About

• JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible for

• The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for delivering large scale/ complex projects through the full project life cycle in accordance with the agreed budget.
• They will be the contact point for all issues pertaining to the project(s) assigned to them, including liaison with EdIS Manager/team and stakeholders across the Education Authority, and external suppliers to ensure delivery is consistent with project plan.
• This will involve working closely with team members and EdIS Manager to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, budget restrictions and schedules are on track.
• The Senior Project Managers will be responsible for managing and leading a team of employees within the service, this may include managing employees across all EA offices.

• 1.1 Job Purpose
• Through the delivery of comprehensive project management, the SPMs for the EdIS Programme will support the EdIS Manager and relevant Business Leaders to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of EdIS Projects, in order to meet the Authority’s strategic objectives.
• The SPS for EdIS Projects will work with colleagues across ICT Services, and other Directorates across the Authority; to ensure that technology solutions and good project governance (as set by the Project Management Office), are delivered to enhance the operations of the Authority; and ultimately contribute to supporting improved outcomes for children and young people. They will also play a key role in realising the transformation objectives within the service and across other Directorates.
• They will ensure that regular status reporting on projects is provided to the EdIS Manager and where required appropriate Programme / Project Board and PMO, ensuring any issues are quickly escalated to the appropriate level. They will manage the risk profile of the project and provide early warning on all assurance matters. Be responsible for the planning and overall management of a work programme that may include several projects, or work streams within large scale programme or portfolio and the management of teams engaged in the development of systems or services.
• Service-specific responsibilities

Senior Project Managers will lead the procurement, design and implementation of the following Services

• • The overall responsibility for the successful procurement, initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of projects or workstreams allocated to them.
• • To work closely with Team members to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Responsibilities include submitting project deliverables, preparing status reports, and establishing effective project communication plans as well as the proper execution of plans.
• • To be responsible for managing and delivering a project work programme that may contain several strands within a project, programme or portfolio structure.
• • To act as the ICT Business Partner when engaging with other Directorates and Services, providing project management advice and enabling the provision of ICT services required for transformation.
• • To make sure that the scope and direction of each project is on schedule, in line with agreed parameter’s/budgets set by the Head of Service/Programme Manager.
• Ideally the post holder with be co-located with the EdIS Manager in The Education Authority, Antrim Board centre, however base location may be discussed and agreed with the EdIS Manager. As the role carries, regional responsibility travel across EANI sites will be required in order to attend meetings, participate in projects and fulfil full range of duties and responsibility and a percentage of Off-site working may be required.

• 1.2 OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES APPLICABLE TO THE ROLE OF SENIOR PROJECTS MANAGER

• LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Line Manage employees aligned to project area;
• • Provide non-managerial support, information and training as required for other employees within EdIS;
• • Lead and support employees in the team in the effective and efficient operation of services;
• • Promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development and implementation of Infrastructure architecture assignments;
• • Provide leadership to their service staff and ensure transformational changes and new structures, strategies, policies and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the Authority and any future challenges;
• • Ensure that employees within the Infrastructure Architect team are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way;
• • Work closely with Team members to ensure that all requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Responsibilities include submitting agreed deliverables, preparing status reports, and establishing effective communication plans;
• • Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviors to staff; and,
• • Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development
• STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY INFLUENCE

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Work with the EdIS Manager to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the service and Projects.
• • Contribute to the management of the Assistant Directorate, attending Executive Team and Board meetings as required by the Assistant Director and/or EdISManager.
• • Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies.
• • Contribute to the development of a comprehensive service development plan;
• • Work collaboratively with other Senior Officers and Heads of Service, to ensure that priorities are translated into manageable objectives and communicated to relevant teams within the Service as appropriate;
• • Work collaboratively with Senior Officers across directorates to devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure, control and report on the work of relevant teams within service to take account of changes in the internal and external environments which may impact on and influence priorities and needs;
• • Provide reports that can inform policy and strategic direction using formative and summative information which will guide future models of service delivery in relation to the service area.
• • To establish effective, accountable and rigorous quality assurance systems to achieve highest possible standards of performance, with focuses on maintaining the needs of internal and external customers.
• CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Contribute to the strategic planning, implementation, and on-going monitoring of the service area;
• • Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory frameworks;
• • Establish, maintain, manage and review effective data systems;
• • Co-ordinate, deliver, or contribute to training and support with regards to specific service areas as required;
• • Facilitate the induction of new staff and ongoing professional development of all staff in relation to the core objectives, expected outputs and outcomes in relation to the service;
• • Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the Authority as required;
• • Ensure that employees within the service have an awareness of the corporate culture, values and processes which underpin organisational development;
• • Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities, the needs of the EA and service specific priorities.
• • Ensure key principal risks are assessed and monitored, managed and controlled effectively aligned to the EA risk process.
• SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Assist the Authority in the development of policies and plans in line with overall strategic policy and objectives;
• • Ensure effective and rigorous quality assurance systems are in place to maintain high standards;
• • Ensure effective engagement, capacity building and monitoring arrangements with local teams;
• • Participate in review processes to enable the development, review and compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures;
• • Foster and facilitate the development of staff skills in relation to negotiating and collaborating with parents and other professionals;
• • Liaise and work co-operatively with colleagues in other sections of the Authority to ensure consistent and coherent approaches towards training and services in relation to language and communication support;
• • Manage staff to perform to their potential, promote their professional development and give support when required;
• MANAGING FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Follow robust corporate governance procedures and financial control frameworks for effective management of the budget for the service and monitor expenditure ensuring propriety, regularity and value for money within the allocated budget;
• • Facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the EA;
• PARTNERSHIP WORKING

The post-holder will be expected to

• • Enhance the development of the service by building on effective partnerships
• • Develop links across the Authority’s Directorates as necessary
• • Ensure effective systems are in place for communication and consultation with service users, both internally and externally;
• • Contribute to attendance at meetings both internally and with other stakeholders, in accordance with corporate goals, service targets, multi-agency action plans and in line with EA and DE requirements.
• OTHER DUTIES
• • Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post;
• • Any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require.
• 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 in an ICT related subject and have two years’ demonstrable experience in successfully leading large scale/complex projects or programmes
• OR
• have five years’ demonstrable experience in successfully leading large scale/complex projects or programmes
• Demonstrable experience of engaging a wide range of stakeholders to support the delivery of a major project of change and to ensure a customer centric approach
• Demonstrable experience of project management techniques and delivery including practical experience in the PRINCE2 methodology
• Demonstrable experience of managing a multiple related project and aligning the program to support the achievement of strategic objectives
• Demonstrable experience in using project governance as a means to communicating progress on a given project. In particular, the use of highlight reports, plans and RAID logs

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Skills/
• Abilities
• Proven ability to achieve targets/objectives and to meet challenging deadlines through the engagement of teams or working groups

• Demonstrable analytical, planning and project management skills with the ability to develop and implement creative solutions

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Other
• Work may occasionally be required outside of standard working hours

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
• Knowledge
• Knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges facing the Education Authority
• Demonstrable knowledge of how to delivery a project embracing emerging technologies and how to ensure that these technologies would be delivered as part of the project

• Interview/Presentation

• Skills/
• Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of

• Ability to take a strategic view and see the big picture aligned to the ability to adopt an analytical approach to complex change programmes with the awareness of operational implications
• Build effective working relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Negotiate and influence
• Deliver performance by planning and managing service delivery to meet agreed outcomes.
• Excellent ICT skill
• Ability to work to high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Interview/Presentation
• 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
• Experience
• Demonstrable experience in procuring IT solutions within Northern Ireland Public Sector or crown commercial service framework agreements

• 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.