Programme Officer
Reporting to: Innovation Coordinator
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7
Duration: 1 year (fixed term contract)
Hours: Full -time (37 hours per week)
Salary Range: €30,000 – €40,000 per annum, based on qualifications/experience
- About Mental Health Reform:
Mental Health Reform (MHR) is Ireland’s leading national coalition on mental health. Our vision is of an Ireland where everyone can access the support they need in their community, to achieve their best possible mental health. In line with this vision, we drive the progressive reform of mental health services and supports, through coordination and policy development, research and innovation, accountability and collective advocacy. With over 80 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a unified voice to Government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues.
- Context for this recruitment:
MHR’s Innovation team work across a range of projects which explore the use of technology and other innovations to enhance the provision of mental health in Ireland. One such example is the Brave New Connections (BNC) project which operated during the pandemic to support organisations in the voluntary and community mental health sector to adapt/respond to the challenges they were facing.
During the pandemic, the adoption of online/digital approaches for service provision was the most striking aspect of adaptation for most organisations in the sector, with a main focus and motivation to keep their services operating during the pandemic disruptions. The BNC project implemented a well-received capacity-building programme for the sector which included extensive research on the experiences and needs of 53 organisations, major knowledge exchange events, preparation of guidance materials, roundtables with groups of organisations sharing common interests, and seed starting some concrete initiatives with organisations supporting vulnerable groups.
MHR are now continuing to build on these achievements through a ‘BNC 2.0’ programme of work which commenced earlier this year. This comes at a time when many organisations are now considering how they can purposively leverage innovation possibilities presented by online/digital approaches and as many now offer mental health services across a mix of channels (both online and in-person). A sub-programme of this ‘BNC 2.0’ capacity-building work will focus on supporting innovation in the youth mental health sector.
Overview of the Position:
The Programme Officer will support the MHR Innovation team in delivering our projects in this area. Core aspects of the role will include assisting the project manager in the overall running of the projects as well as delivering on particular elements of the projects as required. The latter will include research activities, engagement/communication with the broad range of voluntary and community sector mental health organisations.
Main responsibilities:
Activities will be decided in conjunction with the MHR project team on the basis of the needs of the organisation and the experience and competencies of the candidate but are likely to include:
Programme support and coordination
- Support the development and implementation of the objectives of MHR’s innovation portfolio
- Establish, maintain, and develop strong working relationships with relevant project stakeholders
- Supports communication and dissemination activities through drafting of online content, including social media, in collaboration with MHR’s communication team
- Carrying out other administrative duties as required
- Representing MHR externally when requested
Research and evaluation support
- Organisation of research-based events, such as consultations, focus groups, meetings and seminars (both online and in-person).
- Data analysis and drafting findings/reports
- Monitoring evidence and latest developments in relation to mental health and MHR’s innovation programme and providing briefings when required
Assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals
- Work within the framework of the overall objectives and the policies and practices of MHR
- Prepare and report on your individual work plan targets as directed by your Line Manager, and in accordance with the organisational strategic goals
- 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
- Supervise interns and/or volunteers as required
- Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your manager
- Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time by the CEO
- Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the Operations, Finance & Governance Manager or the Health & Safety Representative
Skills, knowledge and experience required:
- A third-level post graduate qualification in a social science or related discipline or equivalent experience in an applied field
- Project officer experience (project management or support role)
- Report writing
- Experience in and familiarity with the voluntary and community sector in Ireland
- Fluent speaker and writer of English
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills including an ability to work to deadlines
- Keen interest in the area of mental health
- Skill in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Excel, online video platform (to organise and facilitate online meetings/events)
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexibility
Desirable skills and experience:
- Quantitative and qualitative research experience
- Familiarity with mental health issues in Ireland
- Familiarity with voluntary sector mental health services and supports
- Experience producing written work of publishable standard
- Experience organising events (online and/or in-person)
MHR benefits:
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Annual leave entitlement is 24 days, exclusive of public holidays,1 company day and 1 wellbeing day per year
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Hybrid working arrangements
Application process:
Please email your CV and cover letter to info@mentalhealthreform.ie
Requests for additional information can be sent to info@mentalhealthreform.ie Closing date for the submission of applications is Monday 17th April at 5pm
Please note:
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 organisations 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.
This is a one-year position with the possibility of extending.
Flexibility is required regarding hours as some weekend and evening work will be necessary. Travel and out of office work will also be a feature of the role.
Mental Health Reform is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
All documentation received by Mental Health Reform will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; 2018). The information will only be used by Mental Health Reform in the processing of job applications and for ongoing administrative purposes with job candidates.
The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in Ireland.
