Area Planning Officer - 2 posts (EA Employees Only)

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO:     Area Planning Lead Officer

RESPONSIBLE FOR:    The Senior Principal Officer (2) Locality (SPOL) will be responsible for leading, developing and managing a number of aspects of the Area Planning service. The SPOL will be responsible for managing and leading the  Area Planning Locality Group (between 15 and 20 people). The SPOL will be responsible for managing the Area Planning budget in a designated locality.

JOB PURPOSE

The School Development Service (SDS) will provide high quality strategic support and challenge to school principals, Boards of Governors and school staff in order to ensure that standards are raised and education outcomes for children and young people are improved. The SDS will seek to develop a network of self-evaluating, sustainable, high performing schools, with effective leadership and teaching, in which pupils are empowered and enabled to achieve their full potential.

The Education Authority (EA) is the chief planning authority for the schools estate and in partnership with other stakeholders is responsible for ensuring efficient and sufficient provision across Northern Ireland and access to high quality education in viable and sustainable schools.

The SPOL for Area Planning will support the Education Officer to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of the Education Directorate’s mainstream and special Area Planning operations within each Locality. They will also support the Lead Education Officers and in turn, the Head of Service in ensuring that service delivery is focused on meeting the needs of children and young people through provision of equal access to excellent services.

The SPOL will be required to lead and contribute to the work of the directorate by ensuring the delivery of the service area targets within an acceptable timeframe. They will also work with the Education Officers and School Improvement Professionals to ensure that there is relevant and appropriate engagement with schools, Boards of Governors, political and community representatives, managing authorities, sectoral support bodies and all other relevant stakeholders.

The SPOL will work closely with other officers across the Education Directorate and other Directorates, to ensure that area planning is integral to other regional services, and contributes to improved outcomes for all children and young people.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be expected to make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of service specific targets relating to the EA corporate plan; promote efficiency and effectiveness throughout the service; be compliant with all aspects of DE guidance and statutory frameworks as they apply to this area; and support the Head of Service and Education Officers to lead the activities of the area planning team through effective management of the  Area Planning Locality Group.

Whilst contributing to all aspects of area planning, the post holder will be expected to lead on one of the following (these roles are likely to rotate):

-    Statistics and Data Management (including GIS)
-    Legal and Policy Management  
-    Project Management
-    Stakeholder Engagement, Consultations and Training

The SPOL has the following responsibilities:

• Support the Education Officers to implement designated strategic regional responsibilities for:
  (a)    Strategic Area Plans
  (b)    Operational Plans
  (c)    Annual Area Profiles
  (d)    Area Planning Business Plan;

• Support the Education Officers and in turn the Head of Service in the transition to, and on-going operational delivery of, a regional school improvement function, co- constructed with schools;

• Work closely with colleagues across the directorate to ensure that all services are integral to school improvement and contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people;

• Support procurement processes as required;

• Contribute to financial monitoring information as required;

• Co-ordinate and prepare EA Board and Committee papers as required;

• Co-ordinate responses to Assembly Questions, Freedom of Information requests and complaints relating to the work of the Directorate as requested;

• Support the Education Officers and in turn the Head of Service to fulfil the EA’s statutory responsibilities under, for example, GDPR and Equality legislation;

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as required;

• Contribute to emerging service developments and service reviews as required; and

• Liaise with the HR directorate regarding recruitment and selection processes, and participate in selection panels as required.

Within a Locality

• Working in conjunction with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary setting to lead and develop strategic, area based plans for future provision, in conjunction with stakeholders;

• Have lead responsibility for identifying schools to be included in the Operational Plan for Area Planning;

• Researching and analysing data in order to identify strategic and operational priorities for Area Planning;

• Formulate and present sound, evidenced based proposals to support the progression of Area Planning proposals;

• Lead the delivery of Area Planning operational plans;

• Engage with schools, Boards of Governors, community representatives and other stakeholders to identify options in relation to schools in line with the development proposal process (including Equality Screening/EQIA/Rural Needs Impact Assessment);

• Implementing corporate governance arrangements;

• Monitoring and reporting on progress and performance as required;

• Coordination of project-related administration and governance;

• Input to, and maintenance of, relevant corporate databases and information systems;

• Ensure compliance with statutory or Departmental policy and guidance;

• Informing policy and the Strategic Investment Programme recommendations in respect of minor works/School Enhancement Programme/Strategic Priorities for Investment (major capital works) in the context of Area Planning;

• Provide advice and guidance to controlled schools and to internal and external stakeholders within a locality on all aspects of Area Planning, including the Sustainable Schools’ Policy, SEN Frameworks, Strategic Area Plans and publication of a Development Proposal;

• Co-ordinate the deployment of administrative resources within the Locality; and

• Manage the Area Planning budget within a locality.

Leadership/Management

• Direct line management of a small team in the Area Planning Service based within the Locality;

• Line manage administrative employees within the Locality;

• Provide non-managerial support, information and training to Area Planning Group members within the Locality;

• Provide professional advice and support to Boards of Governors, Schools, parents, individual teachers and other stakeholders as appropriate;

• Leading multi-disciplinary teams to support the delivery of specific proposals, as appropriate;

• Lead and support employees in the team in the effective and efficient operation of services; and

• Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development.

Other duties and responsibilities applicable to the role of Senior Principal Officer

Strategic Planning and Policy Influence

• Contribute to and where appropriate, lead the development and implementation of specific targets relating to the EA corporate plan and Education Directorate’s business plan;

• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive service development plan;

• Work collaboratively with SPOs (Locality) to ensure that priorities are translated into manageable objectives and communicated to relevant teams within the Service as appropriate;

• Work collaboratively with SPOs (Locality) 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; and

• 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.

Corporate Leadership and Management

• 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; and

• Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities, the needs of the EA and service specific priorities.

Service Development and Quality Assurance

• 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; and

• Manage staff to perform to their potential, promote their professional development and give support when required.

Managing Financial Resources

• 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; and

• Facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the EA.

Partnership Working

• 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; and

• 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.

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

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.

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.

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.