Research Assistant

Applications are now invited for the following position:

Research Assistant (Domestic Violence and Mental Health Project)
(0.4WTE Part time, Fixed Term Contract)

St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following post on a temporary specified purpose basis (7.5 months) with effect from May 2025.

About our research project
This project is a collaboration between SPMHS and Safe Ireland with the aim of:

1. improving knowledge, skills, and competency on the relationship between DV and mental health, and
2. identifying collaborative pathways for strengthening partnerships between mental health and domestic violence services.

This will be achieved via the production of a bi-directional 'toolkit' for domestic violence services and mental health services both, to facilitate improved competencies, responses, and collaborative pathways across the two sectors in tackling domestic violence and mental health implications. A research component on this initiative to evaluate its impact will also be included.

Primary purpose of the role
The primary purpose of this post is to assist with the implementation of this project.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

- To develop evidence-based content and resources for the project.
- To coordinate and host stakeholder and development workshops.
- To complete relevant administrative tasks.
- To assist with the development of the toolkit and contribute to dissemination of outputs.
- To evaluate and monitor project progress.
- To undertake duties as assigned by the project leads.

The successful applicant must:

- Have a minimum of a BSc in a field of Social Science, Nursing, Allied Health or a related discipline.
- Possess a clear appreciation of:

- the needs of adults experiencing domestic violence and the mental health impacts of such experience; and

- how they may be helped effectively in relation to the challenges they face by means of clinical practice, policy, legislation, and research.

Informal enquiries only to:

Louise O'Leary, Advocacy Manager, SPMHS
Tel: 01 249 3336
Email: loleary@stpatricks.ie

(APPLICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS)

Please note that if you are viewing this advert via Irishjobs, the contact details for informal enquires above are not visible as irishjobs do not allow telephone numbers or emails to be present in adverts. However, these details are visible in the advert on the St Patrick's website in the career vacancies section.

Applications in the form of covering letter and Curriculum Vitae, clearly stating the post being applied for should be uploaded as one document by Friday, 18th April 2025.
Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled.

Job Description
About the organisation
St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality mental healthcare, to promoting mental health awareness, and to advocating for the rights of those experiencing mental health difficulties.

We offer a multidisciplinary inpatient service through our three approved centres: St Patrick's University Hospital, St Patrick's Hospital Lucan, and Willow Grove Adolescent Unit. We provide community and outpatient care through our Dean Clinics and day patient services through our Wellness and Recovery Centre. We also provide a Homecare Service and remote access to our services through phone, video or online channels.

We now employ over 700 staff across our services. We hold our staff in high esteem and regard them as our most important asset, enabling us to fulfil our mission. We strive to create and maintain a forward-looking environment where our staff can be innovative and experience satisfaction in their work. We are committed to ensuring the ongoing development of our staff.

The role

Research Assistant
(Domestic Violence and Mental Health Project)
(0.4 WTE/2 days per week, Fixed term contract)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to work on a collaborative project between St Patrick's Mental Health Services and Safe Ireland. This project has two aims:

1. improving knowledge, skills, and competency on the relationship between domestic violence and mental health, and
2. identifying collaborative pathways for strengthening partnerships between mental health and domestic violence services.

This will be achieved via the production of a 'toolkit' for domestic violence services and mental health services both, to facilitate improved competencies, responses, and collaborative pathways across the two sectors in tackling domestic violence and mental health implications. A research component on this initiative to evaluate its impact will also be included.

The post is for seven and half months and is a hybrid post with both remote working and onsite work available in St Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8.

The Research Assistant will report to Ms Louise O'Leary, Advocacy Manager.

The standard working hours applying to the post are 9am to 5pm.

The benefits
By joining us, you become part of Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, bringing lots of opportunities for your career. We offer you many employee benefits, including:

- A competitive salary range (€31,962 - €41,943, pro rata)
- 22 days annual leave, pro rata
- Remote working
- Pension scheme
- Ongoing training
- Paid study leave and funding for further education
- Support for career advancement and professional development
- Subsidised canteen and onsite gym
- Central locations with onsite parking or Bike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemes

Location
St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin 8, incorporating St Patrick's Hospital, Lucan, the Dean Clinics, and other services operated by St Patrick's Mental Health Services.

Responsibilities
In carrying out all duties, the Research Assistant should ensure that all Hospital policies, Health & Safety procedures, and legislative requirements are met at all times.

Main Responsibilities:

The primary purpose of this post is to assist with the coordination and implementation of this collaborative project.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

- To develop evidence-based content and resources for the project.
- To coordinate and host stakeholder and development workshops.
- To complete relevant administrative tasks.
- To assist with the development of the toolkit and contribute to dissemination of outputs.
- To evaluate and monitor project progress.
- To undertake duties as assigned by the project leads.

This Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. The person appointed may be required to perform other duties as appropriate which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position.

Person specification
Qualifications and/or sufficient experience in the following areas:

- Must have a minimum of a BSc in a field of Social Science, Nursing, Allied Health, or a related discipline.

Professional Knowledge

- Previous clinical/research experience in working with individuals with experience of domestic violence is desirable.
- Previous clinical/research experience in working with individuals with experience of mental health challenges is desirable.

Competencies/Skills

- Have excellent organisational and administrative skills.
- Have the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Self-motivated & ability to use own initiative.
- Proven ability to work as a member of a team or independently.
- Proven research knowledge and skills.

Note: All above criteria are deemed to be essential, unless otherwise specified.

Terms and Conditions
Tenure: 0.4WTE Part time, 7.5-month Fixed Term contract, pensionable as below.

Working Week: The hours applying to this position is 14 hours per week.

Salary: Appointment will be made on IUA Researcher Salary Guidelines 1 March 2025, at a point in line with Government Pay Policy [€32,962 - €42,943, per annum pro rata].

Annual Leave: The annual leave associated with the position is 22 days, pro rata. Arrangements for the discharge of annual leave must always be with the prior consent of the Principal Investigator of the research project upon which you are employed.

Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme after successful completion of probation. The scheme is a defined contribution scheme with a deduction from the salary of the employee of 4%.

In respect of an internal appointment being made the individuals existing pension arrangements will continue.

Probation: The appointee will be appointed in a probationary capacity for the first three months during which time the job holder's performance will be subject to ongoing review.

Any extension to or suspension of the period of probation will be in line with the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) 2022.

Health: The appointee must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character: The appointee must be of good character.

Retirement Age: Normal retirement age for employees is 66 years which at present is also normal pension age.
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