Core Quality Assurance Officer

JOB BACKGROUND:

This post is part of the Ashton Centre’s Core Project which will work with young people not in employment, education or training.   

The post holder will be responsible for the development of the CORE Project quality assurance systems, employing a variety of measures to place quality at the heart of delivery. This includes advising and providing training, tools and techniques to enable Quality of service. The Quality Officer will have direct responsibility to manage, review and report on the quality of the provision, identifying good practice and issues to be addressed. Assist Core Management to ensure service provided to participants is of a high standard and complies with the Quality Assurance Framework and ETI requirements.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To develop and maintain an effective quality assurance and monitoring system for the CORE Project to ensure maximum productivity.
2. To provide quality assurance for the staff and sub contractors who are delivering high quality services as part of the CORE Project programme.
3. To contribute to the overall evaluation of every aspect of the delivery of training and general project performance.
4. To monitor and report on quality improvement in response to outcomes from evaluation.
5. To advise line Manager of any areas of concern relating to quality or performance.
6. To promote quality improvement through identification and sharing of best practice across contracted areas.
7. To promote quality achievement and performance improvement throughout the CORE Project including setting quality assurance compliance objectives and ensuring that targets are achieved.
8. To build and maintain positive, open relationships with CORE Project staff and external organisations to provide them with a broad range of infrastructure support, including establishing clearly defined quality methods and procedures for them to apply.
9. To ensure that CORE Project is delivered in accordance with the work programmes, outputs/outcomes and budgets contained in the application form as well as follow the audit requirements under ESF and/if any match funders requirements.
10. To ensure that the delivery of local training is targeted at those most disadvantaged and to assist CORE Project in conjunction with Core Communications Officer in marketing their provision to these groups.
11. To organise and provide advice and specialist support and training to the CORE staff team to ensure that they introduce systems that would enable them to generate information to the standard required.
12. To promote standards of quality and transparency in the delivery of CORE Project.
13. To liaise and co-operate with staff within funder organisations such as the DEL ESF Unit on the management and delivery of the programme contract.
14. To prepare and present project progress reports to the CORE Project management as required and produce and forward quarterly monitoring reports to funders using approved forms and guidelines.
15. To monitor and report on compliance with the CORE Project database and ensure corrective measures are identified where appropriate.
16. To monitor and carry out other administrative functions required for CORE Project.
17. Liaise with ACT’s other quality assurance & training team members when necessary to ensure consistency and quality is maintained across the departments.
18. To meet all ETI/ESF & managing authority inspection requirements.
19. Produce project analysis, data and reports at a strategic level for use by the Ashton management
20. To perform such other relevant tasks deemed necessary by Management team of the Training & Employment Services to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the organisation’s action plan.
21. To work within and promote existing policies of the organisation, including health and safety, Data Protection & Freedom of Information Acts and equality and diversity.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Undertake any other related responsibilities commensurate with the evolving objectives of the post and the evolution of the Ashton Community Trust, as may reasonably be requested by the Director
• Work flexibly on evenings, weekends and during school holidays to ensure full delivery of the programme.
• Undertake training to develop work related skills and knowledge.

• Work with due regard for Ashton Community Trust’s core values and objectives
• Ensure the effective implementation of and adherence to, the Trust’s policies and procedures

• Participate in Ashton Community Trust’s Performance Management and Appraisal process, and agree short, medium and long-term goals with line manager, and direct line staff.
• Identify learning and development needs with your line manager and evaluate T&D to demonstrate needs have been met.
• Share best practice and achievements, and contribute to opportunities to present outcomes and case studies.

Status of the Job Description

This job description is not incorporated into the employee’s employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification and it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussion with the post holder. The post holder will be expected to work to objectives agreed with the line manager.

Essential Criteria

1. Recognised professional qualification Level 3 or above in a relevant field (relevant fields include quality assurance, assessor awards or equivalent) and at least one years’ experience of delivering and monitoring ESF or other government funded employment and self-employment outcome based programmes.

Or

At least 3 years’ experience within the last 5 years of delivering and monitoring ESF or other government funded employment and self-employment outcome based programmes.

2. Experience of carrying out internal audits and knowledge of external audit procedures associated with the Education and Training Inspectorate
3. Experience of developing and implementing quality improvement plans in accordance with the objectives of the project and an understanding of the processes involved in the IQRS Quality System
4. Experience of setting high standards to achieve project funded objectives, continually monitoring levels/standards of support and identifying ways of making improvements based strategic evaluation or feedback
5. Valid driving license and access to transport appropriate for the post.

 (The Ashton Community Trust is aware that some persons with disabilities may not be able to hold a driving licence.  If this is the case, please demonstrate how you can fulfill the mobility requirements for the post for which you are applying). 

Desirable Criteria:

(Desirable criteria may be used to shortlist applicants, should there be a need to facilitate manageable shortlists)

1. Experience of ESF funded programmes guidelines
2. Experience of working in a target driven environment and supervision of appropriate people and teams

Skills/Abilities

1. Ability to produce reports and analyse data in keeping with consortium and funder guidelines and Ability to communicate with a range of funders and other key agencies
2. Excellent written and oral communication skills
3. Sound knowledge of ICT including all Microsoft Office applications (word, excel, powerpoint, outlook, internet etc.)
4. Motivating others and excellent interpersonal skills
5. Using own initiative and working positively within a team and building good working relationships
6. Being non-judgmental in approach to dealing with NEETs
7. Excellent organisational skills
8. Commitment to the development of people in the community
9. Mentoring skills and facilitation/group-work skills

      Circumstances

1. Ability to work flexible hours (including evening work and weekend work)
2. Willingness to undertake training required for the post.
3. Subject to Access NI enhanced clearance.