Jobsplus Permit Number: 886/2021

The Executive (Education and Development) will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Education and Development strategic framework as part of the delivery of Arts Council Malta’s upcoming Strategy 2025. The Executive will work closely with the Director (Funding and Strategy) and Head (Strategy) to provide strategic direction for creative learning, arts education, youth engagement in the arts, capacity building, professionalisation and skills development for the cultural and creative sectors.

The Executive will also be expected to coordinate and provide support on a range of national strategic public investment programmes and initiatives that target arts education, training, formal and informal education institutions, professional development, and collaborations between the artistic and education sectors. The capacity building should be targeted on both operational, commercial, and legal aspects and other training needs identified across the sector, as well as on specific needs of the sector relating to cultural production and consumption. The capacity building shall also include the facilitation of cross-sectoral cooperation in accordance with evidence-based and policy-driven priorities of the creative and cultural sectors.

The person appointed will work closely with Public Cultural Organisations (PCOs), private and voluntary cultural organisations, schools and education institutions, educators, artists and creative practitioners and other key stakeholders as required.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record in managing projects and good insight of arts education, creative learning and young audiences in the arts. Knowledge, experience and interest in the cultural and creative sectors is essential especially in relation to education and development.

 

Main Responsibilities

 

  • To develop and implement Arts Council Malta’s strategic framework for Education and Development while facilitating initiatives and programmes of cross-sectoral collaboration and partnership between ACM, education institutions, public entities with an education portfolio as well as specialist entities from other fields such as science, technology, media, social policy and innovation.
  • To establish links with education and training institutions/academies and between industry and educational, with the aim of establishing and/or strengthening existing collaboration efforts between industry and academia while ensuring that the professional and vocational training by such institutions is responsive to the changing needs of the labour market.

  • To support and advocate for networking between educators, young artists and creative practitioners within formal and informal education settings through projects and initiatives that address the needs of the cultural and creative sectors
  • To research and design initiatives in collaboration with the relevant entities, towards the investment in pedagogical training for educators and creative practitioners working in education and communities to promote professionalisation and deeper understanding of arts education including creative learning
  • To liaise with Public Cultural Organisations to strengthen their education, training and youth participation platforms so as to provide high quality education and outreach programmes
  • To develop and deliver initiatives aimed at increasing the numbers and deepening the engagement of young audiences through specific programmes with cultural organisations
  • To support the establishment of networks of creative practitioners and educators with deep awareness of pedagogical practices related to arts education and arts in education
  • To work on the strengthening of accreditation mechanisms of arts education organisations to as to professionalise the sectors
  • To provide support and expert advice on initiatives and measures aimed towards training and building capacity for career development in the cultural and creative sectors
  • To work closely with Head of Funding in the management of funding programmes aimed towards professional development, apprenticeship schemes, arts education and school-based creative projects and related schemes
  • To support and manage training initiatives to cultural leaders and employees in the cultural and creative sectors including but not limited to public employees working in the sector
  • To initiate collaborative projects aimed at increasing operating spaces for the sectors, and together with the relevant entities identify possible spaces and operating models
  • To support and develop measures aimed at improving the status of the artist including advocacy work with the relevant entities addressing legal, professional and operational needs of the creative professionals
  • To coordinate with other Associates on matters relating to education and development
  • To establish formal and informal links with international and European networks and institutions focusing on education, training, capacity building, formation, and professionalisation of the sector, and to consider and, where appropriate, develop national standards based on international benchmarks for the professional recognition of cultural and creative workers and professionals
  • To coordinate and monitor existing and potential formal agreements with other institutions falling under this remit, with the aim of facilitating access to arts and creativity as well as skills development
  • To collaborate with the Culture Directorate within the Ministry responsible for Culture on matters related to the strategic profile or sector-specific tasks
  • Other duties as assigned

 

Consultation

Coordinating with:

 

  • The Culture Directorate within the Ministry responsible for Culture, the management of ACM, the Public Cultural Organizations, and other stakeholders within government whose policies and operations are directly or indirectly linked to the performance of the sector
  • The Key stakeholders and sectoral representatives (Organizations and professional associations) of the CCS, both nationally and internationally
  • The key educational institutions responsible for the training of students and future professionals in the sector, including but not limited to the University of Malta, MCAST, the Ministry of Education, the specialized schools providing training in the arts, heritage, and audiovisuals
  • Educational institutions providing formal and non-formal education including arts education institutions
  • Individuals, non-governmental organizations, and networks of service providers contributing towards education and training in the CCS
  • The relevant research institutions that gather data and information on the professional capacity of the sector
  • International and European networks and institutions focusing on education, training, capacity building, formation, and professionalism of the sector

 

Supervision Received

General supervision from the Director (Funding and Strategy) and Head (Strategy).

 

Self-improvement

 

  • To undertake appropriate leadership and management training within the context of a Continuous Professional Development Programme agreed with the Director (Funding and Strategy)
  • Acting to be well informed on:
    • Cultural, social, and economic development issues especially the ones specifically related to the cultural sector and the CCS, with a focus on education and training.
    • Emerging trends in education, training, formation, capacity building, and overall professional development of the sector within an international sphere, including aspects relating to creative learning, pedagogical approaches, legislation, standards, rights, qualifications frameworks, and related matters.
    • New developments in the operations of Public Cultural Organizations and CCS in Malta within the framework of their continuous professional formation and training needs.

 

Qualifications and Experience Required

  • A recognised Master’s qualification at MQF Level 7 in Arts Education, Teaching and Learning (Artistic discipline), Social Practice Arts, Arts and/or Cultural Management, Creative Industries and/or Entrepreneurship plus 1 year relevant experience.

OR

 

  • A recognised Bachelor’s qualification at MQF Level 6 in Arts Education, Teaching and Learning (Artistic discipline), Social Practice Arts, Arts and/or Cultural Management, Creative Industries and/or Entrepreneurship plus 3 years relevant experience.

AND

 

  • Extensive knowledge and interest in Malta’s cultural and creative sectors.
  • Proven experience in the arts education sector is essential and leadership experience in this regard is desirable.
  • Passionate and visionary in building stronger educational capacities for the cultural and creative sectors.
  • Previous experience in arts education and/or arts in education contexts.
  • An understanding of international, European, and national policy and legislation relating to the cultural and creative sectors, with a focus on education, training, and professional development.
  • Ability to draft correspondence, research proposals, reports, speech notes, discussion documents and position papers.
  • Demonstrated strong ability to interpret business indicators to identify trends.
  • Strategy-oriented thinking skills and excellent analytic skills.
  • Good knowledge of monitoring and research and statistics method.
  • Excellent communications (oral and written), and interpersonal skills.
  • Enthusiasm and motivation.
  • Diplomacy and assertiveness in dealing with people.
  • Well-developed judgement and the ability to make decisions.
  • Ability to foster and cultivate effective working relationships with the entities falling within the portfolio of ACM.
  • Capable of working independently with an attention to detail.
  • An understanding of sustainable development especially in the areas of culture, social policy, communities, and education.

 

Contract and Salary information

The selected candidate will enter into a full-time employment contract on an indefinite basis. The salary paid will be of a basic salary of €29,625 in 2022 (Grade 5 of the ACM Grading and salary Structure), a Disturbance Allowance of up to 15% per annum and a Performance Bonus of up to 10% per annum.

 

Applications

Interested applicants are required to send a motivation letter together with a CV and copies of certificates to vacancies@artscouncil.mt

Closing date for applications is Friday 28th January 2022 at noon.

Eligible applicants will be asked to sit for a selection interview.