Chief Officer - Education and Lifelong Learning

Job Description

Duration: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Marischal College

Job Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to provide the lead on the strategic development of all education services for the city of Aberdeen, including adult learning, family learning, libraries, community learning, in school learning, transitions, early years, employability services, inclusion and attainment and, in accordance with ‘Getting It Right for Every Child’, deliver improved outcomes for children and young people.

As Chief Education Officer, the postholder will ensure the provision of effective, professional advice to the local authority, elected members and officers in relation to the authority’s provision of education related services.

Reporting directly to the Director - Children, Families & Communities, the Chief Officer - Education & Lifelong Learning will play an intrinsic part of the extended Corporate Management Team and will ensure excellent working relationships with all appropriate stakeholders including other functional areas, elected members, trade union representatives and employees.

Key Extended Corporate Management Team: the success of this role is interdependent on relationships with the Chief Officer - Children’s Social Work & Family Support, Chief Officer - Housing, Chief Officer - Commercial and Procurement Services and Chief Officer – Data Insights (HDRCA).

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education related degree or postgraduate degree

Eligibility for full GTCS registration

Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

Responsibilities

As a minimum, demonstrate skills and experience in:

• Operational and strategic management of education services
• Managing stakeholder consultation and working with trade unions
• Reporting to Committees and engaging with Elected Members
• Motivating and empowering staff to high levels of performance and autonomy
• Proactively managing the health, safety and wellbeing for self and others
• Solution focussed problem solving
• Managing and deploying resources including human, financial and ICT to ensure effective service delivery
• Working with others, both within and outwith ACC, co-operatively and flexibly to achieve fully integrated services and customer-focused outcomes.
• Proven education experience and knowledge covering:
• Additional Support Needs legislation.
• Parental Engagement.
• Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).
• Curriculum for Excellence.
• Closing the Gap.
• School improvement and curriculum development.
• Inclusive practice and research, particularly around the presumption of mainstreaming and Additional Support Needs legislation.

As a minimum, demonstrate an understanding of:

• Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
• Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and 2016
• Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended
• Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000
• Teachers’ terms and conditions of employment as agreed by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers
• Key drivers in a business area and working in partnership with stakeholders to measurably improve service delivery.

The Individual

Please see Job Profile & Candidate Pack for further details

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact AskHR@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a silver award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk. We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our roles and who:

• have a disability
• are care-experienced and aged 16-29
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Further information can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/jobs