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Research & Policy Officer
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Post Title :
Office Location :
Closing date:
Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA)
Research and Policy Officer (Senior Staff Officer)
Ballymun, Dublin
12pm (GMT) Tuesday 5th May 2015
Who we are:
The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly was established under Local Government
Reform Act 2014 and has a statutory role in the regional government structure for the 12
eastern and midland local authorities. The main roles of the Assembly are to:
 Implement the appropriate Regional Planning Guidelines (RPG) operational within its
geographical area
 Prepare and implement the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES)
 Ensure consistency with RPG/RSES in relation to the Local Economic and Community
Plans of the 12 constituent Local Authorities
 Establish and assist appropriate regional fora
 Support the work of the National Oversight and Audit Commission
 Identify, participate and co-ordinate certain EU projects
 Support the national delegation to the Committee of the Regions
 Participate on EU operational programme monitoring committees
 Oversee and support the Irish Regions Office in Brussels
The Role:
The successful candidate will be the Research and Policy Officer and will operate out of
the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in Ballymun, Dublin 9. The Research and
Policy Officer will provide support on all areas of research and policy formation for
the Assembly.
Key duties and responsibilities:
 Providing research resources for the regional assembly
 Compiling and analysing data
 Staying up to date with international and national policies and best
practice
 Researching and drafting policy papers
 Liaising with external consultants, researchers, elected members, local and
central government, etc.
 Reviewing publications and reports
 Providing research assistance for the preparation and management of
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) and EU initiatives
The duties of the office are to give the Assembly under the direction and supervision of
its appropriate officer such services of an executive, supervisory or advisory nature as
are required. Duties may include deputising for other officers of the Assembly when
required. The officer will report as determined by the Director.
Essential Requirements
Character
Each candidate must be of good character.
Health
Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of
ability to render regular and efficient service.
Education, Knowledge and Experience
 Honours Bachelor Degree or higher degree in relevant discipline
 Minimum 3 years’ experience working in a similar high level role
 Excellent knowledge of EU policy programmes and public Institutions
 Excellent knowledge of Irish National Policy, Planning and Local Government
Essential Skills and Experience:
▪ Experience of delivering, co-ordinating and managing a variety of different projects
individually or as part of a team, at the same time.
▪ Experience in quantitative and qualitative policy assessment and development.
▪ Experience of preparing high level reports and/or policy submissions on behalf of
stakeholders.
▪ Technical expertise in relevant disciplines such as data analytics, statistical and spatial
software, survey methodologies.
▪ Knowledge and understanding of European, national, regional and local government
policies and structures in the following areas:
o
Planning
o
Environment
o
Economic
▪ Demonstrate lessons learned from work experience - Innovative and Initiative
▪ Analytical thinking - The ability to understand a complex problem or situation and
approach it in a methodical fashion.
▪ Conceptual thinking - The ability to identify patterns of connections between situations
that are not obviously related and to identify key or underlying issues in complex
situations.
Desirable Requirements:
In additional to the essential skills it would be desirable to have the following:
 Postgraduate qualification in relative discipline desirable
 Experience in GIS systems and other statistical software
 Knowledge and experience of using KPIs or other monitoring methods
 Experience in managing projects and budgets
 Leading, motivating and engaging with others to achieve quality results
Core Competencies:
Management and Change
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Delivering Results
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Performance
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Personal Effectiveness
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Strategic Ability – Displays ability to think and act
strategically to ensure that the function is aligned with
the purpose, mission and vision of the assembly and
translates that mission and vision into outputs.
Influencing and Negotiating- establishes appropriate
and productive working relationships; meets
operational goals by working effectively with others.
Problem Solving and Decision Making - Ability to
pinpoint critical information and address issues
logically. Demonstrate an understanding of the context
and impact of policy formulation and implementation.
Shows good judgement and balance in making
decisions or recommendations.
Communicating Effectively – Demonstrates effective
verbal and written communication skills; experience of
delivering presentations suited to the nature and needs
of the audience; excellent interpersonal skills.
Demonstrates initiative and analytical thinking.
Demonstrates written proficiency in document
production.
Manages time effectively, focusing on essential tasks
and responsibilities
Shares information, knowledge, expertise and learning
with others
Terms and Conditions
1. The Post
The post is whole-time and permanent.
2. Probation
There will be a 6 month probation period which may be extended to one year at the
discretion of the Director.
3. Superannuation
The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998
shall apply.
Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI
contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to
contribute to the assembly as follows:
1.5% of their pensionable remuneration
plus
3.5% of net pensionable remuneration
(i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age
contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent
or qualified children).
Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI
contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to
contribute to the assembly at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.
All persons who become pensionable officers of an assembly will be required, in respect
of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens /Widows & Orphans Contributory
Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their
pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.
4. Salary
Salary shall be at Local Government Senior Staff Officer - €44,849, €45,954, €47,289,
€49,797, €51,294, €53,157 (1st LSI), €55,031(2nd LSI)
5. Hours of work
37 hours per week.
The Assembly reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
6. Annual Leave
Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days.
7.
Retirement
There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in
the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement
age of 65 years.
The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions
(Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.
8. Start date
The Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly shall require a person to whom an
appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one
month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period
as the Assembly in its absolute discretion may determine, the Assembly shall not appoint
them.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the
comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the
employment contract to be agreed with the successful candidate.
9. How to apply
Application forms are available for download on www.emra.ie . Only applications received
by email and on the official application form will be accepted. Emails should be addressed
to [email protected] only and must be received no later than 12 pm (GMT) on Tuesday 5th May
2015. Application forms received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on
behalf of the Assembly.
The Assembly reserves its right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most
appropriate which may include shortlisting on the basis of essential requirements.
Shortlisting will be on the basis of information supplied on the application form.
A panel may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Candidates whose names are on a
panel and who satisfy the Assembly that they possess the qualifications declared for the
post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel,
be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise. The life of the panel shall be for a period of two
years from the date of the formation.
Applicants should hold themselves in readiness for interview any time after the closing date.
10. Special Needs
Candidates who indicate on their application that they have special needs will be required to
submit a psychologists/medical report to the Assembly. A determination, if any, will be
made by the Assembly on appropriate accommodations to be made for individual
candidates, during the selection process.