Governance & Assurance Officer
-
School:
The Education Village Academy Trust -
Location:
Darlington -
Salary:
Band 8 SCP 19-23 ranging from £31,067 to £33,366 -
Hours:
37 hours per week -
Contractual Status:
Permanent -
Closing Date:
30th Jun 2025
Trust Governance & Assurance Officer
Full Time – 37 hours per week *
52.143 weeks per year
Salary: Band 8 SCP 19-23 ranging from £31,067 to £33,366
Excellent benefits package which includes: 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Local Government Pension Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and access to a range of retailer discounts through schemes including Blue Light Card
* We are open to discussing the possibility of flexible working, for example: a minimum of 30 hours per week or working 37 hours per week on a term-time plus 4 weeks contract could be considered subject to agreeing a working pattern which meets the needs of the service
The Education Village Academy Trust is looking for inspiring and highly skilled governance and assurance officer to strengthen its governance support. If you can bring significant experience and understanding of implementing compliance requirements, policies, controls (with knowledge of how to service meetings), a strong administration and project support background we would love to hear from you.
This is a great opportunity for someone to gain further experience within Governance where you’ll benefit from on the job coaching and support and if you’re looking for career progression, we can also look at potential options for formal training too. Experience within the education sector is not essential, it’s more important that you share our passion for making a difference to the lives of children and young people.
Closing Date: Friday 30th June 2025
Application forms and further information regarding the post are available on our website www.educationvillage.org.uk. Application forms are to be submitted to the People Team at PeopleTeam@educationvillage.org.uk
Job Purpose
To be the Trust’s lead and support on key areas of the Trusts Assurance Framework implementation and ongoing embedding and maintenance. To cover when the Head of Governance and Assurance is off site and support Trustees, Governors and the Executive Leadership Teams within the Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT).
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
You will be required to work collaboratively to meet the expected outcomes of this role.
| 1. | Support the Head by drafting the annual cycle of meetings for Trustees, Committees’ and ESCs based on the previous years including dates and circulating to key stakeholders |
| 2. | Minute take at meetings where the Head of Governance and Assurance is either absent or presenting more than one paper.
Circulate action log within 5 days of the meeting to support prompt communication of actions and closure. Draft Board of Trustee and Committee agendas and minutes template ready for Head of Governance & Assurance and Chair review |
| 3. | Support the Head with recruitment of trustees and governors across the trust and co-ordinate diaries for interviews, induction and development. Including training and appraisals.
Ensure all systems are updated when Trustees and Governors start and leave the Trust, such as Governor Hub and GIAS |
| 4. | Maintain the induction process and handbook, ensuring it is checked and fit for purpose for the role being recruited to.
Regularly review the succession plan to ensure all governors and Trustees are re-appointed in line with Board of Trustee meeting dates. |
| 5. | Update Trust Development & Growth group (TDG) and Executive Leadership Team on requirements and support to enable Trust wide compliance with data protection legislation. |
| 6. | Work directly with the schools to:
– Ensure all staff including new members of staff are trained in understanding their responsibilities in relation to data protection – support schools to implement revised processes and procedures to support data protection compliance |
| 7. | Support the organisation of the annual complaint policy training and re-fresh for senior leaders and school leaders across the trust. |
| 8. | Support schools in understanding what they need to have in place to demonstrate website compliance. |
| 9. | Lead on the implementation of the revised policy management framework with stakeholders (Policy owners/Principals and TDG/ELE) and support with policy system implementation and embedding |
| 10 | Work with the Head to support roll out of the GRC1 risk management software to all school leaders and provide ongoing training and support to the users of the system |
| 11. | Provide project management and administrative support which is crucial for the successful implementation of initiatives including fit for the future for our schools.
Provide the necessary administrative support for Trustees and Governors across the Trust including support for meetings and training sessions. |
| 12. | Undertake continuous professional development including participating in performance reviews and attending training as/when required. |
This Job Description is not definitive and outlines key accountabilities – colleagues are expected to be flexible regarding their accountabilities and will from time to time be asked to carry out other duties to ensure achievement of organisational goals.
Person Specification
| Qualifications | Essential or Desirable |
| Degree in related subject or ability to demonstrate equivalent experience | E |
| Professional qualification in related subject | D |
| Post graduate qualification in relevant qualification | D |
| Skills | Essential or Desirable |
| Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes | E |
| Supporting the administration of paperwork (including minutes taking) and servicing meetings for senior staff members and non-executives | E |
| Proven ability to be able to present information in a logical and systematic manner and to interpret data with skill and understanding to inform decision-making | E |
| Ability to interpreting legislation, non-statutory guidance, policies, and procedures to enhance and develop governance systems and assurance frameworks | D |
| Ability to interpret and advise appropriately on all matters related to governance | D |
| Knowledge / Experience | Essential or Desirable |
| Experience of working with volunteers and/or governors | E |
| Experienced of leading and implementing successful projects | E |
| Proven record of collaborative working with Executive/Senior Management and external stakeholders | E |
| Working knowledge and experience of working within the education sector | D |
| Awareness of child protection / safeguarding issues | D |
| Experience of School Management Information Systems (e.g., SIMS) | D |
| Experience of being creative when applying procedures and processes to support internal and external compliance requirements | D |
The Education Village Academy Trust
Established in 2006, we are a mixed Multi Academy Trust (MAT), bringing together mainstream and special schools and academies serving the borough of Darlington and neighbouring areas.
We are a village, and by building on our individual strengths, sharing our skills, and weaving each other’s ideas and perspectives into our practice, we are able to offer unique and enriched learning experiences.
We are proud to be part of a truly inclusive Trust. We firmly believe that fairness in opportunity and acceptance of individuality enhances understanding of the world, prepares pupils for the future, and creates young adults who value, appreciate and are able to make an active contribution to their communities.
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