August 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Senior Research Officer (Temporary 2/3 year post)
Assistant Principal Officer
National Disability Authority
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that
provides expert advice to the Minister for Justice and Equality on policy and practice
relating to persons with disabilities. In practice, the NDA delivers on this role
through advising officials in the Department of Justice and Equality, and in other
Government Departments and key state agencies, as well as direct advice to the
Minister.
The National Disability Authority’s statutory functions include:

To act as a central national body to assist the Minister in the co-ordination
and development of disability policy

To undertake, commission or collaborate in research projects and activities
and to assist in the development of statistical information for the planning,
delivery and monitoring of disability programmes and services

To advise the Minister on standards for disability programmes and services,
to prepare codes of practice and to monitor the implementation of standards
and codes in this regard

To monitor the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector,
including the 3% target

To promote, through the Centre of Excellence in Universal Design,
accessibility and the principles of universal design in relation to products,
Information Communications Technology, and the built environment.
Further information is available on the NDA’s website at http://www.nda.ie
Job Description
The temporary Senior Research Officer will work, under the direction of the Head
of Policy and Research, as part of a team, with a focus on applied research on
disability, and in support of the National Disability Authority’s roles of policy advice,
standards development and monitoring.
The research programme is based on the NDA’s Strategic Plan. The primary
audience for NDA research is policymakers and practitioners. The NDA has
established quality criteria for research outputs, including all internal, commissioned
and funded research work.
A particular focus of the current research programme is support for the
implementation of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, and
associated projects such as closure of residential institutions following on from the
Time to Move on from Congregated Settings report. The person appointed will have
a specific role to conduct, commission and manage research and evaluation studies
to support the change programme under way in disability services, working in
August 2015
partnership with the HSE and the Working Groups set up under the Value for
Money and Policy Review Implementation process.
The position is offered as a 2/3 year contract subject to satisfactory completion of
probation.
Senior Research Officer Duties and Responsibilities
The core duties and responsibilities will include the following:

to conduct desk, primary and secondary research to underpin NDA’s policy and
advisory role and to ensure such advice is evidence-based

to design and undertake quantitative research, statistical analysis, qualitative
research, comparative studies and evaluation studies

to conduct systematic reviews of literature

to commission and manage research and evaluation studies, which includes
development of requests for tender, evaluation of proposals, preparation of
contracts, management of externally-commissioned work to agreed standards,
costs and timelines, and financial tracking of projects

to design, commission and manage research and evaluation studies to support
the implementation of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability
Services and implementation of the Time to move on from Congregated Settings
report including cost assessments and financial sustainability

to produce, collaborate with or oversee production of statistics on disability

to prepare policy, position and discussion papers on relevant disability issues and
to review literature, reports and submissions

to plan for and oversee strategic dissemination of research findings to key target
audiences

to advise on appropriate research methodologies for internal research projects
and externally-commissioned work

to ensure adherence to defined quality, standards and policies on all projects
undertaken, in particular the quality control of research output

to collaborate with colleagues and with partner organisations on research

to collaborate with colleagues on cross-functional projects, in particular in
ensuring policy advice is informed by research and to contribute where required,
to policy advice formation

to contribute to the development of an appropriate research programme, based
on the NDA’s Strategic Plan and annual work programme, and guided by topics
of strategic importance to the development of disability policy and practice in
Ireland

management of staff reporting directly into the Senior Research Officer

to demonstrate leadership in all aspects of the role
August 2015

to demonstrate flexibility and to carry out other duties as may be assigned from
time to time including, if required, reassignment to other roles in line with the
National Disability Authority’s policy on internal redeployment
The successful implementation of this role requires a number of key relationships to
be fostered and developed. These will include relationships with colleagues, with key
Government Departments, the HSE and other state agencies, and with disability
organisations. A high degree of flexibility and creativity will be required. As a staff
member, the holder of the post will be expected to actively contribute to and
participate in the overall development of the National Disability Authority and to
promote its policies at all times.
The Person
Minimum criteria for consideration for the post are:

A relevant post-graduate qualification

At least five years experience of applied research and research management
in a relevant field.
The essential requirements for the post as Senior Research Officer include:

Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills, including regression and factor
analysis, with appropriate computer skills. A high degree of statistical
competence will be required, a capacity to identify and quantify effects and
relationships along with a keen appreciation of hypothesis testing and
statistical significance.

A sound knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods,
evaluation methods and quality criteria

A sound knowledge of financial evaluation and costing methodologies

The ability to successfully and effectively manage a number of projects
concurrently

A sound capacity to review research and synthesise findings, paying attention
to methodologies and validity of such findings

An understanding and appreciation of the policy environment and of the
public service

Capacity to respond efficiently to urgent requests for data

The capacity to write simply and clearly, and to explain research findings to a
non-technical audience

Good judgement and a practical problem-solving approach

Flexibility, commitment and capacity to work as a member of a team

Ability to work as a self-starter

Ability to get to grip with new work areas in a short space of time

Capacity to lead, develop and motivate staff
August 2015

A track record in project management and delivery of research in time

A clear thinker with an aptitude for precision and attention to detail

Good oral communication skills

Evidence of an ability to work on own initiative

Good interpersonal skills and capacity to develop partnerships

Experience of preparing and assessing research briefs/tenders/proposals

Experience of managing commissioned research

Experience in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation
studies, including the identification of appropriate performance indicators
and development of survey tools
A knowledge of disability-related policy, research and statistics in the Irish
context is desirable.
In applying for the post applicants must clearly demonstrate how they
fulfil these criteria. Failure to do so may result in failure to be shortlisted
for interview.