Middletown Centre for Autism
Appointment of Senior Research
Officer
Guide for Applicants
Introduction
Applications are invited for the appointment to the post of
Researcher in Middletown Centre for Autism.
Senior
Contents of the Pack
Prior to completing the application form applicants should familiarise
themselves with the contents of the information pack. The pack includes: 


Section 1 - Background
Section 2 - Guidance on the Selection Process
Section 3 - Key Points to Note on Completing the Application Form and
Monitoring Information
Documentation
 Annex A - Role Description
 Annex B - Person Specification outlining competencies and sifting
criteria
 Annex C - Information on the terms and conditions of appointment
Enclosures
 An Application Form
 An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
 A Disclosure Certificate Application Form
1. Background
The Middletown Centre for Autism Project is a North – South initiative with
funding provided by the Department of Education (DE), Northern Ireland
and the Department of Education and Skills (DES), Ireland. The reporting
structure for the organisation is outlined below.
The purpose of the Centre is to support the promotion of excellence in the
development and coordination of education services to children and young
people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The Centre will promote collaborative working arrangements between the
education services and other professional agencies, including health and
social services and voluntary bodies in both jurisdictions. The Centre will
not be a first tier service provider, but rather will respond to referrals from
local providers.
Organisation
Board of
Board
ofDirectors
Directors
Chief Executive
Chief
Executive
Head
of of
Learning,
Head
LearningSupport
of Support
& Assessment
Assessment Division
&
Division
Head of
Head
ofResearch
Research
& Development
Development Division
&
Division
Learning Support
Learning
- Support
Service
Service
Educational
Educational
Assessment Service
Assessment
Service
Head of
Services
Head
ofCorporate
Corporate
Services
Training &
Training
& Advisory
Advisory
Service
Service
&
t Administration
Services Finance,
Administration,
HR & Support Services
Research &&Information
Research
Information
Service
Service
Care Services
Secretariat Services
Aims of the Centre
Having regard to best practice worldwide, the current statutory frameworks
in Northern Ireland and Ireland, and the recent reports1 concerning
educational provision in Northern Ireland and in Ireland for children and
young people with autism, the Centre aims to: 1. establish an ethos throughout the island of Ireland conducive to the
promotion of quality educational provision for children and young
people with autistic spectrum disorders;
2. collaborate with local services in the development and improvement
of provision;
3. create an environment where children and young people feel safe
and valued;
4. provide an educational assessment service;
5. specify and identify the needs of each child or young person
supported by the Centre in collaborative partnership with those with
parental responsibility, teachers, co-workers and allied
professionals;
6. support the promotion of quality teaching and learning strategies;
7. make available an outreach service, to support the education of the
child or young person for an agreed period of time after placement
in the Centre;
8. provide a training and advisory service for those with parental
responsibility, professionals and support staff to develop their
understanding and skills to contribute further to the effective
education of children and young people with autistic spectrum
disorders;
9. undertake and commission research, and collate and disseminate
up-to-date information in relation to research;
10. provide an information support service; and
11. Organise conferences, which enhance the work of the Centre and
inform the development of provision.
Educational Provision and Support for Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders – Report of the Task
Force on Autism – Republic of Ireland, October 2001
The Education of Children and Young People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders – Report of the Task
Group on Autism – Northern Ireland, April 2002
1
2. Guidance on the Selection Process
Eligibility Sift
After the closing date has passed, all applications will initially be assessed
against the following eligibility criteria, on the basis of the information
provided in the application form:

A degree or equivalent third level qualification in research methods,
psychology, education or health related discipline; and

A demonstrable track record of achievement in producing or
contributing to high quality research; and

Experience of working within a research function/department; and

Experience of research governance.
Essential Criteria Sift
In addition, applicants are also requested to provide evidence of their
ability in each of the following competencies. The onus is on candidates to
provide evidence that they can demonstrate an acceptable level of ability,
as outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification, in the
following competencies:
Managing Strategy / Policy
Managing Services
Managing People
Managing Resources
Analytical Skills
Communication
Shortlisting
If a large number of applications are received, it may be necessary to carry
out a further shortlisting exercise to reduce the number of candidates to be
invited for interview. In such circumstances the following desirable criteria
may be assessed as part of the written shortlisting exercise:
 Knowledge of issues related to Autistic Spectrum Disorders
 A Post graduate qualification
 Working towards a PhD
 Publication(s) in a peer reviewed journal
 Experience in the preparation and dissemination of information
Those applicants who appear, on the basis of the information provided in
their application forms, to best meet the criteria will proceed to the next
stage of the process.
Interviews
Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend for interview. The panel
will assess the extent to which the applicants meet the criteria in the
Person Specification. It is expected that interviews will take place at the
beginning of June 2008. When the interview date has been offered, those
invited should make every effort to attend on the specified time and date.
Given the difficulties in arranging interview panels, flexibility may not be
possible. Applicants are therefore asked to indicate if the proposed
interview date might cause particular difficulties – for example a prebooked holiday or period when they will be out of the country.
Appointment
The appointment is available as soon as possible.
It is intended that all applicants who have been interviewed will be
informed of the outcome of their application by the end of February 2011
Timetable
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
 Advertisement:
Week commencing 31 January 2011
 Closing date for applications: 15 February 2011
 Anticipated panel interview: week commencing 21 February 2011
 Anticipated appointment:
As soon as possible
Should you have any further queries about the recruitment and selection
process then contact Jim Lennon at the Centre.
3. Points to note on Completion of the Application Form and Monitoring
Forms
Section 4 – Referees
Applicants are required to identify two referees, one of which should be
your employer (if applicable). Referees may be approached after interview.
You should not seek as a referee anyone who is related to you.
Section 6 – Additional Information
Please note that a conviction will not necessarily be a bar to employment.
We comply with Access NI's Code of Practice and can provide a copy of
the Code if required
Section 7 – Information for Shortlisting and Interview Purposes
In completing the application form, applicants should refer to the Role
Description and Person Specification in Annexes A and B and identify the
extent to which they satisfy the eligibility and essential criteria. Applicants
will be assessed at shortlisting on the basis of the information provided on
the application form. It is therefore essential for applicants to complete
their responses as fully as possible, making use of the space provided.
Please keep the answers in the competency sections limited to the boxes
provided on the form.
Supplementary material such as CVs will not be considered by the
selection panel.
Under each of the headings in the application form we ask you to provide
a clear and relevant example drawn from your recent experience which
illustrates how you match the competency being sought. You should
structure your responses by setting a context for your examples, explain
what you were trying to achieve, describe what you actually did and why,
indicating your own individual contribution and outline the outcome or
results.
You can use examples from your working life, where appropriate, or from
your personal life, including any voluntary or community work you have
been involved in.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
The Middletown Centre for Autism is committed to equality of opportunity.
All applications are considered strictly on the basis of merit. The
Middletown Centre for Autism welcomes applications from all suitably
qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, gender, disability, race,
political opinion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or whether or not
they have dependants.
The Middletown Centre for Autism is required to monitor the gender,
ethnic origin, community background and disability of candidates to
ensure that equal opportunities measures are effective. Applicants are
therefore asked to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Information section of the application form. The information is purely for
monitoring purposes. It is not made available to the selection panel and
does not play a role in the decision-making process.
The Protection of Children (POC) (NI) and Protection of Vulnerable
Adults
The post for which you are applying is governed by The Protection of
Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Before
appointing anyone to such a post, it is imperative for the relevant check to
be carried out by Access NI and/ or the Garda Vetting Office, as
appropriate. From April 2008, all persons joining the staff of Middletown
Centre for Autism require an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. An
Enhanced Disclosure Certificate shows the details of all spent and
unspent convictions and cautions as well as any other relevant information
held in police records or other law enforcement agencies. This check is
required to make sure those individuals who might be a risk to children
and/or vulnerable adults are not appointed.
Pre Employment Checks
Applicants will be required to consent to their qualifications and
employment records being validated on behalf of the Centre and also a
Criminal Records Check being carried out by Access NI. Applicant must
have a record which is deemed to be acceptable to the Centre, as a
condition of employment.
Any information received will be treated confidentially, and will be
discussed with candidates before a final decision is reached. After the
decision is made the information will be destroyed.
Return of Application Forms
Completed application and monitoring forms must be returned to:The HR Department
Middletown Centre For Autism
35 Church Street
Middletown
BT60 4HZ
Alternatively application forms may be e-mailed to
jimlennon@middletownautism.com by 4.30 pm on Tuesday 15 February
2011
Please note that the monitoring form should be returned under separate
cover in the self addressed envelope provided.
Applications will be acknowledged within seven days of receipt.
Candidates with a disability who require assistance will be facilitated upon
request. Candidates who wish to receive application forms and information
packs in accessible formats are requested to advise the Centre of their
requirements as promptly as possible allowing for the fact that the closing
date for receipt remains the same for all applicants as noted above.
Annex A
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Senior Research Officer
Reporting to:
Head of Research and Development
Location:
Middletown Centre for Autism, Co Armagh
Job Purpose:
Work with the Head of Research and Development to
establish and maintain the Research Division in the
Middletown Centre for Autism
Main Duties:
Managing Strategy / Policy



Develop the Centre’s research and information function and promote
the work of the Centre
Develop a research programme in response to the Centre’s public
consultation
Contribute to the formulation of ethics/ research governance
arrangements
Managing Services


To encourage a climate of continuous learning and improvement to
achieve standards of excellence.
Contribute to the formulation of ethics/ research governance
arrangements
Managing People



Convene an autism research interest group
Manage research meetings and other meetings as appropriate and
their action points
Develop and maintain positive links with research agencies, nationally
and internationally
Managing Resources




Develop and maintain a data base of services and service providers
Compile and circulate an autism research bulletin
Keep the Centre and its stakeholders up to date in autism research
Deliver and undertake training as required
Analytical Skills





Conduct and commission research projects from conception through to
dissemination
Undertake data collection and analysis
Collaborate on the preparation of publications
To assimilate, evaluate and interpret complex or conflicting data and
different perspectives.
To give objective advice based on sound evidence and analysis, and a
thorough understanding of statutory requirements
Communication Skills

Interact and maintain positive links with the Centre’s stakeholders
N.B. The above is given as a broad range of duties and responsibilities and is
not intended as a complete description of all tasks.
Annex B
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Senior Research Officer
Reporting to:
Head of Research and Development
Eligibility criteria: Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following by
the closing date:

A degree or equivalent third level qualification in research methods,
psychology, education or health related discipline; and

A demonstrable track record of achievement in producing or contributing to
high quality research; and

Experience of working within a research function/department; and

Experience of research governance.
Essential Criteria
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their competence in the following
areas:
Managing Strategy / Policy
 Experience of contributing to the formulation of strategy and the
policies of the organisation
Managing Services
 Proven ability of developing and delivering research programmes and
projects in line with the strategic direction of the organisation.
 Experience of implementing procedures to support research ethics and
best practice.
Managing People
 Proven ability of managing teams to ensure team performance meets
or exceeds all key performance indicators.
 Proven ability to build productive working relationships with a range of
stakeholders internally and externally, readily sharing ideas and
information with others.
Managing Resources
 Demonstrable ability to plan, prioritise and manage a range of
resources to deliver programmes/projects within agreed timescale.
Analytical Skills
 Demonstrable experience in analysing complex information and
making critical decisions whilst influencing and gaining the commitment
of others.
Communication
 Proven ability to communication effectively both orally and in writing,
tailoring content to the target audience.
Desirable Criteria:
If a large number of applications are received, it may be necessary to carry
out a further shortlisting exercise to reduce the number of candidates to be
invited for interview. In such circumstances the following desirable criteria
may be assessed as part of the written shortlisting exercise:





Knowledge of issues related to Autistic Spectrum Disorders
A Post graduate qualification
Working towards a PhD
Publication(s) in a peer reviewed journal
Experience in the preparation and dissemination of information
Annex C
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
Salary:
£38,463-£41,083
Annual Leave:
25 days per annum plus public and privilege holidays
Pension:
Middletown Centre for Autism is a member of NILGOSC
pension scheme. Successful applicants are eligible to
contribute to this scheme.
MONITORING FORM
Ref: MCAST/0209/
This part of the application will be treated in the strictest confidence. All
applicants should complete this section. The information will also be used for
the purpose of monitoring in terms of the principles of equality of opportunity
and will not form part of your application. Please provide information below
about yourself that would assist this process
Please indicate your religion or the religion to which you would be perceived
to belong by ticking the appropriate box below:
I am a member of the Protestant Community
I am a member of the Roman Catholic Community
I am a member of neither the Protestant nor the Roman
Catholic Community
Please indicate your gender by ticking the appropriate box below:
Male
Female
Do you consider yourself to have a disability under the terms of the Disability
Discrimination Act 1995, defined as a physical or mental impairment, which
has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry
out normal day to day activities?
Yes
No
If ‘yes’, please state the nature of your disability:
Please describe your ethnic origin by ticking the appropriate box below:
Bangladeshi
Irish Traveller
Black African
Pakistani
Black Caribbean
White
Chinese
Mixed Ethnic Group
Indian
Other (please specify)
This monitoring form should be returned along with your application form to:
HR Officer
Middletown Centre for Autism
35 Church Street
Middletown
Co Armagh
BT60 4HZ