PERSON SPECIFICATION
Candidates must demonstrate on their application form that they meet the following essential criteria.
- Be a qualified Solicitor entitled to practice in Northern Ireland and hold a practising certificate issued by the Law Society of NI.
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent, higher or professional qualification.
Experience
- Three years' post‑qualification experience (‘PQE’) in law, including demonstrating legal analytical ability and sound judgement in the resolution of complex legal cases.
- One year's experience of working collaboratively across a senior leadership team to deliver strategic alignment of purpose, vision, and goals, and optimiser use of the organisation’s resources to deliver maximum value for the public/customers.
- Experience of providing overarching leadership with evidence of empowering, championing excellence and establishing momentum for continuous improvement that has delivered improved outcomes for the public/customers.
- Strong communicator with proven skills to engage across a wide range of stakeholders, demonstrating successful impact.
- Understanding of the potential along with the challenges of delivering high quality legal operations including ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating legal risk.
Mobility Requirement
The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post or provide sufficient alternate transport to meet this requirement.
Values
Through the selection process we will seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This includes evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
In the event the post involves regulated activity an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background is required. The cost of the certificate is the responsibility of the applicant.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reports to: Chief Executive
Strategic Leadership
As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team, the Chief Officer is responsible for working flexibly and collaboratively with the Chief Executive and other members to provide strategic leadership to the Education Authority, particularly in regard to progressing EA’s improvement journey and ensuring strategic alignment across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Optimise business structures, harnessing strengths and making EA a great place to work.
- Ensure activities are undertaken with clarity and focus on statutory responsibilities and strategic priorities EA is responsible for delivering.
- Work collectively and collaboratively with other Chief Officers to align and agree functions under the new leadership structure.
- Consider the resourcing profile and organisational changes required to deliver the optimum structure for EA.
- Offer overarching leadership that empowers individuals managing services to focus on operational excellence.
- Lead detailed reviews of EA’s core functions and current challenges to inform a more balanced structure.
- Work towards EA’s long‑term improvement ambitions, ensuring the future structure aligns with its vision, purpose, and strategic goals.
- Ensure focus on the core purpose of the organisation to ensure clarity of mission and objectives.
- Determine prioritisation of EA activities.
- Align functions under a new structure and consider resourcing profile and organisational changes required to support any future change agenda.
- Ensure EA lives within its annual budget allocation from the Department of Education.
- Work in partnership with staff and stakeholders including partners across the education sector, governing bodies, school leaders, trade unions, elected representatives, other related agencies, the media and the public.
- Maximise opportunities for improvements while promoting innovation and ambition.
- Provide strategic leadership for all programmes and projects relating to improvements to service delivery models while ensuring EA adheres to relevant legislation and standards.
- Ensure that service delivery is shaped by service user input.
- Advise the Department of Education on policy issues and contribute to policy reviews.
Key Areas of Focus
EA Solicitors operates as a central team that provides legal advice and representation to EA, alongside Claims and Insurance services within EA Legal Services. These functions report to the Chief Legal Officer, who leads strategic direction for legal, claims, and insurance activities in line with organisational objectives, and advises the Chief Executive and Board.
Legal Support to Schools
Provide leadership and direction for the delivery of financial services to schools and ensure they are supported effectively. This includes risk‑based support in critical areas such as special education needs and appeals, incident management and claims to help minimise liability exposure, and leveraging insights from litigation to inform school policies and staff training.
Other Duties
- Any other duties related to the role which may be required from time to time by the Chief Executive and the Board.
- Promote Good Relations, Equality of Opportunity and pay due regard for Equality Legislation at all times.
- Be responsible for the continuing professional development of all legally qualified staff in EA, to include compliance with Law Society of Northern Ireland and Bar Council of Northern Ireland.
This job description will be subject to review considering changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. The Corporate Leadership Team is currently reviewing its structure. It is likely that other roles and responsibilities will be assigned as a result of the review.
Budget: £1.7 million. Staff: 31.
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