be used by education providers and industry stakeholders to promote/market horticulture as an attractive and rewarding career. 

4.To support an all-island approach, the HELG should, through existing North South arrangements, share the outputs and learnings from the review of curricula and the preparation of material to promote/market horticulture as a career  

The Chairperson will provide leadership, foster consensus, and ensure accountability across the educational providers, industry representatives and state agencies represented on the committee. This role is ideal for someone with senior leadership experience, credibility across the horticulture industry and education, and a passion for ensuring a long-term future for the horticulture sector. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Strategic Leadership:
    Guide the committee in translating report recommendations into clear, actionable priorities with measurable outcomes. 
  • Governance & Accountability:
    Chair quarterly meetings, oversee the creation and implementation of a work plan, and ensure transparent decision-making. 
  • Stakeholder Engagement:
    Act as a connector across government, industry, education providers, training providers to align efforts. 
  • Advocacy & Representation:
    Serve as a credible public voice to champion horticulture careers, including at events, in media, and within policy circles. 
  • Monitoring & Reporting:
    Oversee progress tracking against KPIs, provide regular updates to Horticulture Industry Forum sub committee.  

 

Person Specification 

Essential: 

  • Proven experience chairing strategic boards or working groups with multiple stakeholders 
  • Demonstrable understanding of opportunities and challenges facing the horticulture sector and vocational education and skills systems 
  • Excellent facilitation and consensus-building skills 
  • High-level communication and influencing ability 
  • In-depth knowledge of the horticulture sector, including trends and workforce challenges 

Desirable: 

  • Background in educational reform, horticulture, marketing  
  • Experience working across devolved or regional contexts 
  • Familiarity with international models of skills alignment in agriculture or land-based industries 

Term & Remuneration 

  • Four-year term with potential for extension 
  • Time commitment: approximately 5 days per year (4 meetings per year) 
  • Paid role in line with Civil Service Chairperson rates based on experience 

Application Process 

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a two-page cover letter outlining their suitability and vision for the role to info@hif.ie. Closing date for applications is 12th December 2025.