Online Job Advertisement for College Website
Post Title:
Director, National Institute for Intellectual Disability
Status:
Contract of indefinite duration
Dept/Faculty: National Institute for Intellectual Disability, School of Social
Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social
Sciences
Closing Date:
12 Noon on Wednesday October 7th 2009
Salary:
Senior Lecturer scale €78,761 - €101,706 per annum
Post Summary
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) founded in 2004 and
based at Trinity College Dublin is an interdisciplinary initiative which works to
translate the rights of people with intellectual disabilities into reality. Through
its activities in education, research and advocacy the Institute engages with
people with intellectual disabilities, their families, advocates, policy makers and
service providers. The institute aims to create a paradigm shift in opportunity,
policy and service provision that will enable people with intellectual disability to
have a voice, be self-determining and participate without stigma in an equal and
inclusive Ireland. The NIID has been successful in attracting support from the
government and EU through Marie Curie and Irish Research Council for the
Humanities and Social Science research grants. The Institute has previously
received financial support from Special Olympics Ireland and currently has
strong philanthropic relationships with Atlantic Philanthropies and a range of
private donors.
Following the appointment of the Institute’s first Director, Dr. Patricia O’Brien, to
the Chair of Disability Studies, a conjoint appointment between the University of
Sydney and the Royal Rehabilitation Centre, the Institute is now seeking to
appoint a new Director.
The role of the Director is to deliver the strategic plan of the Institute through
the development of an inclusive environment that incorporates activities in
education, research and advocacy where staff, students, family members and
professionals can collaborate. He/she will be supported by the Management
Committee and wider University community.
The successful candidate will possess a PhD and related publications in the field
of intellectual disabilities or related fields allied with extensive management
experience in academic/advocacy environments. He/she will have experience
directly dealing with people with intellectual disabilities, their families and
service agencies as well as management of academics and research teams. The
Director will have knowledge across a range of disability policy issues in addition
to inclusive research and education policies and practice. It is essential that the
Director possesses excellent financial management, communication, influencing,
organisational and writing skills as well as the capacity to inspire others and
model the values of inclusion.
Within the Trinity College structure the Institute is linked to the School of Social
Work and Social Policy. The Director reports to the Head of School. The
philosophy, identification and refinement of objectives, strategic planning,
policy-making and assistance with fundraising is undertaken by the Management
Committee of the Institute consisting of both internal College and external
members. The Director will be expected to work with and report to the
Management Committee on these matters at regular, scheduled meetings. The
Institute has a special relationship with the School of Education which is
reflected in the representation of the School of Education on the Management
Committee.
It also has relationships with academics from other
Schools/Departments interested in the area of intellectual disabilities such as
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Clinical Speech and Language
Studies and Department of Occupational Therapy. The Director will also liaise
regularly with staff in the service functions of the university such as the Trinity
Foundation, Treasurer’s Office and Staff Office.
Further information about the Institute can be obtained from the website
http://www.tcd.ie/niid/
Further information about the position can be obtained from the website
http://www.tcd.ie/vacancies/ or by contacting Dr. Patricia O’Brien at
Tel:+353 (0)1 896 3879 or email obrienp3@tcd.ie
Candidates should submit
a) a cover letter
b) a full curriculum vitae including the names of three referees
c) a 1,000 word paper outlining the candidate’s vision for the NIID to:
Staff Office
Trinity College
Dublin 2