JOB DESCRIPTION
SERVICE AREA: Industrial Relations & Reward
REPORTS TO: JNC Management Side Officer
RESPONSIBLE FOR: The JNC Support Officer will support the provision of an efficient and effective specialist support service to the Joint Negotiating Council, its Directorate Joint Forums and associated working groups.
JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will be expected to provide specialist executive and professional advice and support to assist EA Management Side of the JNC in its engagement with the support staff trade unions on matters relating to the pay, terms and conditions of employment for EA corporate and school-based support staff, under the direction of the JNC Management Side Officer.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Support the effective implementation of the JNC Trade Union Facility Time arrangements for the recognised JNC Trade Union secondees and accredited representatives and maintain records as appropriate.
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Act as Secretary to the JNC and allocated Directorate Joint Fora.
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Provide administrative support to the Management Side of JNC, as required.
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Ensure effective and timely communication and engagement with the recognised JNC Trade Unions.
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Foster good industrial relations by creating and maintaining productive working relationships with all stakeholder organisations.
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Act as the link with the Local Government Association regarding interpretation of national circulars / agreements.
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Provide advice and guidance on JNC Circulars / Agreements
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Provide advice and guidance on NJC Terms and Conditions.
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Develop EA circulars in response to local and national agreements with Trade Union Side.
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Liaise with EA Payroll regarding the timely implementation of NJC Pay Awards.
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Conduct research on behalf of Management and Trade Unions Sides of the JNC.
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Collaborate with HR Helpdesk/HR Teams to resolve queries and ensure consistency of responses providing effective problem-solving.
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Provide high quality customer service by resolving complex industrial relations issues and escalations.
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Contribute to responses to Parliamentary Questions, Assembly Questions, FOI requests and other correspondence as required within set deadlines.
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Contribute to the development of strategies, business plans, policies and procedures to support the achievement of corporate aims and objectives.
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Provide cover and support as required across the Industrial Relations & Reward Service.
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The post-holder will be required to provide advice, guidance and support to EA managers and schools on complex HR issues across a number of functional areas in accordance with relevant polices and legislative requirements.
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The post-holder will give direction in relation to policy implementation and system management rather than direct work processes.
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The post will have discretion to make decisions within policy guidelines on contentious or complex matters associated with service delivery.
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Monitor budgets and approve expenditure within delegated limits.
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Provide support, advice and coaching to line managers and school leaders to facilitate the management of people and ensuring that HR matters are effectively and consistently dealt with.
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Support work to build capability of Governors, school leaders and line managers who have responsibility for people management, development and performance.
Other Responsibilities
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Provide training and guidance to colleagues and assist in covering key aspects of work during periods of absence.
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Contribute to HR and Corporate Strategy and associated plans and to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures related to area of work.
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Comply with EA’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with.
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Comply with the EA’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation.
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Undertake other related duties within the grade and competence of the post-holder as required.
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The post holder may also be required to work outside normal office hours on occasions.
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.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS |
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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 |
Hold a HNC/HND or above examination qualification or hold a minimum of Associate Member status of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and minimum of three years’ experience working within HR providing high quality advice in response to complex issues and working to ensure effective service delivery to Principals or Managers or staff. OR Have a minimum of five years’ experience working within HR providing high quality advice and working to ensure effective service delivery to Principals or Managers or staff. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Knowledge |
Demonstrable knowledge of policy, procedure, terms and conditions, systems or operations related to a HR function, including impact on industrial relations. Demonstrable knowledge of legislation, regulation or Department of Education policy related to a HR function. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Other |
Access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for EA business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner 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. Willingness to occasionally work outside of normal working hours. |
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 |
| Skills/ Abilities |
Good organisational skills and ability to organise a busy workload to deliver effective results on time. Flexibility to meet changing demands as required and to prioritise and delegate as required. Ability to communicate and work effectively with others as part of a team and to develop and maintain good working relationships at a range of levels. Ability to use own initiative and judgement to solve problems and respond to others. Ability to take a responsive and customer focused approach to work. Ability to lead, manage and motivate others through change and in challenging circumstances. |
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 |
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 | Experience in working with Trade Unions. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Qualifications |
Hold a further relevant qualification or a professional qualification in human resources. |
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.
