The Organisation
The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) exists to support a capable, confident and effective Public Service in Ireland. Our purpose is to strengthen the capability and leadership required to meet complex demands, make sound decisions and contribute to better public services for the people of Ireland. We do this through learning and leadership development that is evidence based, practice led and focused on application at a whole-of-government level.
The Role
The role of Vice Dean Academic Affairs / Deputy Registrar will be a senior member of the Whitaker School’s management team and will support the Registrar in the strategic development of academic governance and quality assurance and academic operations across the Institute. The role will also contribute to senior decision-making relating to School planning, timetabling, budgeting, operational development and external relationships. Providing coordinated operational leadership for the implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of academic governance, quality assurance, assessment oversight and learner support processes will also be a critical part of this role.
Key responsibilities
This is a senior leadership role which will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
Academic Governance & Quality Assurance
- Support the Registrar in leading the development of academic governance and quality assurance (QA) policies, frameworks and enhancement plans.
- Oversee the coordination, implementation and monitoring of QA policies and procedures across all IPA learning units.
- Promote consistent application of academic standards and policies, ensuring alignment with national frameworks and awarding-body requirements.
- Maintain QA documentation, evaluation cycles, monitoring reports and institutional evidence for review and compliance purposes.
- Provide QA oversight of the Doctorate in Governance programme, ensuring processes for assessment, examination, extern engagement and learner supports are implemented in line with Institute policies and the strategic direction set by the Registrar.
- Assessment & Examination Oversight
- Lead the operational delivery of assessment and examinations, ensuring integrity, fairness and consistency.
- Manage extern examiner processes, including nomination, engagement, reporting and follow-up actions.
- Coordinate examination boards, results workflows and award processes in line with frameworks set by the Registrar and NUI.
Oversee programme teams in the implementation of assessment regulations and good practice.
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Accreditation & External Interface
- Manage the day-to-day relationship with awarding bodies, including the NUI, supporting the Registrar in accreditation, validation and institutional review processes.
- Prepare operational documentation for validation, accreditation and institutional review processes.
- Act as operational liaison for external QA or accreditation activities, ensuring follow-through on enhancement or compliance actions.
- Represent the IPA and Whitaker School at external events, working groups and sectoral forums relating to academic governance, quality assurance, teaching, learning and assessment, as appropriate and under the direction of the Registrar.
Represent the IPA and Whitaker School in developing and maintaining relationships with national and international higher education institutions and institutes of public administration, including participation in sectoral forums and collaborative initiatives.
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Registry & Learner Lifecycle Coordination
- Lead the day-to-day functioning of registry operations, including learner records, results, certification and data integrity for all learners registered in the IPA.
- Oversee operational processes for learner support and disability accommodations, ensuring compliance with policy and legislation.
Work with IT and other relevant units to ensure appropriate systems and data structures underpin academic recordkeeping and reporting.
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Institute-wide Alignment & Support
- Provide direction and guidance to SPS, Professional Development and OneLearning to facilitate consistent QA practice and learner experience.
- Facilitate the sharing of academic processes, templates, policies and guidelines across units.
- Contribute to the development of digital and data solutions that support academic governance and reporting.
Oversee, monitor and manage the QA processes surrounding the awarding of IPA specific certificates and diplomas.
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Strategic & Institutional Contribution
- Contribute to senior management decision-making within Whitaker, including strategic input on timetabling, resource planning, budget development, faculty deployment and programme scheduling.
- Contribute to academic business planning, risk registers, compliance reporting and corporate governance processes at a senior level.
- Oversee, with the Registrar, and in conjunction with the Head of the Library, the development and delivery of IPA library, research and digital information resources for students and public servants.
- Support institutional review preparations under the Registrar’s strategic oversight.
- Participate in external engagement, programme development or academic teaching as required and appropriate.
Deputise for the Registrar as required.
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Additional Information
- The Registrar retains overall strategic responsibility for academic governance, quality assurance and awarding-body relationships.
- The Vice Dean Academic Affairs / Deputy Registrar is responsible for the coordinated implementation and operational management of these areas in line with the strategic direction set by the Registrar.
Some teaching, research or scholarly contribution may be expected in line with the academic mission of the Institute.
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The Person
The successful candidate will be qualified to doctoral level, with proven experience working at a senior level within higher education academic governance, quality assurance or related administrative structures. They will also have experience of engaging with awarding bodies, validation and/or accreditation processes and regulatory frameworks, as well as a track record of providing governance oversight across multiple academic programmes or organisational units within a regulated environment. They will also be an experienced people manager with experience in coordinating cross-functional teams.
Qualifications
Doctoral qualification at NFQ Level 10 (or equivalent terminal qualification) in a relevant field. (essential)
Experience
- Significant experience (minimum 7 years) working at a senior level within higher education academic governance, quality assurance or related administrative structures. (essential)
- Experience engaging with awarding bodies, validation and/or accreditation processes and regulatory frameworks. (essential)
- Proven track record of providing governance oversight across multiple academic programmes or organisational units within a regulated environment. (essential)
- Experience leading and coordinating assessment and examination processes. (essential)
- Experience with learner records, registry systems or academic data management. (essential)
- Experienced people manager with experience in coordinating cross-functional teams. (essential)
Engagement with the broader public administration system and experience of the role of accredited education in strengthening public service capability (desirable)
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Application and Further Information
- Applications should be submitted online and must include a completed application form
- This document is available to download here - https://www.forvismazars.com/ie/en/services/consulting/management-consulting/executive-recruitment or via email at [email protected]
- Please note that CVs are not to be submitted as part of the application process.
- Only applications fully submitted online via the Forvis Mazars application portal will be accepted into the campaign.
- For further information and to apply for this role visit www.forvismazars.com/ie/en/executiverecruitment .
- All enquiries relating to this role should be directed to the Executive Recruitment Team by email to [email protected] or by telephone on +353 (1) 449 4400.
- Forvis Mazars will be managing all aspects of this recruitment project on behalf of the IPA.
- No enquiries or canvassing should be made directly to the IPA.
- Deadline for applications: Monday, 6th July 2026 at 12noon (IST).
- The IPA is an equal opportunities employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality at all levels of the organisation.
