Education consultant - Item Writing

We are looking for innovative individuals with experience as an Education Consultant (EC). The EC will guide and co-ordinate a team of Item Writers / Expert Reviewers in one of the above subject areas. The EC role is multi-faceted and their primary role is to support the item writer/expert reviewers to develop:-

• questions, items or tasks;
• marking instructions;
• commentaries, texts and rationales, where appropriate

which conform to the Standards & Testing Agency’s (STA) requirements.

These activities will be under the direction of staff from SQA’s Item Development Team (IDT).

Outline of duties

• Ensure their teams of item writers/expert reviewers are allocated work packages and are clear on their objectives
• Advise, mentor and assist item writers/expert reviewers
• Supervise work, monitor standards and performance of their team
• Ensure standards, accuracy and consistency within their subject area is maintained and complies with Standards & Testing Agency (STA) requirements
• Quality assure the development of items by monitoring the work of item writers/expert reviewers against STA standards
• Recommend scaling of marking where necessary, and other associated expert advice
• Training of item writers/expert reviewers
• Ensure all duties and tasks are delivered in accordance with our conditions, timeframes and arrangements
• Manage and co-ordinate the production of contexts for the specified subject, in accordance with agreed guidelines
• Direct, support and undertake the production and quality assurance of Items for their subject area in accordance with agreed policy and specification
• Attend Item Review meetings
• Prepare reports in accordance with SQA specifications
• Lead all activities to ensure they are concluded within agreed time frames and that resources are used effectively and efficiently to achieve best value
• Make recommendations, where appropriate, to SQA for improvements to systems, processes and procedures etc.

There may be a requirement to undertake duties during weekends and holiday periods

Selection criteria

Successful candidates must:

• have expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Key Stage 1 National Curriculum (English reading; English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS); and Mathematics and Science).
  • Key Stage 2 National Curriculum (English reading; English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS); Mathematics and Science).
• Be able to demonstrate their currency in the development and review of items for STA
• Be able to communicate and engage professionally, confidently and effectively with other appointees and SQA staff both orally and in writing.
• Be able to work professionally and co-operatively with appointees and SQA staff.
• Be able to provide comprehensive feedback on item suitability to team members in a professional manner.
• Be able to demonstrate effective forward planning and time management skills and adherence to deadlines.
• Have a home computer or laptop with broadband internet connection and a private e- mail address. Please note we use software for the secure exchange of items and supporting documentation which requires Microsoft Windows to operate.

It would be advantageous if appointees are working in, or have access to, a school for informal trialling of the materials produced.

Key Performance Measures

Performance will be measured against the accomplishment of the duties specified within individual contracts, within the prescribed timelines and to the required standard.