Field Officer - 2 posts

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Lisburn; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a qualified Youth Worker to lead on the delivery and evaluation of youth work within the designated area. The role requires a minimum of three years post-qualifying experience, plus a proven ability to implement a Quality Assurance framework and to work across diverse youth work settings.

You will prepare monitoring schedules, collect evidence, and contribute to safeguarding and reporting processes.

Qualifications

• Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5.
• Minimum of three years’ post qualifying experience developing Youth Work.
• Minimum of three years’ experience developing and implementing a quality assurance framework.
• Demonstrable experience across youth work settings.
• Proficient with information technology and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a schedule of monitoring visits to community and voluntary sector within the designated area.
• Ensure relevant information is available pre and post monitoring visit to sector management committees.
• Prepare a schedule of moderation visits within the designated area.
• Ensure relevant information is available pre and post moderation visit to sector management committees.
• Complete written records and summary reports on monitoring and moderation in EA reporting systems.
• Complete a quarterly report on safeguarding quality within the sector.
• Complete a quarterly report on monitoring outcomes, highlighting risks and good practice.
• Support officers in completing reports for external funders (e.g., Executive Office, SEUPB).
• Collaborate with colleagues in Strategic Services and Planning Unit for coherent approaches.

Skills

Youth Work Delivery

Stakeholder Engagement

Evaluation & Impact

Education

Qualified Youth Worker (JNC)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

FactorEssential CriteriaMethod Of AssessmentQualifications

Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5.
Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

Have a minimum of three years’ post qualifying experience developing Youth Work within a context of continuous improvement.
Have a minimum of three years’ experience developing and implementing a quality assurance framework.
Demonstrable experience of working across youth work settings.
Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Demonstrable working knowledge of information technology systems to include the following Microsoft Office packages: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Shortlisting by Application Form

Abilities

Skills

Evidence of skills in designing, delivering, and evaluating youth work.
Proven skills in assessment and evaluating impact.
Demonstrable ability to embed a Quality Assurance process.
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

Knowledge

Demonstrable Knowledge Of The Following

• NI Youth Work Curriculum.
• Risk management processes relative to the welfare of young people.
• Department of Education Child Protection regulations.

Interview

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 stakeholders.
Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to use own initiative and make objective evaluations.
Ability to effectively manage diary and time schedules to deliver outcomes.
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

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

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Job Description

REPORTS TO

Funding and Assurance Officer

RESPONSIBLE FOR

The monitoring and moderation of the community and voluntary sector in the delivery of specific outcomes in line with programme and funding expectations.

Job Purpose

To provide assurances of the quality of delivery and reporting of the community and voluntary sector within the designated area based on policy.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Prepare a schedule of monitoring visits to the community and voluntary sector within the designated area.
• Ensuring all relevant information is available pre and post monitoring visit to the community and voluntary sector management committee.
• Prepare a schedule of moderation visits to the community and voluntary sector within the designated area.
• Ensuring all relevant information is available pre and post monitoring visit to the community and voluntary sector management committee.
• To complete written records ad summary reports on the monitoring and moderation of the community and voluntary sector ensuring that these are recorded within the relevant EA reporting systems.
• To complete a quarterly report on the quality of safeguarding within the community and voluntary sector.
• To complete a quarterly report on the outcomes of monitoring and moderation, highlighting risks and good practice.
• To support the funding and assurance officers in the completion of reports as necessary including external funders for example the executive office, SEUPB.
• Liaise and work co-operatively with colleagues in other sections of the Strategic Services and Planning Unit to ensure consistent and coherent approaches towards collaborative areas of work.
• Cooperate with the Education Training Inspectorate (ETi) during general, focussed, and self-assessment inspections, and assist youth workers to devise developmental plans in response to recommendations.

Other Duties

• Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post.
• The post-holder will be required to work a minimum of one session in the evenings and weekends.
• Any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require, commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post.

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.