External Examiner MFA (Theatre and Live Performance)

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading performing arts academy in the UAE is seeking a part-time External Examiner for its MFA in Theatre and Live Performance. This role involves providing academic oversight, ensuring compliance with national and international standards, and submitting annual reports on student achievement. Candidates should have experience in postgraduate education, be familiar with accreditation frameworks, and possess strong collaborative skills. Join a supportive team focused on excellence in the performing arts field.

Benefits

Supportive collaborative environment

Flexible working hours

Real responsibilities and autonomy

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in Theatre or Performing Arts.
• Experience as an external examiner or reviewer at postgraduate level.
• Understanding of regional and international accreditation frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent academic oversight of the MFA program.
• Review syllabi and assessment activities for fairness and clarity.
• Submit annual reports on academic standards and student achievement.

Skills

Commitment to fairness

Inclusivity

Academic integrity

Ability to provide constructive recommendations

Collaborative communication

Education

Experience in postgraduate teaching, learning, and assessment

Familiarity with postgraduate standards

Professional recognition in the performing arts sector

Tools

Learning Management Systems

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

External Examiner – MFA (Theatre and Live Performance)

University City , United Arab Emirates

Reporting to: Programme Leader, Postgraduate Studies, Executive Director

Responsible for: Theatre and Live Performance Creation

Works closely with: Programme Leader, Postgraduate Studies, and Executive Director.

Start Date: 5 January 2026

Employment Type: Part Time

Closing date for applications: 10 November 2025

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy is seeking an External Examiner for the MFA in Theatre and Live Performance Creation.

The External Examiner provides independent academic oversight of SPAA’s MFA in Theatre and Live Performance Creation, ensuring that teaching, learning, and assessment standards are rigorous, fair, and benchmarked against similar national and international postgraduate MFA programmes. The role supports SPAA’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the continuous enhancement of professional theatre and live performance training.

Reporting to the Programme Leader, Postgraduate Studies, Executive Director, s/he will provide independent academic oversight of SPAA’s MFA in Theatre and Live Performance Creation, s/he shall execute the following tasks and responsibilities:

Examination & Evaluation

• Review syllabi, assessment activities, rubrics, grading criteria, thesis and degree requirements for clarity, fairness, and alignment with postgraduate learning outcomes to the required frameworks (e.g., MoHESR, QF Emirates, CAA).
• Review syllabi, assessment activities, rubrics, grading criteria, thesis and degree requirements for clarity, fairness, and alignment with postgraduate learning outcomes for international benchmarking with comparable MFA degrees in Theatre and Live Performance, and/or MFA degrees in Theatre.
• Moderate samples of student work across courses and grade classifications, ensuring consistency and comparability with international MFA-level benchmarks.
• Verify that student achievement is rigorously assessed and evidence-based.
• Evaluate programme content, learning outcomes, and progression pathways for relevance and depth.
• Comment on the integration of practical, creative, and theoretical components in postgraduate training.
• Support the incorporation of inclusive practice, global perspectives, and cultural diversity across modules and assessments.

Reporting and Feedback

• Submit an annual report on academic standards, student achievement, and quality assurance processes.
• Identify programme strengths and areas for enhancement, offering constructive, evidence-based recommendations.
• Advise on the extent to which curricula prepare graduates for professional practice, the cultural and creative industries, arts leadership, or further study.

Engagement with SPAA

• Participate in Examination Boards (in person or online), contributing to decisions on progression and award.
• Provide impartial external perspectives on student performance and MFA degree quality.
• Engage collaboratively with faculty and leadership in support of SPAA’s mission as a multinational conservatoire.
• Experience in postgraduate teaching, learning, and assessment in theatre, live performance, or related disciplines.
• Professional recognition and experience in the performing arts sector (e.g., directing, set and costume design, lighting design, sound design, producing, choreography).
• Familiarity with national and international postgraduate standards.
• Experience as an examiner, moderator, or reviewer at MFA or postgraduate degree level.
• Prior experience as an external examiner at the postgraduate level.
• Understanding of regional and international accreditation frameworks (e.g., MoHESR, QF Emirates, CAA).
• Experience in international or culturally diverse institutions.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard, Emada).
• Experience with Outlook and Office 365.

Skills & Attributes

• Commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and academic integrity.
• Ability to provide constructive, evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate both sensitively and on time, within a multi-lingual, interdisciplinary setting.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is an independent Academy established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to address a growing demand in the UAE and MENA region for formal education and quality professional training in the performing arts sector. SPAA is the only performing arts conservatoire in the Middle East and North Africa region, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programmes taught in English. The purpose-built Academy includes a 432-seat theatre, two fully equipped studio performance spaces, TV/recording studios, twelve sprung rehearsal studios, 12 singing tutorial spaces, resource library, gymnasium and cafe.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy specialises in training graduates for work in the international professional performing arts industry. The SPAA faculty are highly experienced practitioners within their respective fields. The focus of the Academy is practical rather than academic. The Academy's primary goal is to equip graduates with the highest level of practical skills in their field, along with the tools necessary for successfully creating their own work or practice.

• The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all SPAA policies and procedures, including the Workplace Health and Safety and Confidentiality policies.
• This position is part-time based at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
• The Faculty Handbook is an important resource and sets out the expectations and conditions of employment. Prospective candidates for this position can request the Faculty Handbook, which will be sent to them via email.

Note: Candidates offered positions at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy are required to undergo a comprehensive background screening and police check, prior to finalising their employment.

What’s great about working at SPAA?

• Join a talented team in a supportive and collaborative environment.
• No unnecessary bureaucracy, no pointless tools, and flexible working hours.
• Focus on meaningful work with real responsibilities and autonomy.
• Enhance your expertise across diverse aspects of the performing arts industry.
• Contribute to creating impactful content that supports our community daily.
• Embrace real challenges and responsibilities in a dynamic, rapidly evolving academy.