JOB DESCRIPTION Responsible to\: Assistant Director for School Development, through designated line manager Job Purpose: This Advisory Teacher / Advocate Post is based within the Creative Connections Programme team. The Creative Connections Programme is an innovative cross-border creativity in schools initiative, which builds on the success of the Creative Schools Programme in Northern Ireland and the Irish government’s BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) and Creative Clusters initiatives. The Creative Connections Programme will give children and young people the unique opportunity to work with professional artists, bringing creativity and the arts directly into their learning. The Creative Connections programme, working alongside the previously announced RAISE programme, aims to promote collaboration, encourage creativity and enhance educational outcomes for children impacted by social disadvantage in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Advisory Teacher / Advocate post will be based in Northern Ireland and will work under the supervision of the Creative Connections Programme Coordinator, based in Ireland, to support the effective development and delivery of the Programme’s 2-year implementation plan. Applicants should be qualified teachers currently working in a grant-aided school. Approval for release from current teaching post, to undertake this secondment opportunity, will be required from the employer of the person recommended for appointment. Main duties and responsibilities: Work in partnership with the two government Departments, with overall reporting to the Creative Connections Project Board, to ensure the effective development and delivery of the implementation plan. Work with the Creative Connections Programme Coordinator and the Departments to establish and develop a cross-border Design Team. Work closely and collaboratively with the Creative Connections Programme Coordinator to establish and develop Creative Connections Clusters and to create meaningful partnerships within and between schools and practitioners in both jurisdictions. Engage in dialogue and collaborative planning to develop relevant strategies, resources, materials, training and organise events to support the implementation of the initiative. Work with the Coordinator to develop practical systems to facilitate the delivery of high-quality supports, including online and digital supports, for all stakeholders. Work with the Arts in Education Administrative base in Tralee Education Support Centre, as required. Carry out research and analysis to monitor and evaluate the initiatives as they develop. Maintain a detailed knowledge of school curricula and ensure complementarity between the curricula and Creative Connections Programme. Maintain a detailed knowledge of creativity, arts and education policy and practice in both jurisdictions. Liaise and work with partners on T-REX, the Arts in Education Portal Committee and the Arts and Culture in Education Research Repository (ACERR) in collaboration with the Coordinator. Liaise and work with partners in school education settings including principals, teachers, centre managers, and Government partners on advisory committees and various working groups in collaboration with the Coordinator. Liaise and work with arts / creative practitioners, organisations, arts and cultural institutions who are working at local, regional, national and cross border levels. Support the Coordinator in preparing, monitoring and reporting on programme budgets. Write reports, manage documentation and report to programme oversight boards. Organise and maintain effective communication both internally and externally. Undertake administrative tasks to ensure the efficient delivery of Creative Connections Programme initiatives across participating regions and partners. Maintain records of work activity and provide regular reports to relevant reporting bodies. Participate in cross border meetings and report on progress as and when required. The responsibilities of the Advocate may vary in accordance with emerging needs and priorities. 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 Be a qualified teacher as recognised by the Department of Education to teach in grant-aided schools. Have a minimum of five years teaching experience, at closing date for applications. Experience in delivering or facilitating high quality creative engagements in schools or other education settings. Experience in the design, development and provision of professional learning in the area of creativity. Experience in the use of online learning platforms, including use to support professional learning. 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 Qualifications/ Experience Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of: Statutory curricula, in particular with regard to creativity and the arts. Current governmental priorities and policies for education, including school improvement, professional learning and creativity. Current developments in the area of creativity and arts in education. Interview Skills/ Abilities In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of\: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent leadership, management and organisational skills, with capacity to lead and manage projects to successful completion. A strong work ethic, combined with an enterprising approach and the capacity to undertake innovative and challenging projects. Flexibility to meet the needs of the role, including the extensive travel required for the role. 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.