TAP Internship – 9 Month Fixed Term Contract

School/Department:                        Trinity Access Programmes 

Job Category and Level:                  Professional, Administrative & Support; Executive Officer

Hours of Post:                                   35 hours per week

The Purpose of the Role(s) 

TAP is seeking to recruit two interns for the 2025/26 academic year. The nature of this employment contract is fixed-term as the position is part of Trinity Access Programmes’ annual internship initiative. The postholders will gain structured work experience in widening participation and educational access while supporting the design, delivery, and evaluation of education and support activities in one of two TAP teams, the Schools Outreach team, or the Admissions and Post Entry team. 

As part of the Schools Outreach team, they will participate in the delivery of a selection of outreach activities. They will also contribute to the team in areas including event management, student recruitment, and communications with teachers. 

As part of the Admissions and Post Entry team, they will participate in the delivery of a selection of recruitment activities focused on recruitment to the Foundation Course, recruitment of mature learners, and of learners from Further Education. They will also participate in the delivery of a selection of post entry and Foundation Course programme activities, including contributing to the TAP Ambassadors programme and enhancing the involvement of TAP undergraduates in TAP-related events. 

This employment is limited to the above fixed-term as the internship is designed as a developmental opportunity for graduates to gain relevant skills and experience over a defined period. The role is part of an annual initiative providing recent graduates with access-focused work experience and, due to its nature as a time-bound learning and development opportunity, it does not continue beyond the internship period and will not be renewed.

Context 

The Trinity Access Programmes (TAP) is one of six functions within Trinity Teaching & Learning (TT&L), which also comprises Academic Practice and eLearning, Curriculum Advisory unit, the Careers Advisory Service, Academic Quality Assurance & Improvement, Academic Policy development, and Council and Academic Committee Supports. TAP's mission is to work in partnership across the education sector with students, teachers, families, communities, and businesses to widen access and participation at third level for underrepresented groups. TAP supports students who enter College through the HEAR scheme, the Foundation Course, and other University Access Routes. For more information see http://www.tcd.ie/TrinityAccess/. Led by the Director, the TAP team comprises 30 staff and 14 academic tutors, who are responsible for research and development, course delivery, post-entry progression, innovative pedagogy, and schools' outreach to primary and second level DEIS schools. 

The TAP Schools Outreach team provides a range of supports and activities for the students and staff in over 40 partner primary and secondary schools. This includes over 50 separate student programmes run in collaboration with corporate partners and educational organisations. These programmes directly engage over 17,000 students and teachers per year. 

The Admissions and Post-Entry team provides a range of supports and activities for students in TCD who have entered through an alternative entry route including the Foundation Course for mature students and young adults, partner FET routes, the mature entry route, the HEAR scheme and FET entry. This includes a large number of undergraduate programmes run in collaboration with several corporate partners and educational organisations. 

This internship is a structured annual opportunity within TAP. It is a fixed-term developmental role for 10 months designed to: 

• Provide graduates with practical work experience in widening participation and educational access. 

• Enhance their employability and understanding of access work within higher education settings. 

• Support their career development by enabling them to gain skills in facilitation, event management, communications, programme management, and reporting.

Person Requirements 

The role-holder will ideally have the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role. 

Qualifications 

• A level 8 qualification.