Senior External Examiner HN 4-7 - Construction

This job is closed and is displayed for reference only. 

Reference:SEE/CON/18 

Closing date:15 December 2017 at midnight 

Purpose of the role is to be the responsible expert in terms of specification interpretation and External Examiner (EE) standardisation for the range of programmes within a Principal Subject Area (PSA) at Levels 4-7. To monitor assessment and internal verification for a range of programmes at Levels 4-7 within a PSA in order to report on national standards across centres.

Key Accountabilities:

For a defined range of programmes within the PSA, the Senior External Examiner (SEE) will:

  • Sample assessment and internal verification decisions in order to report that national standards are maintained
  • Hold subject specific responsibility for assessment advice and standards 
  • Offer specialist advice and support to centres and External Examiners (EEs) in relation to the content and interpretation of specifications, assessment and delivery
  • Provide sampling-related support and development to EEs
  • Review EE reports to comment on the maintenance of national standards
  • Identify and escalate issues of adverse standards interpretation
  • Undertake a proactive role in maintaining national standards
  • Source student work in order to develop the content for the training and standardisation of EEs
  • Lead and deliver training events to centres and EEs as required
  • Produce an end of year report within the parameters of a defined template in order to comment on nationals standards
  • Report back to Pearson within agreed service-level agreements (SLAs)
  • Contribute to Pearson’s ‘Ask the Expert’ service
  • Represent BTEC Assessment or Pearson as required
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the work of BTEC Assessment in relation to this role
  • Champion the programme area to both internal and external customers
  • Oversee the delivery of effective, efficient and coherent training, standardisation and updating of all EEs to ensure the reliability of verification outcomes
  • Agree monthly activities with the Principal Standards Manager (PSM) including deadlines for all key activities and report on progress each month
  • Offer specialist advice and support to centres and EEs in relation to the content and interpretation of specifications, assessment and delivery
  • Create a one-team approach within the sector team where all EEs feel engaged and supported
  • Identify talent from within the sector that can be nurtured through development opportunities to ensure succession planning
  • Contribute towards evaluation of EEs performance through training and standardisation.
  • Work closely with Pearson to provide customer support and quality assurance guidance to ensure successful implementation of new products and services (e.g. RQF). 

 

Previous  Work Experience:

Essential:

  • Substantial recent experience in verification of HNs and BTEC Professional Qualifications at Levels 4-7 within the sector
  • Significant experience in delivering and assessing HNs and BTEC Professional Qualifications at Levels 4-7
  • Higher level assessment and delivery experience across a range of qualifications
  • Be an A or B Grade Associate (from BTEC AA monitoring)
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the field of assessment and delivery of vocational qualifications at Levels 4-7

 Desirable:           

  •  Experience of delivering or participating in online and face to face training and standardisation

 Skills and Knowledge:

 Essential:

  • A clear understanding of the educational landscape and regulatory requirements for qualifications within the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
  • Detailed knowledge of the specifications that comprise the area of expertise for the role
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Ability to edit materials to ensure they are grammatically correct and fit for purpose
  • Excellent communication, written, verbal, IT and interpersonal skills 
  • Ability to understand the implications of decisions taken on Pearson’s behalf and not to operate outside the sphere of responsibility defined within this job description
 
Desirable:
 
  • Intermediate to advanced level skills in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Leading a team
  • Demonstrable people management skills
  • Roles of QAA and Ofqual
  • Knowledge of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
 
About Pearson:
 
We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.

Additional Information