Background:

The key focus of the Directorate is to develop a suite of good quality, coherent services and provision that complement and support formal education and contribute to the Department’s core priorities and targets. This includes the availability of youth services (4-25) year olds.

YWPT has policy responsibility for youth work in education, (Priorities for Youth –‘Improving young people’s lives through Youth Work’)which is currently in the final stages of a review. The Team is also responsible for managing funding provided by TEO (TBUC camps, Planned Interventions) and DoJ (Tackling Paramilitarism strategy) for programmes delivered by the Education Authority (EA) Youth Service and for monitoring safeguarding procedures in line with DE policy are in place for youth service delivery.

The Team has Accountable Department responsibility for five Peace Plus investment areas.

This is an opportunity to work in a vibrant and innovative area to ensure effective delivery of youth services for 4-25 year olds and will offer the postholder a range of work experiences and skills development.

Main Responsibilities:

a) Youth Policy
• To assist with effective implementation of the new Youth policy in line with DE strategic priorities;
• Provide relevant and timely guidance to the Education Authority and other relevant bodies on the implementation of the new Policy
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships with key youth sector stakeholders and other relevant bodies;
• To represent the Team at meeting with officials, key contacts and other stakeholders when required;
• Develop and maintain a sound depth of knowledge and awareness of youth service and the wider work of the Department.

b) Youth Service Budget
• To assist with the allocation, monitoring and reporting of the Youth Budget and funding provided by technical transfers from:
(i)TEO in relation to delivery of T:BUC Camps, Planned Interventions, and
(ii) DoJ for specific EA youth intervention programmes that will contribute to a wide range of benefits, including: a reduction in community vulnerability; improvement in relations between PSNI and communities; improvement in how issues relating to paramilitarism are discussed and addressed; improvement in front line workers’ efficacy; and a reduction in public order issues.
• Assist with management and monitoring of YWPT GAE budget.
• Collate financial outturns when requested and respond to queries within specified deadlines.

c) Governance and Accountability
• Assist with the development Business Cases for Programme and Youth Intervention expenditure and Post Project Evaluations (PPE).
• Assist with monitoring of EA Youth expenditure via MEMRs and In Year Monitoring returns
• Approve purchase orders/invoices on Account NI and comply with anti-fraud policies.

d) General Duties
• Provide support on all enquiries and requests from Private Office, Senior Management and Press Office queries, including:
i. Initial preparation of responses to AQWs, Correspondence, Invitation and Treat Official Cases;
ii. Preparation of responses to media enquiries, FOI enquiries, Permanent Secretary cases and webmail enquiries;
iii. Preparation of briefing packs (including seeking inputs from across the Department and from external stakeholders such as the Education Authority) for Ministerial meetings, visits and events.
• Provide admin support as required in relation to relevant Peace Plus investment
• Management of the Youth Service UK Honours nominations to meet deadlines.
• Management of the administration and follow-up to ETI Youth Inspections reports.

The above list is not exhaustive, the post-holder will be required to carry out other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate by management.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• 5 GCSEs Grade C or Above (including Maths and English) & 2 A Levels
• The post offers the opportunity to develop the full range of EO2 competence requirements, in particular:
  • Good written and verbal communications skills;
  • Setting priorities, analysing and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well-reasoned, justifiable decisions;
  • Familiarity with Account NI and Cognos procedures for purchase orders, payments authorisation, approvals and monitoring, etc;
  • Organisational skills – able to organise and prioritise their own work load and work on their own initiative;
  • Competent IT skills;
  • Create and maintain good working relationships and work as part of a small close knit team.

Key Skills:

Full range of EO2 skills, including:
Communication skills, verbal and written
Interpersonal skills
Team Working
IT skills
Organisational skills
Financial experience

Application:
Interested candidates can apply below or submit their CV to tomas.maguire@therecruitmentco.uk