Secondement Considered Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information PackGwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually. (Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)For further information about this post please contact Gwern ap Rhisiart, gwernaprhisiart@gwynedd.llyw.cymruApplication forms and further details available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SHTel: 01286 679076E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymruCLOSING DATE: 04.03.2026The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.
Person Specification
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIALProfessional, fair and impartial conduct, and the ability to gain the confidence and respect of Chairs, governors, headteachers and senior officers.Confidence to support and challenge constructively.A strategic approach, with a clear focus on accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.The ability to work independently and to take personal responsibility for prioritising work.Willingness to learn new skills.
DESIRABLEA proactive approach to innovation and improving governance arrangements.A positive attitude to improvement and change.
RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING ESSENTIALA further or higher education qualification in a relevant field.
DESIRABLESpecific qualifications or training in school governance, strategic leadership or public administration.Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to governance, leadership or accountability.Training on dealing with complaints or resolving disputes.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE ESSENTIALExperience of providing strategic, professional and impartial advice to stakeholders at a senior level.Experience of professionally supporting and challenging leaders to improve effectiveness and performance.Experience of undertaking research and presenting information both orally and in writing.
DESIRABLEExperience of working with school governing bodies or similar governance structures.Experience of working within or in conjunction with a Local Authority or other public body.Experience of leading or facilitating professional forums or networks.Experience of dealing with complaints.Experience of contributing to the development or implementation of digital platforms or information systems.
SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIALExcellent verbal and written communication skills in Welsh and English, with the ability to present complex information clearly and impartially.The ability to prepare high-quality reports, policies, procedures and presentations.Strong analytical skills to identify risks, patterns and areas to strengthen, and offer practical solutions.Facilitation and presentation skills, including experience of presenting to various groups.The ability to work effectively with other services and partners.The ability to work in a team and independently.Good interpersonal skills.Robust computer skills.
DESIRABLEA strong knowledge of the role, responsibilities and statutory duties of school Governing Bodies in Wales.An understanding of the principles of accountability, transparency and effective governance.Up-to-date information of legislation, national guidance and policies relating to school governance and education in Wales.An understanding of digital systems to support governance, record decisions and share information.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIALListening and Speaking -Higher LevelAble to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the fieldin order to present information and express opinions.Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or EnglishReading and Comprehension -Higher LevelAble to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal.Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and Englishin order to fulfil the post.Writing -Higher LevelPresent written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).
Job Description
Purpose of Post
* Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the centre of everything we do.
* Provide professional guidance, advice and support at Local Authority level to strengthen effective school governance, with a particular focus on supporting Chairs of governing bodies, governing body members and Headteachers.
The role will build on existing arrangements to ensure a robust, consistent and transparent accountability system between Governing Bodies and the Local Authority, ensuring consistent use of the most current guidance, policies, procedures and systems.
Responsibility for Resources e.g. staff, budgets, equipment
* Equipment e.g. computer
Main Duties
Advice and guidance on effective governance
* Act as an effective governance specialist within the Local Authority, providing strategic, impartial and up-to-date advice to Chairs, governors and school leaders.
* Professionally support and challenge Chairs to strengthen the leadership of the Governing Body, promoting accountability, transparency and strategic focus.
* Advise Headteachers and leadership teams on clear boundaries between the role of the Governing Body and the operational management of the school.
Accountability and relationship with the Local Authority
* Develop and build on the current accountability system between Governing Bodies and the Local Authority, ensuring clear, consistent and proportionate expectations.
* Support Chairs and Governing Bodies to understand and fulfil their accountability responsibilities, strengthening trust and professional relationships with the Authority.
* Identify patterns, risks or areas to be strengthened in governance arrangements, and propose solutions based on evidence and good practice.
Whole-authority system and transparency
* Develop, maintain and supervise a robust whole-authority system to ensure that all Chairs, members and Clerks of Governing Bodies in Gwynedd receive consistent, clear and standardised guidance in a timely manner.
* Support governing bodies to ensure that decisions, discussions and actions are minuted appropriately, transparently and openly, in accordance with statutory expectations and good practice.
Policies, procedures and good practice
* -mandatory/statutory policies;
* -policies that reflect good practice;
* -and detailed procedures based on effective practices.
* Ensure that the most current guidance (legislation, guidance, policies and procedures) is available, clear and accessible to schools and governors.
Support Chairs and Headteachers in relation to complaints
* Provide professional, timely and impartial advice to Chairs and Headteachers on dealing with complaints, in accordance with national guidelines and Authority policies.
* Support stakeholders through the complaints process, ensuring clarity, consistency and fairness, without taking the place of the Headteacher or the Governing Body or interfering in decisions.
Gwynedd Governors' Forum
* Facilitate and support the work of Gwynedd Governors' Forum, actively contributing to its development and effectiveness.
* Prepare and present reports, presentations and resources to the Forum, reflecting the strategic themes, good practice and expectations of the Local Authority.
* Use the Forum as a platform to strengthen the voice of governors and share consistent leadership across the county.
Develop a governance platform
* Lead or contribute significantly to developing a new digital platform to maintain and support effective school governance, ensuring that it is accessible, up-to-date and reflects the needs of Chairs, governors, Clerks and school leaders.
* Ensure that the platform contains the Authority's guidance, policies, procedures, resources and key messages in one central place, and ensure that they are constantly updated.
* Promote effective use of the platform as a tool to strengthen consistency, transparency and accountability.
Development, training and collaboration
* Contribute to the development and co-ordination of targeted training for Chairs, governors and Clerks.
* Ensure that records of training for Governors are kept up to date.
* Work with other Local Authority services to ensure that school governance contributes strongly to the improvement, quality of education and well-being of learners.
Special Circumstances e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
* The need to work unsociable hours.
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