Post Specification

Post Title: Contracts Office Legal Counsel

Post Status: Contract of Duration – 18 months (full time)

Department/Faculty: Trinity Research & Innovation

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Location:

O’Reilly Institute

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

Reports to: Contracts Manager, Trinity Research & Innovation

Salary:

This appointment will be made on the Administrative

Officer 1 (to the bar) salary scale, (€55,196 - €68,476 per

annum range) at a point in line with Government pay

policy

Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday, 10th April 2015

The successful candidate will be expected to take up post as soon as possible.

Post Summary

Applications are invited for the post of Contracts Office Legal Counsel within Trinity

Research & Innovation (TR&I), Contracts Office (CO). The successful candidate will

report to the Contracts Manager.

S/he will have primary responsibility for the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

contracts portfolio which will involve the oversight and management of all SFI

contracts and relevant CO personnel. S/he will draft, review and negotiate contracts

(warranties, indemnities, liabilities, etc.), in particular contracts associated with

TCD’s recently established Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centres. This

role will augment the support the CO provides to College in ensuring an efficient and

professional interface exists for the implementation of contracts with external

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parties who wish to engage with College Principal Investigators. S/he will ensure

contracts are negotiated and administered in an efficient and professional manner in

order to minimise any exposure and/or liability to College and Principal Investigators

and ensure that internal College policies are adhered to and College / Schools /

Principal Investigators are in a position to comply with same.

The successful candidate will join a strong Contracts Office team and will work

closely with TR&I’s Office of Corporate Partnership & Knowledge Exchange (OCPKE),

relevant SFI Centre personnel, Principal Investigators during the review and

negotiation of contracts. The successful candidate, as dictated by their experience,

will also be required to review and negotiate intellectual property (“IP”) terms and

conditions and will receive the support of the OCPKE in this regard.

The successful candidate will be provided with opportunities to work with other

members within TR&I so as to become familiar with a wide range of duties, projects

and procedures. The candidate will also liaise with other College service providers

(e.g. Financial Services Division, Director of Buildings’ Office, Human Resources etc.)

to ensure that Principal Investigators are aware of the relevant offices to be

contacted and procedures to be followed in relation to contractual terms and

conditions e.g. insurance and ethical issues.

S/he will also assist the Contracts Manager and Director of TR&I in the

implementation of key projects, management of staff and ensure the smooth

running of the Office.

Further Information

Informal enquiries about this post should be made to Ms Mary Tracey, Contracts

Manager at traceym@tcd.ie

Background to the Post

The Contracts Office is responsible for the review and execution of all funded

research contracts awarded to College. It plays a key role in enabling a positive and

mutually beneficial relationship with both exchequer and non-exchequer sources –in

particular industry. In addition it has the responsibility of managing potential

exposures and liabilities and ensuring College’s due diligence and compliance in

contractual matters. The Contracts Office negotiates terms and conditions to ensure

that any potential exposure and/or liability to College and Principal Investigator(s) is

limited, internal College policies are adhered to and College / Schools / Principal

Investigators are in a position to comply with same. In addition the Contracts Office

has a significant responsibility in meeting a key aspiration of Trinity of being an

excellent partner to do business with – both for industry and other academic

institutions.

Once a contractual document is received from a Sponsor and/or Principal

Investigator, it is reviewed and negotiated as quickly as possible for prompt

acceptance and signature ensuring sponsor deadlines are met and for quick

progression of documentation to the Financial Services Division (FSD) for research

account set-up.

Standard duties and Responsibilities of the Post The main duties of the post will include:

Managing the SFI contracts portfolio and relevant CO personnel;

Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contractual terms in particular SFI Centre

agreements;

Reviewing, negotiating and finalising specific Sponsors’ Terms & Conditions;

Negotiation and review of IP terms supported by the OCPKE;

Liaising directly with Research Sponsors and Academic Partners in the

negotiation of contracts;

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Drafting and updating TCD template agreements (including research agreements,

collaboration agreements, subcontract agreements, etc.);

Reviewing budgets to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations

(College policies, VAT regulations, etc.)

Providing legal and financial advice to Principal Investigators and administrators;

Ensuring contracts are signed and finalised on a timely basis so as to comply with

Sponsors’ deadlines;

Liaising with relevant College service providers, understanding the College’s

policies and requirements for involvement in research funding schemes and

contracts, and ensuring such procedures as detailed by the College are adhered

to;

Developing, drafting and documenting CO Policies and Procedures;

Preparing various Reports for distribution to the College community;

Preparing and delivering presentations at relevant Workshops/Courses;

Managing and administering any special initiatives that the College wishes to

have developed by the CO and as directed by the Contracts Manager and/or

Director of TR&I;

Representing College at external networking events;

Supporting the development of best in class processes for managing the

development, implementation and signing of contracts.

Supporting the management of relationships with internal and external

stakeholders.

Any other duties which arise from time to time as directed by the Contracts

Manager or Director of TR&I.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Candidates for this post should have a professional legal qualification (Solicitor/Barrister).

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)

The job holder should have the following knowledge and experience:

Candidates should have at least 5 years’ experience working preferably with

both university and industry clients acting in a defined legal role;

5 years’ experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating multi-party contractual

documentation including intellectual property elements is essential;

5 years’ experience in face-to-face negotiation of terms with industry.

Significant experience of Funding Bodies’ Terms and Conditions and negotiation

of same is essential;

Exceptional communication and presentation skills – both verbal and written is

essential;

Knowledge of the National IP protocols;

Knowledge and experience of international best practise in collaborative

research agreements including intellectual property, warranties and liabilities;

A strong understanding of the academic and industrial research landscape in

Ireland is desirable;

A good understanding of the research funding environment in Ireland, Europe

and further afield is desirable.

Previous experience managing staff is essential;

Previous experience reviewing and advising on budgets is desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Communication skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills

Analytical ability: excellent analytical skills (including proofreading skills) are

required.

Extensive I.T. skills: e.g. MS Office suite. Ability to continuously upgrade IT

competence is a requisite. European Computer Driving License (ECDL)

advantageous or display evidence of a high level of competency in Microsoft

Office, in particular Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Outlook.

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Team worker: Ability to work effectively as part of a team – tolerant, cordial and

willing to help others, shares work and information; establishes rapport with

others.

Financial and Budget skills: Demonstrate proven ability in developing and

maintaining budgets, provide summary reports of expenditure as required, using

Excel.

Organisational Ability: Excellent organisational and task management skills

together with the ability to work on a number of tasks simultaneously. Have the

ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; be capable of working on own

initiative and work under time constraints; Ability to develop creative solutions

to multi-faceted problems.

Conscientious: Have a pro-active approach to work, anticipating and resolving

problems in advance; Attention to detail - from anticipating and addressing

issues in advance to understanding requests and delivering quality work with

minimal errors.

Flexibility: can operate flexibly within a busy environment; can shift focus when

required. Be enthusiastic, flexible and willing to work beyond normal office

hours when a need arises.

Customer Focus: customer service skills are essential. The RDO and CO seek to

facilitate researchers in the very best way they can; Can operate effectively as

part of a team – is cordial and willing to help others, is co-operative and patient;

shares work and information; establishes rapport, can influence and develop

effective networks; Demonstrate emotional intelligence and communicate with

a high level of initiative, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.

Motivated: Displays a ‘can-do’ attitude, is committed to the office and wishes to

contribute to its development; A clear demonstration of enthusiasm and passion

for the role.

Application Information

In order to assist the selection process, candidates should submit a Curriculum Vitae

and a Cover Letter (1x A4 page) that specifically address the following points in their

application.

1. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of drafting, reviewing and

negotiating large multi-party research agreements with academia and industry

parties. Applicants should clearly address this experience and how they

obtained their knowledge in their application.

2. Give an example of a working process that they changed or improved, the

impact of that change and any key learnings from the experience.

3. Illustrate, through past experience, their ability to work on their own initiative

and resolve problems.

Note: Please note: Candidates who do not address the application requirements above

in their cover letter will not be considered at the short list stage.

Candidates should note that the interview process for this appointment may

include a test of practical skills.

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Trinity Research & Innovation Snapshot Trinity Research & Innovation has four sections which work closely together with the

Dean of Research and the Office is located in the Innovation Centre, O’Reilly Institute

& the Enterprise Centre.

The Research Development Office enables and facilitates Trinity’s academics to

compete for national and international research funds. All applications from Trinity

must be signed off by this office before submission to the funding agency. More

information on the Research Development Office is given below:

The Contracts Office reviews and negotiates all terms (apart from IP) of all funding

contracts, and arranges signature of same on behalf of College.

The Technology Transfer Office is responsible for all intellectual property (IP)

matters, including negotiation and signature of IP Agreements, NDAs; materials

transfer agreements etc., patenting and also the management of interactions with

industry.

The Entrepreneurship Section is based in the Enterprise Centre, Pearse Street, and

provides training and support for all potential entrepreneurs through the

Entrepreneurship Programme and the MBA Workout.

Please consult the TR&I website for further information about both Research

funding Innovation-related supports and the Entrepreneurship training programme -

http://www.tcd.ie/research_innovation/

Research Development Office in more detail:

The Mission of the Research Development Office

To maximise the amount of Research Funding into the College in a balanced and

sustainable way;

To aid in the strategic development and implementation of research, research

policy and research systems in the College and the SSTI.

Responsibilities

Analyse international research trends, disseminate and utilise this information as

appropriate to update our research participation strategy;

Lobby appropriate groups (e.g. Government, EC, sponsors) to ensure best

possible condition for College’s participation in external funding schemes.

Develop and implement strategies for participation in major funding

programmes e.g., Horizon 2020;

Aid in the development and implementation of Trinity’s research strategy;

Participate in the implementation and continued development of research

support systems such as Research Proposals and Award Management System

(RPAMs);

Enable the development of research networks and groupings within College and

beyond;

Assist in putting together reports and responses to external queries, surveys or

produce reports/newsletters on research in the University;

Representing Trinity at external meetings (EU, IBEC, Government, IUA, EARMA

etc.) where appropriate;

Source Research sponsors and opportunities – checking risk content and interest

for the University;

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Disseminate information on external research funding opportunities and assist

researchers with funding submissions in order to ensure compliance with

processes and requirements;

Endorse all external research funding applications by college researchers on

behalf of Trinity;

Coordinate research institutional submissions;

Provision of Secretariat for the College’s Research Committee (and any other

working groups or subcommittees as directed by the Research Committee) and

management of any internal research funding schemes/processes on their

behalf.

The main services provided to researchers in the College are:

Alerting service - providing information on funding opportunities, internal

procedures and deadlines through its Research Focus e-bulletin and Research

Development Office web site.

Advising researchers on external research funding for projects and assisting

researchers with funding submissions in order to ensure compliance with both

agency and Trinity’s internal processes and requirements.

the endorsement of all external research funding proposals by Trinity researchers

on behalf of Trinity College Dublin.

maintaining the contract researcher salary scales for use in determining costs

associated with certain fixed-term appointments.

Provision of information events for researchers/centres/schools on various

aspects of external research funding.

Coordination of the research institutional submission to the Higher Education

Authority’s Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI).

Contracts Office in more detail:

The Mission of the Contracts Office

Review and execute all pure research funded contracts, from the perspective

of financial exposures and liability thereby ensuring Trinity’s due diligence

and compliance in contractual matters.

Responsibilities & Services

Advising and reporting to the Director of Trinity Research & Innovation on all

issues relating to research-related contracts;

Drafting and negotiation of research-related contracts;

Review and approval of specific research sponsor terms & conditions;

Liaising with the Academic College community in respect of contractual and

contract related financial/budgetary issues;

Liaising with other Administration sections within Trinity on contractual and

contract related financial issues;

The preparation of ad hoc reports as required by the University community;

Preparation and delivery of presentations at various workshops/courses

associated with research-related contracts awarded to college;

Ensuring research-related contracts are signed on a timely basis with no

administrative delays.

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The Research Proposals and Awards Management System (RPAMS)

The Research Proposals and Awards Management System (RPAMS) is a newly

developed system that manages the workflow of data from research grant

applications through to the contract negotiation and sign-off. The system contains

data such as value of applications, success rates, value of awards, breakdown of

applications and awards by sponsor, by country, by school. This data is used to make

both tactical and strategic decisions on where to target applications so as to

optimize the awards, identify trends in applications and awards etc. The RPAMS

system will be fully accessible by Schools and use of the data will enable them to

strategically develop their own research portfolios.

Further Information for Candidates

More information on

TR&I can be

obtained through

these links (please

note this site is being

updated)

http://www.tcd.ie/Research/

and

http://www.tcd.ie/research_innovation/research/

URL Link to Human

Resources

https://www.tcd.ie/hr/

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Founded in 1592, Trinity is at the nexus of tradition and innovation, offering

undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across 24 schools and three faculties:

arts, humanities, and social sciences; engineering, maths and science; and health

sciences. Spread across 47 acres in Dublin’s city centre, Trinity’s 17,000-strong

student body comes from all 32 counties of Ireland, and 16% of students come from

outside the country. Of those, 40% are from outside the European Union, making

Trinity’s campus cosmopolitan and bustling, with a focus on diversity.

As Ireland’s leading university, the pursuit of academic excellence through research

and scholarship is at the heart of the Trinity education. Trinity is known for

intellectual rigour, excellence, interdisciplinarity, and research-led teaching. Home to

Nobel prize-winners such as scientist Ernest Walton and writer Samuel Beckett,

Trinity draws visitors from across the world to its historic campus each year,

including to the Book of Kells and Science Gallery which capture the university’s

connection to both old and new.

Trinity accounts for one-fifth of all spin-out companies from Irish higher education

institutions, helping to turn Ireland into an innovation-intensive, high-productivity

economy. That culture of innovation and entrepreneurship is a defining

characteristic of our campus as we help shape the next generation of job creators.

Trinity has developed significant strength in a broad range of research areas,

including the 19 broadly based multi-disciplinary thematic research areas.

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Ireland’s first purpose-built nanoscience research institute, CRANN, houses 150

scientists, technicians and graduate students in specialised laboratory facilities.

Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art Biomedical Sciences Institute is carrying out

breakthrough research in areas such as immunology, cancer and medical devices.

The Old Library, which houses the Long Room in Trinity, is the largest research library

in Ireland, with a collection of six million printed items, 500,000 maps, 80,000

electronic journals, and 350,000 electronic books. Some of the world’s most famous

scholars are graduates of Trinity, including writer Jonathan Swift, dramatist Oscar

Wilde, philosopher George Berkeley, and political philosopher, and political theorist

Edmund Burke. Three Trinity graduates have become Presidents of Ireland - Douglas

Hyde, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

Trinity is the highest ranked university in Ireland, and among the world’s leading

higher education institutions.

Trinity College Dublin World University Rankings

Overall

• Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s No.1 University (QS World University

Ranking, THE World University Ranking, Academic Ranking of World

Universities (Shanghai).

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 71st in the World and 21st in Europe in the

2013/2014 QS World University Ranking across all indicators.

Internationalisation

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 30th in the World in the Times Higher

Education Top 100 Most International Universities.

• Trinity College Dublin is 46th in the World in the QS World University Ranking

2013/2014 in terms of International Faculty.

Research Performance

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked in the top 70 universities in the world in the

Times Higher Education Ranking of World Universities in terms of overall

research and in the top 75 universities in the world in terms of citations

(research impact).

• Trinity College Dublin is 80th in the World and 27th in Europe in the 2014

Leiden University Ranking of World Universities based on research

performance alone.

• Trinity College Dublin ranks in the top 1% of research institutions in the world

in the following 17 fields (an increase of over 150% from 2004): Physics,

Chemistry, Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Immunology,

Neurosciences, Nanosciences, Materials Science, Pharmacy & Toxicology,

Molecular Biology & Genetics, Biology & Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant

and Animal Science, Clinical Medicine, Agriculture, Psychiatry/Psychology,

Environment/Ecology.

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Subject Rankings (high level)/QS Faculty Rankings 2014*

In the QS Faculty Rankings 2014, Trinity College Dublin is ranked 63rd in the

world in Arts and Humanities.

In the QS Faculty Rankings 2014, Trinity College Dublin is ranked in the world

top 100 universities in Life Sciences and Medicine (in 69th place).

In the QS Faculty Rankings 2014, Trinity College Dublin is ranked in the world

top 100 universities in Social Sciences and Management (in 89th place).

Subject Rankings (QS 2014)**

Trinity College Dublin (TCD) features in the world's elite (Top 200) institutions in 23

of the 30 subjects featured the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014.

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 25th in the world in English Language &

Literature.

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 42nd in the world in Modern Languages.

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 46th in the world in Politics & International

Studies.

• Trinity College Dublin is ranked 48th in the world in History.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Accounting & Finance.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Biological Sciences.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Economics & Econometrics.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Geography.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Law.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Medicine.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Pharmacy & Pharmacology.

• Trinity College Dublin is in the World Top 100 in Psychology.

* QS ‘Faculty’ Rankings 2014: http://www.topuniversities.com/faculty-rankings

** QS Subject Rankings 2014: http://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings

The Selection Process in Trinity

The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) will include members of the

Academic community together with an External Assessor who is an expert

in the area.

Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not have

confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online,

please get in touch with us immediately and prior to the closing

date/time.

Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection

Committee available on the specified date, the College regrets that it may

not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates. Where candidates

are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist.

Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are

issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day.

In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or

video conferencing.

The College’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following:

Interviews

Presentations

Psychometric Testing

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References

Situational Exercises

It is the policy of the College to conduct pre-employment medical

screening/full pre-employment medicals.

Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and

CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin is an equal opportunities

employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and

practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status,

family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or

membership of the travelling community.

Pension Entitlements

This is a pensionable position and the provisions of the Public Service

Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 will apply in relation to

retirement age for pension purposes. Details of the relevant Pension Scheme will be

provided to the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that they will be required to complete a Pre-Employment

Declaration to confirm whether or not they have previously availed of an Irish Public

Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment.

Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service

pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish Public Service

employment.

Applicants formerly employed by the Irish Public Service that may previously have

availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of Incentivised early retirement or

enhanced redundancy payment should ensure that they are not precluded from re-

engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. Such

queries should be directed to an applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in

the first instance.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit a full curriculum vitae to include the names and contact

details of 3 referees (email addresses if possible) together with a cover letter (1x A4

page) that specifically address the application procedure set out above by e-

Recruitment:

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY E-RECRUITMENT

If you have any query regarding this, please contact:

Ms Siobhan O’Shea, Recruitment Officer/Executive, Human Resources, House No. 4,

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Tel: +353 1 896 3327

Email: osheas3@tcd.ie