Role descriptions

Assessment Reviewer role information

An Assessment Reviewer (AR) is responsible for reviewing the external assessment and supporting marking instructions under the direction of the Principal Assessor. This work must be undertaken within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA maintaining the security of the assessment materials at all times.

Assessment Validator - Technical role information

An Assessment Validator (AV) is responsible for carrying out a final independent subject-specialist check to ensure the course assessment is of the correct standard and is fit for purpose. This work must be undertaken independently within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA, maintaining the security of the assessment materials at all times.

Assessment Validator role information

An Assessment Validator (AV) is responsible for carrying out a final independent check to ensure the external assessment is of the correct standard and fit for purpose. This work must be undertaken independently within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA, maintaining the security of the assessment materials at all times.

Audio Visual Presenter role information

An Audio Visual Presenter is responsible for providing a clear spoken version of a supplied script at a recording session for use in the assessment of National Qualifications, in accordance with SQA policy and procedures.

Braille/Adapted Question Paper Modifier role information

A Braille/Adapted Question Paper Modifier undertakes the review and modification of the content of an SQA examination question paper (or similar examination material) to ensure it is accessible for blind/visually impaired candidates, in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.

Cartographer role information

A Cartographer creates and draws maps and provides artwork for external assessments.

Chief Invigilator

A Chief Invigilator (CI) is responsible for the organisation and supervision of invigilation of all external assessments for National Qualifications, in accordance with SQA policy and procedures as detailed in the Invigilator Handbook.

Coursework Quality Assurer role information

A Coursework Quality Assurer (CQA) is responsible for reviewing the coursework, and supporting marking instructions, under the direction of the Principal Assessor. This work must be undertaken within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Depute Chief Invigilator role information

A Depute Chief Invigilator is responsible for supporting the Chief Invigilator (CI) with the organisation and supervision of invigilation for National Qualifications, in accordance with SQA policy and procedures.

Depute Lead Verifier role information

The prime role of the Depute Lead Verifier is to support the Senior/Principal Verifiers and contribute to the standardisation of quality assurance activity for their qualification sector to ensure that good practice is shared and standards are maintained across our qualification programmes.

Depute Principal Assessor role information

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 SQA appointees.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 SQA appointees.

Depute Principal Verifier role information

A Depute Principal Verifier (DPV) is responsible for supporting the Principal Verifier in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. The DPV must ensure that all tasks associated with the quality assurance of internally assessed units of course assessments are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Event verifier

The role of the Event Verifier is to quality assure the work of SQA centres, for qualifications in the subject area concerned, to ensure that national standards are being consistently applied and maintained. This will be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

External Verifier NQ (SfW and Awards) - role information

The role of the External Verifier is to quality assure the work of SQA centres, for qualifications in the subject area concerned, to ensure that national standards are being consistently applied and maintained. This will be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

External Verifier role information

An External Verifier is responsible for external verification and qualification approval activities under the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

The prime role is to participate in verification of qualifications in the subject area(s) concerned to ensure that standards are maintained.

These activities will be under the direction of the Senior External Verifier and staff from SQA's Internal Assessment Delivery and Quality Assurance and Qualification Development directorates as appropriate.

Invigilator

An Invigilator undertakes the duties of invigilation for the external assessment of National Qualifications, in accordance with SQA policy and procedure.

These activities will be under the direction of the Chief Invigilator (CI).

Item Bank Leader role information

An Item Bank Leader is responsible for the management of multiple-choice questions for National 5 and Higher in the Item Bank, to ensure sufficient items/questions are available to produce question papers.

Item Checker role information

An Item Checker is responsible for reviewing questions, items or tasks and appropriate supporting marking instructions for Course assessments under the direction of the Principal Assessor and/or Item Bank Leader which must be undertaken within the conditions, timeframes and arrangements set by SQA.

Item Writer role information

An Item Writer is responsible for creating questions, items or tasks and appropriate supporting marking instructions for Course assessments under the direction of the Principal Assessor and/or Item Bank Leader which must be undertaken within the conditions, timeframes and arrangements set by SQA.

Lead Verifier role information

The prime role of the Lead Verifier is to lead on developing good practice and consistency of approach to quality assurance across our qualification programmes. This will be achieved with the support of a team of Depute Lead Verifiers.

Marker role information

A Marker marks candidates' work in line with detailed marking instructions and in accordance with SQA policy and procedures.

Modern Language Scrutineer role information

We are currently seeking applications for a Modern Language Scrutineer in Gaelic.

A Modern Language Scrutineer checks and advises on the accuracy and authenticity of language (other than English) in finalised external assessments. This work must be undertaken independently within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA, maintaining the security of the assessment materials at all times.

Full details of the role.

Principal Assessor role information

A Principal Assessor is responsible for ensuring all duties and tasks associated with externally set/assessed Course assessments are undertaken within the conditions, timeframes and arrangements set by SQA. 

Principal Verifier role information

A Principal Verifier (PV) is responsible for communicating and maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. The PV must ensure that all tasks associated with the quality assurance of internally assessed units of course assessments are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Qualification Development Specialist role information

A Qualification Development Specialist is responsible for ensuring all duties and tasks associated with their specific contract are undertaken within the conditions, timeframes and arrangements set by SQA.

Quality Assurance Subject Expert

A Quality Assurance Subject Expert will support external verification and qualification approval activities under the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Question Paper Quality Assurer role information

A Question Paper Quality Assurer (QPQA) is responsible for reviewing the question paper, and supporting marking instructions, under the direction of the Principal Assessor. This work must be undertaken within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

SCQF Credit Rating Quality Assurance Specialist role information

The SCQF Credit Rating Quality Assurance Specialist will carry out the external Quality Assurance review process for customers of the SCQF Credit Rating service and make recommendations on their readiness to merit SCQF Credit Rating in accordance with SQA and SCQF policy and instructions.

Senior External Verifier - Support

The primary role of the Senior External Verifier - Support is to ensure that all approval and verification activities are undertaken by External Verifiers in their remit are carried out in line with SQA policies, procedures and guidelines.

Senior External Verifier - Without Portfolio role information

The primary role of the Senior External Verifier - Without Portfolio is to ensure that all approval and verification activities are undertaken by External Verifiers in their grouping and are carried out in line with SQA policies, procedures and guidelines.

Senior External Verifier NQ (SfW and Awards) - role information

A Senior External Verifier is responsible for communicating and maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. They must ensure that all tasks associated with the quality assurance of qualifications and awards within their remit are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Senior External Verifier role information

A Senior External Verifier provides leadership and support to a team of external verifiers through the processes in accordance with SQA policy and instruction.

Senior Marker - External Assessment role information

A Senior Marker is responsible for supporting the Principal Assessor in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. All tasks associated with the quality assurance of externally assessed components of Course assessments must be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Senior Team Leader - External Assessment role information

A Senior Team Leader is responsible for supporting the Principal Assessor in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. All tasks associated with the quality assurance of externally assessed components of Course assessments must be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Signed Transcription Reviewer role information

A Signed Transcription Reviewer undertakes reviews of centres' translations/transcriptions of candidates signed responses to external assessments, in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.

Systems Verifier role information

A Systems Verifier undertakes to objectively judge SQA centres' compliance against SQA Quality Framework.

The prime role is to work with the QEM team and other SQA staff as appropriate to ensure consistent application of SQA Quality Framework.

Team Leader (Scottish Baccalaureate) role information

A Team Leader is responsible for supporting the Principal Verifier in maintaining national standards for the Baccalaureate within their remit by ensuring that all tasks associated with the quality assurance of internally assessed Units and components of Course assessments are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Team Leader Event Verification role information

A Team Leader - Event Verification is responsible for supporting the Principal Verifier in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. All tasks associated with the quality assurance of internally assessed units and course assessments are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Team Leader External Assessment role information

A Team Leader is responsible for supporting the Principal Assessor, Depute Principal Assessor and/or Senior Team Leader in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. All tasks associated with the quality assurance of externally assessed components of course assessments must be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Team Leader Visiting Verification role information

A Team Leader - Visiting Verification is responsible for supporting the Principal Verifier in maintaining national standards for the qualifications within their remit. They will ensure that all tasks associated with the quality assurance of internally assessed Units and components of Course assessments are carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA.

Translator (Gaelic) role information

A Translator translates assessment materials, and if required, candidate scripts, into the specified language, in accordance with SQA policy and instructions, including the SQA publication 'Gaelic Orthographic Convention'.

Visiting assessor description

A Visiting Assessor visits centres to assess candidate performance against national standards, in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.

The prime role is to ensure consistent application of national standards when assessing candidate performance.

These activities will be under the direction of the Principal Assessor and staff from SQA's Qualification Development and Operations business directorates as appropriate.

Visiting verifier

The role of the Visiting Verifier is to quality assure the work of SQA centres, for qualifications in the subject area concerned, to ensure that national standards are being consistently applied and maintained. This will be carried out within the conditions, timescales and arrangements set by SQA