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 | Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Experience | Have five years’ post qualifying experience in the delivery of youth work practice to achieve specific outcomes. Have a minimum of four years’ experience of effectively managing youth work staff. Have a minimum of three years’ experience working effectively within a leadership role, supporting partnership and collaboration with specific outcomes. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Knowledge | Demonstrable knowledge of stakeholder engagement, partnership and collaboration within youth work. Demonstrable knowledge of information technology systems to include the following Microsoft Office packages\: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Skills/ Abilities | Demonstrable skills in the design, delivery and evaluation of youth work programmes delivered through partnership, including workforce development and curriculum in line with organisational outcomes and the Regional Youth Development Plan. | 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 |
| Qualifications/ Experience | Demonstrable knowledge of the following:
| Interview/Presentation |
| Skills/ Abilities | In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of\: Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to use own initiative and make effective and objective decisions to lead this area of work. Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Skills to develop planning, delivery and evaluate impact of systems and initiatives. Ability to embed an effective Quality Assurance process. Demonstrable skills in the design, delivery and evaluation of youth work programmes, including training programmes within a complex environment. | 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 benefits realisation reporting. | 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.
JOB DESCRIPTION
REPORTS TO\: Assistant Director for Youth Service
JOB PURPOSE
To have overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and activities of the Partner and Practice Development Unit. To develop strategies and operational processes to support delivery of joint initiatives between the community and voluntary sector and statutory services for a range of funders and in particular in line with Department of Education policy.
To drive innovation in youth services, ensuring that where partnership is a requirement in delivery, high standards maintained.
To quality assure and analyse the effectiveness of partnership and practice, leading to effective models of delivery and clear reporting on the impact and contribution of youth services delivered jointly by the sector.
To manage resources relevant to partnership work in the delivery of the Regional Youth Development Plan.
Job Purpose & Main Activities:
- To establish a framework for partnership and collaboration for the delivery of this unit and the work of the sector together in meeting the Regional Youth Development Plan.
- To be responsible for the direct line management of the Senior Youth Officer and the relevant statutory staff for the implementation plan and delivery of the unit.
- In conjunction with the relevant voluntary sector provider (lead agency) co-manage staff and resources within the community and voluntary sector contributing to the unit’s work. This includes the framework of funding the delivery model, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
- To lead on the development of, and to monitor and report effectively on, key action plans within the unit.
- To develop delivery models for youth work delivered through partnership with a focus on workforce development and curriculum for the sector.
- To support Senior Officers within youth service in the planning, delivery and evaluation of effective youth services focusing on the relevance and delivery of partnership models in line with best practice and policy.
- To set quality and other performance standards for the unit, to communicate the results to staff, and to implement remedial actions when necessary to address any concerns.
- To liaise with relevant staff to devise support for inspection.
- To provide reports as required by the Assistant Director.
- To support the development and where required, the delivery of statutory youth work through engagement with EA Learn to achieve organisational outcomes.
- To show commitment to continuing professional development, by attending educational conferences, courses and ongoing training, as required to enhance Youth Service outcomes.
- To deputise for the Assistant Director on relevant multi-agency partnerships, bodies or boards, contributing to improving the wider outcomes for children and young people, with a particular focus on partnership.
- To ensure that risk in all Youth Service activity is managed effectively and that Health and Safety legislation and guidance is followed fully.
- To contribute to the Government strategies for safeguarding and to ensure that the Youth Service works within safeguarding policies and procedures.
- To liaise with internal and external stakeholders to achieve organisational outcomes.
- To ensure the effective engagement of children and young people in service design, delivery and evaluation of youth services.
- Liaise and work co-operatively with colleagues in other sections of the Authority to ensure consistent and coherent approaches towards service delivery.
Other Duties
- Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post;
- maintain at all times confidentiality of information received in line with GDPR regulations;
- any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require.
The list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. The post-holder may be required to undertake various other duties as deemed necessary and commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post. The Authority reserves the right to update the Job Description to reflect the changing needs of the Service in consultation with the post-holder.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and have due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
Contact Details:
Education Authority (Northern Ireland) Recruitment Team
