Depute Principal Assessor

A Depute Principal Assessor's primary role is to support the Principal Assessor who leads, supports and works (as appropriate to subject and level) with teams of Qualifications Scotland appointees.

These activities will be under the direction of staff from our Qualification Development and Operations business directorates as appropriate. There may be a requirement to undertake duties during weekends and holiday periods

Outline of duties

The Depute Principal Assessor (DPA) must be familiar with all aspects of the PA role and must be able to stand in as required in order to:

• Lead, direct and undertake the development of item specifications for the specified subject in accordance with our guidelines.
• Lead, direct, support and undertake the production and quality assurance of externally set/assessed course assessment items/questions for the specified subject in accordance with our policy and specifications to include detailed marking instructions.
• Chair/oversee procedural meetings.
• Lead, direct and support the marking programme.
• Lead, direct and support post-examination quality assurance procedures in accordance with instructions.
• Undertake the performance management activity of the team against Key Performance Measures.
• Liaise/work with the Principal Verifier prior to grade boundary meetings specifically relating to course assessment components which are subject to external verification activity.
• Undertake the role of a Marker and the marking of any unmarked scripts or scripts requiring to be re-marked.
• Prepare an external assessment report in accordance with specifications.
• Support continuous improvement developments

Depute Principal Assessors may be asked to undertake additional activities. These activities will attract additional payment and could include the following:

• prepare performance reports for centres
• undertake bespoke in-service training
• participate in workshops/seminars/networking events
• contribute to Understanding Standards activities
• assist in the development, updating and maintenance work associated with the course

Selection criteria

Successful candidates must:

• currently be delivering the course (or a closely-related course or work closely with current deliverers) and be able to demonstrate excellence in assessing to the national standard
• have experience in other key appointee roles, demonstrating competence in assessing to the national standard within their subject and level(s)
• be able to engage professionally and co-operatively with all members of their team(s), providing leadership and support as required
• be able to provide accurate feedback on performance to team members in a supportive and professional manner
• be able to communicate professionally, confidently and effectively; work professionally and co-operatively, with stakeholders, other appointees and SQA staff
• be able to demonstrate good forward planning and time management skills and adhere to deadlines
• have a home computer or laptop with broadband internet connection and a private e-mail address

Key Performance Measures for Depute Principal Assessors

On completion of the duties outlined in the DPA contract specification, the DPA will be measured against the Key Performance Measures (KPMs) and informed of the outcome in relation to their performance. KPMs will fall into four areas: Question/Item and course assessment production, Quality Assurance procedures, Results Services and Generic measures.

Question/Item and Course assessment production

• Provide support to ensure the production and checking of items/questions and externally set/assessed course assessments by specified dates.
• Ensure the production and checking of items/questions and externally set/assessed Course assessments by specified dates.

Quality assurance procedures

• Support all examination procedures by specified dates.
• Support and quality assure all materials for examination procedures in accordance with policy and instructions.
• Complete all reports providing feedback on examination performance within specified dates.

Results Services

• Support the results services programme in accordance with policy and instructions by specified dates.

Generic measures

• Demonstrate behaviours outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Appointment which support our values.
• Report on team members' Key Performance Measures for all tasks by specified dates.