Case Study: Aoife McDonnell, 2018 Graduation Ball Special Award Winner
Aoife McDonnell , HR Operations at the National Shared Services Office, Ireland, was announced as winner of the DMS Ireland Special Award for Intermediate Qualifications in HR at the Graduation Ball on 14th September 2018. Aoife explains in her case study below her role and how completing the CIPD Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management added value to her organisation.
Name: Aoife McDonnell
Job Title: Clerical Officer, HR Operations
Organisation: National Shared Services Office, Republic of Ireland Civil Service
Number of years with your organisation company: 3-4 years
Brief Description of what the organisation does:
The National Shared Service Office (NSSO) is an organisation within the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). The NSSO consists of three main areas which are HR Shared Services, Payroll Shared Services and the Financial Management Shared Services (FMSS) with approx. 800 staff. All areas provide services to the wider Civil Service (CS), which would amount to approximately 35,000 customers.
Brief Description of your role within the organisation:
I work as a Clerical Officer in the Local HR Team within the NSSO. We provide HR services to over 800 staff working throughout the NSSO. I am part of the Resourcing/HR Operations Team.
Why did you choose to embark on the CIPD Qualification with DMS Ireland?
I chose to apply for the place in the CIPD Course as I felt that it would benefit me in my current role and help me to further my career. I only had experience in one area of HR and felt the course would give me a broader knowledge and introduce me to other areas of HR that I would have been less familiar with.
How did the CIPD Qualification help you in your role the workplace?
The course emphasised linking professional development to your role and aligning it with the wider business needs of the organisation and I developed a better awareness of my role in organisational performance and development and realised the impact HR professionals have on the delivery of strategic objectives. I’ve developed a greater understanding of how my organisation works and feel I have greater confidence in offering opinions and contributing to strategic HR planning.
How has your organisation benefited from you completing the CIPD Qualification?
I’m more aware of the data that we have access to and have started to think of ways it can be used to meet the objectives of the organisation.
How would you describe your experience working with DMS?
I really enjoyed working with DMS Ireland during my Diploma. The team were truly excellent. I couldn’t have been introduced to a nicer bunch of people. They all had a wealth of knowledge in their respected areas and were more than willing to share it with the group. I felt fully supported throughout my journey and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all especially Gillian for all their help and support.
How did it feel to win a Special Award at the DMS Ireland Graduation Ball 2018:
I was delighted to receive the Special Achievement Award, it was such a lovely surprise. I really wasn't expecting it! It was nice to receive the recognition for all the hard work I put in throughout the course.
The DMS Ireland Special Award for Intermediate Qualifications in HR was sponsored by CIPD HR-inform Ireland and presented by Darren Chadwick, Chief Commercial Officer.
