Department: Digital Repository of Ireland
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: The successful candidate will ideally start in January 2025 and the role will end 31 December 2025
Reports to: National Open Research Coordinator

Overview

NORF has released a multi-annual National Action Plan for Open Research and was funded by the HEA and Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to progress actions in the plan via a series of calls for proposals. DRI is the coordinating organisation for NORF and is managing this fund. See: https://norf.ie/

The DRI, a certified trustworthy digital repository for the arts, humanities and social sciences, is a national infrastructure for preserving and providing access to Ireland’s social and cultural digital data. DRI also operates as a community hub for policy, advocacy, training and best practice in digital preservation, digital archiving, FAIR data management and Open Research. DRI is headquartered at the Royal Irish Academy. See: https://dri.ie/

The Royal Irish Academy is a predominantly publicly funded institution established for the promotion of learning in the sciences and humanities across the island of Ireland. The Academy’s latest strategic plan for 2024–28 is available here: https://www.ria.ie/2024/09/16/strategic-plan-2024-28/

Key purpose of role

The Open Research Support Officer will support the National Open Research Coordinator in undertaking a periodic review of the National Action Plan for Open Research. This plan sets out objectives and actions for the next chapter in Ireland’s transition towards Open Research. The successful candidate will support the review of the National Action Plan for Open Research, whilst ensuring efficient administration of funded activities, facilitating cross-project coordination and alignment, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and assisting with NORF communications and outreach. The Open Research Support Officer will be based at the DRI at the Royal Irish Academy and will work closely with the National Open Research Coordinator and NORF staff.

Key accountabilities

  • Work closely with the National Open Research Coordinator to support the review of Ireland’s National Action Plan for Open Research
  • Support the DRI in delivering its NORF responsibilities, including ongoing administration (financial, monitoring, evaluation) of projects funded by the NORF Open Research Fund
  • Liaise with NORF projects to support individual project progress, measure progress against National Action Plan objectives and priorities, and facilitate exchange between funded projects
  • Support the full events management cycle, from planning, logistics and delivery of key events such as NORFest 2025
  • Manage and populate key external communications platforms including the NORF website, newsletter and social media
  • Provide secretariat support to review and governance groups that meet in 2025
  • Discharge other duties deemed appropriate by the National Open Research Coordinator, within the scope of the role

Note: To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer. This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. The job description may be subject to review in the view of new structures and / or the changing needs of the Academy.

Person specification

Essential qualifications

  • A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline
  • A minimum of three years’ experience in a project management or operations management function, including financial administration (e.g. managing budgets, tender processes, etc.)
  • Ability to work independently and with a wider team to deliver key events and programmes
  • Demonstrable ability to work with numerous diverse stakeholders towards common goals and to use initiative to address roadblocks
  • Evidence of excellent personal communication skills, with demonstrable ability to engage and communicate effectively with a wide array of stakeholders
  • Evidence of excellent written communication skills, particularly in report writing

Desirable qualifications

  • Demonstrable understanding of Open Research/Open Science policies and practices in a research context
  • Knowledge of the higher education system and research environment in Ireland
  • Experience in managing communications platforms and channels, including websites and social media
  • Experience of running national-level events
  • Proficiency in the Irish language

Further information

Salary: Salary is on the Senior Programme Manager Scale €52,588 – €69,884.  Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.

Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Executive Director.

This role is suitable for blended working.

Leave: The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for public holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There is a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Easter and Christmas.

Employee Benefits: Examples of some of our current employee benefits include:

  • Generous annual leave entitlement
  • Family friendly policies
  • Blended working policy
  • Availability of an optical benefit scheme
  • Availability of a cycle to work scheme
  • A range of learning and developmental opportunities
  • Sick leave scheme
  • Paid maternity, adoptive and paternity leave
  • Automatically entered into a pension scheme
  • Employee assistance programme

Medical: Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties.

Pension: Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee’s status.

Permanent Pension contribution: This appointment is subject to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) effective from 1 January 2019.

Application Process

Completed applications must be submitted electronically to recruitment@ria.ie and consist of:

  • A brief cover letter demonstrating how you meet the qualifications and experience for the position (max. 2 pages).
  • A curriculum vitae summarising your qualifications and relevant experience.

Documents must be submitted in Word or PDF, and submissions that combine letter and CV into a single file are preferred.

Applicants will be shortlisted based on information provided in their application.

Please note: failure to fulfil the application requisites will deem the application invalid.

Closing date: 18.12.2024 at 3pm. Late applications will not be considered.

Please note this interview will include competency-based interview questions.

Candidates should note that panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled.

The Royal Irish Academy will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by Candidates.

The Royal Irish Academy is an equal opportunity employer