JOB DESCRIPTION REPORTS TO: Senior Youth Officer (Staff Training, Development and Career Pathways) RESPONSIBLE FOR: Line management responsibility for substantial support to a range of groups. JOB PURPOSE The Youth Officer (Youth Leadership & Volunteering) will be responsible for the coordination, planning and delivery of all Youth Leadership and Volunteer programmes for children and young people through Education Authority Youth Service. The post will focus on the development of the curriculum, capacity building and the raising of standards associated with the area of work including the development and monitoring of associated accreditation. The post holder will be required to work in partnership with the Voluntary Youth Work Sector to design and deliver quality youth work programmes. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Managing & Developing a Range of Services within the Designated Area. Compile and provide detailed reports on each programme engagement with children and young people Provide quarterly assurance reports to Youth Service Senior Management and Education Authority Board on engagement, themes emerging. Promote and manage the publication of specific youth service reports and other materials as required. Assist in responding to external queries and correspondence on Education Authority related issues. Proactively contribute to the improvement of Education Authority processes, procedures, and systems. Support the development and implementation of the agreed Outcomes Based Accountability framework for leadership and volunteer programmes for children and young people Devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure and report on the work of youth leadership and volunteer programmes for children and young people Provide reports that can inform policy and strategic direction EA using formative and summative information, which will guide future models of service delivery. Establish and maintain evaluative frameworks for the reporting of Key Performance Indicators using effective Management Information Systems Quality assure the delivery of Youth Leadership and Volunteer programmes within Youth Services. Working with Education Authority Directorates and External Agencies to Develop Services within the Designated Area. Develop appropriate links and partnerships with external agencies and voluntary sector partners. Work in partnership with Youth Service teams to achieve targets Offer support and guidance to Education Authority officers. Leading Project Development and Implementation within the Designated Area. Co-ordinate and co-design engagements with children and young people in partnership with other Education Authority Directorates and Voluntary Youth Work Sector based on need. Identify and support key audiences of children and young people to be engaged including opportunities to engage children and young people through youth service youth voice structures Provide action plans for engagements to support key Education Authority Directorate projects which ensure the voice of children and young people is central to Education A decision making Develop and promote the youth work curriculum for Youth Leadership and Volunteering for children and young people Support, train and build the capacity of youth work staff to deliver youth leadership and volunteer programmes for children and young people To support, manage and monitor any external ear-marked funding received by the youth service which supports the delivery of youth leadership and volunteer programmes. Management Responsibility for Staff within the Designated Area Supervise appropriate staff, including the management and allocation of duties. Develop and implement appropriate training programmes for youth service staff. Manage staff to perform to their potential, promote their professional development and give support when required including appropriate support and supervision Other Dutie Comply with Education Authority policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities. Always maintain confidentiality of information received in line with General Data Protection Regulations. any such other duties that the Education Authority 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 always have due regard for equality legislation. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here. 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/ Professional Membership Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5. Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Have had at least four years’ post qualifying experience in the delivery of youth work practice Have a minimum of three years’ experience of managing professional youth work staff Have experience of multi‐disciplinary working and contribution to the wider outcomes for children and young people 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 Skills/ Abilities Proven skills in developing programmes with children and young people to which ensures their voice informs decision making Demonstrable ability to embed a Quality Assurance process. Evidence of skills in designing, delivering and evaluating youth work delivery 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 S ection 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. Outcomes Based Accountability Sound understanding of government policy and legislation in relation to Youth Service 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 young people. Ability to use own initiative and make effective and objective decisions. Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Skills to develop assessment of need and evaluate impact. Ability to embed a Quality Assurance process. Demonstrable skills in the design, delivery and evaluation of youth work programmes. Practical experience of financial management processes. 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 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.