CAERPHILLY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Corporate Director Education and Corporate Services The place for an exciting new career
Man gwyrddach i fyw, gweithio ac ymweld A greener place to live, work and visit
Thank you for your interest in applying for this post. This booklet contains a variety of information designed to inform and stimulate you. We hope it also encourages you to tell us why you are the perfect candidate for this post. This is a unique opportunity to join the Council’s senior management team at an exciting time for the organisation as it moves forward. The Caerphilly County Borough is widely recognised as an area where partnership working between public, private and voluntary sectors means more than just fine words. We are a key player in the Cardiff Capital City Region and we are excited with the opportunities that this investment, underpinned by mature partnerships with the public and private sectors, will bring to the county borough and the region as a whole. The Council has made significant improvements to the services it offers, a fact borne out by our household survey, which showed an impressive level of overall satisfaction with Council services among residents. However, as the budgets tighten, we are keen to look at how we can deliver our services differently but still retaining a focus upon high quality service delivery. It is important that the successful candidate can measure up to the vision and innovation that we and the Cabinet have to take this organisation forward for the good of the people of the county borough. I wish all applicants the very best and look forward to receiving your application form in due course.
Cllr David Poole Leader of the Council
If you believe you’ve got what it takes to deliver excellence at Caerphilly County Borough Council, then please get in touch for an informal discussion. Lynne Donovan Interim Head of Human Resources (01443) 864570
I am pleased that you have taken the time to give serious consideration to this exciting opportunity to join the Senior Leadership Team here at Caerphilly. Over recent years we have made excellent progress and have many notable achievements and successes, but we have much more to do. I am looking for an individual who can bring a renewed focus, fresh ideas and a passion to the role. You will need the ability to take a strategic perspective and grasp the challenges and opportunities to influence beyond traditional boundaries and organisational structures. The challenges being faced by our community are demanding that we be creative and find innovative and new solutions during a period of severe austerity. You will be required to demonstrate excellent leadership skills as you harness and develop the range of skills and knowledge of the diverse employee groups within the department. Importantly, your ability to work as part of the Corporate Leadership Team to shape and influence our future agenda is an imperative. The post-holder will be a key ambassador and advocate for our Council with our public sector partners, the third sector, our business community and our citizens. I sincerely hope that you are excited and enthused about the challenges ahead and I would welcome an application from you to join us here in Caerphilly.
Christina Harrhy Interim Chief Executive
Recruitment Timetable 15/02/18 - Recruitment Activity Commences 05/03/18 - Closing Date 19/03/18 - Assessment Centre 27/03/18 - First Interviews – Officers Panel 05/04/18 - Final Interviews – Members Panel
Job Description and Person Specification Post Identification Post Title: Grade: Directorate: Division: Location: Responsible to: Employment Status:
CORPORATE DIRECTOR EDUCATION AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIRECTOR (£109,555 - £121,727) EDUCATION AND CORPORATE SERVICES CORPORATE MANAGEMENT TEAM PENALLTA HOUSE CHIEF EXECUTIVE PERMANENT
Job Purpose: To work with the Chief Executive, other Directors and Elected Members to achieve the Council’s strategic direction and objectives, and to ensure the delivery of high quality services within the County Borough. To provide Corporate Leadership for employees within the Council, and with wider partnership bodies and agencies.
Key Result Areas Performance against the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan. Delivery of the Single Integrated Plan agreed with our Local Service Board partners. Performance against budget, and achievement of targets to meet the Medium Term Financial Plan. Performance against targets set as a result of Performance Development Review process. Performance against targets set down in implementation plans for specific initiatives. Performance Indicators relevant to areas of responsibility.
Detailed Task Profile To be a member of the Corporate Management Team and work with the Chief Executive, Elected Members and external partners in delivering a range of services which are co-ordinated to meet the needs of the residents of the County Borough. To contribute to the development of the Council’s strategic direction, vision and values, and priorities for the governance of the Council. To promote and develop a strong corporate focus and a coherent corporate culture across the authority. To provide inspirational and professional leadership to the workforce, strengthening skills and competence and fostering a strong culture of standards, performance and accountability. To contribute to the continuing development of the Council’s organisation, management, vision and values in the interests of efficiency, effectiveness, economy and equality. To lead and manage the Heads of Service within the portfolio, to ensure that they are managed effectively; to advise on and review the most appropriate organisational structure for the services in the light of changing demands.
To oversee the Council’s corporate planning processes in the portfolio, enabling the achievement of statutory requirements and strategic objectives and the provision of appropriate high quality services. To be responsible for and provide leadership, guidance and support, including setting and monitoring standards and targets to services, sections and individuals within the portfolio. This will include oversight of the relevant performance plans, personal appraisal and personal development plans designed to achieve the delivery of high quality services and delivering services within agreed budgets. To oversee and co-ordinate the preparation of service budgets for those areas within the portfolio, and to ensure that services are delivered within budget and to report on action needed if appropriate. To ensure that proper and meaningful consultation takes place with the relevant Cabinet Members and other Members as appropriate. Ensure the provision by Heads of Service within the portfolio, of appropriate and meaningful information to enable Elected Members, the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Managers to monitor performance against agreed standards and targets and progress towards achieving the Council’s strategic objectives. To be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on results for specific strategic initiatives across the Council and assigned to the postholder. To assist in and ensure a co-ordinated approach across all the Council’s departments which links with other providers, agencies and interested bodies in relation to issues which embrace a number of different services and needs of the community. To promote the interests of the Council and the County Borough externally, developing effective relationships and partnerships within the community and external organisations.
Key Working Relationships Develop effective working relationships with Corporate Management Team colleagues, Heads of Service, and Elected Members of the Council. Lead on collaborative projects with other Local Authorities and the Local Service Board partners to meet the Objectives of the Single Integrated Plan. Required to work closely with Government agencies, voluntary organisations and providers in the independent/private sector, to ensure the effective delivery of services to the citizens of the County Borough.
Responsibilities For Staff Post Titles, Numbers and Level of Accountability The allocated strategic service groupings within the portfolio currently contain the following Heads of Service as direct reports: Chief Education Officer Head of Education, Planning and Strategy Head of Corporate Finance and S151 Officer Head of Property Services Head of Human Resources and Organisation Development Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer
Please note that these service groupings are subject to change, and will be reviewed to reflect changing priorities, and the mix of skills and abilities contained within Corporate Management Team. These will be the subject of agreement with the Chief Executive. This may result in the Heads of Service that report directly to the Corporate Director varying over time. The statutory responsibility for Education sits at Head of Service level.
Responsibility For Resources Financial; Plant; Buildings or Equipment The post holder will have budget responsibility for the Directorate. Data Systems Required to ensure the accuracy of data on the divisions management information system. Required to ensure data is held and processed in line with CCBC information security policy and the Data Protection Act.
Working Environment Primarily Office based but will be required to attend meetings and visit establishments both within and outside the County Borough. Attendance at meetings outside of office hours will be required.
Additional Requirements Politically Restricted:
Yes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
No
Barred List Check:
No
Baseline Pre Employment Medical Assessment:
No
Registration:
Organisational Responsibilities Understands and demonstrates the principles of confidentiality. Work within the policies and procedures of the Council including recognising the duty to protect vulnerable adults, children and young people. Understands and demonstrates commitment to the Council’s policies. Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal development. The duties and responsibilities are difficult to define in detail and may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post-holder is therefore expected to undertake such other duties as may be requested provided the general character of the duties or level of responsibility does not change.
Caerphilly Castle
Elliot Colliery Winding House
Caerphilly Visitor Centre
Parc Penallta
Person Specification Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
• Relevant professional / management qualification to degree standard or qualifications set at a similar level within the Credit and Qualifications Framework. • Post graduate Management or Leadership Qualification.
• A qualification in one of the current portfolio areas.
Knowledge
• A thorough understanding of future developments in Local Government. • An understanding of Political structures and the role of Local Government in a devolved public sector. • Knowledge of modern Leadership thinking.
• Knowledge of local government finance and governance. • A knowledge of Performance Management and its use in developing improved services.
Skills
• High-level innovative leadership and • Welsh language management skills in a complex, rapidly changing skills. environment. • Ability to work within a multi-agency framework. • Ability to assess corporate priorities and devise effective solutions to complex problems. • Ability to analyse and evaluate information and situations. • Ability to assess priorities, devise solutions and make sound decisions. • Ability to think strategically, innovatively and proactively. • Ability to motivate staff at all levels. • Skilled communicator, both orally and in writing to a wide range of audiences, utilising different media. • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight time-scales. • Ability to negotiate with and influence others.
Experience
• Experience of Senior Management and Leadership. • Experience of line management and supervision of staff. • Experience of working with Elected Members. • Experience of being responsible for producing strategic plans. • Experience of close partnership working.
• Project Management experience.
• Experience of planning development and implementation of new policies and procedures. • Financial management experience, including budget responsibility. • Experience of using performance management to improve services. Other
• Commitment to the ethos of a democratically accountable Service. • Political sensitivity, and able to maintain impartiality, managing political relationships across all parties. • Ability to work in a confidential environment. • Have a flexible/adaptable approach to work and be able to work unsocial hours on occasions. • Committed to continuous professional development.
The Big Cheese Festival
The Brecon Beacons
Competency Framework Core Competencies: Area Of Competence
Competencies
Job Knowledge
Displays expert knowledge in field of expertise as well as strong management skills needed for the job. Has a very clear understanding of the Council as a whole and where the role fits into the organisation. Explores beyond the immediate field to expand job knowledge and keeps up to date on new developments.
Communicating and Persuading
Communicates and ensures understanding of corporate and service area goals. Presents ideas in an organisational context, helping promote understanding of organisational aims and vision. Can deliver difficult messages appropriately. Builds partnerships inside and outside to the benefit of the council and service users.
Customer Service
Monitors customer service performance across area of responsibility. Promotes customer service to colleagues across Council. Advises and guides on customer service issues. Evaluates customer service performance in area of responsibility. Introduces quality improvements to customer service requirements. Develops the customer service strategy for area of responsibility.
Innovation and Change
Stays up to date with new theories and trends. Encourages innovation and measured risk taking. Implements best practice across area of responsibility. Consistently generates and employs original ideas for self and others. Challenges traditional approaches and leads change.
Problem Solving
Adopts a structured approach and utilises experience, expertise and advanced project management skills to develop highly innovative and creative solutions to major service issues. Effectively delegates work and manages the contribution of others to problem resolution. Risk assesses alternative solutions and tests implications for the service. Monitors and evaluates outcomes for effectiveness. Is sought out by others for input and support.
Decision Making and Judgement
Steps back and takes a wider view on the impact of decisions on others through the organisation. Ensures decisions are linked to continually improving performance. Ensures that contingency measures are in place for any appreciable risks. Handles complex problems with balanced confidence. Decisions made on complex issues affecting service.
Planning and Organising
Develops longer-term strategies and breaks down plans to deliver that strategy. Pulls together a range of activities to bring the plan to fruition. Ensures activities are completed on time and in budget.
Personal Drive and Effectiveness
Takes personal responsibility for the performance of the service area. Achieves organisational and personal goals. Models excellence. Able to refocus and redirect when it is clear a goal cannot be achieved. Demonstrates unflagging energy. Focused on excellence and has a vision of how to reach it.
Teamwork
Makes a critical contribution to the team. Works across different functions and maintains network. Demonstrates that the contribution of others is genuinely valued. Role models team working behaviours such as consultation, constructive feedback and supportive challenge. Recognises and celebrates success.
Management Competencies: Area Of Competence
Competencies
People
Manages a large and diverse service covering a range of major functions. Constantly seeks opportunities for team development within and outside of normal perceived boundaries. Uses people management skills to support other colleagues. Actively shares own skills, knowledge and experience to the benefit of the team and those outside of the team. Has the skills to access a range of approaches to manage the team and team performance.
Political Understanding
Understands political environment locally, regionally and nationally. Uses judgement effectively, knows what to say, how much to say and to whom. Aware of public / political mood and works with it. Can constructively challenge councillor’s decisions in an appropriate and sensitive manner.
Leadership
Develops, communicates and delivers a shared vision with purpose and direction. Takes ownership of the vision. Empowers people to achieve. Has a strategic eye and sees where the role of the staff fits in the whole organisation. Knows where he/she wants to go and how to achieve that. Takes long-term perspective. Communicates the message. Acts as a role model for senior managers. Engenders respect and admiration of all acting with utmost regard and concern for the law, environment and fair treatment of people based on honesty integrity and trustworthiness. Models behaviours valued by the organisation. Has personal credibility.
Resources and Performance
Ensures that resources are provided equitably across the organisation. Balances complex resourcing demands to the benefit of the organisation. Recognises the need to invest to save where appropriate. Sets the standards for efficiencies and improvement. Is ultimately responsible for outcomes and results within Directorate. Oversees very large projects to completion on time and in budget.
Tredomen Gateway Building
Chartist Bridge and Statue