JOB PURPOSE
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The overall purpose of the role is to lead and be responsible for the development, co-ordination, implementation and evaluation of EA’s Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan, providing a road map for delivery of energy and cost savings within schools and across the EA Estate.
The post holder will have overall responsibility for delivery of EA’s Energy Security, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Technology initiatives within schools, the EA Estate and fleet, aligned with the EA’s Net Zero emission ambitions and in support of the attainment of the Net Zero emission reduction targets in the NI Climate Change Act 2022.
The post holder will have a critical role within the EA as a recognised authority in the innovative use of new technologies, strategies and financial models to maximise energy efficiency, decarbonisation and financial savings in schools, the EA Estate and fleet.
A key focus of the role is to ensure that service delivery drives continuous improvement in meeting the needs of Schools and the EA Estate. The post holder will manage the transformational change to decarbonise energy use and will implement new structures, strategy, policy, procedures and processes as required to meet legislative requirements and ensure that emerging technologies are embedded in the programme of work to be delivered by the QES Service.
The post holder will be responsible for driving energy conservation and energy performance improvements across all EA services, including monitoring and identifying good practice at a local, regional, national and international level.
The post holder will work in collaboration with other services, external partners and senior management to ensure the EA’s Net Zero emission ambitions are joined up and appropriately aligned to the achievement of the EA’s overarching goals.
The post holder will oversee the optimisation of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) to ensure effective control of lighting, heating, ventilation and other connected mechanical and electrical systems.
The post holder will oversee building performance utility data collation, analysis and reporting to support the work of the Energy Bids Manager, Climate and Sustainability Manager and external stakeholders to inform decision making, optimise investment, reduce carbon emissions and promote behavioural change in energy efficiency and use of renewable technologies within schools, across the EA Estate and fleet.
The post holder will serve as a recognised authority in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining complex business processes in relation to energy management on behalf of the QES Service. They will also work on complex assignments, prepare performance evaluations and write reports in relation to decarbonisation and investment.
The post holder will work with EA colleagues, Schools across all sectors, Department of Education (DE), Suppliers, External Stakeholders including APSE to ensure continuous service improvement and delivery on key performance priorities.
The post holder will advise and support the QES Senior Manager in the development of the strategic direction for their service and will work closely with the Head of QSHE, QSHE Senior Managers, other senior EA colleagues and the EA Corporate Leadership Team to ensure that all energy and sustainability priorities are clearly identified and communicated in line with Service requirements.
The post holder will be expected to provide strong leadership and direction to ensure the significant ongoing change and harmonisation process to create and implement a fit for purpose energy decarbonisation function. In acting as an integral member of the QES Team, the post holder is required to fully contribute to all climate and sustainability issues related to the Corporate Plan, operational Business Plan, service Development Proposals, savings proposals and Risk Register to ensure that the Directorate operational plans support the overall strategic direction of the EA and the achievement of its objectives in line with its vision, mission and values.
As part of DE’s Transformation of Education and the EA’s Transformation Programme, it is recognised that the QES service and the services which it provides will play a key role both within the Facilities Management Division, across the Operations and Estates Directorate and the wider EA in securing external funding to deliver transformational change in energy decarbonisation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder has the following service-specific responsibilities:
1. Support the QES Senior Manager in leading responsibilities listed below:
2. To develop and implement a comprehensive EA Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan, including supporting programmes and procedures, aligned with EA’s Net Zero ambitions and in support of the attainment of Net Zero emission reduction targets in the NI Climate Change Act 2022.
3. To manage and actively promote understanding of EA’s Energy Strategy and Action Plan across all services.
4. To provide expert technical and professional advice to support strategic projects in major and minor capital building services and fleet to significantly accelerate action and maximise exploitation of energy efficiency opportunities in both current and future assets.
5. To be responsible for the design and implementation of transformational change in energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiatives within schools, across the EA Estate and fleet, to decrease GHG emissions and contribute to the attainment of EA's emission reduction goals.
6. To be responsible for the optimisation of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) across the schools and EA Estate to ensure effective control of lighting, heating, ventilation and other connected mechanical and electrical systems.
7. To support the Maintenance Service in the development and delivery of Energy efficiency projects imbedded within Building Maintenance projects.
8. To establish systems, structures and processes both manual and IT based, for monitoring, recording and evaluating energy and water usage in order to analyse and measure the efficiency and effectiveness of energy programs.
9. To lead, monitor and report progress against national, regional and EA energy targets and coordinate responses to relevant regional and national consultations.
10. To develop strong partnerships at regional, sub-regional and local levels with a range of external partners and stakeholders including government departments or agencies, businesses and other bodies in the delivery of major energy efficiency and renewable technology programmes with positive outcomes.
11. To be responsible for identification of new and innovative cost saving opportunities to support Business Cases across a range of energy efficiency and renewable technology projects
12. To explore and implement low-cost and no-cost energy consumption reduction initiatives.
13. To advise on the balance between carbon reduction and financial savings of energy efficiency interventions and renewable technologies in order to prioritise investment.
14. To manage multi-disciplinary teams, internally and externally as required, to deliver on all aspects of energy and sustainability programmes.
15. To collaborate with other services, external partners and senior management to ensure EA’s Net Zero emissions agenda is joined up and appropriately aligned to the achievement of key performance indicators (KPI)s and the EA’s overarching goals and identifying and progressing any capacity building to support delivery across EA services.
16. To engage staff at all levels to change and improve working practices and promote behavioural change to reduce energy consumption and integrate carbon reduction into all service areas.
17. To ensure that energy and carbon reduction behaviours are embedded in relevant EA policies and service plans to reduce energy consumption arising from service activity.
18. To develop guidelines and provide advice on how to implement programs for reducing energy across the schools and EA Estate through staff training programmes.
19. To lead on Energy Management actions and performance in the QES Business Plan and Risk Register, in line with the QSHE and Directorate Plans and EA strategic priorities.
20. To be responsible for researching current and proposed legislative requirements relating to Energy Management and ensuring compliance.
21. To provide Energy expertise on the management of utility contracts with an emphasis on sustainable energy purchasing and optimisation of the value for money proposition in energy purchasing models.
22. To serve as a recognised authority in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining complex business processes in relation to Energy Management on behalf of QES Service.
23. To work on complex assignments, prepare performance evaluations and write reports.
24. To improve governance, accountability, strategic management and reporting arrangements for sustained longer-term success in Energy Management.
25. To enhance the Energy certification process aimed at improving Energy performance across schools and the EA Estate.
26. To provide clear, strategic leadership to staff to ensure the Energy Management team has a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce.
27. To contribute to the development of an EA Strategy for Climate Change together with the underpinning policies and be responsible for the implementation of supporting actions in the area of Climate Change provision.
28. To ensure that corporate decarbonisation priorities are delivered to a high quality, provide value for money, support the delivery of Departmental policy and are consistent and integrated in approach across all areas of the EA.
29. To keep abreast of Energy and Climate related policy developments at local, national, and international levels.
30. To develop skills in Climate related areas such as Carbon Accounting, Sustainability Reporting, Carbon Credits and Carbon Trading opportunities.
31. To work closely with the EA’s Procurement Service to support the delivery of procurement processes from specification to contractual negotiation and appointment.
32. To ensure compliance with all best practice guidelines, legislation, regulatory inspection matters, Departmental directives and other statutory requirements.
33. To respond to enquiries and complaints from School Principals, Contractors, Board members, MLAs, MPs and other public representatives on all issues relating to service delivery, including correspondence such as AQs and FOIs.
34. To publicly represent and act on behalf of the EA in engagement and negotiation with Contractors, School Principals, Boards of Governors, senior Civil Servants, MPs, MLAs, Utility providers, industry groups and leaders in private sector organisations on high-level, complex matters including those relating to policy.
35. To support the QES Senior Manager with staff training and development.
36. To support the QES Senior Manager with recruiting, managing, mentoring and developing placement students, graduates and interns.
37. To deputise for the QES Senior Manager as required.
38. To co-ordinate and prepare EA Board and Committee papers as required.
39. To co-ordinate responses to Assembly Questions, Freedom of Information requests and complaints relating to the work of the Directorate as requested.
40. To support the QES Senior Manager to fulfil the EA’s statutory responsibilities under for example GDPR, Equality and Climate Change legislation.
41. To contribute to emerging service developments and service reviews as required.
42. To liaise with the HR directorate regarding recruitment and selection processes, and participate in selection panels as required.
LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT
43. Line manage employees in the QES service based within the Energy Management Team.
44. Provide specialist support in developing operational capabilities, identify skill requirements, assist in the development of training programmes and undertake training and assessment of staff.
45. Lead and support employees in the team in the effective and efficient operation of services.
46. Undertake such training as may be required for his/her own personal and professional development.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY INFLUENCE
47. Contribute to and where appropriate, lead the development and implementation of specific climate change targets relating to the EA Corporate Plan and Operations and Estates Directorate’s Business Plan.
48. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive service Development Plan.
49. Work collaboratively with other Managers within the QES Service to ensure that priorities are translated into manageable objectives and communicated to relevant teams within the Service, as appropriate.
50. Work collaboratively with other Managers within the QES Service to devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure, control and report on the work of relevant teams within service to take account of changes in the internal and external environments which may impact on and influence priorities and needs.
51. Provide reports that can inform policy and strategic direction using formative and summative information which will guide future models of service delivery in relation to the service area.
CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
52. Contribute to the strategic planning, implementation and on-going monitoring of the service area.
53. Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory frameworks.
54. Establish, maintain, manage and review effective data systems.
55. Co-ordinate, deliver or contribute to training and support with regards to specific service areas as required.
56. Facilitate the induction of new staff and ongoing professional development of all staff in relation to the core objectives, expected outputs and outcomes in relation to the service.
57. Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the EA as required.
58. Ensure that employees within the QES Service have an awareness of the corporate culture, values and processes which underpin organisational development.
59. Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities, the needs of the EA and service specific priorities.