Assistant Development Officer (EA Employees Only)

DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services

REPORTS TO: Assistant Locality Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: 1 – 5 appropriate staff

In the development, management and implementation of the Planning and Development of the EA’s Estate to meet the needs of all users through:

Will contribute to the smooth running and development of the infrastructure and Capital Development division and to the delivery of major and minor projects and effective and efficient asset management

Estate Planning, Development and Implementation

Estate Advisory Support Services

Minor Works Programme

Business Cases for Capital Works and Asset Management Partnership Working with Internal and External stakeholders

Job Purpose

The postholder will be responsible in assisting the Assistant Locality manager and Locality Manager in the management of the EA’s delivery of major and minor projects and effective and efficient asset management. including:

Policy development, implementation and review

Providing the EA with a fit for purpose estate to meet the needs of all users

Improving and building relationships and partnerships

Dissemination of Information to Schools and External Organisations

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Controlled and Non-Controlled Capital Programmes

Identify and assess the need for the addition, removal, rationalisation and change of use of accommodation, both permanent and modular, through a process of information gathering and data analysis, in order to meet the requirements of the EA;

Establish the need for major and minor works at operational locations and make all necessary arrangements for their progression;

Plan, monitor and review the progress of schemes for all Asset Management Services programmes;

Through a process of negotiation and consultation with DE and with reference to guidance documentation assess existing accommodation capacity, maintain enrolment details and analyse enrolment trends, determine schedules of accommodation and long-term enrolments;

Liaise with internal stakeholders and school principals on issues affecting enrolments, admissions and trends;

Prepare Business Cases for the Asset Management Service and provide a project brief for design teams;

Consult with school principals, Boards of Governors, external agencies, DE, other services, consultant architects and quantity surveyors, Planning Service, Roads Service, LPS etc on the implications of options within Business Cases;

Identify schemes and prepare Business Cases and feasibility studies for the EA as required;

Identify and assess suitability of land and buildings for acquisition for EA’s operational requirements;

Manage the EA’s strategy on property development to inform the strategic and operational decision-making process.

2. Co-ordination of Board Activity

Manage the EA’s strategy on property development and planning matters to contribute to the enhancement of the EA’s estate;

Represent the EA on relevant partnership bodies and advisory groups as deemed appropriate;

Prepare and submit papers to the EA Resources and People Committee and DE including liaison with school principals, other services, DE and other educational sectors such as NICIE, CCMS, and Irish Medium etc;

Prepare reports for Senior Management and EA Board Members and respond to queries from Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, local councillors etc in relation to the EA’s capital development programme and other estate management issues;

Deputise for the Assistant Locality Manager, in relation to property matters, when required.

3. Consultation and Negotiation

Engage in effective consultation and negotiation with Principals, Boards of Governors of schools and DE in relation to the assessment and development of accommodation needs;

Liaise, consult and negotiate with providers of EA services to ensure that assessed land, property and accommodation needs are met.

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 a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience in successfully assisting in the management of large scale/ complex projects or programmes;

OR

have a minimum of five years’ demonstrable experience in successfully assisting in the management of large scale/ complex projects or programmes.

Demonstrable experience in successfully assisting in managing and delivering programmes of work.

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 business and admin processes and in particular those relating to business case preparation in line with government guidance and estate legal matters.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge Sound knowledge of the benefits of Best Practice Asset Management.

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;

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

Skills/

Abilities

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

Build effective working relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.

The ability to manage teams, delivering and achieving effective results on time and solving problems through informed decision making.

The ability to drive service improvement to children and young people, promoting employee participation and engagement.

Proven ability to gather complex information form a variety of sources, analyse and interpret the information.

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

Experience

Experience of regularly and directly supporting and advising senior management in complex operational situations and in the delivery of strategic priorities.

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.

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The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.