The Ombudsman for Children’s Office: Panel of Research and Policy Specialists on matters relating to Children’s Rights and Welfare – deadline 11 December 2017

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is an independent statutory body, which was established in 2004 under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 (as amended). The OCO has two core statutory roles:

• to promote the rights and welfare of children in Ireland
• to handle complaints made by or for children in relation to the administrative actions of public bodies, which have or may have adversely affected a child.

The OCO’s role to promote children’s rights and welfare comprises a range of statutory functions. Among these functions are:

• to advise on the development and coordination of policy relating to children
• to monitor and review the operation of legislation concerning matters that relate to children’s rights and welfare
• to undertake, promote or publish research into any matters relating to children’s rights and welfare
• to advise on any matter relating to children’s rights and welfare, including the probable effect on children of any proposals for legislation.

In order to support the OCO in fulfilling these and other relevant statutory functions set out under the 2002 Act (as amended), the OCO is seeking to establish a panel of research and policy specialists on matters relating to children’s rights and welfare, which will be drawn from applications received on foot of this notification.

The OCO envisages that this Panel will be in place for two years with an option to extend for an additional year. The OCO will draw on the Panel as necessary and appropriate during this period to support its commissioned research and policy work. Prospective applicants should note that in doing so the OCO will:

• act in accordance with rules governing public procurement
• decide, in its absolute discretion, which, if any, members of the Panel it will request quotes and/or proposals from in respect of a prospective piece of commissioned research or policy work.

Prospective applicants may also wish to note that inclusion on the Panel does not guarantee that an applicant will be offered work by the OCO during the period when the Panel is in place.

Applications for membership of the Panel

Applications for membership of the Panel must include the following information:

• a short curriculum vitae/institution profile
• a clear list of the applicant’s principal and specific areas(s) of research/policy expertise (e.g. ‘education – education for children with special needs’)
• a list of any relevant publications or projects related to the applicant’s specified area(s) of research/policy expertise, with particular reference to experience gained during the last 5 years
• the applicant’s daily rate for the provision of services.

Applicants should have regard to the OCO’s statutory functions when outlining their experience and demonstrate how their expertise can assist the OCO in fulfilling its statutory mandate.

Applications must be no longer than five pages.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:

• relevant qualifications
• relevant research/policy expertise
• the applicant’s current daily rate for the provision of services.

Deadline for submission of applications

Applications from individuals/organisations wishing to be considered for inclusion on this Panel must be submitted by email to ocotenders@oco.ie no later than 12.00pm (midday) on Monday, 11 December 2017. The subject of the email should be marked ‘Panel of Researchers and Policy Specialists’. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered.