Position: Research & Policy Officer
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Start date: ASAP
Duration: Temporary contract until December 2021
Reports to: Policy & Research Manager
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7
[Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to government restrictions, the successful candidate may also be required to work remotely.]
Position Summary
This position sits in the Policy and Research unit. This short-term role will oversee and develop the evidence base for Mental Health Reform (MHR)’s policy and advocacy work, towards better mental health and related services. This includes planning and overseeing research programmes or projects, conducting research and producing high quality reports. The individual will also be involved in the drafting of policy submissions, briefing notes, and in organising policy and research-based events.
About Mental Health Reform:
Mental Health Reform 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 over 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 challenges.
Main Responsibilities:
a) Developing and building MHR’s evidence base
- Conducting qualitative research including data collection through analysis of focus groups and interviews
- Drafting and editing research reports
Dissemination 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 a research advisory group
- 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) 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
- Keep abreast of the policy context in which MHR operates and the processes it seeks to influence
- Represent MHR in cross-departmental consultative forums and at public events
c) Developing and strengthening partnerships
- Develop and maintain a network of contacts to inform and increase the impact of our work
- Consult regularly with members, people with lived experience of mental health challenges, 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
- 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 & 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 and safety representative
The Person:
Skills, knowledge and experience required:
- Postgraduate qualification in social science
- 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
- 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:
- Knowledge of mental health difficulties
- Experience writing grant applications for research funding
Benefits:
The salary range for Officer is €30,000 – €40,000 commensurate with skills and 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
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, so it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time.
- 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 CV and cover letter to info@mentalhealthreform.ie
Requests for additional information can be sent to info@mentalhealthreform.ie.
Applications will be reviewed as received and the process will close once a suitable candidate is identified
