Duties will include (but are not limited to):
Completing evidence products using a systematic approach
Turning policy questions into research questions
Collaborating with an information specialist to implement a rigorous and documented search
Mapping the information and literature available in collaboration with an information specialist
Assessing the suitability of the literature to answer research questions
Assessing the quality of the literature
Extracting findings systematically
Analysing and synthesising published data
Identifying what is known about a topic, and subsequently, gaps in knowledge
Preparing presentations and writing briefing papers and reviews in specific areas.
Commissioning evidence reviews
- Assisting with the preparation of a business case for the executive team
Assisting with the completion of a needs assessment for evidence reviews with policy makers or planners and agreeing the review questions
Preparing evidence review with the Head of Unit specification for the executive team and procurement review team
Working with the Head of Unit and procurement manager to advertise the review, answer applicants’ questions and evaluate tenders
Working with the Head of Unit, procurement manager, and legal officer to prepare contracts and finalise the awardees work plan and timeline
Representing the HRB and working with the academic team and policy maker to agree changes to questions, approach to literature search, and final report
Managing the academic team to agree search methods, agree extraction sheet, agree quality assessment, and read draft reports
Overseeing and negotiating with the academic team to ensure policy makers or practitioners comments are attended to
Securing peer reviewers and ensuring their comments are attended to
Managing the academic team to ensure the schedule of deliverables in the contract is complied with and payments for completed work are sanctioned.
Providing research training and mentoring to stakeholders
The stakeholder training and mentoring will include information or assistance on completing a literature search, reading a research paper (including the tables and figures), critically appraising a paper, analysing basic statistical data, and analysing basic text-based data.
Assisting the HOU with the development of guidance documentation to ensure research work is completed using best practice and agreed standards through preparing and updating guidelines and protocols.
- Measure the quality of research proposals and outputs
Commission research
Disseminate research (knowledge brokering)
Protocols for managing large databases, mapping research, and conducting reviews using systematic methods.
Disseminating research to policy makers, service planners and practitioners using innovative methods which will include:
- Membership of DOH and HSE working groups (policy makers, service planners, service providers, service users and researchers)
Writing briefs
Presenting oral reviews, and
Other novel methods.
Essential knowledge and experience
Formal requirements include
- A minimum of a NFQ Level 9 qualification (Masters’ degree) with a heavy emphasis on research
Four to five years’ relevant research experience, which includes the completion and publication of evidence or quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods systematic reviews.
Desirable criteria
A PhD and peer review publication record would be an advantage
Knowledge and experience of meta-analysis, meta-ethnography, other qualitative review and/or mixed methods is desirable
Knowledge and experience using referencing and review management packages is advantageous.
