External Chair of the Jigsaw Research Ethics Committee (Voluntary)
Jigsaw - the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Ireland
Job Description
We are currently seeking a candidate to fill the role of External Chair of the Jigsaw Research Ethics Committee (JREC). The objective of the JREC is to safeguard the health, welfare and rights of participants in research and to ensure that all approved research is theoretically and methodologically sound, and consistent with Jigsaw’s research aspirations and agenda.
The JREC aspires to provide timely, comprehensive and independent reviews of research studies, acting in good faith with respect to both applicants and the community and in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, statements of appropriate ethics practice, International Good Practice Guidelines, relevant EU directives, National guidelines and relevant National legislation.
The committee currently comprises Jigsaw staff members with experience in youth mental health research and/or services; Jigsaw Youth Advocates; and individuals external to Jigsaw with knowledge of, and current experience in, the area of research. The JREC convenes four times per year (online/in-person/email review).
WHO WE ARE:
Jigsaw is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland with the mission to bring about significant change in how Ireland thinks about, responds to and supports young people's mental health. We do this by delivering a range of services to improve the lives of young people in need of mental health supports and those around them; undertaking ground-breaking, collaborative, high-impact youth mental health research; providing the most up-to-date information about youth mental health and by influencing change and raising awareness of youth mental health on a national level.
Our Jigsaw Service is currently in 14 communities across Ireland providing early intervention supports to young people aged 12-25. Along with the direct supports within the community setting we provide capacity building and education and training to a wide range of groups, including young people. We represent an innovative approach to promoting and supporting youth mental health, in line with best practices of clinical, financial and operational governance. Youth voice and engagement is a guiding principle of Jigsaw’s work and is a central feature of the design and planning of all Jigsaw projects. Jigsaw is closely guided by a nationwide network of 130+ Youth Advocates, aged between 16-25, who help guide our strategy, recruit our people, inform our research, ensure we are relevant to those we aim to support and are central to our work in reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Chair the meetings of the Jigsaw Research Ethics Committee
- Liaise with the Research Coordinator who will oversee the administration of the JREC
- and circulate all relevant paperwork to committee members in advance of meetings
- Review and critically analyse research applications, resubmissions and research amendments and provide clear feedback in line with best practice and ethical standards
- Collate feedback from all committee members on research applications and guide the REC to reach a consensus decision on applications
- In exceptional circumstances, review ethics applications outside of the proposed schedule
- Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedure and the Jigsaw Research Approval Policy are followed
- Declare any conflict of interest in relation to an application submitted for review to the committee as soon as possible
- Maintain confidentiality in respect of the work of the JREC at all times.
Please note: The External Chair of the JREC is a voluntary position and the successful candidate will not receive any remuneration in this role.
TIME COMMITMENT:
- At least four scheduled meetings per annum
- Attendance at JREC meetings and related preparation will require a commitment of approximately 6-8 hours per quarter.
SUPPORTS:
Induction and training will be provided on the structure and function of the JREC and administrative support will be provided as necessary.
TERM OF APPOINTMENT:
The External Chair will be appointed for a term of two years with an option to extend this term. To qualify for selection, a person must not have any conflict of interest likely to interfere with his/her ability to assume the role of External Chair of the JREC.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- A PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. psychology, social science, health science or related area)
- At least 3 years’ postdoctoral research experience
- Be currently employed in an academic or research setting external to Jigsaw in Ireland or another jurisdiction
- Interest in and understandi