Assessors

Salary range: Assessors will be paid £380 for each full day of completed assessments (4 applications) or a pro-rated amount for each assessment (quarter day).

Job type: Fixed term post

Hours: 16-20 hours per week

Location: Must be living in the UK or British Overseas Territories

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is prospectively recruiting a small number of Mobility Programme Grant Assessors to join an existing assessment team for a flagship outward education and training mobility programme which enables learners in schools, colleges and universities to access international study and work opportunities and delivers transformative opportunities for individuals and communities across the UK.

The ACU works with a network of external assessors to assess applications and appeals from institutions in the Schools, Further Education/Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education sectors in the UK and British Overseas Territories. This is a unique opportunity to make a major contribution to a leading global mobility programme. We are awaiting confirmation that the programme will operate in Academic Year 2025/26 and are recruiting in order to be ready should the programme go ahead. Should the programme be withdrawn, no assessors will be needed.

We are currently seeking assessors for the Schools and Further Education/Vocational Education and Training sectors only.

Assessors will be responsible for evaluating applications against the programme criteria and will work within a sector team supported by a Senior Assessor. We are keen to welcome applicants from all four UK countries - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to reflect the diverse and devolved nature of UK education and training.

Assessors must possess sector-specific knowledge of one or more of the sectors being recruited, and a solid track record of conducting high-quality, independent assessments for local, national or international agencies. You will also have substantial experience at a middle or senior management level in the UK Schools or FE/VET sectors, and the ability to produce concise, effective written feedback. We are also keen to hear from applicants with experience in both sectors.

Comprehensive, compulsory training will be provided to all successful applicants in March 2025, should the programme be confirmed for this year. Appointed assessors who complete the training will be paid a maximum of one day's assessment rate as a contribution to their time spent undertaking the training.

Assessors will each be required to commit to the equivalent of approximately 2 - 2.5 days' assessment work (16-20 hours) per week throughout the 6-week assessment window, which we anticipate will take place in April and May 2025 (subject to confirmation). This equates to 4 applications in one day (i.e. 8 applications over 2 days, 10 applications over 2.5 days). Assessors will be paid £380 for each full day of completed assessments (4 applications) or a pro-rated amount for each assessment (quarter day). This rate is inclusive of feedback consolidation and of any supplementary review or reassessment that may be needed as the result of a quality check or moderation.

Additional assessment days within the assessment window may be offered to those with capacity to do more, depending on the number of funding applications received. We also reserve the right to appoint reserve assessors in case of substantially increased demand. Being appointed is no guarantee of any paid work.

We are recruiting:

Sixteen Assessors Eligibility

In order to be an assessor, applicants should:

• Not be currently employed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities
• Not have been employed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities since 2020
• Hold a UK bank account registered in their own name or business name. Nominated bank accounts will not be accepted and payment will be in sterling.
• Be living in the UK and have the right to work in the UK
• Have satisfactory references.

Role Information

Key Tasks:

• Understanding and applying the assessment criteria: assessors will need to demonstrate a clear understanding of the programme's objectives, and assessment criteria, applying these consistently, fairly and transparently to all applications ensuring that these are consistently applied and adhered to.
• Assessment of applications: completing the specified number of assessments to the programme's quality standards and within the agreed timeframe, and responding to any follow-up from the relevant Senior Assessor in a timely manner.
• Scoring and feedback: completing the reporting template and feedback on applications, scoring each question against the evidence provided and constructing and consolidating meaningful feedback; revisiting and, where necessary, re-assessing applications or specific questions under the guidance of the relevant Senior Assessor.
• Advice and insight: providing advice and insight on the quality of applications and the management of the process with recommendations for improvement.

Skills and experience: Essential

• Sector-specific expertise: demonstrable sector-specific knowledge and expertise of one or more of the sectors being recruited to (Schools or Further Education/Vocational Education and Training), and substantial experience at middle or senior management level in one or more of these sectors in the UK, and experience of working in education and training in one or more of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We are also keen to hear from applicants with experience in both sectors.
• Assessment or evaluation experience: extensive experience of conducting high-quality, high-stakes independent assessments and/or evaluations for local, national or international agencies in an education and training context.
• Delivery: a clear track record of managing multiple priorities whilst meeting tight deadlines and exacting quality standards in order to get the job done. This also includes the ability to analyse written and numerical information and produce concise, impactful written feedback.

Skills and experience: Desirable

• Experience of working in international education and training mobility programmes.
• Involvement in regular community-based activity, e.g. voluntary work, community engagement, charity work, etc.

How to apply:

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The closing date is 29 January :00PM GMT.