Primary Location : Antrim-Antrim-Antrim Board Centre
Other Locations :Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office, Down-Dundonald-Dundonald Office, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office
Contract Type : Permanent
Duration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/A
Status : Full-Time
Hours per Week : 36
Working Pattern : Monday to Friday
Grade/Scale : Senior Principal Officer (1) | NJC pts 45 - 48 | £56,677 - £59,855 per annum
Additional Allowance(s) : Not Applicable
Anticipated Interview Date(s) : TBC
Additional Information: Base location to be agreed on appointment.
Job Description
Service Area: Facilities Management – Quality, Safety, Health and Environment (QSHE)
Responsible to: Net Zero Buildings Manager
Responsible for: The post-holder will have direct line management responsibility for the Quality, Energy and Sustainability (QES) Building Performance Analysts and will be responsible for the strategic oversight, performance management and continuous optimisation of BEMS in Schools and across the EA Estate. This includes ensuring that all systems operate efficiently, consistently and in compliance with statutory and organisational requirements, while delivering measurable reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of a co-ordinated, estate-wide approach to BEMS, including root cause analysis of building performance issues and completion of corrective actions, using data-driven insights to prioritise improvements, manage risk and guide investment decisions. The post-holder will be accountable for standardising system operation, overseeing contracts and programmes of work and ensuring effective monitoring and control of energy use across all sites. This includes responsibility for providing advice and support to the Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated sector.
Job Purpose
The post-holder will be responsible for the development of a BEMS Strategy and Action Plan to deliver strategic oversight and governance of BEMS, ensuring effective control, performance and compliance in Schools and across the EA Estate and supporting organisational objectives in sustainability, energy efficiency and asset management. The post-holder will work effectively with QES Senior Managers, other Senior EA colleagues, Principals, External Partners and multi-disciplinary Teams to deliver the EA’s Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan and Legislative requirements.
The post-holder will be expected to put mechanisms in place to monitor BEMS systems centrally to support Principals and Building Supervisors to optimise mechanical and electrical system performance and maximise the available financial savings across Schools and the EA Corporate Estate.
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 BEMS function. In acting as an integral member of the QES Team, the post-holder is required to fully contribute to all BEMS 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 Authority 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 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. Service reviews are required in specific areas and this work will be required to develop as part of the transformational change programme in future years. Future development of services will also be an important aspect of this work.
Leadership and Management Responsiblities
The post-holder has the following leadership responsibilities for this portfolio of services:
Setting Vision and Strategy
Work with the Net Zero Buildings Manager to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the service.
Contribute to the development of a strategic plan for the Net Zero Buildings Manager and lead on the development of the service-specific business plan.
Translate the Corporate vision into service-specific direction.
Lead the regionalisation and transformation of the service and all related processes and procedures.
Contribute to the development and implementation of new policies in line with strategic direction.
Contribute to the management of the QES Service, attending Executive Team and Board meetings as required by the Net Zero Buildings Manager.
Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies.
Managing the Organisation to Deliver
Manage service delivery effectively to ensure that the service achieves the highest possible standards of performance and focuses on the needs of internal and external customers.
Agree service performance targets with the Net Zero Buildings Manager and provide regular progress reports.
Develop, agree and implement a robust annual operational plan for the service.
Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff according to their skills and abilities to meet the needs of the service.
Regularly monitor and review plans and make adjustments as required.
Manage and continuously improve the service to ensure delivery against performance targets, and to ensure that best value for money is achieved.
Ensure that the service contributes to overall Directorate and Corporate performance as appropriate and provide update reports as required.
Apply resources effectively across the service to maximise the delivery of front-line services.
Consider the financial implications relating to effective models of service delivery and contribute to the successful achievement of the Savings Delivery Plan.
Ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and statutory performance requirements.
Manage the service budget in accordance with all relevant financial policy and procedures.
Monitor the financial position of the service and report regularly to the Net Zero Buildings Manager.
Follow agreed measures to deliver the service within budget and take immediate corrective action as required.
Contribute effectively to quality and performance management systems and ensure that the service is being managed as per the requirements of these systems.
Ensure that employees within the service team are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
Focus on addressing key workforce issues including recruitment, employee engagement, retention and training and development.
Investigate all complaints and adverse incidents where outcomes are below expected standards.
Establish effective and rigorous quality assurance systems to maintain high standards.
Leadership
Work closely with the Net Zero Buildings Manager to provide the service with leadership and direction ensuring that corporate, directorate and service performance standards are achieved.
Promote the ethos and values of the authority and ensure that the service is focused on customer needs.
Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff in the service.
Lead/manage and communicate change and improvement initiatives within the service.
Lead, manage and develop staff within the service.
Encourage staff involvement and engagement in the strategic development and operational delivery of the service.
Actively encourage teamwork and self-development and create opportunities to maximise individuals’ potential, stimulate innovation and connection at all levels with front line services.
Promote a positive culture of performance management within the service through individual and small-team accountability. Foster a culture of constructive feedback and learning, and a genuine commitment to regular and effective appraisals.
Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the Authority as required.
Building Relationships and Working with Others
Build and maintain effective, professional and respectful stakeholder relationships.
Ensure efficient and effective internal communication with staff in the service.
Work closely with QES Senior Managers, other Senior EA colleagues, Principals, External Partners and multi-disciplinary Teams to benchmark services and lead/manage and monitor change.
Build and maintain effective working relationships and clear lines of communication with other Heads of Service within the Directorate and in other Directorates.
Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant external stakeholders and service user groups.
Lead on/manage engagement with staff, schools and the public on major changes in the service that may affect them.
Work with external agencies; for example, education sector partner organisations, to identify opportunities for joint working that might bring greater consistency across the sector, and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
Service-specific responsibilities
Support the Net Zero Buildings Manager in leading responsibilities listed below:
Provide clear, strategic leadership to relevant staff across EA Services to ensure a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce.
Be responsible for the development of a BEMS Strategy and Action Plan, to include a review of the current BEMS provision across the Schools and EA Corporate Estate, to maximise energy saving opportunities and plan provision for those schools without BEMS, subject to available funding.
Be the recognised EA technical authority for BEMS architecture, controls engineering, system integration and building analytics and establish processes and procedures for proactive identification, investigation and resolution of BEMS performance issues, including low cost and no cost interventions.
Provide leadership, governance and stakeholder engagement to ensure BEMS are used effectively and contribute to safe, comfortable and sustainable learning environments.
Lead the optimisation of BEMS at targeted sites to maximise cost avoidance and ensure effective control of lighting, heating, ventilation and other connected mechanical and electrical systems.
Devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure, control and report on the work of the service to take account of changes in the internal and external environments, which may impact on and influence priorities and needs.
Support integration of BEMS with renewable energy systems, battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle infrastructure and building analytics platforms.
Ensure that corporate BEMS 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.
Manage specialist BEMS contractors and establish Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators for all BEMS related service providers.
Manage the introduction of automated meter readers, monitor and liaise with third party providers and obtain data from energy supplier meters where appropriate.
Develop performance assurance programmes to verify that installed systems continue to deliver expected operational and energy outcomes.
Support School Leaders and Building Supervisors to optimise mechanical and electrical system performance and maximise the available financial savings across Schools and the EA Corporate Estate.
Ensure that feasibility studies and other technical input to capital business cases are sufficiently robust and meet Departmental requirements.
Be responsible for the delivery of significant transformational projects/initiatives/programmes, including digital transformation programmes to achieve service-wide business objectives and meet customer expectations.
Have overall responsibility for the project management of all BEMS related projects in line with time, cost, quality and sustainability targets.
Ensure compliance with all best practice guidelines, legislation, regulatory inspection matters, Departmental directives and other statutory requirements.
Evaluate emerging technologies including AI-assisted analytics, predictive maintenance platforms and advanced energy management systems.
Advise the Net Zero Buildings Manager on compliance with and effectiveness of all memorandums of agreement for the provision of services to partners in education and other sectors.
Meet with and respond to enquiries and complaints from parents, school principals, Board members, MLAs, MPs and other public representatives on all issues relating to service delivery, including correspondence, AQs, FOIs and the like.
Publicly represent and act on behalf of the EA in engagement and negotiation with school principals, boards of governors, senior civil servants, MPs, MLAs, industry groups and leaders in private sector organisations on high-level, complex matters including those relating to policy.
Support the Net Zero Buildings Manager with staff training and development.
Support the Net Zero Buildings Manager with recruiting, managing, mentoring and developing placement students, graduates and interns.
Liaise with the HR directorate regarding recruitment and selection processes and participate in selection panels as required.
Deputise for the Net Zero Buildings Manager as required.
Work closely with Service Managers across the directorate and wider EA to ensure that all services are integral to the delivery of an efficient and effective Energy Management service.
Co-ordinate and prepare DMT, CLT, EA Board and Committee papers as required.
Co-ordinate responses to Assembly Questions, Freedom of Information requests and complaints relating to the work of the Directorate as requested.
Support the Net Zero Buildings Manager to fulfil the EA’s statutory responsibilities, for example, GDPR, Climate Change and Equality legislation.
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as required.
Contribute to emerging service developments and service reviews as required.
Manage and co-ordinate the deployment of staff resources and negotiate reallocation of resources across EA as required.
Work with EA’s Procurement Service to support the delivery of BEMS procurement processes from specification to contractual negotiation and appointment for all EA utility services.
Advise EA Capital Works, Minor works and Maintenance Service on the most appropriately sized BEMS at the design stage.
Contribute to the communications to support behavioural and cultural change programmes to raise awareness of energy and sustainability requirements.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.
Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications/
Experience
Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent, higher or professional qualification and three years’ experience of leading on the design and optimisation of BEMS strategies across a multi-site estate and the provision of specialist advice and support to senior managers on a range of complex strategic and operational BEMS service delivery issues;
OR
Have five years’ experience of leading on the design and optimisation of BEMS strategies across a multi-site estate and the provision of specialist advice and support to senior managers on a range of complex strategic and operational BEMS service delivery issues.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Experience
Have three years' experience developing and implementing BEMS strategies to optimise performance across a multi-site estate, including:
a) specification, procurement, commissioning and contract management of complex BEMS related contracts; and
b) Management and co-ordination of planned and reactive maintenance programmes for BEMS infrastructure ensuring system reliability, compliance and continuous improvement.
Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering strategic BEMS and energy management programmes, including system integration and optimisation, controls strategy and performance monitoring to achieve measurable energy efficiency and carbon reduction outcomes within a large multi-site Estate.
Demonstrable experience of delivering significant transformational projects/initiatives/programmes, including digital transformation programmes to achieve service-wide business objectives and meet customer expectations.
Demonstrable experience of directly supporting and advising Senior Management in complex operational situations and planning responses to strategic priorities, including statutory and legislative requirements.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge
Demonstrable knowledge of BEMS data analytics and performance monitoring, including trend analysis, fault diagnostics, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) optimisation, remote monitoring and energy performance management.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Other
Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
The successful candidate will be required:
to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
OR
be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Skills/
Abilities
In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:
The ability to champion EA strategic priorities and deliver change through a design mindset
Skills to drive and deliver service improvement to children and young people.
Strong collaborative working skills and an ability to build genuine and productive alliances.
Excellent leadership and management skills.
Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.
Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Desirable Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications/Membership
Hold Chartered Institution of Buildings Services Engineers (CIBSE) Membership.
Hold Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Membership and relevant BCM01 - BCM06 training modules.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge
Knowledge of relevant energy management guidance such as CIBSE TM22, TM39 and TM54.
Our Values
Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
