5th September 2017

To potential applicants:

Thank you for your interest in this post.

Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is an ambitious, dynamic and innovative organisation, delivering high quality learning and helping to shape the future direction of adult learning in Wales.

The Council (governing body) of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is seeking to attract exceptional candidates with a strong track record of leadership and management, a passion for tackling disadvantage and an entrepreneurial flair.

This role represents an exciting opportunity for an individual with vision, drive and enthusiasm to help shape the future direction of adult learning and enable Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales to become the lead provider of top quality adult learning in Wales.

The application pack, containing the job description and person specification, gives further details of the post. The deadline for applications is 13th October 2017, and interviews will take place on the 6th November 2017 in Cardiff.

If you feel that you have the required qualities and skills, then I very much hope that you will apply for this post.

John GraystoneChair Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

Job Title: Chief Executive

Line Manager: Chair of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales’s Council. The Council is the Governing Body of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background and context

Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales was formed on 1 August 2015 and renamed on 5 November 2016 as a result of the merger of WEA Cymru and YMCA Wales Community College. Drawing on the strengths of these legacy institutions, Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales’s vision is to be the lead adult community and workplace learning provider in Wales. It is an ambitious, dynamic and innovative organisation, delivering high quality learning provision and services and, as a key stakeholder, is helping to shape the future direction of adult learning in Wales with Welsh Government and other partners. It serves individuals, communities and the nation as a whole, contributing to the Welsh economy, culture and society with a particular focus on promoting social mobility, active citizenship and social justice.

Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is a unique organisation. It is an educational charity regulated by the Charity Commission and also a further education (FE) institution, and therefore part of the FE sector in Wales. However, in terms of legal status it is not an FE college and as such, its operation and values may differ from those of FE colleges. In particular, Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales works very closely with the voluntary and third sectors and with partner organisations to deliver provision. It has a proud democratic tradition with a thriving membership whose views are expressed through regions, branches and learner groups.

The majority of the funding for Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales comes from the Welsh Government. As such, and in line with FE colleges in Wales, its overall financial and educational performance is monitored by the Welsh Government. Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is also subject to regular inspection by Estyn.

Chief Executive

Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales wishes to appoint an exceptional, dynamic and strategic leader to take forward the new unified organisation to become an exemplar provider of adult learning for Wales. The Chief Executive, working closely with the Council, will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales and ensure that it has a high profile in Wales. The Council, which was reconstituted from 1 April 2017, is responsible for the overall strategy and financial health of the organisation and for monitoring its overall performance. It also acts as a critical friend to the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive will lead the organisation at a time of change within the context of a tough financial environment and, as such, there is a pressing need to develop innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to generate income from a variety of sources whilst remaining true to core values and purpose.

Appointment

The appointment will be made by the Council of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales’s Council, the Chief Executive will be responsible for:

providing strategic leadership for Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales in line with core values and purpose

providing advice to the Council on the mission, educational character, objectives and strategic direction of the organisation

the efficient and effective financial management of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales, as the accounting officer responsible for the organisation

leading and developing a cohesive and high performing senior team that serves and reflects the strategic aims and values of the organisation

ensuring Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales delivers a high quality service to learners

liaising with the Welsh Government and other relevant external institutions to represent the interests of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales nationally

brokering, fostering, and, where appropriate, leading partnerships at national, regional and community levels that serve the aims of the organisation and its learners, adding value to its work

ensuring that there is effective communication in both Welsh and English within Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales and with learners, members, partners and stakeholders

maximising opportunities to communicate and promote the purpose, services and values of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales at national, local and regional level

building on the democratic structure of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

ensuring that Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales operates within the framework determined by the Council.

Within these main responsibilities, the Chief Executive will have specific responsibility for:

Leadership and Strategic Direction

developing (or informing), reviewing and monitoring the strategic direction of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales, ensuring the formulation, implementation and evaluation of its strategic and operational plans, policies and procedures, in consultation with the Council

determining, maintaining, promoting, monitoring, protecting and demonstrating the values of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

leading the annual strategic planning process and ensuring that the Council is involved in preparing and then approving the strategic plan

keeping abreast of national and local issues and wider policy developments which may impact on Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales’s strategic direction and create positive responses in a timely way in relation to these

ensuring the active promotion of the Welsh language in all of the organisation’s activities, internally and externally

ensuring effective communication with staff and members of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales and Council on a regular basis through a variety of means and working closely where necessary with regions, branches and learner groups

agreeing - with the Company Secretary, Chair and Committee Chairs - the Council’s annual work programme including Council agendas and the organisation’s Annual General Meeting and ensuring that decisions are carried out in a timely manner.

Academic and business development, quality, innovation and responsiveness

determining the academic and vocational provision and business development of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales in consultation with key stakeholders, partners, members and staff

encouraging and supporting the development of a specialist adult curriculum designed to meet the needs of learners in Wales, including the development of Welsh-medium and bilingual curricula

ensuring that the overall management and performance of the organisation meet the high standards required by the Council and regulatory bodies, including quality standards set for education provision and other services provided

instilling a dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial culture to enable Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales to respond to the opportunities afforded by the external environment and within the challenging financial context

ensuring that the organisation explores new and innovative means of educational delivery to learners, including enhanced use of technology

championing the development of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales as a learning organisation encouraging a culture which supports critical reflection by staff and members of the Council, and which actively embraces good practice from elsewhere.

Finance and accounting officer role

as the accounting officer for Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales – ensuring its financial viability, and the timely and accurate presentation of financial matters for consideration and approval by the Council

maximising opportunities to secure appropriate funding, including generation of non-government funding and the delivery of contracts

ensuring Financial Regulation compliance throughout Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

advising the Council of any action or policy under consideration which is incompatible with the terms of the Financial Memorandum with the Welsh Government

in conjunction with the Chair of Council and the Company Secretary, ensuring that all proceedings of the Council are conducted in accordance with the various statutory and other requirements of the Welsh Government

being responsible for the accountability of staff and the security, custody and control of all resources including estate, equipment, cash and stores

ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources (human, physical and financial) and ensuring value for money, propriety, regularity and sound systems of compliance and corporate governance while overseeing the risk management policies and procedures of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

ensuring that the operations of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales are carried out in accordance with the various statutory regulations and any agreements made with funding bodies or organisations.

Human resource management

creating a culture that: encourages active participation and discussion at all levels; rewards innovation; and fosters inclusiveness and productive team working

ensuring that all staff and third party providers are working efficiently and effectively and taking action if standards are not met

approving and overseeing the implementation of effective and equitable procedures for the recruitment, selection, appointment, grading, supervision, appraisal, performance management and discipline of all staff and for the determination of the pay and conditions of service of staff other than senior postholders, within the framework set by the Council

ensuring provision for effective staff development, and appropriate training for volunteers, and, in conjunction with the Company Secretary, appropriate training for Council members

taking overall responsibility for all aspects of health, safety and security ensuring fair and proper negotiations with staff, in support of good

management/employee relations and effective terms and conditions of service and employment policies

ensuring effective relationships with the recognised trades unions leading Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales in advancing

equality and diversity in all its activities ensuring that legal and contractual requirements affecting staff,

students, buildings and equipment are fully complied with and that Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales has appropriate and adequate insurance cover to meet its legal liabilities.

Promoting the Organisation

developing and strengthening supportive partnerships and alliances across Wales with learners, stakeholders, other education providers, employers, Estyn, professional bodies and appropriate Welsh and UK Government departments

ensuring that Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales provides leadership where possible and appropriate, in partnerships and in the adult learning sector more widely across Wales

ensuring that all staff and stakeholders receive adequate information about Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales, its mission, aims, values, objectives, targets and general direction

ensuring the representation of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales on external bodies and committees, including adult learning partnerships and other strategic groups

ensuring the organisation contributes actively and positively to policy formulation in Wales, and to the future shape and role of adult education more widely, drawing on research and UK and international good practice as appropriate

ensuring that the public image of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is appropriate to its mission and ethos

Acting as role model in championing social mobility, active citizenship and social justice

ensuring that the bilingual nature of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales is projected effectively throughout Wales in promoting the organisation’s unique role, purpose, values and ‘All Wales’ approach in provision, delivery and services

building positive, effective and inclusive relationships with staff, learners, Council, third party providers, stakeholders and other partners, demonstrating and promoting consistent behaviours associated with the organisation’s values.

Other

undertaking other duties as the Council may, from time to time, determine in consultation with the Chair, to ensure the continued purpose and viability of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

travelling to the various sites of Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales across Wales.

being committed to personal learning and professional development and to encouraging the development of others.

Applications are welcome from Welsh and from English speakers. English-only speakers will be expected to commit to learning Welsh, with appropriate support from the organisation.

This job description is not intended to define everything required of the Chief Executive role, but is intended to give an outline of the key responsibilities. There is an expectation that responsibilities, job description or duties may change to meet the needs of the developing organisation. The Chief Executive will work closely with the Council to identify and incorporate any changes and develop according to the needs of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Skills, Experience and Understanding (to be assessed through applications and, for shortlisted candidates, during the interview process):

have considerable knowledge and understanding and a passionate belief in the ideals and the practice of adult learning and in widening access to non-traditional learners

have proven experience of successful leadership and management have a sound knowledge of the governmental, institutional and policy-

making environments, especially where they affect or are likely to affect adult education

have experience of brokering, leading and working within partnerships with external organisations

have an understanding of the educational and third sector contexts in Wales

be a strategic thinker, able to see the big picture have a proven track record of working with politicians and government

departments have experience of generating income and tendering for, and

delivering, major contracts at a time of financial constraint have a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges of

working within, and leading, a distributed organisation be able to cope with pressure and meet tight deadlines be fully committed to improving quality and raising standards be an effective team player, able to motivate others and lead by

example have proven and well developed communication skills at all levels, with

the ability to relate to people of all levels with respect have demonstrated their ability to manage change, create and innovate

in a changing environment, and to manage risk have a clear commitment to promoting equality and diversity and the

organisation’s values demonstrate a clear understanding of the legal and cultural significance

of the Welsh language in Wales, and a commitment to promoting the use of the language within Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales

have or be willing to develop Intermediate Welsh Language Skills (description available) within an agreed timescale if not currently fluent in oral and written Welsh

have experience of adult education funding arrangements and knowledge of Adult and Community Learning policy and policy-making processes

actively embrace ICT applications in day to day work and communications

hold a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification be able to visit the organisation’s sites and travel extensively

throughout Wales and further afield.

It will be desirable to:

have a fluent command of oral and written Welsh hold a relevant postgraduate qualification.

Hours and days of work

You are required to work a minimum of 37 hours per week.  You will be required to work such additional hours, including evenings and weekends, as may from time to time be reasonable and necessary for the efficient performance of your duties.  You are not entitled to payment for any such hours, though reasonable time off in lieu may be granted in recompense, subject to approval by the Chair.

Salary

Your salary will be £77,000. Any increase in salary will be subject to an annual review by the Council’s remuneration committee.

Addysg Oedolion Cymru/Adult Learning Wales Chief Executive: September 2017

LEVEL 3 (INTERMEDIATE) Welsh Skills

General description of Level 3

You can:

Understand the main points when an individual or colleague is talking about familiar subjects, e.g. during a conversation or small group meeting.

Hold extended conversations with fluent speakers about familiar subjects involving everyday work.

Describe experiences and events and provide concise explanations and reasons for opinions and plans.

Read articles, letters or e-mails about general subjects. Write letters or e-mails about most subjects, e.g. requesting

something; providing information; inviting somebody or organising an event.

Level

Understanding Speaking Reading Writing

3 Can understand information being given about common or everyday topics, or when things to do with work are being discussed, e.g. in conversation, or in small group meetings.

Usually understand the main message and details, provided people speak clearly, e.g. when announcements are made or when listening to news bulletins.

Can take part in mostconversations withcolleagues aboutwork and plans if thevocabulary is not too technical.

Can hold aconversation withan individual whenexchanging relativelystraightforward information.

Can contribute to ameeting, but need torevert to English forspecialist terms.

Can understand most e-mail messages or letters concerning day to day work.

Can guess themeaning of a wordbased on context if the subject is familiar.

Can read a simple,straightforward article in a newspaper ormagazine types ofwritten material.

Can write a letter or e-mail on most topics to ask for things, provide an explanation; describe an experience orsituation; invite people or organise an event.

Can write relativelyaccurately on most familiar topics.

APPLICATION FORM

Vacancy applied for :Application reference number (for office use only)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Please ensure that all sections of this form are completed.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Please outline your suitability for the post, referring closely to the person specification when writing your personal statement.

Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Name of Body Grade of Membership Admission Date

TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Please indicate any training and personal development activities you have undertaken which you feel are relevant to your applicationTraining/CPD undertaken Date

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Please give details of employment to date including voluntary work in chronological order starting with your current or most recent employment.

Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

DatesEmployer Brief outline of Duties and

ResponsibilitiesReason for leavingFrom: To:

QUALIFICATIONS

Please indicate relevant academic, teaching and professional qualifications

Qualification Date Achieved

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Welsh Speaker Yes/No

Welsh Writer Yes/No

Some Welsh Yes/No

Other Languages

Would you prefer the organisation to communicate with you through the Welsh or the English Language?

Welsh/English

Are you able to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK? Yes/No

(for more information please contact Human Resources department – vicky.knappett@adultlearning.wales

Do you have a full driving licence? Yes/No

Period of notice to end your current employment

Current salary and details of any other payments

Do you have any criminal convictions? Yes/No

If Yes, please give details on a separate sheet. This should exclude any spent convictions under Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, unless the job for which you are applying involves working with vulnerable adults or children in which case cautions, bind overs, pending prosecutions, spent and unspent convictions must be declared.

Please indicate where you saw the advert for this vacancy, specifying the website/publication.

REFERENCES

Please provide in full the name, address (including post code) and telephone number of two referees, one of which should be your most recent employer where possible.

References will be requested for applicants shortlisted for interview prior to the interview date.

REFEREE 1

Organisation name:

Organisation address: Name of Referee:

Job title or Relationship:

Email address/telephone number:

REFEREE 2Organisation name:

Organisation address: Name of Referee:

Job title or Relationship:

Email address/telephone number:

PLEASE NOTE – on appointment you will need to provide original copies of qualification certificates and proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Declaration

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the information provided on this form will be used in the recruitment and selection process and may be disclosed to all those who need to see it. It will also form the basis of the confidential personnel record of the successful candidate. In the case of unsuccessful candidates the Application Form will be destroyed after six months.

I hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge, all the information given by me is correct, and that I possess all the qualifications I have listed on this form. I confirm that I do not object to the information collected on this form being transferred onto computer for the purpose of anonymous statistical reporting, in accordance with statutory requirements, and to assist with equal opportunities monitoring in respect of job applications. I agree that the organisation has the right to validate any of the information provided.

I understand that any false statements could result in my dismissal if appointed. I confirm that I am legally eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Signature:

Date:

Please return to:- vicky.knappett@adultearning.wales

Vicky Knappett, Senior Officer, HR Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales , 7 Coopers Yard, Curran Road, Cardiff CF10 5NB.Tel: (029) 2167 8712

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM

Please note that this form will be removed from your application and will not be taken into consideration during the recruitment process.

Vacancy Applied for :Application reference number (for office use only)

Chief Executive

PERSONAL DETAILS

Title: First name: Last name:

Address including postcode:

Daytime Telephone Number :

Mobile Telephone Number :

*Email Address:

* Please note that your email address will be used as a primary source of communication wherever possible, therefore please ensure its accuracy

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING

We would be grateful if you would take the time to provide us with the equal opportunities information detailed below. We collect this information to monitor and evaluate diversity. We also use this information to ensure that we comply with legislation.

Please indicate the categories which you feel most appropriately describe yourself.

Gender: Male Female

Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes No

If yes, is the disability registered? Yes No

If yes, please indicate whether the disability is physical or learning related

PhysicalLearning related

Applicants with a disability who successfully secure an interview will be given the opportunity to discuss how we can accommodate their needs both during the recruitment process and in the event that they secure employment with the organisation.

Please specify your age range: -16 – 19 20 – 29 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60+

How would you define your ethnicity?

White Asian Indian Mixed white and Black Caribbean

Black Asian Pakistani Mixed white and Black African

Black African Asian Bangladeshi Mixed – white and Asian

Black Caribbean Chinese Other mixed background

Black Other Other Asian Other

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