JOB PURPOSE
: Responsible for the administrative functions in relation to self-insurance, debt recovery and legal and commercial insurance matters related to non-property.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Self-Insurance
• Assist the Claims and Insurance Manager in the implementation and development of the self-insurance risk management strategy for effectively controlling public and employer’s liability risks across EA, review and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy.
• Provide trend data to the Claims & Insurance Manager, senior management, school principals and managers which highlight accidents and claims trends and make recommendations on good planning and controlling mechanisms.
• Assist in conjunction with the Claims and Insurance Manager to manage the investigation of liability claims and serious accidents in respect of the Controlled and Maintained Sector, consult and negotiate with third party solicitors and where appropriate recommend out of court settlements to the Claims & Insurance Manager.
• In accordance with the Service Level Agreement between EA and Libraries NI, assist with the management of the investigation of liability claims and serious accidents and consult and negotiate with third party solicitors and where appropriate recommend out of court settlements to Libraries NI.
• Provide administrative support to the Claims and Insurance Manager in respect of the contract management of external defence solicitors acting on EA’s behalf.
• Provide advice and reports to senior management, CCMS, Libraries NI, principals and school trustees in respect of self-insurance arrangements for public and employers liability risks in relation to the Maintained and Controlled Sector and Libraries NI.
• Represent EA, Maintained and Controlled Sector schools and Libraries NI at court on a wide range of diverse and complex issues and direct as appropriate EA’s appointed solicitor or counsel to defend or settle liability claims in the best interests of the respective Body.
• Assist the Claims and Insurance Manager in the compilation of and the provision of quarterly and annual reports to the Finance Department, other relevant Departments and Libraries NI in respect of Public and Employers Liability claims.
• Arrange and attend liability meetings with the team.
• Support the Claims and Insurance Manager in the management and implementation of a computerised system for accidents and liability claims, as well as the review and development the system to meet the needs of the service.
Commercial Insurance - Non-Property
• Assist in the administrative arrangements for the tender of Insurance Brokers.
• In conjunction with the Claims and Insurance Manager, manage the recovery of EAs uninsured losses in respect of motor fleet. Represent EA at court in relation to Motor Vehicle Accident litigation. Direct as appropriate EA’s appointed Solicitors or Counsel to defend or settle liability claims in relation to Motor Vehicle Accident litigation.
• Assist the Claims and Insurance Manager in ensuring that all insurance claims made against EA and the Trustees of maintained schools are settled in accordance with the policy terms and in accordance with EA accountability and financial controls.
Recovery of debts - County Court Remit
• To assist the Claims and Insurance Manager in the management of the legal process for the recovery of debts outside the remit of the Small Claims Court on an EA wide basis in respect of all student over payments and all other EA debts.
• Provide support and assistance to the Finance Department with recovery of debts which fall outside the remit of the Small Claims Court prior to legal actions.
• Manage and oversee an efficient and viable computer system to administer debts and collate data for each debtor.
• Be responsible for appointing and instructing EA Solicitors in the recovery of debt outside the remit of the Small Claims Court where appropriate.
• In the event of non-payment, prepare the debt for recovery through the Courts. Represent EA at court and instruct as appropriate the EA Solicitors in respect of such cases.
• In accordance with the Service Level Agreement between the EA and Libraries NI, assist the Claims and Insurance Manager to manage the legal process for the recovery of debts on behalf of Libraries NI in respect of all debts which fall outside the remit of the Small Claims Court.
Legal Issues
• Provide advice, both oral and written on a wide range of complex and sensitive issues to senior management, other officers, school principals, Boards of Governors, and Libraries NI.
• Provide advice on the interpretation of policies, guidelines and legislation and seek further guidance where appropriate from EA Solicitors and panel of Solicitors appointed under contract.
• Manage the appointment of solicitors and other experts required to defend EA, Libraries NI and the Maintained Sector in relation to claims and proceedings brought against them.
• Ensure that effective channels of communication with the EA Solicitors and the Panel of Solicitors appointed under contract are maintained.
• Interpret and analyse statutory rules and other legislation, judicially decided cases and decisions and evaluate and assess EA’s legal liability for claims made against it.
• Deal with enquiries from members of the public, Solicitors, Department of Education and other Local Government Departments.
• Promote and advise schools on insurance related issues relating to community use of schools.
Staff Management
• Be responsible for the management of up to 4 Executive Officers within the Claims and Insurance Unit.
• Where required the post-holder will manage a dedicated support team and duties will include assigning work, co-ordinating activities, dealing with recruitment and resourcing issues, approving annual leave and flexi leave requests, and dealing with any attendance management/disciplinary issues in consultation with the Claims and Insurance Manager.
• Review the performance of reporting staff, identifying individual/team training requirements and initiating further training in consultation with the Claims and Insurance Manager.
• To support the Claims and Insurance Manager in ensuring that appropriate office systems and procedures are in place and reviewed to meet the needs of the Unit.
• Ensure compliance with procedures and controls to adhere to deadlines. In conjunction with the Claims & Insurance Manager review and establish performance indicators and procedures for the team to ensure compliance.
• To assist the Claims and Insurance Manager in the review and arrangement of training to meet the needs and development of staff within the Unit.
• In consultation with the Claims and Insurance Manager to plan and delegate work in the team and redeployment of duties in the event of unforeseen absences.
• Be responsible for the induction and training of new staff appointments as required by the Claims and Insurance Manager and/or the Principal Solicitor (Claims and Insurance).
Financial Resources
• Manage the payment of premiums for controlled and maintained sectors and prepare reports for the Claims & Insurance Manager on insurance renewals for submission to the Head of Legal Services.
• Check and certify Solicitors, Counsel, Professional and Expert Witness fees in accordance with arrangements.
• Check and authorise payment requests relating to the Claims and Insurance Unit.
Administration
• Assist the Claims and Insurance Manager and the Principal Solicitor (Claims and Insurance) in the coordination of records management and security in the Claims and Insurance Unit and in the keeping of a register of all documents retained in storage.
• Provide the Claims and Insurance Manager with quarterly updates in respect of the Business Plan and the Risk Assessment Register.
• Deputise for the Claims and Insurance Manager as and when required and in their absence be responsible for the operational management of the service.