Research Officer

The NDA wishes to appoint a Research Officer to join the Policy, Research and Public Affairs Department. It is expected that an initial vacancy to be filled from this panel will be a specific purpose role for a period of 12 months. This competition will result in the creation of a panel for full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary roles over the next two years. There is currently one temporary position available. The post-holder will report to a Senior Research Officer in the department.

The NDA’s research and policy advice activities are based on the NDA’s Strategic Plan and annual work plan and guided by relevant developments related to disability policy and practice. The primary target audience for the NDA’s information and advice are the Ministers in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, policymakers and practitioners. Research is disseminated to a wider audience as appropriate, particularly including persons with disabilities.

The NDA has a role to develop practical policy and planning advice informed by research, statistical data and other relevant information and analysis. The organisation analyses policies, programmes and strategies relevant to the lives of disabled people in order to support quality improvement and impact as appropriate.

The NDA also advises public bodies on the collection and use of statistical data relevant to disability but ensures that the lived experience of persons with disabilities is also captured through qualitative analysis.

The role will focus on applied research on disability, conducted internally or commissioned, in support of the NDA’s’s roles of policy advice, and standards development and monitoring.

In the first instance the post holder will fulfil the duties of Research Officer within the NDA but may be redeployed at Higher Executive Officer level as needs arise within the agency.

The successful implementation of this role requires a number of key relationships to be fostered and developed. These will include relationships with colleagues and personnel from a range of agencies, including the public, private and community and voluntary sectors including Disabled Person’s Organisations. A high degree of flexibility and creativity will be required.

As a staff member, the holder of the post will be expected to actively contribute to and participate in the overall development of the NDA and to promote its policies at all times, to effectively represent the NDA, and to adhere to NDA values.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The core duties and responsibilities will include the following:

·        Undertake desk, primary and secondary research (both qualitative and quantitative) on relevant disability and universal design issues to support the formulation of evidence informed advice;

·        Advise and assist in the identification and measurement of indicators of progress as outlined in legislation or in national strategies, policies and programmes;

·        Identify and progress ways to measure impact and effectiveness of key policies and practices across areas relevant to disability;

·        Develop and present reports and visual representations of data and information on specific topics;

·        Collaborate with colleagues and with partner organisations on research, including overseeing and managing NDA-funded or commissioned work through management of contracts, budgets, quality assurance of reports received and organisation of report launch events and other dissemination activities;

·        Support developing and drafting NDA policy briefing papers and statistical factsheets on relevant areas, informed by robust analysis of appropriate data and literature reviews;

·        Ensure adherence to defined quality standards and policies on all projects undertaken, in particular the quality control of research output;

·        Represent the NDA at committee and working group meetings on specific topics and present the NDA’s information and advice;

·        Manage junior staff to enhance their contribution to the work of the Policy, Research and Public Affairs team; and

·        Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Unit or line manager.

Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this job description should not be regarded as exhaustive in scope and may be added to or altered as required.

Person Specification

In applying for the post, applicants are strongly advised to clearly demonstrate how they fulfil the following essential requirements and capabilities. The selection process may include short-listing of candidates on the basis of the information provided in the application form. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of how your skills, personal qualities, qualifications and experience meet the requirements for the post.

The following criteria are considered the minimum for the post:

·        Hold a qualification at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications, or have equivalent research experience, in a relevant discipline such as, psychology, sociology, social policy, statistics, demography, economics, community health or a related discipline which includes a relevant quantitative or qualitative research component;

·        At least three years’ experience of research and research management in a relevant field.

The following criteria are considered essential for the post:

·       A sound knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation methods and quality criteria;

·       Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills, with knowledge of appropriate software packages (e.g. SPSS, NVivo, etc.) and strong IT skills;

·       Ability to analyse and evaluate information and use findings to inform recommendations;

·       Good judgement, decision-making, analysis and practical problem solving skills;

·       A track record in project management and delivery of results;

·       Strong written, oral and digital communication skills with the capacity to write simply and clearly, and to explain research findings to a non-technical audience;

·       Capacity to respond efficiently to urgent requests for data;

·       Flexibility, commitment and capacity to work as a member of a team;

·       Ability to work as a self-starter and on own initiative;

·       A clear thinker with an aptitude for precision and attention to detail;

·       Good interpersonal skills and capacity to develop partnerships;

·       Good administrative and organisational ability.

The following criteria are considered desirablefor the post:

·       A third level qualification to Masters level in a relevant discipline including psychology, sociology, social policy, statistics, demography, economics, community health;

·       An understanding and appreciation of the policy environment and of the public service in Ireland;

·       Knowledge and experience of disability-related issues;

·       Experience in visualising data and communicating statistical findings to a non-specialist audience;

·       People management experience.

Salary

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale of the Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale. The salary scale for the position is as follows:

Pay scale with effect from 01 August 2025 for Civil Servants appointed on or after 6th April 1995 paying the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and making an employee contribution in respect of personal superannuation benefits (PPC):

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale – PPC

€58,847 – €60,567 – €62,285 – €64,000 – €65,723 – €67,437 – €69,157 – €71,637 LSI1 – €74,112 LSI2

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €56,047 – €57,664 – €59,279 – €60,907 – €62,537 – €64,180 – €65,811 – €68,158 LSI1 – €70,513 LSI2

Entry will be at the first point of the scale. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave

·        The annual leave allowance for the position of Higher Executive Officer is 29 days.

·        This allowance is subject to conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public sector and is based on a 5-day week, exclusive of public holidays.

Hours of Work

Hours of attendance will be not less than 35 hours net per week. Your normal working hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The NDA operates a blended working policy which requires a minimum attendance on site of two days per week. This requirement is dependent on the requirements of the role and will vary from time to time. Details of this arrangement are agreed locally with your line manager.

Rest Periods

The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 will apply to this appointment.

Place of work

The National Disability Authority is currently located in 25 Clyde Road, Dublin, D04 E409.

Tenure

This is a Higher Executive Officer Panel (Full Time and/or Part Time, Permanent and/or Specific Purpose). You will be required to undergo a probationary period.

Sick Leave

Pay during sick absence will apply in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations.

PRSI

Officers who pay Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts directly to the National Disability Authority. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits.

Outside Employment

Appointees to full-time positions may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.