The University of Dublin
Trinity College
Further Particulars
Post Title:
Director, National Institute for Intellectual Disability
Post Status:
Contract of indefinite duration
Department/Faculty: National Institute for Intellectual Disability, School of Social Work and
Social Policy, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Location:
Dublin
Salary:
Senior Lecturer scale €78,761 - €101,706 per annum
Closing Date:
12 Noon on Wednesday October 7th 2009
Background to the Post
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.
Within the Trinity College structure the NIID is linked to the School of Social Work and Social
Policy and the Director reports to the Head of School. The Director works with and reports
to the Management Committee comprised of internal and external members on matters of
philosophy, objective setting, strategic planning and policy-making. Internally, 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. The wider University has a strong commitment to the work of the
Institute which is recognised in the University’s forthcoming strategic plan which
emphasises the importance of ‘engagement with society’. Externally, NIID has a range of
links, both in Ireland and internationally, with research institutes interested in disability.
Highlights of the Institute’s work over the last five years include:


the pioneering Certificate in Contemporary Living, the only full-time third level
programme in Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities
substantial success in securing Marie Curie research grants to set up inclusive
research projects involving people with intellectual disabilities and their family
members
1


the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Science funded electronic
archive of the life stories of people with intellectual disabilities – ‘A Story to Tell’
http://www.tcd.ie/niid/life-stories/
2009 Summer School which brought together people with intellectual disabilities,
family members, professionals and international experts in an inclusive environment
on the Trinity College campus
The new Director will maintain the ethos of the NIID and lead the next phase of the
Institute’s evolution by developing work in the key activities of education, research and
advocacy.
Post Specification
Working Relationships
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.
Standard Duties of the Post
The role of the Director is to realise the vision 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 to deliver the
strategic plan of the Institute and contribute to the strategic objectives of the University.
The Director will manage the Institute’s portfolio of work leading a team to perform the
following duties;
Education
 To develop and enhance the existing Certificate in Contemporary Living programme
which was initiated at Trinity and is now being rolled out nationally in collaboration
with other third level institutions http://www.tcd.ie/niid/lifelong/certificate/
 To continue the development of new post graduate and professional development
programme initiatives such as the Diploma in Early Intervention, Masters in Disability
Studies and Structured PhD by working closely with key College staff, service
agencies, professional associations and employers
 To promote the concept of lifelong learning for people with intellectual disabilities
and identify further learning opportunities
2
Research
 To drive the institute forward through internal, national and international
collaborations on research proposals and budgets to secure research funding
 To act as a principal investigator on research projects, support other principal
investigators and supervise Masters and PhD students
 To publish and disseminate research findings
Advocacy
 To create awareness of the rights and needs of people with intellectual disabilities
and enable people with intellectual disabilities to influence appropriate policy
developments that impact on their lives. This may involve organising conferences,
seminars, public lectures, workshops, discussion groups and creating a neutral space
to explore new ideas
 To promote the inclusion of people with intellectual difficulties in all areas of Irish
society and ensure the involvement of people with intellectual difficulties, their
families and service providers in all aspects of the work of the Institute
 To foster links inside and outside Ireland with a range of organisations including
educational and research institutions, advocacy networks, parent organisations,
representative bodies and major NGOs e.g. Special Olympics
Strategic planning and funding
 To work on the next cycle of strategic planning for NIID in collaboration with the
Management Committee and Head of School
 To work with and report to the Management Committee and Head of School to
implement the strategic plan and develop the long term policies of the institute
 To seek and develop income generating activities and appropriate fund raising to
support the aims of the institute in collaboration with the Trinity Foundation
Management
 To manage and control the Institute’s budget in accordance with the policy of the
Management Committee and Head of School and provide accurate financial records
on a regular basis to the Management Committee and Head of School.
 To act as a mentor and coach for Institute staff, students and volunteers
 To lead the individual, team and organisational development of the staff and the
institute
Funding Information
The post is advertised as a contract of indefinite duration with part funding by Atlantic
Philanthropies. The post will require matched funding through the Institute’s activities in
education, research and advocacy.
3
Person Specification
Qualifications
The Director will possess a PhD and related publications in the field of intellectual disabilities
or related fields.
Knowledge & Experience
The Director will have experience of:
Essential
 education, research and advocacy in multiple contexts
 directly dealing with people with intellectual disabilities and their families
 contact with service agencies and governmental departments responsible for
intellectual disability
 the Irish, European and International education and research landscape
 raising finance from a range of sources - commercial, governmental and
philanthropic
 line management including staff management
 financial budgeting and management
 writing academic books and articles
 leading research teams and implementing research projects
Desirable
 academic programme development
 direction of events programmes
 social entrepreneurship
The Director will have knowledge of:
Essential
 a broad array of disability policy issues (employment, care, accommodation,
education, recreation, community living)
 inclusive research practice and policy
 inclusive education practice and policy
 models of best practice in the lifelong learning of people with intellectual disability
 human rights and advocacy
Desirable
 supported and independent employment and living opportunities
 relevant Irish, European and International legislation, strategies and policies
affecting people with intellectual disabilities
Skills & Competencies
The Director will have:
 the capacity to inspire, lead and develop people
 the ability to network with and influence others
 an ability to model the values of inclusion
 an accessible and approachable demeanour
 excellent interpersonal, communications and facilitation skills
 excellent organisational and management skills and the ability to prioritise and direct
a complex and changing workload
 excellent writing skills both academic and report/proposal writing
4