JOB DESCRIPTION

SERVICE AREA:

Special Schools Service (SEND & Youth Directorate)

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

The Specialist Resourcing Manager will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of specialist resourcing, including allocation of human and financial resources within the Special Schools Service.

JOB PURPOSE:

The EA has a number of areas of responsibility that are specific to the 40 special schools in NI, for example managing the budget, including Article 60 spend; and making decisions on the teaching and non-teaching staff required in order for the EA to perform its statutory functions in relation to SEN provision.

The EA’s Vision is for all pupils in Special Schools to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential; by having the best educational experiences, equality of opportunity and pathways that meets their needs.

In realising this vision, children and young people should have access to the most appropriate SEN placement, as described below:

is available at their nearest suitable special school;
provides pupils with equitable access to excellent provision and meets the individual needs of the child or young person;
is either in a single 3-19 school or through collaborative 3-19 provision;
is responsive to changing educational, physical and medical needs.

The SEND & Youth Directorate aims to ensure that this vision is realised through a fit for purpose special schools estate, an effective and efficient resourcing model, and the provision of excellent support services; to ensure high quality teaching and learning leading to improved outcomes and experiences for children and young people, reflective of their abilities and potential.

The principal focus of this post will be to continually drive effective and efficient management of human and financial resourcing allocations to ensure that special schools are equipped to meet the needs of children and young people. The post holder will be involved in specialist resourcing management projects and provide expert advice and support to the Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader on innovation and good practice models.

The post holder will be directly responsible for developing and monitoring the human resource and budgetary allocation model. The post-holder will develop, implement, monitor and manage innovative systems and procedures aimed at providing visibility of effective tracking and reporting. They will be conversant with the latest ICT techniques and will ensure SMART but challenging Key Performance Indicators are set. They will continually explore industry leading techniques and methodology for the efficient and effective management of resources.

A key output of this role would be to ensure school obligations are met at all times in relation to effective management of human and financial resourcing, whilst developing centralised systems and procedures to ensure standardisation across schools and to ensure that corporate SEN priorities are delivered to a high quality, providing value for money.

The Post-holder has the following Service-Specific Responsibilities:

To provide accurate, timely and relevant advice and support to schools and EA Services on all matters relating to allocation of human and financial resourcing to special schools.
To advise special schools on their responsibilities regarding the approved allocation of human and financial resourcing allocations and to take all reasonable steps to ensure efficient and effective staff management.
To provide front line support to special schools on the efficient and effective management of resourcing allocations and any required follow-up action with HR Services and Financial Business Partners.
To assist the Head of Special Schools in the achievement of Service, Divisional, Directorate and Corporate objectives.
To contribute to service development through consideration of new approaches to service delivery to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
To develop and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Service from all Directorates in the strategic planning, management and delivery of the EA’s corporate priorities.
To provide clear, strategic leadership to staff to ensure the Service has a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce.
To promote and develop a strong and consistent culture of effective and efficient management of human resource and financial allocations.
To contribute to the development of the EA’s efficient and effective management of resources, supporting policies and the implementation of processes and procedures.
To support the development and delivery of audits and monitoring programmes.
To ensure that corporate SEN priorities are delivered to a high quality, provide value for money, support the delivery of Departmental policy and are consistent and integrated in approach across all areas of the EA.
To assist EA Services with the identification of training needs in relation to resource allocation and financial procedures.
To develop and deliver training (both face-to-face and on-line) and other awareness raising information to make schools aware of good practice and their obligations with regard to effective resource and financial management generally.
To develop and implement cultural change programmes regarding resource and financial allocations ensuring they are communicated clearly and consistently across all special schools.
To develop high standards of governance including the monitoring, evaluation and review of allocation management.
To establish accountability processes and robust management information systems that ensures effective tracking and reporting of allocations, including the provision of management information in the form of reports, dashboards, KPIs and other methods of portraying information on the current status of the service. This will include appropriate use of benchmarks and indicators to drive continual improvement, demonstrate the achievement of value for money and the delivery of ‘best in class’ services.
To improve and build relationships and partnerships across the EA Directorates.
To assist the Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader on the adoption, implementation and monitoring of management procedures/models in Special Schools.
To represent the EA on internal and external working groups and committees, and to represent the Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader on such groups in relation to SEN resource and budgetary allocations.
To deputise and undertake additional duties for the Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader as required.

Leadership

To work with the Head of Special Schools and Specialist Resourcing & Budgetary Support Team Leader to lead and support on quality and performance and to support and give guidance across the service.
To oversee the operational management of the SEN resource allocation performance monitoring and reporting systems.
Actively manage the resource and budgetary allocation systems, ensuring all actions have been identified and recommendations made to meet efficiency and objectives set.
Apply resources effectively across the service.
To put in place a termly auditing schedule.
Regularly monitor the management of resource allocations by special schools against agreed key performance indicators ensuring achievement and improvement where required.
Attend working groups and team meetings as required.

Policy and Procedure Development

Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures as the need arises for the service.
Contribute to the Authority’s corporate strategy and plans on matters relating to SEN provision.

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 as laid down by the Authority.

· Provide responses to Parliamentary Questions, Assembly Questions, Minister’s cases, FOI requests and other correspondence within set deadlines.Undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post-holder.

· Deal with whistleblowing complaints in accordance with the Whistleblowing procedure.

Participate in selection or evaluation panels as required.
Communicate findings to senior management via formal presentations, standard management reporting on periodic/quarterly/annual basis.
Prepare updates and reports as required for Senior management and committee meetings with regard to performance accountability of area of responsibility.
Base location to be agreed upon appointment of successful candidate. As the role carries regional responsibility, regular travel across NI will be required to fulfil the duties of the role.

Building Relationships and Working with Others

· Build and maintain effective, professional, and respectful stakeholder relationships.

· Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Training

Undertake such training as may be required for the role

· To provide specific training and development to staff and line managers when required e.g., introduction of new processes, new regulations or the revision of existing regulations.

· Contribute to the development and delivery of SEN Resource Allocation initiatives and programmes such as workshops and training and development initiatives for Senior Managers and service wide.

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 (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification and have three years’ management experience in a professional capacity where the delivery of services to support schools is a core aspect of the work;

Have five years’ management experience in a professional capacity where the delivery of services to support schools is a core aspect of the work.

Have three years' experience of the successful leadership and management of operational services within a complex organisation, with evidence of knowledge and experience in at least three of the following:
1.    Special Schools
2.    Specialist Resourcing
3.    Providing Financial Support to schools
4.    Collaboration across EA Directorates and with Principals
5.    Staff management, including HR issues; and
6.    Process improvement including ICT systems implementation.

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;

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	Demonstrable knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges related to the role. Sound knowledge of EA business and finance processes. Proven ability and knowledge to apply statutory and legislative requirements to regularly and directly support and advise senior management.	Interview
Skills/ Abilities	In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Proven ability to achieve challenging targets and objectives through the engagement of teams. A high level of IT literacy using a range of management information systems, including Microsoft Office applications especially Excel. Solutions driven with ability to investigate non-conformances and recommend improvements and preventative actions. Proven ability to effectively communicate, negotiate and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve organisational outcomes. Ability to gather complex information from a variety of sources, analyse and interpret information. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including accuracy and attention to detail.	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

Other

Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development.

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.

Specialist Resourcing Manager (EA Employees Only)

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