Job description: Lead Specialist - Scottish Attainment Challenge
Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL)
1. Introduction and background
Leadership is a key factor in the success of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, and is rightly identified as one of the key drivers in the National Improvement Framework.
This new post in the Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL) providesan exciting and stimulating opportunity for a highly skilled and enthusiastic individual to lead the development of SCEL’s leadership programmes and activity relating to the Scottish Attainment Challenge and to ensure coherence with SCEL’s wider programme development.
The post holder will work closely with our team of Lead Specialists and the team at Education Scotland with responsibility for leading across the Attainment Challenge.
The post-holder will report directly to SCEL’s Depute Chief Executive / Director of Programmes. They will also report on progress to the Scottish Attainment Challenge Senior Responsible Officer Group and Programme Board as and when required.
SCELis funded by the Scottish Government, initially until 2017, with an expectation that the organisation generates an increasing amount of income, with a longer term plan that the organisation becomes self-funding. Consequently, thispost is available on either a seconded or fixed term contract basis until 1 September 2017. The funding for this post is in addition to SCEL’s already agreed funding for 2016-17.
2.Job Purpose
The post holder will lead the development of SCEL’s leadership programmes and activity relating to the Scottish Attainment Challenge and ensure coherence with SCEL’s wider programme development.
The role will require strong partnership working with the Scottish Attainment Challenge team at Education Scotland and Scottish Government, as well as ongoing liaison and consultation with a range of teacher networks, professional bodies and partner organisations, senior staff in local authorities, their educational establishments and universities.
In building SCEL’s portfolio of provision the post holder will be required to liaise with a range of providers to commission and procure services on behalf of the organisation.
3. Core responsibilities
The post-holder will work with the team at SCEL to:
- Identify leadership professional learning required to support the Scottish Attainment Challenge and ensure that this is included as a key aspect in SCEL’s wider programme development
- Engage with relevant research to inform the development of these leadership programmes and opportunities
- Lead, co-ordinate and facilitate aspects of programme implementation and delivery as required
- Ensure that appropriate content to support the Scottish Attainment Challenge is available on the Framework for Educational Leadership. This will include development of appropriate Professional Learning Activities (PLAs) for the Framework, identification of resources (local, national and international) for inclusion and endorsement, and alignment with Education Scotland’s Improvement Hub
- Promote the Framework for Educational Leadership as an interactive and self-directed learning resource to support teachers’professional learning and learning for leadership, with specific reference to the leadership aspects of the Scottish Attainment Challenge
- Liaise with Education Scotland’s Attainment Advisors and SCEL’s Regional Network Leaders (RNLs), to ensure that professional learning requirements identified locally and nationally are addressed
- Provide coherence with SCEL activity for the professional learning of the Attainment Advisors
- Report progress, prepare and present papers and briefings for the SCEL team, SCEL Board of Directors, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government
- Network with fellow professionals to represent, promote and raise the profile of SCEL across a wide range of stakeholders
- Represent SCEL at meetings and provide presentations at local, national and international conferences and other public events related to SCEL andthe Scottish Attainment Challenge
- Be aware of the organisation’s objectives and values and ensure that SCEL is responsive to the needs of stakeholders and makes the maximum impact in relation to quality assurance
- Ensure that the quality of SCEL services is of the highest standard at all times;
- Undertake any other tasks consistent with the post that may be required by the Chief Executive and / or the Depute Chief Executive / Director of Programmes.
4.Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Skills
- Degree or equivalent. Educated to degree level and with a demonstrable profile of high quality, relevant personal and professional development in aspects of leadership and professional learning
- Evidence of success as a leader of learning and leader of effective change within education at local and national levels
- An excellent track record of innovation and development relating to professional learning and programme development, including successful implementation of policy at local and national level
- Secure knowledge of effective models and approaches to professional learning and leadership development
- Knowledge of current national developments related to the Scottish Attainment Challengeand to the Scottish education system more widely
- Knowledge of current national developments in teacher education and leadership
- Knowledge of credit and qualifications frameworks particularly at postgraduate level
- Excellent knowledge and skill relating to ICT and social media and its potential to enhance career long professional learning
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills to engage a wide variety of audiences
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), solution focused, with a proven ability to communicate with people working at all levels in professional settings
- Proven skills in leading and supporting teams
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to set and meet objectives within agreed timescales.
Desirable Knowledge and Skills
- Eligible for registration with GTC Scotland
- Appropriate and relevant professional qualification(s) in an aspect of educational leadership
- Knowledge of, and experience in, leadership across public services
- Knowledge of international practice in educational leadership
- Familiarity with University accreditation processes and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
6. Terms & Conditions
Applicants who are applying for the post on a seconded basis will be seconded on current salary and existing terms and conditions.
The salary ranges for those applying for the post on a fixed term contract basis will be £38,990 –£54,681, with initial placing depending on skills and experience and progression depending on satisfactory performance.
Suitable arrangements for pensions including, where practical, the continuation of existing pensions arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.
7. Expenses
Reasonable travel expenses for attendance at interview will be reimbursed.
8.Equality and diversity
Applications are encouraged from all suitable candidates regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
9. Submission of applications
The application for the post is available on the SCEL website. Application forms should be submitted for the attention of Sally Armstrong by the closing date of Friday 2nd September 2016. Candidates should ensure that their expression of interest provides evidence of their suitability when judged against the stated criteria for this post.
The e-mail address for submission of forms is
Canvassing by candidates will disqualify them from selection.
10. Additional Information
Informal enquiries may be made by contacting Gillian Hamilton (CEO) or Lesley Whelan (Depute CEO) by telephoning 0141 548 8032. You can find out more about the Scottish Attainment Challenge here:
1