Duration:

Temporary Externally Funded Non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 10 months, subject to contract.  A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

Background

The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between Agri-Food and ICT research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research, in partnership with the Tyndall National Institute, Ireland’s national microelectronics institute, the Walton Institute at South Eastern Technological University (SETU) and the Insight Centre for Data Analytics (at UCD, NUIG, DCU).

Basic Function 

The VistaMilk Communications and Outreach Manager post is a temporary full time position, based in Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Reporting to the Centre Manager, the primary role of the VistaMilk Communications and Outreach Manager will be to lead the Centre’s communication, education and public engagement (EPE) programme. The role will require effective engagement with scientists, industry, stakeholders and the general public. The candidate should possess excellent communication skills across a range of different media channels tailored to a range of target audiences and should have extensive experience in managing communication activities using social media platforms, digital content and traditional media. The candidate should also have a proven track record in effective outreach and communication and ideally will have experience in teaching/lecturing. Experience in the Agri-Food/ Dairy/ Tech space would be a major advantage.

• Develop and deploy (i.e., arrange, manage and coordinate) successful education and public engagement activities to maximise the impact of VistaMilk research and development outputs.

• Liaise with VistaMilk management, researchers and the SFI core education and public engagement (EPE) team to develop an EPE operational plan as well as an outreach and public relations strategy throughout the lifecycle of the Centre.

• Promote VistaMilk Centre brand recognition both nationally and internationally.

• Within the VistaMilk context, promote ‘an engaged public’ as defined by Science Foundation Ireland - one which: understands the role of STEM; can judge between competing STEM arguments; encourages young people to study and work in STEM; and feels engaged with STEM research.

• Educate and train VistaMilk researchers on EPE issues and development.

• Manage and maintain the VistaMilk social media accounts (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).

• Manage and maintain VistaMilk webpages and digital media content.

• Manage VistaMilk press releases and print media content.

• Liaise with the Teagasc and SFI public relations department to develop VistaMilk outreach and public relations strategy.

• Monitor, collect, and report all related metrics to the management team, governance boards and SFI as required.

• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.

• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.