Basic Function

This competition seeks to recruit a contract Technologist to work on a funded project STRATUM, to design and scope a national soil strategy for Ireland.  The successful candidates will collaborate with colleagues across Teagasc with expertise in soil science and spatial analysis and engage with external stakeholders across Government departments, state agencies and universities

Background

Teagasc - The Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland, is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agri-food sector. We are global leaders in science and innovation and unique in holding research, advisory and education functions under one organization. The successful candidate will join the Environment Soils and Land-Use Department based in Johnstown Castle (or other Teagasc Centre by agreement). They will work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative manner with other researchers across Teagasc and externally. As vital members of the Soil Health group at Teagasc the successful candidate will join the STRATUM project to develop a national soil strategy for Ireland and contribute to the development of soil health criteria for the EU Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, known as the Soil Monitoring Law (SML).

The STRATUM project team engages with a wide range of stakeholders and seeks expert consultation to develop a framework for soil health assessment and a national soil strategy.  In consultation with the research and policy community in Ireland the project will identify knowledge gaps and research priorities to meet current and future policy needs and objectives of a national strategy

• Collate relevant national soil datasets
• Collate information from relevant sources on soil health assessment and soil health criteria
• Conduct basic statistical analysis of national soil data to inform criteria for soil health assessments
• Through expert consultation and stakeholder engagement, design and scope the criteria for soil heath assessments for Irish agriculture and forest soils that meet the requirements of the EU soil monitoring and resilience law
• Conduct stakeholder workshops to identify knowledge gaps in soil health and collate expert opinion on research priorities for Ireland on soil health
• Conduct stakeholder workshops to develop a framework for a national soil strategy and soil monitoring programme for agricultural and forest soils in Ireland that identifies research priorities and actions to deliver on policy requirements
• Deliver a report for a national soil strategy
• General project dissemination and reporting duties, including; writing and reporting on workshop outputs, collaboration on a policy brief for DAFM and final project report
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To 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.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.