Vacancy: Senior Programme Manager

Department: Programmes and Engagement
Contract type: Fixed term
Duration: Three years
Reports to: Executive Director or nominee

Overview

Applications are invited for the position of Senior Programme Manager based at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). The successful candidate will work with the Young Academy Ireland (YAI) and the Programmes and Engagement division in supporting the development and oversight of the new RIA strategic plan and will be responsible for equality, diversity and inclusion as well as accessibility on behalf of the organisation.

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 2019–23 is available here: https://www.ria.ie/strategic-plan.

The YAI—an exciting new initiative established by the RIA—brings together early career researchers and innovators from the island of Ireland and offers them an opportunity to work with peers across disciplines on issues of common interest. The YAI welcomed its first cohort of 40 members in April 2023. The Royal Irish Academy Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028 will be adopted in mid-2024.

Purpose of role

This is a three-year fixed-term contract for a Senior Programme Manager to support the newly established Young Academy Ireland (YAI) members, manage the YAI administration and support the development and roll out of the YAI work programme and activities. A key focus of the role will be converting strategic priorities into quantifiable and actionable plans. The senior programme manager will be responsible for developing the RIA Accessibility and Universal Design plan and supporting the implementation of policies and appropriate strategies on access. They will also be responsible for building a positive, inclusive and equitable culture while making Equality Diversity and Inclusion part of all we do.

Key accountabilities

The Senior Programme Manager responsibilities are:

• Provide guidance and advice to the YAI Chair(s) and Advisory Committee and work closely with YAI committees and working groups.
• Work with the Executive Committee of the YAI to develop strategy and implement the YAI work programme.
• Responsible for overseeing all governance aspects of the YAI.
• Coordination, organisation and support of YAI activities including workshops/webinars.
• Develop and manage YAI communication and outreach platforms.
• Build and maintain a network of key national and international contacts and represent the RIA at national/international fora.
• Contribute to timely and accurate reporting to the YAI Board and RIA governance structures.
• Lead, develop and manage the implementation plan for the RIA strategy ensuring key performance indicators for achieving the strategic objectives of the organisation.
• Work cross-departmentally to orchestrate coordination of teams towards organisation strategic goals and monitor and evaluate progress towards these.
• Provide administrative support to the Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee including liaising with committee members, preparing the agenda and preparing draft minutes, and execute and disseminate decisions and ensure timely follow-up.
• Ensure that the EDI agenda is recognised as positive, proactive and influential in contributing to the organisation's strategic and operational planning process.
• Develop and Co-ordinate the implementation of the RIA Accessibility and Universal Design plan Other work as may be assigned by line manager(s) within the scope of the role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• A relevant third-level degree.
• A minimum of five years’ relevant working experience.
• Communicates orally and in writing in a clear manner, and actively listens and engages to gain understanding.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to liaise with colleagues and develop and maintain good working relationships within and outside the organisation.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to delegate tasks, track project progress and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Ability to successfully manage a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.
• Experience in organising events, from planning through to design and delivery.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, and excellent time-management skills.

Desirable Criteria

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant area.
• Previous experience of working in a membership organisation.
• Strategic management experience.
• Knowledge of and interest in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and preferably a proven track record of working in this area.
• Working knowledge and understanding of relevant accessibility legislation and criteria.
• Working knowledge of the Irish language.

Further Information

Salary: Salary is on the Senior Programme Manager Scale €50,434 – €66,998. 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 may be a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at 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 consisting of one electronic copy (with all documents contained in one Word document) must be submitted to recruitment@ria.ie in the order as set out below:

• A brief cover letter demonstrating how you meet the qualifications and experience for the position (max. 700 words)
• A curriculum vitae summarising your qualifications and relevant experience (max. 4 pages)

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: Thursday 1 February 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held the week commencing 12 February 2024.

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

The Royal Irish Academy is an equal opportunities employer