Job Description
Position: Research Officer
Start Date: ASAP
Reports to: Policy and Research Manager
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7. [Please note MHR is currently developing a hybrid working policy which will allow for staff to work part of their time in the workplace and part of their time from home]
1. Position Summary
This position sits in the policy and research unit. This role oversees and develops the evidence base for Mental Health Reform’s policy and advocacy work towards better mental health and related services. This includes planning and overseeing a research programme/projects, conducting research and producing high quality reports.
2. About Mental Health Reform
Mental Health Reform (MHR) is the national coalition driving reform of Ireland’s mental health services and supports. Our vision is of an Ireland where everyone can access the support that they need in their community to achieve their best possible mental health. With more than 75 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a coordinated voice to Government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues. https://mentalhealthreform.ie/
3. Main responsibilities
a) Developing and building MHR’s evidence base
- Designing, conducting and/or overseeing desk research
- Designing, conducting and/or overseeing quantitative research including conducting surveys and analysing quantitative data
- Conducting qualitative research including data collection through and analysis of focus groups and interviews
- Drafting and editing research reports
- Disseminating of research findings through launch events and other channels
- Scoping potential research projects
- Supporting the identification of funding opportunities and making research grant applications
- Maintaining MHR’s Research Advisory Committee and developing and fostering expert contact relationships
- Writing of management and donor reports ensuring all reports are of high quality and submitted in a timely manner
b) Developing and strengthening partnerships
- Develop and maintain a network of contacts to inform and increase the impact of our work
- Develop and maintain a network of contacts in academia to inform and increase the impact of our work
- Consult regularly with members, people with lived experiences, peer organisations, allies and other relevant actors in order to stay current with trends and to ensure that MHR’s research, policy and advocacy agendas are responsive to these trends
- Represent MHR in cross-departmental consultative forums and at public events
c) Assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals
- Work within the framework of the overall objectives and the policies and practices of MHR
- Ensure all work undertaken complies with data protection and GDPR rules
- Contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, diversity, individual rights and choice in all aspects of work
- Update MHR’s contacts database
- Carry out other administrative duties as required
- Lead, manage and coach staff within the MHR performance management system
- Supervise staff, interns and/or volunteers as required
- Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the CEO
- Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time by the CEO and or Policy and Research Manager
- Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the CEO or Health & Safety Representative
4. The person
Skills, knowledge and experience required
- Postgraduate qualification in social science research methods
- An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project
- A strong track record of designing and conducting quantitative research to publishable standard
- Experience in conducting qualitative research including data collection through focus groups and interviews and analysis of qualitative data
- Competency using quantitative and qualitative analysis software (e.g. SPSS, NVivo)
- Fluent speaker and writer of English
- An ability to work with initiative and autonomy, taking responsibility for a functional role within a small team
- Experience supervising staff to deliver on research projects
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the capacity to tailor communications to different audiences
- Excellent organisational skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines
Desirable
- Knowledge of mental health issues
- Experience in conducting participatory research
- Experience in applied research
- A track record of publication of research in peer-reviewed journals
- Experience writing grant applications for research funding
- Knowledge of Salesforce, Survey Monkey & Project Management tools such as Teamworks
Additional notes
- This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisation’s aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time
Benefits
The salary range for Officers is €30,000 – €40,000 & will be commensurate with skills & experience.
Mental Health Reform operates the following benefits for its employees:
- Defined contribution pension scheme.
- Annual leave 24 days, exclusive of public holidays, 1 company day and 1 wellbeing day per year
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Application process
The deadline for applications is Sunday, 10th April 2022.
Please email your CV and cover letter to info@mentalhealthreform.ie
Requests for additional information can be sent to info@mentalhealthreform.ie
