ABC Start Right
Invitation for Applications for the position of ABC Start Right Embedded Researcher,
as part of a full-time funded Ph.D.
1. Background and Context
The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is jointly funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs
and Atlantic Philanthropies and is nationally managed by the Centre for Effective Services (CES) and Pobal. ABC
Start Right Limerick is an early intervention and prevention initiative focusing on the ante-natal to 6 years agegroup in the city centre and north side of Limerick city. The programme aims to enhance child development and
well-being, provide capacity-building supports to parents, and tackle educational disadvantage using evidenceinformed approaches and interventions. The programme works in partnership with multiple services and
agencies to ensure that children and families in the programme areas have access to integrated services.
ABC Start Right Limerick is managed by a multi-agency Programme Management Committee under the overall
governance of the Limerick Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC). PAUL Partnership is acting
as the lead agency of behalf of Limerick CYPSC.
2. Call for Expressions of Interest for ABC Start Right Embedded Researcher, Ph.D. Candidate
PAUL Partnership, on behalf of the ABC Start Right Programme and Limerick CYPSC, is seeking applications for
the position of Embedded Researcher with the ABC Start Right Programme. The Embedded Researcher will be a
candidate accepted to a Ph.D. programme at a third level institution, who has met all criteria set by that
institution to be a Ph.D. candidate. The Ph.D. candidate will be embedded in the process of developing a multiagency approach to improve outcomes for children from birth to 6.
Working with the ABC Start Right Programme, the successful candidate will undertake a major piece of research
over three years that will analyse and document the processes and learning arising from the development and
implementation of multi-agency collaborations among community, voluntary and statutory agencies. The
researcher, in collaboration with all partner agencies, will be expected to develop an evidence-based model of
intervention and outline the processes required to develop and implement the model. The final research report
will be expected to answer the following questions:
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Have the interventions and approaches initiated under the ABC Start Right Programme improved child
outcomes in the target area? What was the relative contribution of the ABC Start Right programme?
What elements of the ABC Start Right approach were essential in improving outcomes (if they were
improved)?
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What were the enabling factors to support successful interventions and approaches?
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What were the key challenges? How did these challenges impact on the effectiveness of interventions?
Was the ABC Start Right programme able to overcome these challenges, and, if so, how?
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What elements of the ABC Start Right Programme can be mainstreamed and how should this happen?
The research will incorporate and build upon local data on child outcomes gathered as part of a national
evaluation framework. The Centre for Effective Services is conducting the National Evaluation. The Embedded
Researcher will be expected to collaborate with the national evaluation team to ensure consistency of
approaches and data collection where possible. The researcher will support the ABC Start Right Team to collect
the data required by the national evaluation.
A key outcome of the Ph.D. research will include the generation of information on the new approach to policy
interventions promoted by ABC Start Right based on a deep understanding of multi-agency collaborations
including challenges associated with this approach. It is expected that the researcher will use both qualitative
and quantitative methods and focus both on process and outcomes. This work will form the basis of the Ph.D.
studies undertaken.
3. Requirements
3.1 Requirements of the candidate:
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First class or 2:1 honours bachelor’s degree and master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences,
psychology, statistics or a related discipline
Full acceptance to a Ph.D. Programme in an accredited third level institution and an approved
supervisor
Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in inter-agency initiatives, early years child
education, child welfare and social policy, or related area
Ability to work as part of a team and be goal-oriented
Ability to negotiate different contexts and engage effectively with statutory providers, community and
voluntary service providers, community groups, parents and children
Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English
Excellent interpersonal skills
The candidate will be required to be based in Limerick as part of the ABC Start Right Team for
approximately 60% of their time. The candidate will be expected to work on the project on a full-time
basis.
3.2 Requirements for Expressions of Interest
Please apply to PAUL Partnership including a motivation letter stating clearly what attracts you to this
project, your relevant experience and in what ways you are suitable to pursue this work, a CV, a letter of
support from the agreed supervisor and a letter from the host organisation confirming that you are accepted
on to a Ph.D. programme. Please also include the names of three referees with one to be an academic
reference, one to be from a relevant employer if applicable and one other.
Those submitting an expression of interest will also be required to submit a short proposal including the
following:
 Evidence of understanding of the relevant academic literature
 Evidence of understanding of the policy context
 Proposed Methodology
 Identification of Key Tasks and indicative timescale
A suite of documents providing background and further information on the ABC Start Right Programme is
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available at www.paulpartnership.ie
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and will be expected to give a presentation that includes
the following:
 Proposed approach to the research
 Demonstration of an understanding of the local context focusing on demographic data, needs of
children and families, local service delivery context and resources
 Discussion of proposed methodology and explanation of how different methods will be utilised
 Identification of anticipated risks and challenges and how these will be addressed
 Demonstration of the capacity to engage effectively with the ABC Start Right Team, partner
organisations and parents and children while maintaining objectivity
 Demonstration of an understanding of the both the requirements of the ABC Start Right Programme
and the requirements of the third level institution
4. Criteria for Award
4.1 Shortlisting Criteria
 Level, depth and nature of experience of the individual in the area of work
 Quality of previous experience
 Level and depth of the understanding of the programme and the relevant policy context
 Level and depth of the understanding of the methodology required
 Level and depth of understanding of the key tasks required
 Level and depth of support from the supervisor
4.2 Award Criteria
 Level and depth of understanding of the proposed approach and identification of challenges
 Demonstration of an understanding of the balance required between process and outcomes focused
evaluation
 Identification of appropriate child outcomes, indicators and proposed methods of collection
 Demonstration of an understanding of the appropriate use of qualitative and quantitative methods
 Demonstration of the required interpersonal and communication skills
 Demonstration of knowledge of the ethics of consulting with children
 Evidence of familiarity with the local context.
5. Financial and Management Information
The award of the contract will include the following payments:
 Payment of third level fees for a period of three years beginning at the commencement of the
contract
 An award of €12,000-€14,000 per year depending on experience for a period of three years
 An annual allowance to allow for participation in relevant conferences.
The successful candidate will be expected to be dedicated to the project on a full-time basis. Approximately
three full days will be spent embedded with the ABC Start Right Team, and a desk space in PAUL Partnership
will be allocated to them. The embedded researcher will attend a range of meetings and events and will
engage regularly with all partner organisations and with parents and children where appropriate. The
researcher will be expected to spend the remainder of their time collating and analysing notes and data,
preparing project reports, completing any other project tasks and meeting the academic requirements of the
Ph.D. Programme.
The contract agreed between the third level institution and PAUL Partnership will be for three years only,
and all outputs agreed at contract stage will be expected to be submitted by or before the end of this three
year period. Any extensions in meeting the academic requirements for the award of the Ph.D. will need to
be negotiated separately with the third level institution.
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6. Timescale
Deadline for Submission of Proposal:
Interviews:
Award of Contract:
Inception Report:
Monday September 21, 2015
Week beginning September 28, 2015
Week beginning October 5, 2015
Week beginning January 11, 2016
Proposals and supporting materials should be sent electronically to [email protected] to arrive
by 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2015.
Any queries should be directed to Margaret Mastriani, Acting ABC Start Right Programme Manager, at 061419388 or the e-mail above.
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