Programme Manager, Statutory Key Stage Assessment

Job Title: Programme Manager, Statutory Key Stage Assessment
Department: Curriculum and Assessment
Grade: Programme Manager
Reports to: Business Manager: Curriculum and Assessment

Scope

1.1 The Programme Manager, Statutory Key Stage Assessment is a key educational role within the organisation, leading on all aspects of the Statutory Key Stage Assessment project(s) to ensure high quality and timely delivery of the objectives to fulfil CCEA duties.

1.2 The post holder will provide senior strategic educational and operational leadership to engage with appropriate internal and external stakeholders to define the purpose of assessments; and develop and implement plans and robust processes to ensure high-quality, evidence-based design, delivery, support, marking, reporting and analysis of Statutory Key Stage Assessments.

1.3 The post holder will ensure matters of inclusion are considered throughout the design and implementation phases of the project(s), and through the operational delivery of arrangements.

1.4 The post holder will have a key role in advising CCEA and the Department of Education (DE) on assessment matters through evidence-based reviews, monitoring and analysis; and including consideration of previous and interim arrangements, cross jurisdictional and international arrangements and research and consideration of digital solutions.

1.5 The post holder will support the Business Manager in setting and delivering the vision and strategic direction of the Business Unit.

1.6 The post holder will also be required to contribute to work of the wider business unit, directorate and organisation at a strategic level.

Key Corporate Responsibilities

2.1 To contribute fully, at the appropriate level, to the operations of the relevant Business Unit in order to achieve the objectives of CCEAs Corporate and Operational Plans.

2.2 To contribute fully, at the appropriate level, within the relevant Business Unit to CCEAs:

• accountability and performance management framework

• risk management framework

• quality management framework

• communications management framework

The post holder will ensure the compliance of self and, where appropriate, others with these frameworks such that they support the achievement of CCEAs Corporate and Operational objectives.

2.3 To assist the relevant line management, Business Unit Manager, Director and Executive Team in supporting the functions and responsibilities of CCEA and all of its committees.

2.4 To ensure, as appropriate to the level of the post, that CCEA secures value for money from the resources available to it.

2.5 To ensure, as appropriate to the level of the post, that CCEA operates an effective and transparent system of decision-making which includes a robust challenge function at all levels.

2.6 To contribute fully, as appropriate to the level of the post, to the full range of the Business Units work in relation to business improvement models including ISO, IiP and Customer Excellence, taking ownership, where applicable, for formal documentation, policies, practices, procedures, records, reports and statistical information. The post holder will be required to identify measures and targets to develop meaningful approaches to benchmarking consistent with a culture of continuous improvement.

2.7 To be responsible for maintaining CCEA records in accordance with the ISO Overview Procedure and to become familiar with records management practices and the implication of the Freedom of Information (FoI), UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection (DP) Acts.

2.8 To contribute to the effective discharge of the Section 75 duties in line with CCEAs Equality Scheme.

2.9 To carry out any other duties, as appropriate to the level of the post, to support the achievement of CCEAs objectives as directed by line management, Business Unit Managers and Executive Team.

Key Accountabilities

The post-holder will :

3.1 Be responsible for the effective design and implementation of a project to ensure the high quality and timely design, delivery, marking and reporting of tests in Literacy and Numeracy for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 from 2025/26 to 2027/28 academic years.

3.2 Have a lead role in CCEAs evidence-based contribution to the review of statutory assessment and in designing and implementing a project(s) to deliver on the outcomes of the review at system, school and individual level as required.

3.3 Collaborate with the Programme Managers for Literacy, Numeracy, Primary, SEN and Irish Medium in all aspects of the project(s) and operational outputs, and ensure agreement, appropriate approvals and clear roles and objectives.

3.4 Engage with relevant internal and external stakeholders to develop a project plan(s) and project management reporting and risk management processes and structures to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of the project(s).

3.5 Provide leadership to define key principles of the project(s) to ensure requirements are met and the provision is accessible to the appropriate children and young people, considering minimum additional teacher workload.

3.6 Provide leadership to internal and external stakeholders to ensure the design and implementation of processes and procedures are effective, timely and high-quality for the successful delivery of the project and operational phases.

3.7 Provide leadership to education staff and contracted education professionals to ensure design of appropriate assessments and marking and reporting criteria.

3.8 Provide leadership to education staff and contracted education professionals to design appropriate criteria to ensure consistency of approach and standard for the duration of the assessments.

3.9 Engage with DE Officials and CCEA Examinations and Assessment Administration, Standards, Data Science, Research and Statistics and ICT teams to ensure that appropriate data sharing arrangements are in place.

3.10 Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop criteria, recruit, train and retain contractors to write and mark or moderate the assessments.

3.11 Provide leadership and a quality assurance role and engage with appropriate internal staff and DE officials to agree key messages and communications with schools and other relevant stakeholders.

3.12 Provide leadership and a quality assurance role to appropriate internal staff to develop guidance and information for schools on the purpose, design and administration of the assessments.

3.13 Collaborate with appropriate internal teams to ensure appropriate arrangements on the CCEA website to provide clear and unambiguous information to schools and other stakeholders.

3.14 In the context of sampling requirements, provide leadership and facilitate arrangements between appropriate CCEA teams, DE and EA officials to identify schools and pupils and provide timely notification, data sharing, recording, reporting and evaluation.

3.15 Provide leadership and collaborate with appropriate internal teams to design and implement appropriate assessment development processes, with consideration of inclusion.

3.16 Provide leadership and engage with appropriate internal teams and schools to ensure timely and high-quality delivery in schools. For hard copy assessments this will include printing, packing, labelling of tests and secure delivery and collection in schools. For online assessments this will include system capacity testing and user testing.

3.17 Provide leadership and work with appropriate internal teams to design and implement a robust marking or moderation process including criteria for recruitment, recruitment processes, training, allocation of assessments, data collection, recording and quality assuring scores and outcomes.

3.18 Provide leadership and engage with appropriate internal teams to agree reporting template(s), including required breakdown and analysis of data and provide high quality and timely reports to DE.

3.19 Provide leadership within CCEA and the wider education system, including providing guidance, advice and reports in relation to Statutory Key Stage Assessment matters.

3.20 Provide evidence-based educational leadership on wider reviews and monitoring of statutory assessment including:

• Monitoring and evaluating previous and interim arrangements and processes;

• Providing reviews and updates;

• Contributing to research work and consultation on assessment models;

• Providing evidence informed advice on potential digital solutions.

3.21 Establish and manage key interfaces, relationships and communications with a range of stakeholders including the DE and other government departments, education partners, school leaders and practitioners; represent CCEA at a senior level on groups and boards established to monitor and progress a range of curriculum and assessment matters; and deputise for the Curriculum and Assessment Business Manager as required.

3.22 Provide leadership to ensure effective relationships with internal stakeholders including with Marcomms and Multimedia teams to ensure high quality delivery and awareness of assessment matters through targeted and strategic communications.

3.23 Ensure advice, guidance, support and resources are of a high quality and evidence based including through curriculum monitoring, engagement with stakeholders and reflecting DE policies and strategies, and wider educational reports.

3.24 Develop, monitor and review the annual business and operational plans, individual appraisal objectives, programme plans and associated risk registers.

3.25 Ensure appropriate financial recording, reporting and effective controls are in place for accurate budget monitoring and reporting including preparing business cases, funding bids, management reports, risk managements and financial forecasts.

3.26 Develop appropriate channels of communication both internally and externally to facilitate delivery, quality, continuous improvement and optimum use of technology across all areas of work.

3.27 Undertake any other duties, as appropriate to the level of the post, to support the directorate and organisational objectives as directed by line management.

4 Key People Management Responsibilities The post holder will initially have direct line management responsibilities for the Clerical officer, Statutory Key Stage Assessment and have overall responsibility for collaborating with relevant Programme Managers and directing, leading and monitoring the work of a team of education professionals. The post holder will:

4.1 develop, manage and optimise the performance of the Clerical Officer, Statutory Key Stage Assessment, ensuring appropriate sound, effective leadership and direction;

4.2 manage the practical aspects of the working interrelationships between the Business Unit and other units in order that project and other Curriculum and Assessment objectives are met;

4.3 communicate clearly corporate, business and operational plans, objectives and performance measures to staff and manage performance to achieve these objectives;

4.4 develop, monitor and review resourcing, budgeting and resources to achieve business efficiencies;

4.5 review and assess the performance and personal development needs of the Clerical Officer, Statutory Key Stage Assessment in line with CCEAs people management policies, practices and procedures and ensure that all managers apply these policies, practices and procedures;

4.6 commission and manage the work of external associates and contracted for services staff; and

4.7 have due regard at all times for the health and safety of self and others within any relevant section, team, Business Unit and the organisation in general.

5 Key Financial Management Responsibilities

The post holder will:

5.1 support and be accountable to the Business Manager, Curriculum and Assessment for all aspects of budgetary control in relation to the scope of this role;

5.2 monitor and report on all aspects of budgetary control in relation to the scope of this role. The post holder will be accountable for a share of a budget of approximately £3 million;

5.3 ensure compliance with all corporate procurement policy and procedures.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must provide evidence of meeting each criterion in the appropriate box on the application form.

Education/Training:

• A recognised degree at Level 6 or above

• A relevant teaching qualification

Experience

Applicants must have at least three years experience of:

• Teaching at primary and/or post-primary level education

• Working at a senior level within the education sector managing people and budgets

Applicants must have experience within an educational context of:

• Leading or coordinating Literacy and/or Numeracy and/or assessment initiatives to improve educational outcomes

• Designing and implementing assessments for Key Stage 1, 2, or 3 in Literacy and/or Numeracy; and analysing outcomes

• Improving educational outcomes through inclusion

• Providing effective leadership with the ability to develop a vision, strategic direction, and operational objectives across a team

• Managing competing priorities to lead professional colleagues to deliver successful outcomes of a significant, timebound project

• Building positive and productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to influence the delivery of common aims and targets

• Identifying, managing, and mitigating organisational risks

• Preparing formal reports or papers and analysis of data for senior management, to enhance the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and/or assessment

• Using and/or designing digital assessment solutions

Knowledge

Applicants must have detailed knowledge of:

• The Northern Ireland Curriculum and assessment arrangements

• Current policy priorities and issues in curriculum and assessment in Northern Ireland

• Assessment design in the context of accessibility, validity, reliability, and standardisation

Other

• Access to a form of transport which will allow the post holder to fulfil the duties of the post

Additional Skills and Capabilities

Successful applicants invited for interview may be asked to discuss the following additional skills and capabilities:

• Resilience

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

• Decision making and problem solving

CCEA reserves the right to enhance these criteria for the purposes of shortlisting. Any enhancements to the criteria will be applied equally to all candidates.

Senior level is defined as someone who has experience of managing significant* change projects or high-stakes projects/initiatives that impact across an organisation, reporting to a senior manager who has significant responsibility for a function/department.

*\”Significant\” is defined as contributing directly to key corporate objectives of the organisation.

Please note, although you can copy and paste text from another application or document, this may affect the character count. Therefore, we would encourage you to type directly into the application form. Please note, when you submit an application, an error message may appear saying We are sorry – cannot access item. This will not affect your application and it will be successfully submitted. There is no need to contact your vacancy administrator. Applications must be submitted by 12 midnight on Wednesday 16 July 2025