Ó An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for consideration for appointment as members to the Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI).
Expressions of interest are sought by the Minister from suitably qualified candidates for consideration to be nominated by the Government as a member of the Senate of the NUI and whose term of office will be for a five year period. Expressions of interest are now invited from suitably qualified applicants with the capacity to contribute to the further development of NUI.
The Minister intends making three appointments to fill current ordinary member vacancies which have arisen under Section 45 (5) (1) (b) of the Universities Act 1997, which states: ”four persons nominated by the Government, two of whom shall be women and two men”.
The current vacancies are for 2 male and 1 female member.
Expressions of interest are now invited from suitably qualified applicants with the capacity to contribute to the further development of NUI and who consider they possess the knowledge, skills and experience necessary in one or more of the following areas (which NUI has ranked in order of priority):
1. Student Engagement/Representation
2. Representation from communities underrepresented in higher education.
3. ICT
These are the essential areas identified given the work programme and NUI’s strategic intent. It would be expected that all candidates would have a good knowledge and understanding of the higher education sector.
Student Engagement/Representation
NUI is keen to reflect the positive recent developments in student partnership and engagement across the federation. Students are seen as key stakeholders in higher education. The position of NUI Senate is that a student or recent graduate would add significant value and a new perspective to the operation of NUI Senate.
The ideal applicant would have recent experience of representing students and/or engagement in governance processes in a higher education institution.
Applicants should have experience of representing students and engagement in governance processes in a higher education institution and should ideally have completed National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP) training for Students Participating in Institutional Reviews / Quality Assurance Processes. Students / recent graduates are welcome to apply.
Representation from communities under-represented in higher education
The configuration of NUI’s Senate is not representative of the diversity in wider Irish society. Whilst the current position in relation to gender balance on NUI Senate is relatively positive and in line with standard requirements for state bodies there is less evidence of a broader form of diversity. Senate has little or no diversity with regard to ethnic or cultural backgrounds and limited representation from those with a disability.
NUI is keen to appoint an individual with a deep understanding informed by first-hand experience of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities in higher education. The ideal candidate would have a commitment to creating positive change regarding access to higher education.
Applicants should have a vision for creating a more inclusive and equitable higher education environment along with a knowledge of matters relating to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
NUI is keen to appoint an individual who can provide advice, insight and constructive challenge on the implementation of the organisation’s ICT Strategy. Applicants should have experience of using digital technologies to deliver high quality services and significant experience in the oversight of complex ICT projects.
In conjunction with the essential areas above the ideal candidate would possess some of the following:
These are desirable skills and experience as they are areas where NUI has a current knowledge base amongst existing Senate members.
Under the Universities Act 1997, appointments to the Senate by the Government are for a term not exceeding five years. A member whose term expires may be eligible for reappointment.
Positions on the Senate are unpaid. Travel and subsistence allowances will be paid in respect of journeys undertaken to attend meetings of the Board or to transact its business. Payments will be made in accordance with approved public sector rates and NUI’s travel and subsistence policy, which aims to minimise the environmental impact of NUI activities.
Members are required to devote as much time to duties of the Senate as is necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of their duties.
The Senate convenes for three meetings per annum, of approximately 2 hours in duration. Preparation time required in advance of meetings is approximately 2 hours. Meetings are held virtually with occasional meetings taking place in-person in NUI’s offices at 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Members of Senate may be nominated to serve on sub-committees of the Board, such as the Audit and Risk Committee or the Education and Society Committee, but participation is voluntary.
To be considered for nomination as a member of the Senate, please submit by email a completed application form (see below), a cover letter and a curriculum vitae, no later than 3pm on Friday, 5 April 2024, to boardvacancies@dfheris.gov.ie .
Applicants will receive an acknowledgement on receipt of their application. Any applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement with regard to their application should contact boardvacancies@dfheris.gov.ie .
Candidate information booklet for member of the Senate of the National University of Ireland
April 2024
The selection process may include a shortlisting process dependent on the numbers of applications received.
Please take care when submitting your expression of interest as the Assessment Panel will make its recommendation(s) to the Minister based on consideration of the documentation which you submit. It is therefore most important that you ensure your cover letter (and supporting CV) clearly specifies how your particular background and experience meets the requirements of the position as specified in this booklet. This will help ensure that the Assessment Panel is as informed as possible as to the basis and suitability of your candidature.
You must also confirm that you do not have any conflicts of interest or legal impediment which would be likely to interfere with your ability to play a full part on the Senate. You must also confirm that you can make yourself available to attend meetings of the Senate.
In making nominations, and in line with best practice as set out in the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, it should be noted that it is open to the Minister to consider suitable nominees other than those identified through this process, provided their preferred nominee meets the specified criteria.
The Minister shall have regard to the desirability for gender balance on the Senate as the Minister considers appropriate and determines from time to time when making appointments.
The NUI is a federal university comprising four autonomous constituent universities – University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway and Maynooth University. A number of other higher education institutions including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, the Institute of Banking and National College of Art & Design are also members of the federal university.
As a unique and significant focal point in Irish higher education, NUI serves the interests of the member institutions, provides services to them and manages the central registers and archives of the University. NUI also undertakes a wide range of activities related to scholarship, the advancement of higher education, and the cultural and intellectual life of Ireland. Further information is available on the NUI website .
The NUI Senate acts as a central forum for the member institutions, fulfils a small number of statutory functions, notably in relation to NUI matriculation, and oversees the activities of NUI and the schemes it administers. Much of the work of the Senate is done through committees, which can include members of Senate, members nominated by the constituent universities and other external members appointed for their specific expertise, as appropriate.
Under the Universities Act, 1997, the NUI Senate has functions and responsibilities in relation to the following:
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, which came into effect in November 2012, defines the University as a “designated awarding body”. As such, the Act requires the University to establish quality assurance arrangements in respect of “linked providers” that deliver educational programmes leading to awards of the University. The Act also provides for periodic review of the University’s quality assurance procedures by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the Authority established under the Act to oversee quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland.
The composition of the Senate is set out in the Universities Act 1997. It has a membership of 38, headed by the Chancellor and with the Presidents of the constituent universities and the NUI Registrar as ex officio members. The Senate includes other members elected by the governing authorities of the constituent universities, members elected by the graduates of the University, up to four co-opted members and four members nominated by the Government, two men and two women.
Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts, 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence. All enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.
Certain items of information, not specific to any individual, may be extracted from computer records for general statistical purposes.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to protecting your personal data and takes the security of your information very seriously, adhering to the principles of transparency, accountability and security of the General Data Protection Regulation.
The main purpose for which the Department requires the personal data provided by you is to consider your Expression of Interest in the context of the qualifying criteria set out in this Booklet and your suitability for the position advertised.
The personal data provided as part of this recruitment campaign will be exchanged with other persons involved in the appointment process only as required, including with officials in the Department, NUI, any other relevant person who will assist in the appointment process and the Minister.
If your application is assessed and you are considered to be suitable for consideration for appointment your curriculum vitae and cover letter, (and any supplementary information requested as part of the application process), will be retained for up to one year following the appointments. In the event that you are not successful on this occasion, your data may be retained for a period of up to one year and used in considering your suitability for other similar vacancies/roles that may arise within that period.
Read our data protection notice or find out how to request access to your data (subject access request) .