Title of Post Research Manager Location Christchurch Square, Dublin 8. Employment Type Fulltime (37 hrs) and 3 Year contract Salary 50,209-65,505 Contact Person Helena Nolan 01 4530355 To apply, email application to recruitment@barnardos.ie Please put your name and the name of the post you re applying for in the subject heading of your email. Closing Date 5pm Friday 13 th February 2015 Please see the full job description at the end of this document for full details on the Qualifications and Experience required for this role. Application Procedure Applicants should complete the Application Form and email it to the email address above before the closing date. Shortlisting will apply Candidates who are moved to the 2 nd stage of our Recruitment process are required to complete a medical questionnaire and a Garda Vetting Form. References will be taken up at this stage.
Information Note for this position Name of the Project: Barnardos Best Practice Training and Consultancy Department Address/Location: Christchurch Square Contact Details: 01 4530355 What is Barnardos? Barnardos supports children whose well being is under threat, by working with them, their families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children. Barnardos was established in Ireland in 1962 and is Irelands leading Children s charity. What does our service do? Barnardos Best Practice Training and Consultancy (BPTC) service has both an internal and external remit: Internally to provide service design, practice development, research, auditing and monitoring and practice related training. External interface for Barnardos information, publications, library, research, service design, best practice models, training and practice development support to the Early Year s Sector and beyond. What will the Research Manager do? The purpose of the research function in Barnardos is to contribute to the achievement of the organisation s strategic goals through the analysis of data in a timely, effective and efficient way and by providing high quality and methodologically robust research and evaluation. The role is located and line managed within the Children s Services department, however, the research function and the outputs generated cut across and may be utilised by other departments in the organisation. The specific aims of the research function are outlined in the job description and involve overseeing all Barnardos research and evaluation activity including: conducting and overseeing research and evaluation within and outside of Barnardos and working in collaboration with others to advance Barnardos research agenda. Another primary aspect of the role is to oversee the development, implementation, use and analysis of data from the Barnardos Children s Services Database. This role will also work to monitor outcomes and track longitudinal data on programme effectiveness and assist in the translating of evidence into practice across the organisation. Where can I find out more? www.barnardos.ie
Research Manager Job Description Post: Research Manager Location: National Office, Christchurch Square, Dublin 8. Responsible to: Assistant Director, Best Practice Training and Consultancy service. Works with: Director of Children s Services, Assistant Directors of Children s Services, Assistant Director of Advocacy, Best Practice Officers, BPTC Managers and staff, Service Managers, Service Staff, Database Administrator, Library Co-ordinator and staff, IT department and External Organisations. Job Purpose The purpose of the research function in Barnardos is to contribute to the achievement of the organisation s strategic goals through the analysis of data in a timely, effective and efficient way and by providing high quality and methodologically robust research and evaluation. Core Job Requirements Requirements specific to this post: Research and evaluation: Conduct primary and secondary research in order to better understand the needs and circumstances of vulnerable or disadvantaged children and families in order to inform service provision and advocacy. Work with internal and external stakeholders and agencies to support and advance Barnardos research agenda. Carry out evaluations as required to demonstrate the impact of Barnardos interventions on participating children and families. Manage the relationship with external researchers undertaking research and evaluation within Barnardos. Work in collaboration with research centres and academic institutions to ensure that Barnardos research is of the highest standard and research methods conform to best practice. Provide consultancy research on behalf of Barnardos through responding to invitations to tender (ITT) for relevant research and evaluation requests from other organisations in the statutory or community and voluntary sectors.
Assess and approve research requests from people wishing to conduct research within Barnardos. Supporting and advising local Barnardos research initiatives. Represent Barnardos on external research steering groups relevant to Barnardos research agenda or involving Barnardos services as appropriate. Database and record keeping systems: Oversee the development, implementation and use of Barnardos Children s Services Database. Analyse data from Barnardos service user database to meet the organisation s operational, commercial and strategic requirements. Participate in the development, design and implementation of Barnardos Service User Electronic Record Keeping System. Supporting Evidence Based Practice: Enable Barnardos to monitor outcomes and track longitudinal data on programme effectiveness through supporting the use, recording and analysis of outcome measurement tools within our services. Assist in the translating of evidence into practice across the organisation. Library and Information: Oversee the co-ordination, delivery and development of Barnardos Library and Information Service. General: Collate information and prepare reports suitable for a variety of different audiences. To propose a budget for your areas of responsibility, participate in budget planning and manage approved budgets for your area of responsibility in line with Barnardos financial procedures. To pursue funding opportunities to support the work and to prepare and submit funding proposals in consultation with the Assistant Director. To ensure that the protection and welfare of children is a primary concern of all staff and that, when child protection issues arise, Barnardos policies and procedures are fully adhered to. To ensure all staff, students and volunteers receive regular and professional supervision and appraisals. To ensure training needs are identified and addressed to ensure learning is promoted within your area of responsibility. To manage the recruitment process for staff within your area of responsibility.
Organisational Role To participate in the development of organisational policy and plans to ensure they are implemented within your area of responsibility. To ensure that the services within your area of responsibility operate in a cohesive way and to participate in organisational development. To participate at management level and other appropriate groups to contribute to the development of strategies and policies within the organisation. To represent Barnardos as appropriate, which may involve media and advocacy work. To undertake specific organisational tasks in agreement with the line manager. Requirements of all Barnardos staff Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations. To participate in regular supervision with your line manager. To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole. To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner. To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required. Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice. Participate in and engage with a performance management programme. Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role. To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer. To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate. To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time. To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal. Note: this Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.
Person Specification Research Manager Qualifications A relevant professional qualification in research. An additional qualification in a discipline such as social work or psychology or education would be an advantage. Experience ESSENTIAL Experience of field research with service users and staff. Experience of disseminating research to a variety of audiences. Experience of working with people at a variety of levels in an organisation. Experience of managing multiple research projects. Experience of drafting commissioning or tender documents for research. Experience of analysing quantitative and qualitative data. DESIRABLE Experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, and their parents in community settings. Experience of working with groups. Experience of integrating research and evaluation research into service delivery. Experience of managing a research or similar purchasing budget. Knowledge ESSENTIAL Knowledge of different types of research and evaluation. Detailed knowledge of a range of research methodologies and techniques as they pertain to research with children. Knowledge of information management systems. Knowledge of SPSS or equivalent for analysing information. Knowledge of Data Protection Act. DESIRABLE Knowledge of a range of theories and approaches relevant to working with children, young people, and their parents (e.g. child development theory, family systems theory, solution focussed approach, group work theory). Clear understanding of current policies and legislation affecting children (e.g. Childcare Act, Children s Act, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, National Children s Strategy). Skills and Abilities Proficient in managing and undertaking the collection, cleaning, analysis and reporting of data.
Ability to win confidence within both academic and practitioner groupings to advance Barnardos strategy. Ability to self-motivate and use initiative to develop ideas to fruition. Ability to think creatively and innovatively and to be flexible. Ability to establish professional credibility Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships Ability to celebrate difference and work with a variety of perspectives Ability to listen and value others ideas Ability to give and receive constructive feedback Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in tight timescales Ability to produce clear, succinct written material Ability to communicate clearly and contribute to the sharing of information Ability to travel (Flexibility and availability are essential) Positive, solution focused approach Ability to inspire and motivate others Commitment to children s rights and participation