Schools' Support Officer in Belfast

Salary: NJC SCP 36-39: £47,181 - £50,269 per annum

Contract: Full-time basis, fixed term contract until 30 June 2028, subject to continued funding and with possible extension

Hours: 36 hours per week

Work Style: Hybrid (subject to business needs)

Location: CSSC Headquarters is at Stranmillis University College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast

Closing date: Friday 11 September 2026 at 12 noon

CSSC is a non-statutory body, funded by the Department of Education and is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

Job overview: To act as link officer for a number of schools and provide support to those schools; to provide expertise in supporting school leaders in the controlled sector and play a key part in contributing to the educational support role of the CSSC.

Responsible to: The Head of Educational Support

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To play a significant role in delivering the key strategic educational objectives of the CSSC
• To act as the link person between the CSSC and up to 90 schools
• To act as a critical friend to these schools to discuss outcomes and school development
• To provide advice and support to school leaders through regular contact with school principals and chairs of governors
• To provide the lead role in a specific area of CSSC’s responsibilities, the TransformEd Project Supporting School Leaders in the Controlled Sector
• To develop and maintain an up to date management information system in an area of expertise for which the post holder is responsible
• To research and formulate management responses to issues within the post holder’s area of responsibility
• To manage the consultation process with schools on the post holder’s area of responsibility and assist in the consultation process on any other issues when required
• To attend all meetings as required within the post holder’s area of responsibility and act as the CSSC representative on EA’s Area Planning Local Groups
• To attend governors’ meetings as required to provide advice and support
• To assist EA, when appropriate, in the recruitment and training of assessors for the appointment of schools leaders (50 – 100 appointments per annum)
• To plan, manage and contribute to courses, conferences and training for school staff, school leaders and governors
• To contribute to the development of support materials for schools
• To draft responses to consultation exercises from DE, the Education Authority and other agencies
• To carry out investigations involving the leadership and management of schools
• To attend any Council or Committee meeting of the directors when required
• To compile and present reports to the directors
• To work in partnership with other education sectors including the development of proposals for shared working
• To assist EA and colleagues in the development of changes in school provision
• To respond to issues involving community planning within the area of responsibility
• To prepare bids for funding for projects involving shared working
• To work as part of a team, supporting other colleagues to deliver key strategic objectives
• To ensure that delegated work is managed effectively and efficiently
• To supervise staff and ensure the office is effectively and efficiently managed.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Have a teaching qualification that enables you to register with the General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland (GTCNI).
• Have a Bachelor’s Degree (Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6).
• Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working within a team established to achieve educational results.
• Have demonstrable experience of successful educational leadership at whole school level – e.g. Principal, Vice Principal, Head of Key Stage, Head of year group, Head of Department, Literacy/Numeracy coordinator, SENCO etc.
• Have demonstrable experience of being able to research, develop, and apply in-depth expertise in educational leadership policy.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• An additional relevant post-graduate qualification (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 7 or equivalent) OR a relevant professional qualification.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a Vice-Principal or Principal role within a school setting.
• Demonstrable experience of having played a key role in leadership support and development.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• The commitment and ability to promote the vision, values and ethos of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council.
• Established and proven leadership skills including the development and achievement of strategic, operational and financial performance objectives.
• An understanding of governance arrangements in the public sector in Northern Ireland.
• Demonstrable people skills.
• The ability to define a vision and to think strategically and creatively in the context of organisational leadership.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to deliver training and liaise and negotiate with a diverse range of individuals and organisations.
• The ability to act as an effective and persuasive public spokesperson when required.
• A commitment to quality management and organisational improvement within a culture of client service.
• The ability to define key issues and balance priorities.

OTHER:

• Access to a form of transport that allows the post-holder to undertake the duties of the role.
• Ability to work flexible hours in accordance with the needs of the post. This will include occasional weekend work and overnight stays.

In February 2026 a Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) was launched within the Education Authority (EA). This is an interim collaborative model designed to facilitate the delivery of tangible improvements for controlled schools in the short to medium term whilst concurrently commencing preparations for a dedicated standalone body for controlled schools. CSSC is committed to continuing to work in collaboration with EA.