Executive Officer - Claims and Insurance Unit in Omagh

Job Reference: 26007142

Primary Location: Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office

Contract Type: Permanent

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: N/A

Status: Full-Time

Hours per Week: 36

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday

Grade/Scale: Executive Officer | NJC pt 17-20 | £31,022 - £32,597 per annum

Additional Allowance(s): Not Applicable

Anticipated Interview Date(s): TBC

REPORTS TO: Claims and Insurance Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Provision of administrative support in respect of claims made against the Education Authority, commercial insurance claims, debt recovery and records management. Dealing with queries from a range of stakeholders.

JOB PURPOSE:

• Administrative duties associated with the defence of claims brought against the Authority.
• Administrative duties in relation to insurance matters including commercial insurance.
• Administrative duties in respect of debt recovery and third party recoupment.
• Deputise for the Senior Executive Officer.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

SELF-INSURANCE

• Provide administrative support for the defence of public and employers liability claims brought against the Authority, in both the maintained and controlled sector.
• Arrange the investigation and compile the relevant report, and prepare memos for approval from Chief Executive.
• Provide advice to other Education Authority departments, Principals, CCMS, Libraries NI, school trustees in respect of the self-insurance arrangements for public and employers liability risks.
• Complete the administrative duties associated with the investigation of liability claims to include billing Libraries NI for works completed.
• Assist the Senior Executive Officer in the management and reporting to the Finance Department/other relevant departments in respect of costs associated with the defence of employee and public liability claims on a quarterly basis.
• Represent the Authority, Maintained Sector and Libraries NI at court on a wide range of diverse and complex issues.
• Carry out administrative duties associated with the implementation and updating the computer system for liability claims.
• Arrange and attend liability consultations with witnesses, Solicitors firm and appointed Counsel.

RECOVERY OF DEBTS

• Manage and maintain an efficient computer system and the administration for the recovery of debts.
• Process small claims and overpayments of wages owed to the Authority for recovery.
• Prepare written correspondence to debtor to recover monies and advising on possible repayment plans.
• Monitor repayments of debts and update finance department as required.
• Prepare and process appropriate documentation for claims to Small Claims Court and the Enforcement of Judgements Office.
• Appoint and instruct the Education Authority Solicitors in the recovery of debts outside the remit of the Small Claims Court.
• Report losses to Finance Department in cases where recoupment is not possible.

PROPERTY/MATERIAL DAMAGE

• Process property/material damage claims relating to incidents on fire/special perils, burglary and vandalism from schools and other Education Authority properties.
• Advise Principals and Managers of Education Authority establishments on the procedures to follow after an incident.
• Collate reports and financial costs on the damages to buildings and on replacing or repairing same.
• Recoup the costs from the third parties involved where applicable.
• Collate and process documentation on property/material damage claims for maintained schools.
• Advise Finance Department of any uninsured losses for inclusion in the Education Authority’s annual accounts.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

• Assist with the co-ordination of records management and security within the Claims and Insurance Unit.
• Keep an up-to-date register on all documents retained in storage.
• Maintain the records management database to include new records/closure/disposal.
• Arrange the destruction of records due to the sensitive nature of the records held.

THIRD PARTY CLAIMS

• Manage the administrative functions in relation to the request for information.
• Collate information from other departments to provide the details necessary to compile the information requested.
• Carry out administrative duties associated with the implementation and updating the computer system for third party claims.
• Provide the relevant finance information so the payment can be processed accordingly.

QUERIES

• Answering telephone queries from Principals, Solicitors, school staff and members of the public.
• Answering queries from Principals and other education establishments in relation to indemnity agreements.
• Advise schools and members of other organisations regarding student placement.
• Promote and advise on school property management and insurance related issues.

GENERAL

• Provide typing/administrative duties for the section.
• Adhere to the Clear Desk Policy to ensure compliance with Data Protection Act/GDPR.
• Provide the relevant letter of insurance when required.
• Deal with insurance queries from Education Authority Officers and Principals.
• Ensure confidentiality of legal and insurance matters both verbal and written.
• Maintain sufficient supplies of office stationery and order supplies as required.
• Raise payments for various costs associated with the works completed within the Claims and Insurance Unit.
• Deal with any other related duties appropriate to the grade as may be requested by the Senior Executive Officer.

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.

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.

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.
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.
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.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

• Hold an NVQ Level 3, BTEC National or two ‘A’ levels or equivalent or higher examination qualifications and have a minimum of two years’ experience working in an administrative role in an office environment to include practical use of computers; OR Have a minimum of four years’ experience working in an administrative role in an office environment to include practical use of computers.
• Have a minimum of one year’s experience of using Microsoft Word in an office environment to create letters and reports.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of the functions of the Claims and Insurance Unit.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements in terms of personal data and legally sensitive documentation and information.

Skills/Abilities:

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good organisational skills and ability to deliver effective results on time.
• Flexibility to meet changing demands and ability to prioritise.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Good ICT skills.
• Ability to work to a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Values Orientation:

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

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.