Principal Verifier
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.
The primary role is to manage team members to ensure that national standards are being consistently applied and maintained.
These activities will be under the direction of staff from SQA's Operations and Qualifications Development directorates and SQAs Lead Verifier.
Outline of duties
- Lead, direct and support a team of subject specialists to quality assurance activities in accordance with SQA policy and specification.
- Lead in the development and delivery of training for the team.
- Manage quality assurance activities ensuring all procedures are conducted in line with SQA requirements.
- Monitor, support and quality assure the work of the team.
- Review the performance of team members against key performance measures.
- Assist SQA staff with subject specific enquiries, appeals and complaints
- Contribute to the preparation for grade boundary meetings by providing intelligence on internally assessed components of course assessments.
- Prepare an annual report and assist in the preparation of course reports
- PVs may be asked to undertake activities which will attract additional payment:
- Undertake follow up activity to resolve issues identified during quality assurance procedures
- Participate in SQA organised events where PV attendance/input is required
- Undertake qualification approval activity
Selection criteria
Successful candidates must:
- currently be delivering a course in the subject area at one or more levels (or a closely-related course)
- have an in-depth understanding of the requirements across the course/levels in the subject area (which may include Higher and Advanced Higher where appropriate)
- have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to engage positively with all members of their team, providing leadership and support as required
- be able to communicate professionally, confidently and effectively; work professionally and co-operatively with subject specialists and SQA and centre staff
- have excellent organisational and administrative skills and provide attention to detail
- have a home computer or laptop with broadband internet connection
Key Performance Measures for Principal Verifiers
Each year, on completion of the duties outlined in the depute principal verifier contract specification, the following Key Performance Measures (KPMs) will be used to measure performance. PVs will be informed of the performance outcome when KPMs have not been achieved.
- Complete training programmes as required
- Ensure SQA quality assurance activity is carried out and completed within the conditions and timescales set by SQA.
- Train support and monitor members of the team to meet SQA verification activity.
- Ensure accuracy and consistency of decisions made by members of the team.
- Ensure reports written by members of the team meet quality standard.
- Positive engagement with all members of the team through leadership and management of people.
- Contribute to the review of performance of team members.
- Positive engagement with all members of SQA staff and centre personnel.
- Demonstrate behaviours outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Appointment which support SQA's values.