Qualifications Wales Job Description Job Number: 0034

Transcription

1 Job Description Job Number: 0034 Job title: Qualifications Assistant - Internship Employer: Qualifications Wales Location: Q2, Imperial Park, Newport NP10 8AR Contract: Salary and Benefits: 12-month internship contract on a full time basis. Subject to satisfactory completion of internship, contract will then become permanent. Pay during internship Pay Band 1: 17,200 Upon successful completion of 12 months internship, the postholder will progress to the minimum of Pay Band 2 which has a salary scale of 23,400 to 26,400. In addition to salary we offer 30 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays and up to three days office closure at Christmas), flexible working arrangements and membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Hours of work: 37 but up to 20% of time will be devoted to job specific training and personal development Department: To be deployed to one of: - Development and commissioning - Recognition and approval - Monitoring and compliance - Policy - During the internship the intern will have the opportunity to experience each of these three areas as well as being able to get involved in cross-organisational work for example, supporting communications, governance and HR activities. Reporting to: According to deployment, a manager or officer in either: - Development and Commissioning

2 - Recognition and Approval - Monitoring and Compliance - Policy Closing date for applications: 5 August 2016 Contact: Vicky Davies

3 Background Qualifications Wales was established in 2015 as the independent regulator of qualifications and the qualification system in Wales. We are responsible for ensuring that qualifications and the qualifications system are effective in meeting the reasonable needs of learners in Wales, and for promoting public confidence in these. We are a public body, funded by Welsh Government and are accountable for our work to the National Assembly for Wales. Our organisational structure is based on three Directorates (Regulation, Policy & Research and Finance & Corporate Services) although we also have cross-cutting work in relation to general and vocational qualifications. So that our workforce is responsive and adaptable, we have a flexible approach to the deployment of staff whose work relates to qualifications and awarding bodies. Beneath our Senior Leadership Group we have three tiers of generic posts: Qualifications Managers, Qualifications Officers and Qualifications Assistants. Employees in these roles may be deployed to one of a number of different teams and will have the opportunity, over a number of years, to work in different teams to develop a broad range of skills. There will also be opportunities to specialise. Qualifications Wales is looking to appoint an intern, with high potential for future promotion, who will undertake work as a Qualifications Assistant while undertaking a programme of training and development appropriate to the beginning of a career in the fields of qualifications and regulation.

4 Job purpose Qualifications Assistants will work in one of three teams in line with Qualifications Wales deployment plan and its priorities. Post holders will have the opportunity to gain experience in each of the these teams: - Development and Commissioning - Recognition and Approval - Monitoring and Compliance - Policy There may also be the opportunity to work with or alongside the Finance and Corporate Services and Research teams. The primary purpose of the role is to support managers and officers in ensuring that qualifications and the qualifications system in Wales are effective in meeting the needs of learners and in supporting the promotion of public confidence in both of these. The specific duties of the post will vary slightly according to the team to which the post holder is deployed, but will always include: - Providing project management support to managers and officers through the establishment and implementation of robust task and action management schedules. - Supporting engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders, such as co-facilitation or the preparation of presentations. - Reviewing evidence against straightforward criteria to support decision making. - Administering contractual arrangements with expert suppliers and other contractors. - Accurate record keeping. - Provision of secretariat services for internal and external meetings. Main duties Manage own work effectively, having regard to objectives that have been agreed. Undertake a planned programme of skills and knowledge development in readiness for progressing to a permanent post and as a foundation for future promotion within the organisation. Develop an awareness of the statutory duties, policies, criteria, conditions and guidance that apply in a given situation so as to be able to identify them appropriately. Develop and implement administrative processes to support officers and managers in decision making. Support the team in keeping on track with scheduled activities and contribute to these as appropriate. Record action

5 taken and planned and communicate these effectively. Receive and respond appropriately to enquiries from awarding bodies and others, providing information clearly where appropriate or escalating as required. Record actions or responses maintaining a positive and enabling relationship. Provide administrative support to the management of contracts with external experts and other relevant providers, helping ensure that performance and products meet appropriate standards of quality and compliance. Contribute to programmes of review by undertaking work as directed. Highlight to the relevant manager or teams any matters of concern. Provide feedback to officers and managers on any issues arising from the application of policies, criteria, conditions or guidance that may require review. To perform secretariat duties efficiently for meetings including: setting up suitable dates, room bookings, drafting outline agenda, co-ordinating and circulating papers, minute-taking, preparation of presentational materials, following up on actions and keeping an updated action log, all within set timescales. Maintain appropriate records of all activities. Perform any other duties relevant to the particular deployment and appropriate to the grade. Person specification Qualifications Experience Essential A recent degree or equivalent qualification with a good level of numeracy and literacy. Experience of working effectively as a member of a team, whether in education, employment, leisure or voluntary activities. Experience of using IT/electronic systems for work or study Desirable Work experience relevant to the role.

6 Knowledge Knowledge of the education and qualifications system in Wales. Skills Ability to demonstrate high potential for a future career in regulation and/or qualifications management. Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing. Ability to draft documents to a good standard of presentation. An ability to analyse information to extract meaning. An ability to solve problems and to identify appropriate courses of action. An ability to manage and plan a schedule of work, ensure sound record keeping and to support others in meeting deadlines. Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh Knowledge of project management techniques and processes.