Maynooth University Ollscoil Mhá Nuad - Centre for Teaching and Learning - University Vacancies Ireland
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Maynooth University
Ollscoil Mhá Nuad
Centre for Teaching and Learning
Online Programme Support Officer
(2 Year Contract)
The Role
This role offers the successful applicant the opportunity to be part of the Centre for Teaching and
Learning with specific responsibility for providing support to Kimmage DSC, Ireland’s oldest centre for
development studies, as part of a process of integrating the work of KDSC into Maynooth University.
Working as part of core team of educators, international development and other professionals, the
successful candidate will contribute to the realization of an international, intercultural learning
community which promotes critical thinking and action for justice, equitable sustainable development
and the eradication of poverty.
The position of Online Programme Support Officer is one that requires a good team player with excellent
communication and interpersonal skills, with strong skills in information and learning technology. It is a
varied role, including aspects of digital marketing, website development and maintenance. The job
holder will also have specific responsibility for the online course administration of KDSC programmes
in the Moodle VLE. This is a position which requires strong skills in information and learning
technologies. Further, more detailed aspects of the role are set out below.
The role requires an ability to empathise with and communicate with users of the website and Moodle
and other recipients of our online communications. This means making everything as easy, clear, logical
and intuitive as possible for the users, e.g., helping users find what they want quickly with as few clicks
as possible. It also means understanding how best to communicate with current and potentially future
stakeholders in a way that gives them relevant information and that does not inconvenience them.
Principal Duties
e-Learning and Moodle
Support and Improvements
Liaise with MA in International Development and Kimmage Online and Distance Education (KODE)
programme coordinators around online learning systems, requirements and improvements therein.
Provide technical support for new online learning modules in-line with the strategic development of
programmes and in consultation with MA in International Development and KODE programme co-
ordinators and Kimmage DSC management.
Administer routine queries, resolve issues and provide other general support for teaching staff and
participants.
1 Provide training and update Kimmage DSC specific user manuals for users. Existing basic manuals
can be viewed here: tutors and participants.
Regulate, provide guidance and encourage a consistent style and course structure on all online
modules and courses.
Research possible improvements and innovations (and support their adoption by teaching staff) for
delivering course content on Moodle.
Co-ordinate integration of video and other multi-media material to support enhancement of on-line
modules, working in collaboration with other staff and the relevant programme co-ordinators
Make modifications to improve users’ experience based on tutor and student feedback and best
practices.
Support the integration / transfer of Kimmage DSC’s online programmes on to Maynooth University
platforms/systems.
Management of Courses
Manage programme setup on the Virtual Learning Environment Moodle,
Develop and maintain Moodle course activities and assignments, and gradebook.
Liaise with IT and Service Departments to create and maintain online course setup.
Website & Online Presence
Provide support for the maintenance of Kimmage DSC’s website. Specific tasks in this regard will
include:
Regular SEO maintenance of the website using ethical and best practices
Keeping the website up to date with news, upcoming events and other relevant information.
Communicating with the Development sector and with alumni network, and drive relevant traffic to
the website through search, social media, occasional MailChimp campaigns and online advertising.
Making design changes to the website as required. This may involve changing the menu structure,
the theme, changing and installing plugins etc.
Ensuring that the website is ‘mobile friendly’.
Ensuring web content is well written, free of errors, clear and relevant. Make recommendations on
the website design and all online content based on suggestions of staff and other users, while
always using recommended best practices.
Promote the MA in International Development and other development related courses and
programmes via various advertising campaigns using Facebook, Google Adwords, Google Display
Advertising.
Maintain a presence on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
Communicate with and facilitate communication among Kimmage Alumni through maintaining and
updating relevant sections of the website and social media platforms, and offer IT support during
occasional alumni events.
Use analytics and insights to monitor web traffic, ad campaigns and SEO, and to subsequently
change approaches used if necessary.
Other duties
Liaise with Kimmage DSC IT support with regard to the transfer of activities from Kimmage DSC to
Maynooth University
Occasional recording and video and sound editing of course content and events.
The ideal candidate will have:
Essential Requirements
Minimum two years’ experience in e-Learning, multimedia or other relevant IT experience in the
education sector.
Primary degree in Multi-Media/IT, social science or other relevant field.
Very high standard of the English language with excellent verbal and written communication and
listening skills.
2 Experience in website design and development and content management systems such as Drupal
or Wordpress.
Experience in designing and developing eLearning resources using tools such as Articulate Studio
& Storyline, Camtasia, Captivate or similar online tools.
Ability to work well with others as part of a team.
Attention to detail.
Self-motivated and showing initiative.
Experience with Virtual Learning Environments such as Blackboard or Moodle and Virtual
Classroom solutions such as Adobe Connect, Blackboard Collaborate or Webex
Excellent skills in Microsoft Office software
An interest in researching new technologies and tools that may benefit Kimmage DSC and its
stakeholders.
Good problem solving skills.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience, Competencies
Recognised postgraduate qualification in MultiMedia, IT, or e-Learning
Experience in the international development sector, and / or distance and higher-level education is
highly desirable.
Very good grasp of HTML and using CSS.
A good understanding of aesthetic website design and logical website structure.
Experience in supporting online programme teams (in Higher Education.)
Experience in designing and developing eLearning resources using tools such as Articulate Studio
& Storyline, Camtasia, Captivate or similar online tools.
Experience in audio & video production tools
An understanding of universal design for learning.
An understanding of instructional design methodologies.
An interest in international development issues.
Centre for Teaching & Learning
Maynooth University offers a range of supports to staff teaching in the institution. The primary formal
support regarding Teaching and Learning for academic staff is channelled through the Centre for
Teaching and Learning (CTL). Staff from CTL work closely with academic and support staff in the
University, manage Teaching and Learning projects and support activities which are designed to
enhance the Teaching and Learning experience for all students across the University. They also work
closely with colleagues who have a similar remit in other institutions.
Background to Kimmage Development Studies Centre
For over 40 years, Kimmage DSC has facilitated education and training for development practitioners
working in a range of occupations from over 65 countries. The centre has a strong reputation in
Development Studies in Ireland and abroad and offers an intercultural and experience based learning
environment. Kimmage DSC’s academic programmes reflect a combination of formal and non-formal
educational methodologies and are run at undergraduate (BA) and post graduate (MA and Post
Graduate Diploma) levels, with options to study on a fulltime or part-time basis.
Modules from the MA in International Development are available to students through both classroom
and a Flexible and Distance Learning (FDL) mode of delivery. In addition to the academic programmes,
Kimmage DSC provides capacity development services devoted to the professional upgrading of Irish
and overseas based international development personnel. These capacity development services are
provided as mentoring and organisational support and the provision of short-term practical training
either through classroom based training or online through the Kimmage Open and Distance Education
(KODE) programme.
3The University
Maynooth University is one of the four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland and
in 2017 was placed in the global top 50 universities under 50 years old in the Times Higher Education
World University Rankings. Formally established as an autonomous university in 1997, but tracing its
origins to the foundation of the Royal College of St. Patrick in 1795, Maynooth University draws on a
heritage of over 200 years’ commitment to education and scholarship. It is located in the University
town of Maynooth, 25km from the centre of Dublin, Ireland’s capital city.
The University is a modern institution - dynamic, research-led, engaged, and grounded in the traditions
of liberal education. With more than 11,000 students, Maynooth is Ireland’s fastest-growing university,
yet we retain a collegial campus culture that is central to our ability to bring significant interdisciplinary
expertise to bear in tackling some of the most fundamental challenges facing society today
Maynooth University is embarking upon a new and exciting phase with the development of the
University Strategic Plan 2018-22, with a vision to consolidate the international reputation of Maynooth
University “as a university known for outstanding teaching, excellent research, a global outlook, effective
engagement with the society we serve, and our distinctive approach to the challenges facing modern
higher education.”
The plan builds on the successes of the University Strategic Plan 2012-17, which set seven strategic
goals for the university:
to offer students an outstanding university education, the best available in Ireland, an education
which challenges and supports all students to achieve their full potential, and prepares students for
life, work and citizenship, and for complexity, diversity and change;
to be recognised as playing a leading international role and being the clear national leader in a
number of thematic areas of research that address the major societal challenges of the 21st century;
to achieve a step change in our international activities, doubling the number of international students
on campus and doubling the number of domestic students spending time abroad, in order to create
a truly intercultural and multilingual institution;
to strengthen our engagement with all stakeholders through sustained partnerships with
enterprises, communities, civil society and public bodies, to build support for the mission of the
university, to serve the needs of society, and to open new opportunities for research and learning;
to maximise our unique and distinctive contribution to the national system of higher education
through a set of purposeful and sustained strategic partnerships at regional and national level, and
to extend our international reach through a network of global partnerships;
to be an excellent place to work, known for a collegial ethos which empowers all staff to contribute
fully to the development of the university;
to enable the achievement of ambitious strategic objectives in challenging circumstances through
careful planning, excellent services and infrastructure, and sound governance and management.
The university has distinctive institutional strengths in six thematic priority areas:
Human Cultures, Experience & Creativity;
Humanities in Practice: Sources, Resources & Discourses;
Human Health;
Mathematics, Communications and Computation;
People, Place and Environment;
Social and Economic Transformations.
Selection and Appointment
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview;
Appointments will be approved by the President based on the report of the selection board.
4Terms and Conditions
This is a 2-year contract post.
Salary
Senior Executive Assistant (2018*): €37,204 – €45,903 p.a. (7 points)
Appointment will be made in accordance with the Department of Finance pay guidelines.
*New entrants to the public sector will be appointed on the first point of the pay scale.
Application Procedure
Please ensure that you USE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE ‘OPSO_CTL’ in the subject line of your
application email. This will clarify which role you are applying for.
Please note applications should be made by sending the following information as ONE single
attachment (either in PDF or word format) incorporating all of the below required information:
A Curriculum Vitae, including all qualifications and experience, and a covering letter addressing
your interest and suitability for the role;
The names, email addresses, correspondence addresses and telephone numbers of three referees
whom the University may contact.
Once attachment is compiled please send your single document application to recruitment@mu.ie
The completed application documents should be forwarded by email to arrive no later than midnight,
Monday 16th April 2018. Late applications will not be accepted.
Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer
The position is subject to the Statutes of the University
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