30,000-38,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, 3% contributory pension and 27 days paid holiday.

Transcription

1 Job Description Post Programme Manager (Schools) Terms Fixed term contract to July Salary & Benefits Reporting 30,000-38,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, 3% contributory pension and 27 days paid holiday. You will be line managed by Education Programme Lead. About Innovation Unit and Background to Role Innovation Unit ( is the innovation unit for public services. As a not-for-profit social enterprise we're committed to using the power of innovation to solve social challenges. We have a strong track record of supporting leaders and organisations delivering public services to see and do things differently. They come to us with a problem and we empower them to achieve radically different solutions that offer better outcomes for lower costs. We are based in CAN Mezzanine in East Road, London N1 and share open plan office space with a variety of other not-for-profit social enterprises and charities. Innovation Unit s work with schools in the UK is growing rapidly. At the same time the school system in the UK is becoming more complex, more diverse, and more fragmented. Structural changes have meant that new constellations of providers, professional learning networks, and school networks, chains and federations are emerging, while older networks and Local Authorities decline in importance. We are driven by a vision that every student can be an engaged learner who can go on not only to thrive in but to shape our future world. At the same time, technological and social challenges are changing the way young people interact with information, the wider world, and each other in unprecedented ways. We believe that we need radically to rethink the way schools are organised if they are to rise to this challenge and transform the lives of young people. In this context, and building on Learning Futures, a four year programme of work exploring how schools can become more engaging for learners funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are looking to provide support for a growing number of schools to implement exciting new ways of teaching, learning, and organizing school. Our ambition is for these schools to form a network of Engaging Schools, involved in scaling and developing potentially transformative practices on behalf of the system as a whole. One of the ways in which we are seeking to transform learning for young people is through Learning through REAL Projects, where learning in school is constructed around a complex enquiry which culminates in the creation and public exhibition of excellent student created products. This approach has been shown to be successful in the United States, notably at High Tech High schools in California, with whom we enjoy a strong partnership and in Big Picture and Expeditionary Learning schools. In 2013 we launched a major programme and work trialing Project Based Learning, funded by Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), and involving up to 40 schools over 3 years. 1

2 Other smaller programmes of work are emerging that will form part of the Engaging Schools community, overlapping and strengthening the work of each in complex ways. We are currently seeking a highly organised, committed and personable individual who can support the expansion of our community of schools, build relationships with key individuals and enable the effective deployment of team resources to ensure effective delivery of specific programmes. We have about 25 staff and a wider team of Associates who support delivery of our work. Job Purpose The key purposes of the role are to: Be responsible for overseeing delivery of Innovation Unit s work with schools in the UK to time, budget and quality. Work with the Education Programme Lead to maintain and develop Innovation Unit s growing network of schools engaged in innovative practice, including providing logistical and administrative support. Provide internal project management, budget, governance and co-ordination support to the 3 year EEF funded trial of Learning through REAL Project Based Learning Projects. Use the insights gained from this work to contribute creatively to the evolution of the work portfolio and the design of programmes of work. Key Responsibilities Project Management of trial of Learning through REAL Projects, including: Quarterly reporting to client Budget management and control Quarterly budget re-profiling and programme planning Monitoring of milestones and payment updates Management of risk register, issue log and other documents agreed with Project Lead Organisation of steering group meetings and papers Programme delivery of trail of Learning through REAL Projects, including: Design and ownership of delivery plan Day to day management of delivery plan, including deployment of coaches to schools Communication and negotiation with Project Lead, and team of leadership and coaches Management of team calendars, school visits and key events Logistical support to visits of schools to High Tech High in California and other international partners Support Company Secretary to obtain visas and book flights for international employees and consultants Support international employees and consultants with relocation (finding accommodation, setting up bank accounts etc.) and with day-to-day logistics of their work Wider Engaging Schools Community management: Management of day-to-day relationships with all schools in our networks Supporting Company Secretary with contracting and invoicing of schools Tracking and monitoring capacity of delivery team across multiple programmes of work Management and development of schools database Facilitation of relationship with Whole Education (updating Ning, responding to requests, coordinating presence at events and webinars) Facilitation of school relations with High Tech High and other international partners 2

3 Support to Free Schools networks, including database, events and communications Internal team communications and management: Development and management of internal project communications, including strategic development of social media platform Management of internal delivery group meetings (online, phone and face to face) Manage the archiving and electronic storage of project materials, correspondence and reports Person Specification Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience 5 years experience working in busy organization Knowledge of schools and education in UK Experience of working directly with schools and groups of schools Several years Project/Programme Management experience and demonstrable track record of delivery (including of events) of projects to time, quality and budget Experience of organizing events with schools Experience of database management Experience of budget management Highly numerate Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines Excellent organizational skills Ability to navigate and manage competing demands on resources across multiple complex programmes Ability to be flexible and respond to the demands of the projects Excellent interpersonal skills and telephone manner a customer service orientation and problem solving focus Fluent written and spoken English Excellent Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Word. Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies in support of role Highly Desirable Skills and Experience Experience in using recognized project management methodologies Experience of organising school-to-school learning and professional development Experience of using social media and digital technology to support remote learning for educational professionals How to apply To apply for this role, please a CV and the cover note template demonstrating how you meet each of the requirements outlined in the person specification section (above) to; Kim Bosher, Office Manager (kim.bosher@innovationunit.org). Your application will not be considered if you only submit a CV. The closing date for applications is Friday 19 th July 2013 at 12 noon and interviews will take place during August. (Please kim.bosher@innovationunit.org to obtain a word version of the cover note template included below) 3

4 Cover Note Template for Programme Manager (Schools) Application Please use this template to succinctly demonstrate how you meet each element of the person specification for this role. Candidate s Name What particularly interests you about working with Innovation Unit? 5 years experience working in a busy organisation Knowledge of schools and education in UK Experience of working directly with schools and groups of schools Several years Project/Programme Management experience and demonstrable track record of delivery (including of events) of projects to time, quality and budget Experience of organizing events with schools Experience of database management Experience of budget management Highly numerate Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines Excellent organizational skills Ability to navigate and manage competing demands on resources across multiple complex programmes Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies in support of role Please highlight any areas where you feel you don t yet fully meet particular elements of the person Enter your name here

5 specification and which would represent development opportunities for you. Making an Application To apply for this role, please your CV and complete the cover note template for this role demonstrating how you meet the requirements outlined in the person specification section of the Job Description to Kim Bosher, Office Manager We will not consider any applications which do not include both your CV and the completed cover note template. The closing date for applications is Friday 19 th July 2013 at 12 noon and interviews will take place during August.