NA19013 Programme Manager for Developing Shared Education Project (Fixed Term Contract up to 30 November 2022) CASE Peace IV Programme Shared Education Sectoral Support Candidate Information Pack
Disclosure of Criminal Background If you have applied for a post that involves regulated activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Board will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that due to proposals set out in the Department of Education s Budget, you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is currently 33. Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.accessni.org.uk. JOB PURPOSE The Postholder will be responsible for implementing the delivery, management, monitoring and evaluation of the 29 Million Euros PEACE IV funded Shared Education Programme, focused on schools in Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland. This programme is being delivered through a partnership between the Education Authority (Lead Partner) and Léargas. The person appointed will contribute directly to the strategic management and development of the services associated with the Programme and will be specifically responsible for managing the provision of advice, support and guidance to the Programme Management Board, the Education Authority, Léargas, schools, and other education stakeholders. The postholder will be responsible for managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff in the delivery of the Programme and leading necessary changes to achieve the Programme s objectives. This will involve ensuring that a consistent approach to the provision of service is pursued, overseeing the full delivery of the Programme and ensuring appropriate engagement of relevant stakeholders in both jurisdictions. This post requires an innovative and forward thinking individual with a proven track record in leadership, project management, delivery of high quality programmes and effective staff management and development.
HOURS The hours of work will not normally be less than 36 per week DURATION The post is for a fixed period ending on the 30 th November 2022. LOCATION LINE MANAGED BY RESPONSIBLE TO BACKGROUND: The post will be based at an agreed Education Authority location within Northern Ireland however the preferred base for the post is either Armagh or Omagh in order to facilitate the cross-border working. The Head of Shared Education and Sectoral Support, School Development Service The Programme Management Board, through the Director of Education Peace Iv Shared Education Project This project is led by the Education Authority (EA) in partnership with Leargas, and addresses objective 1 of the Peace IV Programme: Shared Education. This partnership facilitates a cross border approach, which capitalises on the skills, knowledge and technical expertise of personnel from both sides of the border in the development, implementation, financing and staffing of the Programme. The Project aims to build a culture of good relations amongst school children and equip them with the skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a society where the cycle of sectarianism and intolerance is broken. It is creating opportunities for school children to have sustained contact with children from another community background within the existing educational structures and is contributing to improved educational outcomes. The Project aims to promote equality of opportunity, good relations, equality of identity, respect for diversity and community cohesion, and is promoting activities which create opportunities for increased cross community and cross-border co-operation. The key aim of the Project is to provide direct, sustained, curriculum-based contact between children and teachers from all backgrounds, through collaboration between schools from different sectors in order to promote good relations and enhance children s skills and attitudes to contribute to a cohesive society. This includes: shared partnerships between schools within Northern Ireland; shared partnerships between schools in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland; and shared partnerships between schools within the border counties of Ireland. The main beneficiaries of the project are pupils in primary schools and post-primary schools. The project is aimed specifically at engaging schools which are not currently involved in shared education. The Programme is open to the participation of schools from all sectors.
Programe activities contribute to the following outputs: the number of schools involved in shared education; the number of pupils involved in shared education activities; the number of trained teachers with the capacity to facilitate shared education; the number of participants in shared education spaces. The Project objectives include: ensuring that sharing in education becomes a central part of every child s educational experience by providing opportunities for the sustained interaction of children from different backgrounds through their participation in curriculum-based common classes; building a culture of good relations amongst school children, and equipping them with the skills and attitudes to contribute to a society where the cycle of sectarianism and intolerance is broken; creating opportunities for children to have sustained contact with children from another community background within the existing educational structures. This will facilitate new and increased friendships and contacts on a cross community basis. The contact facilitated by the project will have positive impacts on intergroup attitudes and behaviours, including a reduction in prejudice and promotion of more harmonious intergroup relations; enhancing pupils and teachers capacity to understand and deal with difference in whatever form it occurs (informed by equality, human rights and the principles contained within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate high level skills in each of the following areas: 1. Strategic Leadership and Organisational Development 2. Leading and Managing Staff 3. Management of Resources 4. Promotion of Shared Education 5. Accountability 1. Strategic Direction and Organisational Development ensure that the Programme takes account of national and regional policies, reports and research findings; ensure effective programme planning, through a project management approach, with the setting of performance measures; formulate and implement strategies and put in place appropriate processes and procedures, which will ensure that the programme achieves the agreed outcomes and results; develop strategies for the identification of needs through consultation with schools and other stakeholders;
advise and support a range of stakeholders in the formulation, development and implementation of appropriate policy; ensure that effective information and communication systems are developed; ensure that delivery of the Programme is subject to ongoing review and development, in support of the objectives. 2. Leading and Managing Staff lead and manage a team of high quality staff who will provide support to schools and other stakeholders in delivery of the Programme, ensuring clear delegation of tasks and devolution of responsibilities; ensure that responsibility for programme work, initiatives and areas of work are delegated to specific project officers for management; plan, allocate, and evaluate the work undertaken by the team; implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal and targets for staff and promoting a culture of self-improvement through continuous professional development; lead staff in supporting and advising schools through the provision of a range of quality support services; encourage a creative approach to the work of the Programme through a range of innovative mechanisms; convene structured meetings of staff teams as appropriate; ensure staff induction, training and development opportunities are provided for all staff in the Programme. 3. Management of Resources ensure there are robust financial management procedures are in place for the Programme that meet with all the requirements of SEUPB and EA; ensure the efficient and effective use of all available resources; provide financial reports and information on budgets to EA and the Programme Management Board, as required. 4. Communication and Promotion of Shared Education represent the interests of the Programme at both internal and external meetings; maintain regular contact and consult with a range of external bodies including Department of Education, DES, CCMS, Education Partners, voluntary groups and other bodies in both jurisdictions as appropriate; ensure effective communication both internally and externally; consult with stakeholders on the quality of service provision;
support the Programme by engendering sound and dynamic relationships in support of its business. encourage innovation in the area of shared education. 5. Accountability create and develop a culture where all staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the programme; ensure compliance with all the necessary governance requirements of the Programme Management Board; ensure the delivery of high quality services to schools, using effective monitoring and evaluation procedures and processes; ensure that Programme objectives and targets are achieved through appropriate implementation and monitoring of progress; ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation of the programme in keeping with agreed processes; ensure the preparation of statistical and other reports as required by the Programme Management Board and SEUPB. SALARY SCALE JNC Soulbury scale, points 16-19: 52,248-55,775 per annum (plus possibility of Structured Professional Assessment points). PERSON SPECIFICATION This post requires an innovative and forward thinking individual with a proven track record in leadership, project management, delivery of high quality programmes and effective staff management and development. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Applicants must: hold a degree or equivalent higher qualification; have a minimum of 5 years experience working in an leadership role within an educational service; have a minimum of 2 years within the last 5 years of experience of supporting shared education or community relations or peace building; have a minimum of 2 years experience of successfully leading and managing programmes to achieve targets and deliver outcomes; have a minimum of 5 years experience of staff leadership and management. Applicants must have access to transport in order to fulfil the requirements of the post.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES Knowledge Applicants must demonstrate: a sound knowledge of government policy on education matters, inclusive of Shared Education, within both jurisdictions; a sound knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges facing education within both jurisdictions; a breadth of knowledge and understanding in relation to strategies for supporting the development of Shared Education in schools in both jurisdictions; a knowledge of the fundamentals of resource management and accountability. a sound knowledge of European Funding Programmes. Skills Applicants must demonstrate that they possess: well established leadership skills including the ability to direct and manage staff; the ability to strategically plan for the efficient and effective delivery of educational services; the ability to set and achieve agreed targets. Personal Qualities Applicants must demonstrate that: they have a commitment to the wider development of high quality Shared Education; they have a strong commitment to a customer focused approach to service delivery; they have a strong commitment to equality of opportunity; they have effective communication skills both oral and written. Please note the onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information on their application forms in order to demonstrate how they meet each of the criteria. Failure to do so may result in a candidate not being shortlisted since Selection Panels cannot make assumptions in the absence of essential information. Hours of Work The hours of work will not normally be less than 36 per week.
Annual Leave Entitlement Entitlement to annual leave is 27 days in a full holiday year in addition to 12 public and extra statutory holidays. Entitlement to leave in the first year of employment is pro-rata to the number of months completed. General Conditions of Appointment Appointments are subject to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) the Contracts of Employment and Redundancy Acts 1975 as amended and in particular the statutory provisions relating to termination of employment and the period of notice; the provisions of the Local Government Superannuation Act (NI) for the time being in force; satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks; probationary period of six months. the condition that no other employment is entered into during the period of employment by the Education Authority and that no employment by or in the service of another person or body should be undertaken except with express approval of the Education Authority. Canvassing and Referees Canvassing directly or indirectly will entail disqualification. Referees should not include any officer or member of the Recruitment and Selection Panel. Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 JANUARY 2019