Healthy Cities Initiative and Social Inclusion Unit at Cork City Council: Invitation to Tender Social Researcher with GIS Expertise Cork Healthy Cities with the support of the Social Inclusion Unit in Cork City Council is currently tendering for a social researcher with GIS expertise to support the development of a city profile. The time scale for completion of the project is April 2014. The Social Inclusion Unit’s main objective is to promote social inclusion in the day to day activities of Cork City Council. This is being achieved through policy development and research. The unit is a key mechanism for embedding the National Anti-Poverty Strategy in and across local authority actions, policies and initiatives and in developing a strong anti-poverty focus within local government practice and policy. The Social Inclusion Unit also supports the City Development Board and the Social Inclusion Measures Group (City Monitoring Group in Cork City) in providing research and policy analysis and in supporting social inclusion initiatives. One of the key tools to raise awareness on social exclusion within the city has been the development of poverty profiles in conjunction with UCC for the 2002 and 2006 censuses. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated Cork as a ‘Healthy City’. To achieve this designation Cork City has demonstrated to the WHO that health is a core value for the city administration and that the vision, values and strategy for the city are translated into action for health through planning. Cork now joins the Irish cities of Belfast, Galway and Waterford that have been designated already. ‘Healthy Cities’ celebrates and supports the evidence that health is influenced by where a person lives, their income, their level of education, their culture, and accessibility of public services. Every ‘Healthy City’ is unique because needs and economic resources vary from one city to another. A Health Profile of Cork city has provided an initial snapshot on the determinants of health in the city. Future profiling will continue to guide the development of a plan to make Cork a healthier place in which live, work and play. The Social Inclusion Unit is working with the Healthy Cities Initiative, which is a sub-committee of the City Development Board, to build a socio economic and cultural profile of the city, based on the 2011 census and health administrative data. The researcher will oversee the development of this socio-economic and cultural profile of the city through analysis of the census database and health administrative databases. The position: Social Research and GIS coordinator: Working with an inter-agency team to co-ordinate the development of a socio-economic profile of the city through GIS, research analysis and report writing. Principal duties and responsibilities: Produce a Cork City Profile with the support of an interagency team and under the supervision of an interagency steering group. To guide and focus the social and health database information for the development of the City Profile. To act as a source of technical advice on both quantitative and qualitative research methods and the interpretation of social and health information through the mapping of databases in GIS. To supervise and carry out statistical analyses of social and health related data by manipulating data and information. To use links with academic institutions and other relevant agencies for the compilation of the City Profile. Other relevant duties as may arise. The candidate: Education requirements: - Minimum a degree in Geography or a Social Science. - Completion of a GIS module or Post-Graduate course. - Experience in manipulation and analysis of census databases and other administrative databases. - A research based qualification in Geography, Social Sciences or related science. - Experience in supervision and co-ordination of GIS, databases and research. Key skills and competencies: Highly developed ability to handle and analyse socio-economic, cultural and health data and present it in an accessible manner. This would include a working knowledge and experience of applied statistics. Computer literacy and familiarity with the use of databases and spreadsheets. Strong Knowledge of GI systems and Census databases. The ability to present data to a high standard and write reports suitable for a wide range of audiences. Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with multiple inter-agency partners as well as the ability to handle multiple priorities. Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative. An interest in social inclusion, working with community & voluntary sector, and inter agency working. The selected candidate must have the ability to maintain confidentiality. Deadline for tendering: Monday 16th of September 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Budget: A budget is available of €10,000 for this. Time-Scale: A maximum of 6 months from date of appointment. Please send tender to: Maria Minguella, Social Inclusion Unit, Corporate and External Affairs Directorate, New Civic Offices, Cork City Council. Or e-mail: [email protected] Or Tel: 021- 4924061
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 05:06:24 +0000