Principal Officer – Employment and Skills
Pay Band Q / SCP 48 – SCP 49
£42,899 - £43,821 per annum
Job reference: CVP 434
Contents
1. Letter from the Human Resources Manager
2. The council’s vision and objectives
3. Job description
4. Person specification
5. Conditions of service
6. Pension contribution rates
7. Information on exempted posts
8. Equality and diversity sub groups
Dear Applicant
Post of Principal Officer – Employment and Skills
This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act which means you must provide details of any convictions (including those which are ‘spent’), in addition to any cautions and bindovers orders that you have received in the last 12 months.
Thank you for your enquiry about the post at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Please find enclosed further details about the post and an application form for you to complete and return by Tuesday, 31 October 2017. You can find out more about Knowsley Council from our website at www.knowsley.gov.uk.
Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing, 13 November 2017. If you have not heard by then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. If you would like receipt of your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your completed form.
The council places great importance on maintaining high levels of attendance at work and all Directorates operate under well-established guidelines to monitor and control absence. If you are successful at interview, the council will be seeking references and your present or last employer will also be asked to give details of your sickness and attendance record over the last three years.
If you require any assistance during the selection process due to a disability, please contact us as soon as possible on telephone number 0151 443 3434. For example you may need a sign language interpreter, require an accessible interview room, or need help completing a written application (taped applications may be submitted by prior agreement).
Please note that the Council will disqualify any applicant who directly or indirectly seeks or canvasses the support of any Councillor for any appointment with the Council.
You should email your application to:
I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in this post.
Yours sincerely
Jaci Dick
Jaci Dick
Human Resources Manager
Our shared vision - to make Knowsley: The Borough of Choice
“We want Knowsley to have a sustainable and diverse population with successful townships that provide a sense of place and community.”
Our Council Values
CORE VALUES:Act with integrity / Being accountable / Openness and transparency / Respect for people
Demonstrates honesty, reliability and trustworthiness
Does the ‘right’ thing
Demonstrates consistency
Acts according to a consistent set of morals, values and principles at all times / Acknowledges and assumes responsibility for actions and decisions
Takes ownership and responsibility for resulting consequences and does not seek to apportion blame on others / Makes decisions in an open and transparent manner
Shares information whenever possible
Explains when information can’t be shared
Is open to new ideas and new ways of working / Champions equality and diversity with all people at all levels
Treats people in the way they would like to be treated
Values people and their contributions
Shows consideration for others through thought and action
Job description
Job title / Principal Officer – Employment and Skills
Grade / Pay Band Q
Service Area / Resources
Section/team / City Region Employment and Skills Strategy and Commissioning
Accountable to / Matrix management by the Employment and Skills Commissioning Manager and Economic Policy and Partnerships Manager
Responsible for / Delivering key aspects of the Liverpool City Region employment and skills work programme (including associated staff and budgets)
Date reviewed / Jan 2016
Purpose of the job
· The purpose of this job is to oversee key strategic and operational projects for the Liverpool City Region employment and skills commissioning functions, reporting progress to the Employment and Skills Board.
· The Post Holder will be required to take on a strategic role and the management of externally funded projects and service priorities in close collaboration with key Liverpool City Region partners and institutions.
Duties and responsibilities
This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks, which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken.
· Responsible for leading the delivery of key priorities of the Liverpool City Region Growth Deal with Government such as the Labour Market Information Service; Skills Capital Investments programme and Apprenticeships strategy. Reporting progress to the Local Enterprise Partnership, Combined Authority and Govt. Department as appropriate.
· Support the City Region in the strategic commissioning of funding (e.g. Single Investment Fund, European Programme), ensuring compliance with the necessary Governance processes, technical regulations and assurance frameworks.
· To secure £multi million investment through bid development and key strategic proposals. The post holder will also be expected to ensure compliance with external funding and monitoring requirements of Government Departments and fund holders, such as the Skills Funding Agency and the Council’s financial management procedures.
· Responsible for the development of strategic projects (e.g. options for devolution of additional powers and skills) within the City Region Employment and Skills Team working with senior leaders in City Region organisations
· Responsible for the day-to-day financial management of budgets funding key project activity.
· Responsible for leading the overall priorities and objectives of the team so that time and resources are focused on the key areas, including reallocating resources as necessary to meet changing requirements of the team.
· Provide advice and support to senior management on a range of strategic economic development issues and how they impact on employment and skills delivery.
· Account Manage complex and challenging relationships with mainstream employment and skills funders (e.g. Skills Funding Agency, Jobcentre Plus) and other Councils to reshape delivery and maximise skills and employment outcomes for local residents. This will involve highly developed influencing skills.
· Responsible for ensuring effective communication within the team and with external stakeholders, particularly the 6 Local Authorities and other key City Region Partners and Institutions (e.g. Local Enterprise Partnership).
· Responsible for co-ordination, procurement and contract management of external activity as required.
· Matrix-management responsibility for wider team-members engaged for the delivery of service priorities.
· Presenting progress reports to key Boards and structures in Liverpool City Region Governance Arrangements; including Combined Authority Local Enterprise Partnership, Employment and Skills Board, Elected Members.
· Maintain accurate statistical records in relation to business activity and outcomes and prepare reports on any function of the Team for Senior Managers and / or Members.
· Attend internal/external meetings and forums as required and produce briefing notes as necessary.
· Assist in the management and monitoring of the Team’s budget.
SERVICE AREA RESPONSIBILITIES
Generic
· To model culture change and promote communication that is clear, effective and transparent at all levels, both inside and outside of the Council.
· To promote and implement the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of employment and service delivery.
· To ensure all Council Standing Orders and Financial Procedure Rules are upheld, both personally and within the Directorate.
· To ensure (in collaboration with others) that continuous improvement, value for money and best value are delivered by all areas of the Council by challenging existing practices, setting targets for improvement and intervening as necessary.
· In collaboration with public, voluntary and private sector partners drive the Council’s agenda for excellent customer service
· To have an awareness of and comply with the Council’s policies and procedures
· To fulfil any other duties commensurate as reasonably directed
· To commit to continuous professional development as appropriate.
Specific
· To make an effective contribution to the achievement of the Council’s Employment and Skills Commissioning Service Plan.
· To manage specific budgets.
· To secure additional investment into the Liverpool City Region for jobs and skills activity
· To line manage and performance manage identified project delivery staff and matrix-manage wider team-members as appropriate.
· To deputise for the Employment and Skills Commissioning Manager or Economic Policy and Partnerships Manager as appropriate.
Health and safety
· To comply with all the requirements of Health and Safety legislation and Council policy taking appropriate action where necessary.
· To ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out taking into account employees capabilities
Data Protection and Information Security
· Implement and act in accordance with the Information Security Acceptable Use policy and Data Protection Policy,
· Protect the council’s information assets from unauthorised access, disclosure, modification, destruction or interference,
· Report actual or potential security incidents.
Person specificationPost title / Principal Officer – Employment and Skills / Grade / Pay Band Q
Service Area / Resources / Section/team / City Region Employment and Skills Strategy and Commissioning
* * * This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act – applicants must disclose all criminal convictions including those which are ‘spent’, in addition to any cautions and bindover orders received in the last 12 months * * *
Criteria /Essential requirements
/ * M.O.ASkills, knowledge, experience etc
1 / An understanding of key economic development and employment and skills opportunities and policies / A/I/P
2 / An understanding and experience of labour market statistics and policy / A/I
3 / A strong track record in strategically working with and successfully influencing business leaders and senior officers in partner organisations to negotiate more stretching outcomes for residents and businesses / A/I
4 / Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work across partner organisations and work strategically to achieve outcomes / A/I
5 / Staff management and supervisory experience / A/I
6 / Experience of managing public sector funding budgets / A/I/P
7 / Ability to understand and interpret national and local policy and identify opportunities for innovation / A/I/P
8 / A track record in turning policy into action / A/I
Qualifications
9 / Degree Level Qualification or equivalent / A/CHealth and safety
10 / Ability to use equipment as instructed and trained and to inform management of any health and safety issues which could place individuals in danger / A/I
Personal attributes and circumstances
11 / Awareness of and commitment to equality and diversity principles / A/I
12 / Ability to meet tight deadlines / A/I
13 / Ability to work as part of a team meeting a wide range of objectives / A/I
14 / Ability to work flexibly including some evening work and travel outside the borough / A/I
*Method of assessment (*M.O.A)
A = Application form C = Certificate E = Exercise I = Interview
P = Presentation T = Test AC = Assessment centre
Date / Approved by authorised manager / DesignationJan 2016 / Sue Jarvis / Assistant Executive Director
Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:
· Motivation to work with children and young people
· Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
· Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
· Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline
We have a positive attitude to the employment of disabled people and guarantee an interview to those who meet all the necessary criteria of the person specification.
Conditions of Service
Post / Principal Officer – Employment and SkillsEmployment status / Permanent
Grade / Pay Band Q / SCP 48 - 49
General / The conditions in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Green Book) will apply.
Hours of work / 36 hours per week
Salary / £42,899 to £43,821 per annum
Basic annual leave / 194.4 hours per annum
Medical / The successful applicant will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and may also be required to undergo a medical examination.
Training / The Council is a recognised ‘Investor in People’ and encourages training and development for all employees.
Pension / You will automatically be entered into the Local Government Pension Scheme and will pay the relevant contributions with immediate effect. If, however, you wish to opt out of the scheme, you may do so by downloading an ‘opt out’ form from www.mpfmembers.org.uk/ae or by contacting Merseyside Pension Fund on telephone number 0151 242 1397. If you opt out of the scheme, you will be automatically enrolled back into the scheme after 12 months if you meet the automatic enrolment criteria.
Childcare vouchers / The Council is in partnership with a childcare voucher provider which offers employees a salary sacrifice scheme. Further details are available from Human Resources Division.
Car status
Politically restricted post / Casual
This post is considered to be politically sensitive and falls under the terms and conditions of Politically Restricted Posts
Disclosure
/ The post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check. You must ensure that you complete Section 8 of the application form. If you fail to do so your application will not be considered. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from being appointed to the post.Pension contribution rates
The table below sets out the contribution bands which will be effective from 1 April 2017. These are based on the pay bands for 2017/18, with the result rounded down to the nearest £100.