Standards & Monitoring Officer

The National Disability Authority wishes to appoint a Standards and Monitoring Officer within the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Standards & Monitoring Department. It is expected that an initial vacancy to be filled from this panel will be a full-time, specific purpose role. 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.

In the first instance the post holder will fulfil the duties of Standards and Monitoring Officer within NDA but may be redeployed at Higher Executive Officer level as needs arise within the agency. As Standards and Monitoring Officer the post holder will be required to provide technical advice and expertise in relation to the development and monitoring of standards relevant to programmes and services accessed by persons with disabilities. The post holder will also be required to promote Universal Design in standards and monitoring work, in order to include people with disabilities but also people of any age, size or ability.

The person appointed will be part of the NDA’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Standards and Monitoring (CEUDSM) Department and will report to the Head of Department or their nominee.

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 and private sectors and representative organisations of people of any age, size, ability or disability. A high degree of flexibility and creativity will be required.

As a staff member, the holder of the post will be expected to work cross-functionally 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:

·        To provide advice and expertise both internally and externally on the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of codes of practice in relation to programmes and services for persons with disabilities and in the area of accessibility and Universal Design;

·        To assist in the development of guidance, performance indicators, and support the monitoring and implementation of codes of practice and standards as required with a focus on monitoring the implementation of the Code of Practice (COP) on the Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies[1]. This COP also supports the implementation of the European Accessibility Act and SI636/23;

·        To assist and attend committee and working group meetings on standards and related topics, and to present information and advice at such meetings;

·        To provide advice on and contribute to the review and evaluation of existing standards;

·        To keep informed of, and monitor all developments pertaining to, standards and standards methodologies relating to disability and Universal Design;

·        To undertake research and information gathering on standards generally for people with disabilities but also in the wider context of Universal Design;

·        To effectively liaise and engage with external organisations as appropriate in information and data gathering;

·        To contribute to the research and policy analysis when necessary to underpin and provide evidence-based advice on standards, policy and practice;

·        To support and work closely with NDA’s Research, Policy and Public Affairs staff in cross-functional and interdepartmental projects;

·        To manage and support staff where required;

·       To carry out such other duties and undertake training as may be assigned and required from time to time.

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

The essential requirements for the post of Standards and Monitoring Officer include:

·        Primary degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge with a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience at an appropriate level with experience of quality assurance, monitoring Codes of Practice or development of standards and/or guidance and /or quality assurance systems;

·        A demonstrated ability to monitor implementation of procedures, practices, policy or standards and to independently formulate advice and guidance based on research, evidence and best practice;

·        An aptitude for precision, attention to detail and commitment to quality results;

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

·        Excellent interpersonal skills with experience of influencing and interacting effectively with a range of external stakeholders, including statutory and non-statutory agencies;

·        Strong written and oral communication skills;

·        Demonstrated project management experience, ability to work on multiple projects and adaptable to change;

·        Evidence of an ability to work on own initiative complemented by a capacity to work well in both staff teams as well as external working groups;

·        Drive, initiative and flexibility;

·        A high degree of computer literacy, including knowledge and experience in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and graphic presentation software to compliment report and promotional activities.

The following requirements are considered desirable for the post:

·        An understanding of the policy environment in Ireland;

·        Knowledge and experience of disability-related issues;

·        Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis and using statistical packages e.g. Excel, SPSS.

Candidates’ Obligations

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify and will result in their exclusion from the process.

Candidates must not

·        Knowingly or recklessly provide false information

·        Canvass any person with or without inducements

·        Interfere with or compromise the process in any way

·        A third party must not personate a candidate at any stage of the process

·        Any person who contravenes the above provisions or who assists another person in contravening the above provisions is guilty of an offence. A person who is found guilty of an offence is liable to a fine/or imprisonment.

In addition, where a person found guilty of an offence was or is a candidate at a recruitment process, then:

·        Where he/she has not been appointed to a post, he/she will be disqualified as a candidate; and

·        Where he/she has been appointed subsequently to the recruitment process in question, he/she shall forfeit that appointment.

Specific candidate criteria

Candidates must

·        Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned

·        Be suitable on the grounds of character

·        Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned and if successful, they will not be appointed to the post unless they:

·        Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;

·        Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by the National Disability Authority, or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as required by the Authority relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

Citizenship Requirement

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 41 or a Stamp 5 visa

1 Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Data Protection Act 2018

When your application is received, we create a record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature and as part of the recruitment process. Such information held by the NDA and the employing organisation is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information on how we retain and use your personal data, please review the National Disability Authority’s Privacy Policy which includes instructions on their right to withdraw consent at any point.

To make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 2018, please submit your request in writing to: Data Protection Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, or email dataprotection@nda.ie

Ensure that you describe the records you seek in the greatest possible detail to enable us to identify the relevant record. Certain items of information, not specific to any individual, are extracted from records for general statistical purposes.

Principal Conditions of Service

Principal conditions of service will be applied in line with all relevant governmental circulars/procedures and policies applicable at time of placement.

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 February 2026 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

€59,435 – €61,173 – €62,908 – €64,640 – €66,380 – €68,111 – €69,849 – €72,353 LSI1 – €75,788 LSI2.

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale

€56,607 – €58,241 – €59,872 – €61,516 – €63,162 – €64,822 – €66,469 – €68,840 LSI1 – €72,108 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.