Maynooth University Ollscoil Mhá Nuad Maynooth University Access Programme Community Connector
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Post Ref: 012061
Maynooth University
Ollscoil Mhá Nuad
Maynooth University Access Programme
Community Connector
(Full Time Fixed Term Contract to 31st September 2024)
The Role
Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent
research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.
We are seeking a full time Community Connector, based in Maynooth University, to work as part of the
College Connect project.
The College Connect Project
College Connect is a Higher Education Authority/Department of Further and Higher Education,
Research, Innovation and Science Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH 3) project
established to support the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019. College
Connect is a partnership between Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, Dundalk
Institute of Technology and Maynooth University and aims to support access to higher education for
communities underrepresented in higher education (including Travellers, people with disabilities, people
in the asylum system, refugees, people with previous convictions) in the Midlands, East, North Dublin
(MEND) region. College Connect aims to enhance educational aspirations across the region through a
participative and sustainable suite of activities and resources to illuminate pathways and provide
opportunities into, through and beyond higher education.
College Connect comprises four innovative educational interventions which have been designed to
address existing barriers and support the participation of communities underrepresented in higher
education in the MEND region:
● Strand 1: Connecting the Cluster
Connecting the Cluster brings together stakeholders to inform, guide and oversee the development and
implementation of the College Connect Regional Plan 2021-2024 to increase access to higher
education from the most marginalised groups. The Plan is rooted in participative, democratic,
stakeholder engagement, recognising the wealth of expertise that exists across the region. This
innovative organisational structure builds on MEND’s foundational work and strong record of
accomplishment of regional collaboration.
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● Strand 2: Connecting the Region
Connecting the Region involves implementing the College Connect Regional Plan 2021-2024 and
undertaking community needs analyses to support MEND to strengthen its work with communities
experiencing entrenched socio-economic disadvantage and to be more responsive to addressing
inequality of access across the region. Four Community Connectors will connect MEND to stakeholders
supporting access to education across the region and work alongside partner organisations to develop
stronger relationships between the regional cluster and local communities.
● Strand 3: Connecting the Learner
Connecting the Learner involves the provision of information aimed at maintaining and raising
aspirations for progression to higher education to prospective students, families, and communities.
College Connect will communicate the value of higher education and provide targeted support and
guidance to learners across multiple platforms.
● Strand 4: Connecting to College
Connecting to College involves disseminating information about existing pathways and supporting the
development of new pathways to improve access to higher education. It also includes sharing good
practice about effective transition and post-entry supports. High-quality transition and post-entry
supports lead to greater academic engagement, achievement, retention and progression.
College Connect is led by Maynooth University, where the College Connect Manager, Research
Manager and communications/administrative support for the project are based. There are four
Community Connectors, each based in one of the four MEND Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),
Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Maynooth
University.
MEND wishes to appoint a Community Connector for the College Connect Project. Community
Connectors are responsible for connecting the HEIs in the MEND region to key stakeholders by building
sustainable, collaborative relationships and partnerships with communities experiencing deep
disadvantage to support access to higher education. The Community Connector will support Maynooth
University to implement the College Connect Regional Plan 2021-2024 and will also connect the Project
to Maynooth University outreach initiatives and strategic access goals.
The successful candidate will be one of four Community Connectors each based in one of the MEND
HEIs. This position will be based in Maynooth University and will have a particular focus on the
local region.
The post holder will work as a member of the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) outreach
team and will report to the Head of Access Operations in MAP.
The successful candidate will have a thorough knowledge of the Irish education system and educational
disadvantage; evidence of building sustainable, collaborative relationships with communities
experiencing disadvantage; experience in actively engaging communities to progress social change;
and strong communication skills and event management skills. The candidate will have excellent
organisational, project management and IT skills and high levels of self-motivation and flexibility.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:
Build Community Partnerships
• Working as a Community Connector to identify relevant community stakeholders and outreach
activities across the MEND region and link them to relevant information and access personnel.
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• Build sustainable, collaborative relationships and partnerships across the region between
MEND HEIs and communities experiencing deep disadvantage to support improved access to
higher education (HE).
• Support the implementation of the College Connect Regional Plan, sharing resources and
expertise to improve access to HE across the MEND region.
Lead Community Outreach
• Community Connector will support Maynooth University to deliver the College Connect
Regional Plan and will also connect the Project to Maynooth University outreach initiatives and
strategic access goals.
• Develop and deliver Maynooth University /regional targeted events and workshops to provide
information, advice and guidance to prospective students and to community partner
organisations on HE pathways, transition and post-entry supports.
• Promote pathways into the HEIs across the region including the Higher Education Access
Route (HEAR), the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), Mature Student entry routes
and Foundation Certificate/ preparatory programmes.
• Build partnerships with current students and alumni by delivering a regional mentoring
programme to support the work of College Connect.
• Promote and support the administration and targeting of scholarships and bursary
programmes including the PATH 2 1916 Bursary Fund.
• Ensure that new entrants are connected to transition and post-entry supports in each HEI.
Contribute to Communications, Research and Reporting
• Integrate outreach activity and community engagement into AIRO platforms and tools.
• Contribute to the Regional Community Needs Analyses and related research projects
supporting the Research Manager and coordinating and liaising with key groups and
stakeholders to fully participate in the process and leverage emerging opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of an innovative and engaging College Connect communications
strategy ensuring relevant information is clearly communicated and promoted to target
audiences.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the College Connect Project supporting the evaluation
frameworks, the building of baseline data and the dissemination of findings.
• Prepare progress reports and presentations for the HEI, College Connect and other
stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Carry out any other duties related to the College Connect Project.
The ideal candidate will have:
Mandatory:
• Relevant third level primary degree.
• Three or more years’ experience working with and supporting students from socio-economic
groups that have low participation in HE in educational or community development settings.
Desirable:
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in Education, Community Development, Social Policy or a
closely related field.
• Full clean driver's license and access to a car.
In addition, the successful candidate will ideally have:
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• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the barriers and issues that impact access,
participation, and student success in education and a deep knowledge of educational
disadvantage and widening participation in higher education.
• Evidence of building sustainable, collaborative relationships with communities experiencing
disadvantage, and active engagement with communities to progress social change.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and digital skills with excellent inter-personal skills and an
ability to foster strong relationships and networks with diverse student and stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to work well as part of a team but will also have demonstrated their ability to use
their own initiative.
• Excellent organisational, IT, and time management skills, with an ability to plan and prioritise
work and meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail in a dynamic work environment.
• Excellent project management skills with experience of organising and implementing large-
scale projects.
• High levels of creativity, innovation, motivation, proactivity and flexibility.
Maynooth University Access Programme
The Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) was established in 1998 and is responsible for
widening participation among under-represented groups in Maynooth University. MAP works in
partnership across the university and alongside learners, schools, and communities under-represented
in higher education (HE) to increase equity of access to HE and support student success. MAP provides
direct support to students from socio-economic groups that have low participation in HE. Maynooth
University has achieved a national reputation for encouraging and attracting mature students, students
from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, Travellers, lone parents, and students with
disabilities and 28.8% of all new undergraduate entrants in 2020-2021 come from these target groups.
MAP is a dynamic demanding work environment responsible for a vast range of projects and activities.
The University
Maynooth University) is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and
engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching and
community engagement. Located in Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character
owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over
13,500 students on a campus with 18th century roots and 21st century dynamism.
The strategic trajectory and accomplishments of Maynooth University, in the twenty years since its
establishment as an autonomous public university, are exceptional, and a source of great pride to the
university community, staff, students and alumni. Maynooth University is now acknowledged to be one
of the leading young universities in the world, ranked 43 rd in the latest Times Higher Education (THE)
‘Young Universities’ list. Maynooth University’s growing global reputation is based on the originality,
quality, importance and impact of its research and scholarship, commitment to teaching and learning,
the quality of academic programmes, and its leadership in widening participation in higher education.
The sources of success are the dedication of its staff and the energy and engagement of its students.
Maynooth University is a place of lively contrasts – a modern institution, dynamic, rapidly-growing,
research-led and engaged, yet grounded in historic academic strengths and scholarly traditions. With
over 13,500 students Maynooth offers a range of programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and
doctoral level in the humanities, science and engineering and social sciences, including business, law
and education. The University also offers a range of international programmes and partnerships.
Maynooth’s unique collegial culture fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research, which its world-
class academics bring to bear in tackling some of the most fundamental challenges facing society today.
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The University’s research institutes and centres consolidate and deliver this impact as vibrant
communities of learning, discovery and creation. Research at Maynooth also is very much central to its
teaching and the University prides itself on placing equal value on its research and teaching missions.
Principles and Values
Maynooth University is committed to the following values:
• Scholarly rigour;
• Academic freedom;
• Integrity and ethical behaviour;
• Collegiality, transparency and trust;
• Equality, inclusiveness and social justice;
• Operational excellence, organisational flexibility and responsiveness;
• Dignity, respect and care for the individual.
Strategy 2018 - 2022
The University’s Strategic Plan 2018-22 builds from a position of confidence. Maynooth University is a
University with ambition, vision and values, a clear identity and sense of purpose, a history of
achievement, and a future of considerable promise. The Strategy builds on the University’s
accomplishments and concentrates institutional energy and resources on further development of
research and postgraduate education.
For more information please visit http//www.maynoothuniversity.ie/about-us/university-
strategic-plan
Selection and Appointment
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview;
• Candidates invited for interview will be required to make a brief presentation;
• Appointments will be approved by the President based on the report of the selection board;
• It is anticipated that interviews will be held during the week of the 1st November 2021;
• The appointment is expected to be effective from November 2021.
Equality and Diversity
Maynooth University values the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seeks to promote
equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual. To learn more about
our commitment to Equality and Diversity, please read the Maynooth University Equality and Diversity
Policy. Additionally, as an Athena SWAN Bronze Award Institute, we are committed to advancing
gender equality across the University.
We aim to reflect the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all individuals,
in particular from people underrepresented in our workforce.
Data Protection Law
Maynooth University will process any personal data provided by you in connection with an application
for this role in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Acts
2018.
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If your application is successful and you accept an offer of employment at Maynooth University, then
your personal data will continue to be processed in accordance with Maynooth University’s Staff Data
Privacy Notice.
Both the privacy notices and further information relating to data protection, including Maynooth
University’s other data protection policies and processes, can be viewed at
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/data-protection
Salary
Administrative Officer Grade II: €38,736 – €55,740 per annum (9 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 above scale.
Application Procedure
Closing Date:
23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Thursday 21 October 2021
Please note all applications must be made via our Online Recruitment Portal at the following link:
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/human-resources/vacancies
Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above. Any applications which
are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by
the system.
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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