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 | 1.Hold a bachelor’s degree (QCF Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification in an ICT Related subject AND have three years’ demonstrable experience successfully leading large scale/complex* projects or programmes. OR have five years’ demonstrable experience successfully leading large scale/complex* projects or programmes. *“large and complex” “defined as cross-cutting across a number of business areas, involving internal and external stakeholders, and having an impact on multiple people/groups. 2. Demonstrable experience managing End User Technology projects throughout the lifecycle. From initial design, through to system testing and handover to support, including management of budgets and procurement. 3. Demonstrable experience of managing a digital/IT project to achieve measurable improvements in a business area. 4. Demonstrable experience of effective management of work delivered by agencies and/or other third parties. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Knowledge | 5. Demonstrable knowledge of Enterprise Technology, including Finance and HR solutions. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Other |
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 |
| Knowledge | Demonstrable knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges facing the education sector. | Interview/Presentation |
| Skills/ Abilities | In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of\: Ability to build effective working relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to lead delivery in a matrix environment, managing priorities, dependencies and cross-team collaboration. Ability to lead teams to achieve targets/objectives and to meet challenging deadlines. Ability to manage the implementation of a project adhering to project milestones, timelines and budget ensuring that effective governance and accountability processes are in place. | Interview/Presentation |
| 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 | Demonstrable experience of delivering complex projects and programmes within a public sector environment. Demonstrable experience of successfully delivering public sector service improvement projects. | 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
SERVICE AREA\: EnAble Programme
REPORTS TO: Technical Workstream Lead
RESPONSIBLE FOR The Senior Technical Project Manager will be responsible for delivering the EnAble Programme through the full programme life cycle in accordance with the agreed budget.
They will be the Lead for all issues pertaining to the workstream assigned to them, including liaison with Senior Responsible Officers, stakeholders across the Education Authority, as well as external suppliers and stakeholders to ensure delivery is consistent with transformation objectives.
This will involve working closely with team members and Programme Management to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, budget restrictions and schedules are on track.
The Senior Technical Project Manager will be responsible for managing and leading a team of employees within their workstream.
ENABLE PROGRAMME BACKGROUND
The Programme has been established to replace EA One, the Education Authority (EA)’s current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and aims to deliver an integrated, efficient, scalable and data-driven platform to support the effective delivery of services to the NI Education Sector.
EA One currently supports key services across finance, procurement, HR and payroll for approximately 44,000 non-teaching staff and 22,000 teaching staff. It also supports significant monthly transaction volumes, including payroll, invoices, procurement activity, leave, absence and expenses.
The current platform is based on Oracle E-Business Suite, which is approaching end-of-life, with existing support and contractual arrangements reaching key expiry milestones over the coming years. The EnAble Programme has therefore been mobilised to deliver a replacement solution by March 2032.
The EnAble Programme is a major strategic priority for the EA and will provide opportunities to modernise systems and processes, improve user experience, strengthen data and reporting, and increase resilience across core corporate services.
JOB PURPOSE
Through the delivery of comprehensive project management, the EnAble programme the Senior Technical Project Managers will support the Technical Workstream Lead and relevant Business Leaders to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of the EnAble Programme, in order to meet the Education Authority (EA)’s strategic objectives.
The post-holder will work with colleagues across the EnAble Programme team, and other Directorates across the EA; to ensure that technology solutions and good project governance (as set by the Project Management Office), are delivered to enhance the operations of the EA; and ultimately contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people. They will also play a key role in realising the transformation objectives within the EnAble Programme and across other Directorates.
They will ensure that regular status reporting on workstreams is provided to the EnAble Programme Board, PMO and CLT, ensuring any issues are quickly escalated to the appropriate level. They will manage the risk profile of the EnAble Programme and provide early warning on all assurance matters. Be responsible for the planning and overall management of a work programme that may include several projects, or work streams within the EnAble Programme or portfolio and the management of teams engaged in the development of the system or services.
Service-specific responsibilities
The post-holder will lead the design and implementation of the following Services\:
- The overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of projects or workstreams allocated to them.
- To work closely with EnAble Programme Team members to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Responsibilities include submitting project deliverables, preparing status reports, and establishing effective project communication plans as well as the proper execution of plans.
- To be responsible for managing and delivering a project work programme that may contain several strands within a project, programme or portfolio structure.
- To act as the EnAble Programme Business Partner when engaging with other Directorates and Services, providing project management advice and enabling the provision of services required for transformation.
- To make sure that the scope and direction of each project is on schedule, in line with agreed parameter’s/budgets set by the EnAble Programme Director.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES APPLICABLE TO THE ROLE OF SENIOR TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER
LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Line Manage employees aligned to the EnAble Programme;
- Provide non-managerial support, information and training as required for other employees within the EnAble Programme.
- Lead and support employees in the team in the effective and efficient operation of services.
- Promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development and implementation of Infrastructure architecture assignments.
- Provide leadership to their programme staff and ensure transformational changes and new structures, strategies, policies and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the Authority and any future challenges.
- Ensure that employees within the EnAble Programme team are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
- Work closely with Team members to ensure that all requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Responsibilities include submitting agreed deliverables, preparing status reports, and establishing effective communication plans.
- Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviors to staff.
- Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY INFLUENCE
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Work with the Technical Workstream Lead to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the EnAble Programme.
- Contribute to the management of the Directorate, attending Executive Team and Board meetings as required by the Technical Workstream Lead.
- Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies.
- Contribute to the development of a comprehensive EnAble Programme development plan.
- Work collaboratively with other Senior Officers and Heads of Service, to ensure that priorities are translated into manageable objectives and communicated to relevant teams within the EnAble Programme as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with Senior Officers across the EA to devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure, control and report on the work of relevant teams within service to take account of changes in the internal and external environments which may impact on and influence priorities and needs.
- Provide reports that can inform policy and strategic direction using formative and summative information which will guide future models of service delivery in relation to the service area.
- To establish effective, accountable and rigorous quality assurance systems to achieve highest possible standards of performance, with focuses on maintaining the needs of internal and external customers.
CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Contribute to the strategic planning, implementation, and on-going monitoring of the EnAble Programme.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory frameworks.
- Establish, maintain, manage and review effective data systems.
- Co-ordinate, deliver, or contribute to training and support with regards to specific service areas as required.
- Facilitate the induction of new staff and ongoing professional development of all staff in relation to the core objectives, expected outputs and outcomes in relation to the EnAble Programme.
- Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the EnAble Programme as required.
- Ensure that employees within the service have an awareness of the corporate culture, values and processes which underpin organisational development.
- Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities, the needs of the EA and service specific priorities.
- Ensure key principle risks are assessed and monitored, managed and controlled effectively aligned to the EA risk process.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Assist the Technical Workstream Lead in the development of policies and plans in line with overall strategic policy and objectives.
- Ensure effective and rigorous quality assurance systems are in place to maintain high standards.
- Ensure effective engagement, capacity building and monitoring arrangements with local teams.
- Participate in review processes to enable the development, review and compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures.
- Foster and facilitate the development of staff skills in relation to negotiating and collaborating with parents and other professionals.
- Liaise and work co-operatively with colleagues in other sections of the Authority to ensure consistent and coherent approaches towards training and services in relation to language and communication support.
- Manage staff to perform to their potential, promote their professional development and give support when required.
MANAGING FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Follow robust corporate governance procedures and financial control frameworks for effective management of the budget for the EnAble programme and monitor expenditure ensuring propriety, regularity and value for money within the allocated budget.
- Facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the EA.
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Enhance the development of the EnAble Programme by building on effective partnerships.
- Develop links across the EA’s Directorates as necessary.
- Ensure effective systems are in place for communication and consultation with service users, both internally and externally.
- Contribute to attendance at meetings both internally and with other stakeholders, in accordance with corporate goals, service targets, multi-agency action plans and in line with EA and DE requirements.
OTHER DUTIES
- Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post.
- Any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require.
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.
Contact Details:
Education Authority (Northern Ireland) Recruitment Team
