School Improvement Professional (Learning & Development) in Belfast

Service area: Education Directorate - Universal Support

Responsible to: Head of Professional Learning and Development – Learning and Teaching

Responsible for: The Professional Learning and Development Officer will be responsible, as part of the Professional Learning and Development Team, for ensuring the provision of a comprehensive, high-quality programme of professional learning across the region, which meets the needs of school leaders, teachers and school staff and is consistent with the DE Strategy for Teacher Professional Learning - ‘Learning Leaders’.

Job Purpose: The Professional Learning and Development Team will ensure that a comprehensive programme of professional learning and development is available, across the region, to meet the needs of school leaders and school staff. There will be two key functional areas within the team – one focused on provision for School Leaders and one focused on provision for Teaching and Learning. The work of this team is set within the context of DE’s 10 year ‘Learning Leaders’ strategy, which aims to develop and implement a coherent framework for the continuing professional learning and development of all teachers and school leaders.

The comprehensive programme of professional learning and development will include:

• the direct delivery, by SDS, of professional learning programmes and activities.
• the development and facilitation of school and practitioner networks focused on professional learning.
• the deployment of educational associates, as required, to complement the work of core staff.
• the procurement and quality assurance of programmes from a range of other providers.

Teaching and Learning provision, to which Professional Learning and Development Officers will contribute, will include:

• provision of a regional Early Career Teacher Professional Development programme
• provision of a regional Teacher Tutor Professional Development programme
• externally-funded professional learning projects and initiatives
• the building and sustaining of teacher networks
• utilisation of E-learning including EA TV, EA SDS and C2K online learning areas
• co-ordination of provision of professional learning for non-teaching staff including technicians

Professional Learning and Development Responsibilities: The Professional Learning and Development Officer has the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a coherent framework for the continuing professional learning of school leaders, teachers and other school staff.
• Lead the development and implementation of programmes of professional learning for identified groups, e.g. Co-ordinators, Beginning Teachers, Teacher Tutors.
• Contribute to the development of bids and business cases which will secure external funding for programmes of professional learning.
• Lead and manage, as required, the implementation of externally funded programmes of professional learning.
• Support the development and sustaining of clusters and networks of schools and practitioners which will contribute to professional learning.
• Work in partnership with School Improvement Locality Team officers, in the identification and commissioning of support for staff within priority schools.
• Identify and disseminate good practice in professional learning and facilitate access to networks and examples of good practice.
• Support the development and utilisation of E-learning within professional learning and development, including EA-TV and EA SDS websites.
• Maintain knowledge of developments and innovation in relation to the curriculum, pedagogy, professional learning and development and the factors contributing to high quality educational provision.
• Undertake a Lead Specialist SIP role, as required, overseeing the development of EA policy, procedure and provision within the identified area of specialism.
• Attend meetings, as required, within the EA and across a range of stakeholder groups, relating to professional learning and development.
• Contribute to project teams and working groups established to support EA business objectives, as required.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of the Education Directorate’s internal programme of professional learning for officers.
• Undertake the role of Assessor, within the appointment scheme for Controlled Schools, as required.
• Contribute to responses to Assembly Questions, FOI requests, correspondence and complaints in relation to professional learning and development.
• Contribute to the preparation of EA Board and Committee papers, as required.
• Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development.

Other duties and responsibilities applicable to the role of School Improvement Professional:

• Challenge performance and work to agreed protocols.
• Act as an enabler by providing professional support to drive delivery.
• Enable knowledge transfer through reference to up-to-date knowledge and access to local and national exemplars.
• Be insightful in analysing all aspects of a school’s performance; including examination data, and inspection and/or review evidence.
• Critically evaluate the quality of leadership, including governance; learning and teaching; and pastoral provision.
• Challenge underperformance and assist with improvement.
• Have an up-to-date knowledge of relevant educational legislation and guidance and keep abreast of developments in educational research and effective practice.
• Lead and advise on governance roles, responsibilities and relationships; including school performance, and financial accountability.
• Promote good corporate governance behaviour and adherence to the Nolan Principles of conduct.

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the responsibilities and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Head of Service in consultation with the post-holder.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the School Improvement Professional is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity, and to pay due regard to equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: Candidates must demonstrate on their application form that they meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.
• Have a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience of leading and contributing to Teacher Professional Learning.
• Have a minimum of two years' demonstrable experience of leading and contributing to two of the following areas:
• a. School Improvement;
• b. Development and facilitation of school and teacher networks/professional learning communities;
• c. The identification and dissemination of good practice;
• d. Collaboration and/or consultation with a range of stakeholders.
• Have demonstrable experience of making a strategic contribution to measurable improvements in school performance.
• Have demonstrable experience of successfully leading teams or working groups to achieve targets or objectives.

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.

Knowledge: Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of:

• Current and anticipated challenges facing the wider education sector in Northern Ireland.
• The Education Authority’s strategic priorities and corporate objectives.
• The statutory responsibilities, policies and procedures relevant to the work of the Education Directorate.
• The scope of the Education Directorate’s responsibilities and the structures and processes through which its services are delivered.
• The reach of EA services and the relevant stakeholder groups.

Skills/Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate ability to:

• Build effective working relationships, lead and co-ordinate teams and work collaboratively with colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Work autonomously with drive, determination and resilience, make sound decisions, negotiate and influence at a range of levels.
• Analyse and interpret complex information and policy including formulating reports and presenting the information clearly, confidently and unambiguously to a range of audiences.
• Manage time and workloads effectively, creatively and efficiently, working under pressure and to strict deadlines, when required.
• Present and communicate effectively to a range of audiences, clearly demonstrating integrity, initiative, discernment and excellent interpersonal skills.

Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

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.

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.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.