Senior Cost Consultant - Quantity Surveying Service - Major Capital Delivery

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBILE TO: Minor Capital Delivery (MaCD) Service Managers, Minor Capital Delivery Senior Team (MiST)

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Cost Consultant (SCC) will be responsible for delivering large scale/complex projects through their project life cycle in accordance with governance procedures.

The SCC will support the Head of Service, Minor Capital Delivery Service Managers and relevant stakeholders, through the delivery of comprehensive project & contract management, to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of Projects and Contracts, in order to meet the Authority’s strategic objectives.

The SCC will work with colleagues across EA Directorates to ensure that proposals and project governance (as set by the Service), are delivered to enhance the operations of the Authority; and ultimately contribute to 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.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SENIOR COST CONSULTANT

The post-holder will be expected:

• To carry out the full range of professional services of a qualified quantity surveyor to include: -
  • Review, analysis and assess, architectural designs and cost information
  • Plan, develop & implement programme & project cost information
  • Compile feasibility reports, determine environmental impact, create project proposals,
  • Ensure all costs are compliant with regulations and guidance documents,
  • To make managerial, financial and technical decisions throughout the design, production and construction phases on the Education Authority’s in-house and external projects,
  • To develop and interpret a range of design research, program, plan, and estimate costs applying knowledge of architectural design construction, detailing, specification, construction procedures, planning & building control, building materials, specifications & systems,
  • Research and maintain knowledge of various disciplines, application methods, and materials,
  • To provide advice and contractual assistance when required on matters concerning
    • Public Procurement policy,
    • Term Service Contact (TSC),
    • NEC and other contracts,
    • commercial dispute resolutions,
    • estate management information systems,
    • building maintenance and technical standards,
  • Monitor the work of other Quantity Surveyors and making recommendations or scheduling workshops as required,
  • To monitor, assess and report financial risk management of projects and programmes of work,
  • Provide guidance to ICT & IST to help them interpret design guidance & specifications,
  • To manage and supervise the in-house technical staff working on projects allocated to the Senior Cost Consultant
  • Network and consult with various industry professionals.
• To carry out the full range of professional duties of a Principal Designer under the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM Regulations) to include: -
  • To make managerial and technical decisions for staff implementing the CDM Regulations on notifiable projects;
  • To advise and monitor the architectural staff on issues relating to the CDM Regulations.
  • To train, supervise and monitor all architectural and maintenance staff in the implementation of the CDM Regulations;
  • To act as the Education Authority’s Principal Designer when required to do so;

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Senior Cost Consultant (SCC) will lead, manage, co-ordinate and participate in the procurement, design and implementation of the following Services:

• The overall responsibility for the successful procurement, initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling, administration, and closure of projects or workstreams allocated to them.
• To be responsible for managing and delivering a work portfolio that may contain several strands within a programme, project or workstream.
• To work closely with team members to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track, including submitting or reviewing project deliverables, preparing status reports, establishing effective project communication plans, the proper execution of plans, monitoring requirements and standards, and ensuring projects meet time, cost and quality constraints.
• 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/Service Manager.
• To manage the risk profile of the project and provide early warning on all assurance matters.
• To escalate issues appropriately, in accordance with project governance.
• To act as a Senior Responsible Officer / Client Advisor / Project Manager / Project Sponsor on projects.
• To act as the service representative when engaging with other Directorates and Services, Department of Education (DE), Boards of Governors and external suppliers, providing project management advice and enabling the provision of projects required for transformation.

MANAGEMENT

The post-holder will be responsible for supervising, managing, and leading teams engaged in the development of projects and management of contracts. This will include:

• Service staff aligned to projects or workstreams.
• Internal and external Clerk of Works allocated to projects.
• Integrated Consultant Teams (ICT) and Integrated Supply Teams (IST).
• Contract Mangers, Contractors, Facility Management providers and Suppliers.

DECISION MAKING

The post-holder will be expected to:

• To make managerial, financial and technical decisions throughout the design, production and construction phases of the EA’s in-house and external projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The post-holder will:

• Work under the direction of the Service Manager / Head of Service.

WORK COMPLEXITY

The post-holder will be expected to completely deliver the services of:

• A qualified construction professional in the application of specific projects and other matters relevant for the service
• A Senior Quantity Surveyor
• A Principal Designer

The post-holder will be expected to promote the corporate vision, values and culture of the EA, including:

• Manage and Lead Others.
• Improve, Challenge and Coach colleagues and teams, helping them fine-tune their skills, improving their industry knowledge and improving service delivery.
• Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours.
• Ensure that ICT, IST, and others, on each project or workstream, are provided with clear structures, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
• Contribute to transformational change, structures, strategies, policies and processes.

COLLABORATE WORKING

The post-holder will work collaboratively and be expected to:

• Enhance the development of the service by building effective relationships.
• Manage effective communication plans and consultation with stakeholders.
• Contribute to meetings, in accordance with corporate goals and service requirements.
• Develop links and relationships with: 
  • Colleagues across the Authority’s Directorates,
  • Senior Responsible Officers,
  • Department of Education (DE),
  • Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC),
  • the Council for the Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS),
  • the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE),
  • the Governing Bodies Association (GBANI),
  • Boards of Governors,
  • Statutory Bodies,
  • External Consultants, Contractors, and suppliers.
• Liaise with the public.

CREATIVE WORK

The post-holder will be expected to:

• Provide initial, developed and detailed cost estimates and financial management relating to professional and technical design and development in the delivery of the Service and works programmes.
• Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and maximise efficiencies.

OTHER DUTIES

The post-holder will be expected to:

• Provide professional support and advice to Stakeholders.
• Provide non-managerial support, information and training, as required.
• Provide advice and assistance on building maintenance and technical standards, when required.
• Undertake training, as may be required, for personal and professional development.
• Contribute and assist in service development, planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Contribute and assist in the development of policies, plans and objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory legislation.
• Ensure risks are assessed, monitored, managed, and controlled effectively.
• Participate and/or undertake review processes to enable compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures, maintaining and enhancing the high standards of the Authority.
• Prepare, maintain, manage, review and deliver effective reports and financial controls.
• Monitor expenditure ensuring propriety, regularity, and value for money.
• Represent the service and/or deputise for the Service Manager as required.
• Undertake such other duties relevant to the post as directed by the Service Manager.
• In accordance with the business needs of the Infrastructure and Capital Development Division, may be required to assist in the delivery of Minor Capital Delivery Programme.
• Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to their duties and responsibilities.

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.

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.

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.