Research Assistant – European Structural Funds Watch (6 month contract)

Centre for Disability Law and Policy

School of Law & Institute for Lifecourse and Society

Ref. No. NUIG 043-16

This is a full-time,fixed term position as a Research Assistantwith the Centre for Disability Law and Policyat the National University of Ireland, Galway. The position is funded by Lumosand is available from1st June 2016 to contract end date of 31st November2016.

The Centre for Disability Law and Policy is an internationally-recognised centre of excellence specialising in advancing social justice and human rights for persons with disabilities through legislative and policy reform. The Centre was established in 2008 and is both part of the School of Law and the Institute for Lifecourse and Society –a newly designated research institute for the applied social sciences at NUI Galway.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will provide research support in setting up a European Structural Funds Watch to monitor how or whether EU monies are being spent to ensure a right to community living for all and, on the basis of hard evidence, to advocate for continual improvement in the application and monitoring of the Funds. The project is funded by Lumos.

The Research Assistant will be also expected to contribute to attracting new funds to sustain the project in the longer term, and to the broader ongoing research mission of the Centre.

Duties:

  • undertake desk research of publically available data
  • develop and maintain relationships with Managing Authorities and NGOs in all member-States using SIF funds, as well as the Commission, to gather and verify data
  • conduct one or two country visits per year to drill deeper into the information provided by member-States’ governments, NGOs, monitoring committees and the Commission
  • write brief monthly reports on progress, highlighting good practices and alerting relevant stakeholders to any potential misuse of funds
  • design, draft and upload information to a web site/microsite/web page
  • monitor the project according to procedures laid down by the steering committee and help secure future funding.
  • submit more detailed quarterly reports to the Steering Committee
  • draft an annual report for publication.
  • develop proposals for future funding of the project in NUI Galway and further afield.

The researcher will be line-managed by the Principal Investigator on the project and guided by a small Steering Committee, from participating organisations including academics and practitioners with relevant expertise in the field.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have some track record in a research environment and strong disability law and policyexperience is essential. Applicants must have a primary degree, and a Masters level degree related to disability law and policy in tandem with awareness and/or experience of EU law in the area will be sought. Candidates should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be self-starting, highly motivated and passionate about disability studies. They should have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills. Strong IT skills especially in the area of web content will be preferred.

Employment permit restrictions apply for this category of post.

Salary: €21,850 per annumStart date: Position is available from 1st June 2016.

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway

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Further information about CDLP is available at

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV,and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Mr J.B. Terrins,

Please put reference number NUIG-043-16 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm 8th April 2016

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.