Head of Research (Permanent)
AONTAS, Ireland

About AONTAS

Established in 1969, AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, is a non-governmental membership organisation that promotes that value of adult learning and advocates for the rights of all adults to quality learning across the tertiary education system. We have an unwavering commitment to educationally disadvantaged adults. We offer solutions-focused advocacy that is evidence-based, drawing on research and our extensive initiatives that engage with adults who have returned to education. AONTAS is a highly respected and connected non-governmental organisation at national and international levels.

AONTAS is committed to providing a voice for adult learners based on our vision of learning as being truly lifelong, and takes account of the myriad benefits of learning to health, personal development, social engagement and community development. AONTAS advocates for an inclusive, learner-centred lifelong learning system that enables adults to have a meaningful learning experience.

The Role

Title: Head of Research

Location: This role is based in AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, 83-87 Main St, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, D06 E0H1. AONTAS provides a flexible working approach. Therefore, this role will allow for both at-home and in-office working through a hybrid work model.

Working Hours: The AONTAS office is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm. The basic working week is 35 hrs.

Line Management: The Head of Research reports directly to the CEO of AONTAS.

Purpose of the Role

To lead AONTAS’ research initiatives and the AONTAS Research Team, ensuring AONTAS has a strong evidence-base for advocacy and informs national policy and practice in the field of adult and community education.

Key responsibilities:

The Head of Research will co-ordinate AONTAS’ research initiatives and strengthen the organisation’s capacity for research in adult education by:

Delivering Research

• Managing all research projects and initiatives (e.g. The National FET Learner Forum, community education research projects, and Northern Ireland programmes etc.)
• Overseeing the development of all research publications, ensuring research materials are developed to the highest standards
• Ensuring ethical practices, policies, and research tools are to a high standard and in-place
• Ensuring all projects are delivered within agreed deadlines with outputs and budgets managed, as per funding agreements
• Communicating regularly with funders and key stakeholders to share project developments and research findings
• Ensuring AONTAS’ advocacy work has a strong evidence base to inform and strengthen our representation and policy submissions at the national level
• Ensuring AONTAS’ research priorities within the Strategic Plan are being met
• Identifying future research projects and collaboration opportunities

Supporting Organisational Research Capacity

• Leading the Research Team to ensure each member is supported and continues to build their skills and knowledge
• Ensuring the Research Team’s work plan and established KPIs are on-track
• Collaborating with the AONTAS leadership team to ensure strategic initiatives are being met
• Collaborating with AONTAS’ Advocacy Team to ensure research is meeting key ongoing advocacy needs
• Working in collaboration with the Senior Research Officer, maintaining all domestic and international partnerships with stakeholders in the NGO and academic sector to facilitate research exchanges and support ongoing project initiatives
• Ensuring all staff are informed of ongoing research work and key findings
  

Promoting AONTAS’ research profile

• Growing the organisation’s reputation for distinctive and high-quality research on educational equality
• Attending and presenting at conferences and dissemination events that will inform the organisation’s current research findings and inform the organisation’s future research
• Working with the AONTAS’ Communications Team to promote the organisation’s research initiatives
• Representing AONTAS Research Team at consultations and external advisory groups as needed
• Chairing the AONTAS Academic Expert Group and NFLF Advisory Group
  

Contributing to AONTAS

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may vary from time to time, to provide for change. You will be required to perform such other duties as may reasonably be required of you by the Organisation.

At all times, operate to the highest professional, ethical, and performance standards.

Measures of Success

Job Rewards and Benefits