About Quality Matters

Quality Matters is a Dublin-based charity and social enterprise. We work nationally to support improvements in health and social care services. Our mission is to support the joint ambition of state funders, not-for-profits, charities and social enterprises to create high-quality evidence-based services for marginalised communities and the individuals working with them. Quality Matters is also the parent company to award-winning social enterprise, We Make Good and delivers the Trauma Informed Practice in Ireland training programme for the sector.

Altogether, our growing team of 25+ staff and wider team of associates are strongly committed to social justice and, and how both social services and social enterprises can promote equal access to opportunities for communities that have been isolated, marginalised or excluded. Quality Matters is an equal opportunities employer, and people from minoritised or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply for roles with our organisation.

Our organisation is dedicated to TEAL principles; we strive to create a positive work environment that values personal responsibility, individual autonomy and team accountability, where people are supported to do meaningful work, and achieve both personal and organisational goals as part of kind and caring team.

About our Work

Established in 2012, Quality Matters has supported organisations in the fields of health, education, early years care, youth, drugs and alcohol, homelessness, domestic violence, Travellers, disability, mental health and many others to improve the service provision that they provide. We do this through research and evaluation, education and training, governance and strategic development and other consultancy services.

About the position- Junior Project Specialist

Quality Matters is seeking a Junior Project Specialist, who will support research and evaluation projects, support facilitation and consultation, and provide administration and coordination support to other members of our staff team. 

We are interested in a candidate who has experience with doing literature reviews and evidence briefs, undertaking non-profit research and evaluations, undertaking facilitation and consultation, working with or advocating for marginalised communities and an ability to contribute to research and other projects designed for real world impact.

• Location - Hybrid working, with candidate living in Ireland. Flexible working location with a combination of online/remote work and occasional work in Dublin-based office or some travel, as required for project work.

• Hours - Full-time position (39 hours per week).

• Work Schedule - Flexible, 85% of hours undertaken during standard working hours (i.e., Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

• Salary and Bonus - Base salary is €32,000 to €35,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. This annual salary is enhanced with an end-of-year bonus (based on team performance) that rises each year. By the end of year three, base wage and bonus will equal a package of approximately €38,000 – €41,000.

Professional Development Opportunities

At Quality Matters, our work is highly specialised and requires a broad range of skills to support the diverse communities and organisations we serve through research, strategy, and implementation support. While we seek highly driven and committed candidates, we do not expect junior staff to arrive fully formed into this type of work. As a Junior Project Specialist, you will receive mentoring from senior staff and management, gaining practical experience in applying your skills to real-world projects, processes, and communities. Through this role, you will develop your existing skillset to highly transferable skills in areas such as:

• Research and consultation
• Project and client management
• Communication and education
• Consultancy and strategic planning

Over time, Junior Project Specialists have the opportunity to progress into more senior roles within Quality Matters after a number of years. Those who move on from this role do so with a strong skillset and valuable experience that is highly regarded across the non-profit and social enterprise sectors.

Qualifications, Experience and Qualities

Candidates should have:

• A Masters’ degree in a psychology, social science or related field
• A proven capacity to develop literature reviews, undertake research interviews and facilitate focus groups, undertake thematic analysis and/OR quantitative research design and analysis skills
• Experience in developing and/or otherwise working with education or training programmes is desirable
• An understanding and capacity to implement ethical AI research practices
• Relevant work experience and interest in the non-profit, community and voluntary, charitable and social enterprise sectors

As well as:

• Excellent communication and written/report-writing skills
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong interpersonal communication and team-working skills
• A proven passion for equality and social justice
• Aptitude for flagging risks and a willingness to work collaboratively with team on any challenges or arising issues
• Very personally responsible and effective at self-management
• Passionate and hard working
• Creative and a problem solver