Title: Lecturer / Programme Director, Leadership and Management

Grade: IPA Grade 3

Reports to: Dean of Whitaker School of Government and Management

Duration: Specified Purpose Contract (envisaged up to December 2027)

Salary: Starting salary €69,375 per annum rising to €106,749 (14-point salary scale, the top 2 points are long service increments).

About the IPA

The Institute of Public Administration exists to support a capable, confident and effective Public Service in Ireland. Our purpose is to strengthen the capability and leadership required to meet complex demands, make sound decisions and contribute to better public services for the people of Ireland. We do this through learning and leadership development that is evidence‑based, practice‑led and focused on application at a whole-of-government level.

As a trusted, government-supported institution, we provide an open and inclusive space for learning, reflection and exchange across the Public Service. We bring people together across organisational and sectoral boundaries to strengthen shared understanding, professional standards and continuous improvement.

About the Role

The Whitaker School is seeking to appoint a Lecturer/Programme Director to contribute to its teaching, programme development and academic activities in the broad areas of leadership and management. The successful candidate will combine teaching with responsibility for the effective academic direction and coordination of designated programmes and will contribute to the ongoing development of the School's academic portfolio. 

The role provides an opportunity to work across teaching and learning, programme development, academic quality, research and practitioner scholarship, and engagement with public service organisations. The successful candidate will be expected to bring contemporary thinking and evidence into their teaching, contribute positively to the intellectual life of the School, and support the development of programmes that respond to evolving public service needs. 

Working as part of a multidisciplinary academic team, the Lecturer/Programme Director will have opportunities to develop their own areas of expertise and scholarship while contributing to the wider mission and development of the Whitaker School and the IPA.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching 

• To lecture in leadership and management subjects such as leadership, management development, change management, innovation, design thinking and project management. Lecturing will take place in-person and on-line, on the Institute’s daytime, evening and weekend undergraduate, postgraduate and international programmes. 
• To design courses and programmes in subjects such as leadership, management development, change management, innovation, design thinking and project management.  
• To develop new and existing course material, including IPA bespoke course texts and learning materials, and using new learning technology and delivery mechanisms as required. 
• To set and correct examinations and assignments, actively engage with external examiners and assist with the administration of examinations. 
• To supervise and correct postgraduate assignments and dissertations up to and including, level 10 professional doctorate.    
• To provide feedback on submitted project work both orally and in writing when required. 
• To interact with colleagues, both internal and external, in relation to assessment moderation. 
• To address student feedback and queries that may arise. 
• To undertake the teaching duties of the role in accordance with the requirements of the IPA’s Quality Assurance arrangements. 
• To liaise with library regarding reading material and booklists etc. 

Programme Development  

• To assist in the development of existing programmes and new programmes, including drafting submission documents, liaising with the validating bodies, promoting, implementing and reviewing programmes. 

Research

• To develop and maintain expertise in relevant subject areas. 
• To develop research links with other colleagues and institutions 
• To carry out scholarly and/or public service research relevant to IPA’s activities including regular publications and presentations. 

Programme Direction and other Administrative Duties

• To co-ordinate the teaching and assessment duties of relevant contributing and associate lecturers; to liaise with fellow lecturers, editorial manager and Dean/Registrar’s Office on programme governance and administration. 
• To co-ordinate, with lecturing colleagues, the scheduling, content and communication for classes, seminars and associated virtual learning platforms.  
• To contribute to the development and implementation of Quality Assurance processes and mechanisms, both at programme and School level, including programmatic reviews, evaluation and student and stakeholder engagement. 
• To participate in faculty meetings; lead faculty working groups conducting educational research and other projects; and contribute to conferrings, other internal and external meetings and the annual cycle of programme promotion and marketing. 
• To undertake such other duties as may be assigned from time to time. 

Essential Criteria

• A postgraduate qualification at Master’s level or higher in management, leadership, public administration, business or a closely related field
• Proficiency in commonly used digital presentation, communication and learning tools, including Microsoft Office/365 or equivalent
• Relevant lecturing experience in leadership, management or a related subject area within higher education, professional education or adult learning
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong analytical and written communication skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable Criteria

• A PhD or comparable Level 10 qualification in a relevant field
• Demonstrable experience of designing or developing learning content, programmes or assessment materials
• Demonstrable experience of coordinating or administering an academic, professional development or learning programme
• Experience of teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Experience of lecturing, researching or delivering learning within a public service or wider public sector environment
• Experience of supervising dissertations or research projects at Master’s level or above
• Demonstrated track record of research, publication, conference presentation or other relevant scholarly activity

Full details of essential and desirable criteria, along with additional information, can be found in the candidate booklet.

How to Apply:

Conscia will be managing all aspects of the recruitment process on behalf of The IPA. Applications should be made online through https://consciatalent.com/IPA and by attaching a up-to-date CV and cover letter.

Download Candidate Booklet here.pdf

Your application must be submitted on the Conscia website not later than 1pm (Irish time) on Wednesday 20th October.

If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 24 hours of applying, please email: ipa@consciatalent.com