JOB TITLE: Data Collector for School-based Help-Seeking Project
LOCATION: Dublin – with travel to Post-Primary Schools as required
RESPONSIBLE TO: Project Coordinator
CONTRACT TYPE: Hourly Rate, subject to review
POSITION SUMMARY:
The post holder will be responsible, under the supervision of Headstrong’s programme evaluator for the project (Prof Bob Illback), to implement the data collection components for the evaluation of this school-based initiative. This will include but not be limited to – classroom observations, satisfaction surveys, teacher feedback, and related data elements within nine post-primary schools. The initiative aims to promote help-seeking behaviours among young people in relation to emerging mental health difficulties and related substance misuse issues. The post will also involve contributing to the development of an evaluation report on completion of the pilot activities, in collaboration with a Headstrong evaluation researcher and consistent with Headstrong’s data-gathering protocals and procedures.
HEADSTRONG:
Headstrong is Ireland’s National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Set up in 2006, Headstrong is a charitable organisation committed to changing how Ireland thinks about and supports young people’s mental health. Young people are our core focus, but at Headstrong we do far more than support them; we involve them. Direct participation by dedicated young people is central to all three of our programmes: Research, Engagement and Jigsaw. Young people help to enhance our understanding of the challenges they face and, equally importantly, they help us develop creative and appropriate solutions to those issues.
We deliver Jigsaw in ten communities providing direct prevention and early intervention mental health supports to young people aged 12-25 working with the HSE, other mental health services and the broader community to give young people somewhere to turn to and someone to talk to.
We also conduct research to improve our understanding of all aspects of mental health and wellbeing among young people. This research is applied to influence change and improvements in systems that impact on young people’s mental health.
Nationally, we work with a youth advisory panel (YAP) made up of representatives from the local Jigsaw YAPs and others. We also have an adult advisory panel and a range of ambassadors from the worlds of sport and music. Together we work to change the national conversation about mental health from one of stigma and mental illness to one of openness with a focus on minding our mental health, as we do our physical health.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Liaise and co-operate with the help-seeking project team and other collegues as necessary throughout the organisation.
Conduct evaluation surveys with school staff and students as prioritised.
Collate data and assist evaluator in generating findings from surveys.
Conduct classroom observation sessions during the delivery of the classroom activities.
Liaise with relevant school contacts and additional necessary contacts throughout the evaluation process.
Engage in feedback sessions with teaching staff as deemed necessary.
Participate in team meetings as appropriate.
Conduct project delivery updates and review as and when required.
Assist with development of an evaluation report following programme delivery.
Build strong value adding relationships with all key stakeholders across the pilot project.
Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be requested by Headstrong to assist the development of Jigsaw and Headstrong.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Essential Criteria:
A minimum of three years’ experience within an educational setting.
A relevant 3rd level qualification.
Experience of group facilitation within a school/educational setting.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and an ability to carry out communications appropriate for the school-based target group.
Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively to contribute to Headstrong’s mission.
Creative and energetic with the ability to work on own initiative, to balance a varied workload and to prioritise.
Excellent team skills.
Passionate about young people, their mental health and achieving change in Irish society.
Desirable Criteria:
Background in educational research and evaluation.
Experience of research/evaluation activities and working to deadlines & targets.
Experience in the development and implementation of evaluation methodololgies.
Experience in the collection and collation of qualitative and quantitative data.
This role also requires the ability to travel for work and the willingness to work evenings, as required.
For further information go to www.headstrong.ie or contact carmel.daly@headstrong.ie Project Coordinator at (01) 4727010 or recruitment@headstrong.ie.
An hourly rate will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Factors taken into account in determining remuneration include the candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications relevant to the job.
Travel and Subsistence will also be agreed in line with Headstrong’s policy and procedure’s.
All Headstrong staff are required to obtain Garda clearance as a condition of their initial and continued employment.
Application is by way of CV. Please include a short cover letter clearly outlining how you feel you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for this post and return via email only to recruitment@headstrong.ie.
One copy of your CV and any other documents submitted as part of your application will be retained for a period of five years. The following documents will be kept on file; shortlisting panel report, interview panel report and recruitment report.
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm, Thursday 23rd July 2015.
First round interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 27th July 2015.
If second round interviews are deemed necessary for this post, they will be held the week commencing 17th August 2015 for candidates successful in the first stage.
Headstrong will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.