ENABLE IRELAND CORK SERVICES
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Junior Research Associate – SPARCLE Project
Grade: Clerical Grade IV
Status: 14 month fixed term contract: 1st April 2009 to 31st May 2010
Hours: Full-time – 35 hours/week Monday to Friday
Location: Enable Ireland Cork Services, Lavanagh Centre, Ballintemple, Cork
Salary Scale: As per HSE Clerical Grade IV salary scale. Entry point on scale is dependent on experience.
Accountable to: Director of Services
Responsible to: Southern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register (SICPR) Manager
POST DESCRIPTION
SPARCLE: - Study of the PARticipation and Quality of Life of Children with Cerebral Palsy Living in Europe’
SPARCLE II is a research project in partnership with 8 other cerebral palsy registers from 6 European countries. The purpose of SPARCLE II is to collect longitudinal data from the original cohort of 8-12 year old children (SPARCLE I), who are now adolescents. In this way, we can investigate the child, family and environmental determinants of participation and quality of life of adolescents with cerebral palsy.
The Enable Ireland Cork Service will be collecting this information from adolescents on the SICPR in counties Cork and Kerry. The post holder working under the direction of the SICPR Manager will be responsible for the collection and management of data through face to face , structured interviews in counties Cork & Kerry . The successful candidate must be available to travel to a training workshop in February 2009 prior to commencement of the post in April 2009.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
· Regional Director of Services
· Director of Services, Enable Ireland Cork & Kerry Services
· Children’s Services Managers, Enable Ireland Cork & Kerry Services
· SICPR Manager, Research Department, Enable Ireland Cork Services
· SPARCLE Project Coordinator – University of Newcastle
· Administration Manager, Enable Ireland Cork Services
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
Essential:
· Minimum degree in area of health or social sciences, or education, with original research project as part of degree programme.
· The post holder must be able to travel independently throughout counties Cork and Kerry
Experience
Essential:
· A minimum of 6 months experience as research assistant in a comparable environment.
· Experience in research methodologies, data collection and data management
· Experience of a range of IT soft ware packages including data base management
· Experience of working with children, service users and their families in a health, education or social care or comparable setting .
Desirable:
· Experience of using SPSS or comparable data analysis software
Knowledge/Skills
Essential:
· Demonstrable understanding of disability and the potential impact on lives of children and their families.
· Demonstrate sound knowledge of the principles working with children and families, in particular the subject of child protection.
· Demonstrable knowledge of concepts relating to disability and disability research, such as the social model, and the concepts of participation, quality of life.
· Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the implications and practice relating to confidentiality and privacy, including data protection and freedom of information
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to meet the highly significant demands of the post both internally and externally.
· An ability to work independently and as part of larger team.
· Highly developed IT skills and experience of IT soft ware packages including data base management.
· The post may require some overseas air travel. The successful applicant may be expected to travel and must demonstrate the willingness and flexibility to do so.
· Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
· High level of administrative and co-ordination skills and attention to detail
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF POST
Working under the direction of the SICPR Manager the post holder will be responsible for:
Core Responsibilities
· Recruitment of study participants.
· Interview young people and their families this may be centred based but most likely to be in their own homes to administer Questionnaires.
· Scoring questionnaires.
· Data entry and transfer to coordinating centre.
· Make active contribution to wider SPARCLE research team.
· Participate in report data analysis and report writing.
· Provide feedback to study participants and Enable Ireland service users.
Professional Development
· Attend international training workshops
· Undertake appropriate continuing professional development as appropriate
· Engage in supervision
QUALITY ASSURANCE
· Ensure that in conducting research Enable Ireland is meeting its duty of care to service users as outlined in our Pathways for Service Delivery
· Ensure that all research activities are in line with best practice and the EI , Research Ethics Guidelines etc
· To adhere to requirements relative to the collection, storage and use of data in accordance with agreed procedures, and as agreed with Enable Ireland.
· To participate in the quality assurance activities within the service as required using the EFQM model of quality management.
· All staff are required to work within the local and national Enable Ireland Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Enable Ireland is committed to taking action to develop employment processes which are fair and free from unnecessary bias, and services capable of offering sensitive and effective support with due regard to diversity and difference. As such, the policy of equal opportunity relates to all present and future employees and to all present and potential users of the service.
The post holder will carry out the above duties in line with Equal Opportunities Guidelines respecting the different backgrounds of colleagues and clients.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Enable Ireland has a code of confidentiality. All staff working within Enable Ireland are bound by the code of confidentiality. All information that is obtained through work service users, their families, and their carers, is strictly confidential and must not be shared outside Enable Ireland unless acting on the instruction of the Director of Services.
Terms and Conditions
Hours: 35 hours per week to be worked in agreement with the Research Co-ordinator
Salary : As per HSE salary scale Clerical Officer Grade IV. This is a 10 point scale entry point on scale dependent upon experience.
€29,094, €31,215; €33,359; €34,954; €36,498; €38,580; €40,094; €41,618; €43,029; €44,446 (Pre 2.5% increase @ 1/09/08 ‘Towards 2016’)
Salaries are paid monthly in arrears via Paypath.
Annual Leave: 210 hours per annum some of which are to be taken at fixed times by arrangement with the Research Co-ordinator.
Probation: A probationary period of 9 months applies.
Pension Scheme: Enable Ireland operates a defined contribution pension scheme which you would be invited to join 2009.
Medical: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical by a doctor appointed by Enable Ireland prior to appointment
Sick Leave: There is no sick pay during the first nine months of continuous service period. Sick pay thereafter is as per the Sick Pay Scheme.
All periods of sickness exceeding two days must be medically certified with a maximum of six uncertified days in any 12 month period. Weekly medical certificates are required thereafter. The Company reserves the right to have you examined by its own Doctor after 3 months continuous sick leave. Upon completion of 9 months continuous service with the Company sick pay will be as follows:
Full pay less social welfare for the first 13 weeks of sickness in any 12 month rolling period and half pay less social welfare for a further (13) weeks of sickness absence in the same 12 month rolling period during sickness absence in any period of four (4) years.
Garda Clearance/ Police Clearance
To comply with our child and vulnerable adult protection policies all prospective staff and volunteers must undergo a Garda and/or police clearance as appropriate prior to taking employment
This description is not restrictive and the post holder may be required to carry out other duties as requested by the Research Co-ordinator / Director of Services.
Completed application form to be returned to:
Administration Department
Enable Ireland Cork
Lavanagh Centre
Ballintemple
Cork
By Monday, 8th December 2008