Position: Programmes and Research Officer
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Start date: Immediate
Duration: 1 year
Reports to: Policy and Research Manager
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7.
Mental Health Reform (MHR) operates a hybrid system of remote working and in office working.
- 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 programmes or projects, conducting research and producing high quality reports. The individual will also prepare policy submissions, briefing notes, and contribute to organising policy and research-based events and presentations.
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 85 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.
Main responsibilities:
a) Developing and building MHR’s evidence base
- Designing, conducting and/or overseeing small scale research projects, including for example conducting surveys and analysing results.
- Supporting strategic research partnerships with external academic and VCS partners.
- Drafting and editing research reports.
- Helping to progress the wider mental health research environment in Ireland.
- Dissemination of research findings through launch events and other channels.
- Scoping potential research projects gaps and opportunities.
- Supporting the identification of funding opportunities and making research grant applications.
- Maintaining MHR’s Research Advisory Committee and developing and fostering expert contact relationships.
- Preparing donor reports ensuring all reports are of high quality and submitted in a timely manner.
b) Supporting the implementation of MHR’s policy reform agenda
- Preparing documents to inform the coalition’s activities including position papers, concept notes, agendas, speeches, proposals and presentations.
- Manage agreed policy programmes and research projects, including consultations with relevant stakeholders.
- Conduct desk research on international and national good practice and implementation of policy.
- Develop relationships with policy and research partners related to the work of MHR.
- Prepare briefing papers, information analysis and updates as required.
- Produce policy submissions and research papers in support of MHRs policy objectives.
- Proactively monitor relevant developments in Irish and international mental health policy, practice and law.
- Organise policy and research events, including seminars, conferences, public meetings, etc.
c) Developing and strengthening partnerships
- 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.
d) 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.
- Supervise interns and/or volunteers as required.
- Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the CEO/Manager.
- 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:
- Third level qualification in social policy, social science, human rights, public policy or other relevant discipline.
- Relevant experience in similar policy or research role.
- Experience in writing policy submission, policy papers and briefing documents.
- An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project.
- 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.
- 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:
- Experience designing and conducting quantitative research to publishable standard.
- Experience in conducting participatory research.
- Experience in applied research.
- Experience writing grant applications for research funding.
- Knowledge of mental health issues.
- Knowledge of Salesforce, Survey Monkey & Project Management tools such as Asana.
Pay & Benefits:
- The salary will be commensurate with skills & experience within the salary band €30,000 – €40,000.
Mental Health Reform operates the following benefits for its employees:
- A pension scheme.
- Annual leave 24 days, exclusive of public holidays, 1 wellbeing day per year.
- Hybrid working arrangement.
- Additional 4 days of PTO per year (Good Friday & Christmas).
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
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 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.
Application process:
- Please email your completed application form to info@mentalhealthreform.ie. In your cover letter please state your salary expectations and when you would be able to begin the role.
- Requests for additional information can be sent to info@mentalhealthreform.ie.
- Closing date for the submission of applications is Sunday 9th February at 11.59pm.
- Interviews are expected to take place the week starting 17th February.
Mental Health Reform is an equal opportunities employer
