Job Description
Service area: Education Directorate - School Development Service
Responsible to: Head of Professional Learning and Development – Teaching and Learning
Responsible for: The Professional Learning and Development Officer will be responsible, as part of the Professional Learning and Development Team, for ensuring the provision of a comprehensive, high-quality programme of professional learning across the region, which meets the needs of school leaders, teachers and school staff and is consistent with the DE Strategy for Teacher Professional Learning - ‘Learning Leaders’.
Job Purpose
The Professional Learning and Development Team will ensure that a comprehensive programme of professional learning and development is available, across the region, to meet the needs of school leaders, school governors and school staff. There will be two key functional areas within the team – one focused on provision for School Leaders and Governors and one focused on provision for Teaching and Learning. The work of this team is set within the context of DE’s 10 year ‘Learning Leaders’ strategy, which aims to develop and implement a coherent framework for the continuing professional learning and development of all teachers and school leaders.
The comprehensive programme of professional learning and development will include:
1. the direct delivery, by SDS, of professional learning programmes and activities.
2. the development and facilitation of school and practitioner networks focused on professional learning.
3. the deployment of educational associates, as required, to complement the work of core staff.
4. the procurement and quality assurance of programmes from a range of other providers.
Teaching and Learning provision, to which Professional Learning and Development Officers will contribute, will include:
5. provision of a regional Beginning Teacher/Early Professional Development programme
6. externally-funded professional learning projects and initiatives
7. the building and sustaining of teacher networks
8. utilisation of E-learning including EA TV, EA SDS and C2K online learning areas
9. co-ordination of provision of professional learning for non-teaching staff including technicians
The Professional Learning and Development Team will also have responsibility for the internal professional learning programme for officers within the Education Directorate.
Professional Learning and Development Responsibilities
The Professional Learning and Development Officer has the following responsibilities:
10. Contribute to the development and implementation of a coherent framework for the continuing professional learning of school leaders, teachers and other school staff.
11. Lead the development and implementation of programmes of professional learning for identified groups, e.g. Co-ordinators, Beginning Teachers, Teacher Tutors.
12. Contribute to the development of bids and business cases which will secure external funding for programmes of professional learning.
13. Lead and manage, as required, the implementation of externally funded programmes of professional learning.
14. Support the development and sustaining of clusters and networks of schools and practitioners which will contribute to professional learning.
15. Work in partnership with School Improvement Locality Team officers, in the identification and commissioning of support for staff within priority schools.
16. Identify and disseminate good practice in professional learning and facilitate access to networks and examples of good practice.
17. Support the development and utilisation of E-learning within professional learning and development, including EA-TV and EA SDS websites.
18. Maintain knowledge of developments and innovation in relation to the curriculum, pedagogy, professional learning and development and the factors contributing to high quality educational provision.
19. Undertake a Lead Specialist SIP role, as required, overseeing the development of EA policy, procedure and provision within the identified area of specialism.
20. Attend meetings, as required, within the EA and across a range of stakeholder groups, relating to professional learning and development.
21. Contribute to project teams and working groups established to support EA business objectives, as required.
22. Contribute to the design and delivery of the Education Directorate’s internal programme of professional learning for officers.
23. Undertake the role of Assessor, within the appointment scheme for Controlled Schools, as required.
24. Contribute to responses to Assembly Questions, FOI requests, correspondence and complaints in relation to professional learning and development.
25. Contribute to the preparation of EA Board and Committee papers, as required.
26. Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development.
Other duties and responsibilities applicable to the role of School Improvement Professional
27. Challenge performance and work to agreed protocols.
28. Act as an enabler by providing professional support to drive delivery.
29. Enable knowledge transfer through reference to up-to-date knowledge and access to local and national exemplars.
30. Be insightful in analysing all aspects of a school’s performance; including examination data, and inspection and/or review evidence.
31. Critically evaluate the quality of leadership, including governance; learning and teaching; and pastoral provision.
32. Challenge underperformance and assist with improvement.
33. Have an up-to-date knowledge of relevant educational legislation and guidance and keep abreast of developments in educational research and effective practice.
34. Lead and advise on governance roles, responsibilities and relationships; including school performance, and financial accountability.
35. Promote good corporate governance behaviour and adherence to the Nolan Principles of conduct.
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the responsibilities and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Head of Service in consultation with the post-holder.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the School Improvement Professional is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity, and to pay due regard to equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click .