Senior Research Officer (Standards Office)

Jobsplus Permit No: 889/2024.

Closing date for submission: Friday 21st February 2025 at 12:00 (noon).

The Senior Research Officer (Standards Office) is responsible for developing, writing, and maintaining standards, guidelines, and regulations that regulate geriatric services. This role ensures that all standards are clear, comprehensive, and in compliance with current laws and best practices. It is important to have a deep understanding of regulatory requirements, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively.

The Senior Research Officer shall be reporting to the Head of Standards, Research and Engagement and the Director of Quality Assurance.

Principal Responsibilities

The role shall ensure that operations are within the necessary legislation, rules, and regulations whilst carrying out qualitative and quantitative research to monitor service provision delivered in the area of geriatrics.

Essential Functions

The key functions of the Senior Research Officer are to:

• Assist in developing and updating internal policies and procedures of the Office.

• Comply with guidelines and directions as issued by the Authority whilst ensuring that operations are within the Authority’s policies and procedures.

• Keep abreast with the Authority’s Standards and Regulations in the social sector and internal policies and procedures.

• Lead necessary and / or required research work, performing analyses, drawing up reports, and making presentations as may be required.

• Assessing the impact of regulation of the Authority and its operations and suggesting amendments thereto that could facilitate the handling of procedures by rendering the Older Persons Standards Authority more efficient.

• Conduct necessary research in setting standards of service and establishing benchmarks of good practice to ensure the upkeep of service delivery standards.

• Responsible for the drafting of regulations, standards, and guidelines.

• Developing of a 'Quality Tool' to audit the service provision’s compliance with the regulatory standards.

• Facilitating the development of procedures to the established Regulatory Standards with entities and other stakeholders providing geriatric services.

• Collaborate with assessors and other professionals in the monitoring and assessing of all licensed services to ensure that regulatory standards are upheld and that Government policies are complied with.

• Collaborate with all units within the OPSA and with external stakeholders as may be necessary ensuring that standards and practices are upheld and that government policies are complied with.

• Attend meetings with service providers and any other stakeholders concerning the standards and regulations.

• Perform any other duties as may be necessary and directed by the respective superior, Director of Quality Assurance, or the Chief Executive Officer.

Business Skills

• Strong ethical values.

• Strong collaboration, verbal, and writing communication skills with very good reporting abilities.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to prioritise, coordinate and organise work.

• A conscientious attitude, self-motivation, and ability to work without close supervision.

• A level of accuracy that must be able to respond adequately to demands from internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work under pressure with a flexible approach.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements in the geriatric sector.

• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.

• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accessible language.

• Strong research and analytical skills.

• Excellent organisational skills with strong ethical values and high integrity.

• Good Analytical approach to work.

• High proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Preference will be given to applicants holding a valid vehicle driving licence and are willing to drive the Authority`s vehicles as and when required.

Qualifications and Experience Required

By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:

i. Proficient, both verbally and in writing, in the Maltese and English languages;

and

ii. (a) In possession of a recognised Master`s qualification at MQF level 7 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in Social Policy or Public Policy or Gerontology and Dementia Studies or Social Sciences or a relevant comparable professional qualification;

or

(b) In possession of a recognised Bachelor’s qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Social Policy or Public Policy or Gerontology and Dementia Studies or Social Sciences or a relevant comparable professional qualification, plus two (2) years relevant work experience.

Terms and Conditions

The post of Senior Research Officer (Standards Office) is for an indefinite term and is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months. It carries an annual salary of €27,511.00 in 2025 with an annual Increase of €840.00, an annual Increment of €487.00, and any applicable allowances as per OPSA Collective Agreement 2022-2026.

This post has been designated for the purposes of sub-article 5 of article 4 of the Public Administration Act and in terms of Directive 14 since it involves regulatory / inspectorate functions. The relevant conditions laid out in the Public Administration Act and Directive 14 apply.

Eligible applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Board to assess their suitability to carry out the mentioned duties. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100% and the pass mark is 50%.

Submission Requirements

• Covering letter highlighting experience.

• Curriculum vitae (CV).

• A scanned copy of qualifications and certificates including transcripts and Recognition Statements*.

• Police certificate of conduct (issued within the last six (6) months from closing date).

*Submission of Recognition Statements in respect of qualifications.

With the exception of those qualifications referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 hereunder, applicants are required to submit a recognition statement by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, which is to be obtained by submitting an online “Application for the Recognition of Qualifications” here.

Prior to requesting recognition statements as per paragraph 1 above in respect of their qualifications, candidates should first consult the “Malta Qualifications Database” of the MFHEA which can be accessed here. Applicants are exempt from submitting a recognition statement as mentioned in paragraph 1 if they are presenting qualifications listed therein. A print of such list including the qualification is to be submitted by the applicant.

No recognition statement by MQRIC is required in respect of qualifications issued by Maltese self-accrediting institutions, these being the University of Malta, MCAST and ITS; or any Maltese qualification that has been accredited by the MFHEA, which on the certificates states: The ‘Malta Further And Higher Education Authority deems this certificate to be MQF …….. ’.

All applications are to be received by no later than 12:00 hours (noon) (Central European Time) on Friday 21st February 2025. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are received within this deadline as late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after the closing date or from the date of notification, whichever is the latest, to submit any incorrect, incomplete, or missing documents.

The OPSA shall process information provided by candidates solely for the purpose of this vacancy. In the event of unsuccessful applications, the Authority may keep applicants’ personal data on file for a period up to twelve months following the date that the post applied for was filled. Applicant’s information will only be used to identify any future employment opportunities within the Authority for which applicants may be suited. Applicants are free to withdraw their application and their consent to the retention of their personal data, at any time.