About

• JOB DESCRIPTION

Post

• Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement)

Service area

• Controlled Schools Unit

Responsible to

• Assistant Director Controlled Schools Unit

Responsible for

• The Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement) will lead senior teams of officers from across EA Directorates, to provide co-ordinated support to Controlled schools
• Direct line management responsibility for a team of CSU Educational Partners and overall leadership responsibility for a team of education support staff, who in turn are responsible for developing and delivering all aspects of the Controlled Schools Unit Strategic Plan.

Job Purpose

• The Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement) will lead and manage the team to ensure that Boards of Governors and senior leaders of Controlled schools are supported in delivering high quality educational provision across the Controlled Schools sector.
• This role will impact across all services throughout EA and all schools. It will focus on improving educational outcomes by working with other directorates and schools to ensure educational improvements for young people; efficient and effective area planning of the school’s estate; multi-disciplinary approaches to curriculum led financial planning; and the transformation of EA directorates and services. The Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement) will lead the team in delivering all the identified improvement programmes with individual schools, clusters of schools and the wider Controlled sector.
• The post-holder will lead programmes and provide leadership to the team in order that they support the Controlled Schools Unit and the Controlled school sector with transformational change; implementation of new structures and ways of working; strategy development; procedures and processes.
• The post-holder will be accountable to the CSU Programme Director for the effective planning and leadership of the team to ensure successful delivery of Controlled Schools improvement services and will provide regular updates and progress reports to the Programme Director, DMT and CLT as required
• The post-holder will also work with the wider Education Directorate team, Directors, DMTs, Assistant Directors and Heads of Service to identify strategic Controlled Schools improvement related issues and projects which need to be progressed and to provide business focussed solutions to support the provision of high quality, productive and innovative services across the organisation and improvement in quality of educational provision across the Controlled sector.
• The post-holder will assist the Programme Director - Controlled Schools Unit in establishing and developing collaborative working relationships with senior managers to understand the key performance issues and associated improvement requirements to deliver the current and future organisational and sectoral challenges.
• The post-holder will assist the Programme Director with the further development of the Controlled Schools Unit and the capability of Unit staff to meet the vision of the Unit going forward.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to the strategic leadership role outlined above, the Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement) will also individually or through the leadership and management of the teams

• Work with ADs and Heads of Service, other sectoral bodies and DE to identify opportunities to develop multi-disciplinary approaches which provide improved added value solutions to support the improvement of EA services and educational improvement for young people in Controlled schools.
• Provide feedback and support to Controlled schools and EA managers to improve individual and organisational performance.
• Work in partnership with Controlled schools and EA services to challenge them to review the effectiveness of existing structures, systems and culture, and recommend change.
• Provide an interface with Controlled schools and EA services to provide high quality guidance, advice and support in developing and progressing solutions to achieve business objectives.
• Review and challenge existing educational improvement policies and practices and participate in relevant professional learning and implementation activity as required, to ensure awareness, understanding and compliance.
• Guide Controlled schools and EA managers on the optimum utilisation and deployment of resources in line with current legislation and good practice and identifying creative and practical solutions to overcome issues.
• Promote a culture of positive performance management by providing specialist advice and guidance to Controlled schools and EA managers.
• Work in partnership with leaders, key stakeholders and Education Directorate colleagues to shape, develop and deliver educational improvement plans and solutions in line with the needs and priorities of EA.
• Lead teams to provide professional advice, guidance and support to Controlled school Boards of Governors and senior leaders.
• Identify educational improvement priorities from Directorate plans, translating business requirements into effective educational improvement practices and delivering solutions aligned to business objectives.
• Lead teams in developing and implementing key educational improvement strategies, policies and professional learning activities, and to support the operationalisation of other organisational programmes as required, in a manner which proactively supports the delivery of cultural change in line with EA objectives and facilitates managers and school leaders in taking responsibility for improvement in the quality of educational provision.

Organisational Change

• Lead and support teams to deliver on a variety of educational improvement projects across the Controlled Schools.
• Ensure teams provide educational improvement support including assisting with the organisational design process, implementing the strategy and plans.
• Work in partnership with the various other Education Directorate services to support the delivery of the Directorate Business Plan objectives. Provide reports, forecasts and other information as required by EA management and external bodies.
• Analyse and report educational outcomes and educational quality information to support with benchmarking and the development of educational improvement strategies and solutions. Ensuring that all internal and external reporting requirements are satisfied through the provision of management information and returns.

Management

• Advise and contribute to the development of educational improvement policies, strategies and business plans which enable operational and corporate aims and objectives to be achieved.
• Seek to continuously improve the quality and value of the educational improvement service provided to Controlled schools.
• Support the implementation of new educational improvement systems and processes as required.
• Act as an ambassador for the Controlled Schools Unit, actively driving up standards to highlight the benefits of the Support Unit for all Controlled schools.
• Develop effective and professional relationships with managers across the EA. Plus as appropriate, to ensure the provision of high quality and effective advice on the educational improvement implications of EA Directorate strategies and plans, providing options/alternatives and solutions to secure economic, effective and efficient use of resources, in support of improvement across the Controlled schools’ sector.

Other Role Specific Responsibilities

• Provide clear and strategic leadership in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices to ensure Controlled schools are supported to provide high quality education for children and young people.
• Develop educational improvement programmes that are customer and pupil focused s.
• Build and maintain momentum for change.
• Achieve high levels of performance and excellence against key performance indicators, and other workforce measures.
• Promote collaboration and learning with other disciplines and services to ensure a planned, co-ordinated and multi-disciplinary approach to the delivery of educational improvement services which in turn enables the continual improvement of services to children and young people.
• Provide strategic leadership which ensures EA operates an excellent system of governance in respect of its support for Controlled schools.
• To prepare updates and reports to EA Board and committee meetings by way of good governance, performance accountability and strategic leadership of their area of responsibility.
• Advise members of the senior management team on educational improvement practice, policy and application which support EA’s strategic vision, a culture of effective and cross functional team working and in the spirit of continuous improvement.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Controlled Schools’ Unit - Strategic Support Officer (School Improvement) has the following leadership responsibilities

Setting Vision and Strategy

• Work with the Programme Director and Assistant Directors to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the Controlled Schools Unit.
• Contribute to the development of a strategic plan for the Directorate and lead on the development of the service-specific business plan.
• Translate the EA vision into service-specific direction.
• Lead the development of this new service, and all related processes and procedures.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new policies in line with strategic direction.
• Contribute to the management of the Directorate, attending Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), Directorate Management Team (DMT) and Board meetings as required by the Director. Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies.

Managing the Organisation to Deliver

• Manage service delivery effectively to ensure that the service achieves the highest possible standards of performance and focuses on the needs of internal and external customers.
• Agree service performance targets with the Chief Officer and Assistant Directors and provide regular progress reports.
• Develop, agree and implement a robust annual operational plan for the service.
• Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff according to their skills and abilities to meet the needs of the service.
• Regularly monitor and review plans and make adjustments as required.
• Manage and continuously improve the service to ensure delivery against performance targets, and to ensure that best value for money is achieved.
• Ensure that the service contributes to overall Directorate and EA performance as appropriate and provide update reports as required.
• Ensure that the Chief Officer and Assistant Directors receive high quality service-specific advice.
• Apply resources effectively across the service to maximise the delivery of front-line services.
• Consider the financial implications relating to effective models of service delivery and contribute to the successful achievement of the Savings Delivery Plan.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and statutory performance requirements.
• Manage the service budget in accordance with all relevant financial policy and procedures.
• Monitor the financial position of the CSU and report regularly to the Programme Director.
• Follow agreed measures to deliver the service within budget, and take immediate corrective action as required.
• Contribute effectively to quality and performance management systems and ensure that the CSU is being managed as per the requirements of these systems.
• Ensure that employees within the CSU team are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
• Investigate all complaints and adverse incidents where outcomes are below expected standards.
• Establish effective and rigorous quality assurance systems to maintain high standards.

Leadership

• Work closely with the Chief Officer and Assistant Directors to provide the service with leadership and direction, ensuring that Directorate and service performance standards are achieved.
• Promote the ethos and values of EA and ensure that the service is focused on customer needs.
• Foster a culture that supports achievement of EA’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff in the service.
• Lead/manage and communicate change and improvement initiatives within the CSU.
• Lead, manage and develop staff within the CSU.
• Encourage staff involvement and engagement in the strategic development and operational delivery of the CSU.
• Actively encourage teamwork and self-development, and create opportunities to maximise individuals’ potential, stimulate innovation and connection at all levels with front-line services.
• Promote a positive culture of performance management within the service through individual and small-team accountability. Foster a culture of constructive feedback and learning, and a genuine commitment to regular and effective appraisals.
• Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of EA as required.

Building Relationships and Working with Others

• Build and maintain effective, professional and respectful stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure efficient and effective internal communication with staff in the service.
• Work closely with partner organisations, the Chief Officer/Assistant Director and colleagues to benchmark services and lead/manage and monitor change.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships and clear lines of communication with other Heads of Service within the Directorate and in other Directorates.
• Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant external stakeholders and service user groups.
• Lead/manage engagement with staff, schools and the public on major changes in the service that may affect them.
• Work with external agencies; for example, education sector partner organisations, to identify opportunities for joint working that might bring greater consistency across the wider education sector, and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness of the CSU.
• Other Responsibilities
• Ensure that the Authority’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with.
• Ensure that the Authority’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation are adhered to. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
• Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff in accordance with the policy and procedures laid down by the Authority.
• Undertake other related duties within the grade and competence of the post-holder as required.
• The post holder may also be required to work outside normal office hours on occasions.
• This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
• In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
• To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, Click Here.

• PERSON SPECIFICATION
• NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
• 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

• Section 1 - Essential Criteria
• The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment
• Qualifications/
• Experience
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (QCF Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification and have three years demonstrable experience of leading the provision of school improvement support to schools;
• OR
• Have five years demonstrable experience of leading the provision of school improvement support to schools.
• Demonstrable experience of directly supporting Senior Managers to develop and deliver new support services and processes in the area of school improvement.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully leading and motivating a team to achieve challenging objectives at a time of considerable change.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting the development of multi-disciplinary approaches to deliver a co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to educational improvement and positive outcomes for pupils, schools and EA.
• Demonstrable experience of problem solving and identifying creative solutions in order to support management to progress complex and difficult school improvement support programmes.

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Knowledge Knowledge of current education policy and its practical implications.
• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Other

The successful candidate will be required

• to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
• OR
• be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Section 2 - Essential Criteria
• The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
• Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment
• Skills/
• Abilities
• In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Effective negotiation skills and the ability to influence Senior Managers.
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively at all levels.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload.
• Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development.

• Interview

• Values Orientation
• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

• Interview

• Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
• Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment
• Professional Membership
• Professional membership of the Association of Education Advisers at Associate level or above.

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Our Values

• Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
• DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
• In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
• Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
• APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
• To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
• To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here
• The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.