External Quality Assurer

ETC Awards; Chorley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

ETC Awards Ltd is seeking an External Quality Assurer to provide independent, evidence-based assurance that ETC qualifications and apprenticeships are delivered in line with ETC requirements and regulatory conditions.

Through proportionate, risk-based sampling and centre monitoring, you will protect learners and standards, identify and escalate issues, and contribute to standardisation, scrutiny and validity activities.

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised external quality assurance qualification, or be working towards one within an agreed timeframe.
• Experience of vocational education; engineering/manufacturing experience is desirable.
• Strong understanding of vocational qualifications, vocational assessment and QA requirements.
• Apply proportionate, risk-based EQA sampling and centre monitoring with evidence-based decisions.
• Understand regulatory expectations for awarding organisations and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Provide accurate, timely feedback and action plans for improvement.
• Strong report-writing and documentation skills with a clear evidence trail.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills for travel and schedules.
• ICT literate and competent in MS Office and centre/e-portfolio systems.
• Collaborative, solutions-focused approach for peer development and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Undertake sampling of centre activity using face-to-face, video calls or electronic systems as required.
• Conduct annual and rolling centre monitoring in line with risk profiles.
• Plan monitoring frequency and depth based on centre risk and evidence.
• Agree centre action plans and verify completion with an audit trail.
• Record and escalate risks, non-compliance and potential issues with evidence.
• Lead sampling and monitoring for allocated centres in Northern Ireland where applicable.
• Adhere to ETC sampling strategies, policies and escalation controls.
• Produce accurate reports, risk assessments and follow-up activities promptly.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of engineering/manufacturing QA standards.
• Participate in standardisation and training sessions; lead where required.
• Support development of new products and qualifications through reviews.
• Contribute to policy and process improvements across the organisation.

Skills

EQA experience

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Quality decisions

Education

External quality assurance qualification

Tools

MS Office

Centre/e-portfolio systems

Job description

Reporting to the Quality Manager, the External Quality Assurer is responsible for providing independent, evidence-based assurance that ETC Awards Ltd qualifications and apprenticeships, are delivered, assessed and internally quality assured consistently and in accordance with ETC requirements and applicable regulatory conditions.

Through proportionate, risk-based sampling and centre monitoring, the postholder will protect learners and qualification standards, identify and escal

The External Quality Assurer will also contribute to standardisation, scrutiny and validity activity, supporting the ongoing development and consistent delivery of ETC qualifications, assessments and apprenticeship products.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• External Quality Assurance and Centre Monitoring
• Risk-Based Sampling, Compliance Assurance
• Centre Action Planning and Continuous Improvement
• Standardisation and Moderation
• Scrutiny and Validation
• Risk Escalation and Regulatory Assurance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake sampling of centre activity on a rolling and regular basis using appropriate mechanisms, including face-to-face activity, video calls, centre systems and e-portfolio platforms, as required and agreed with the centre.
• Undertake annual and rolling centre monitoring activities in line with centre allocation, including in-person activity where required.
• Plan the nature, frequency and depth of monitoring according to centre risk profile, using evidence-based professional judgement to recommend increased or reduced controls.
• Agree clear, proportionate and time-bound centre action plans; monitor and verify satisfactory completion of actions; and maintain a clear audit trail supporting findings and decisions.
• Identify, record and promptly escalates risks, non-compliance, suspected malpractice or maladministration and potential adverse effects. Recommend and monitor proportionate corrective and preventative action supported by clear evidence and professional judgement.
• Lead sampling and monitoring activity for allocated centres in Northern Ireland, providing quality insights and identifying appropriate opportunities for centre development and organisational growth.
• Undertake all activity in line with ETC Awards Ltd sampling strategies, policies, procedures and agreed escalation controls.
• Complete reports, records, risk assessments and follow-up activity accurately and within agreed service standards, managing workload, travel and organizational recourses efficiently.
• Maintain occupational competence and current engineering/manufacturing knowledge relevant to allocated qualifications and assessment activity.
• Participate in and contribute to EQA standardisation and training sessions, leading sessions where required.
• Support the ongoing development of new products, apprenticeship standards and qualifications through scrutiny and validity reviews as scheduled.
• Escalate risks or concerns through appropriate channels and support proportionate mitigation using evidence-based justification and reasoning.
• Contribute to the ongoing peer development of the EQA and wider quality team through knowledge sharing, constructive challenge and consistent practice.
• Liaise with the Quality Manager and relevant colleagues regarding standardisation, moderation of practice and improvements to policies, procedures and operational controls.
• Contribute to wider business activity, including business planning, team meetings, quality meetings and continuous improvement initiatives.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Hold a recognised external quality assurance qualification, or be working towards one within an agreed timeframe.
• Experience of vocational education.Engineering and manufacturing experience is desirable.
• Strong understanding of vocational qualifications, vocational assessment and internal and external quality assurance requirements.
• Ability to apply proportionate, risk-based EQA sampling and centre monitoring approaches and make evidence-based quality decisions.
• Understanding of regulatory expectations relevant to an awarding organisation, including the need to identify, document and elevate quality and compliance risks.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to work professionally with centres, colleagues and external stakeholders, facilitate group discussions and handle challenging quality conversations.
• Ability to provide accurate, constructive and timely feedback on performance and required improvement actions.
• Strong professional report-writing and documentation skills, with excellent attention to detail and a clear evidence trail.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, travel and agreed timescales.
• ICT literate and competent in Microsoft Office and relevant centre/e-portfolio systems.
• Collaborative, solutions-focused approach with the ability to contribute to peer development and continuous improvement.

KPI’S

• Deliver allocated EQA sampling and centre monitoring activity within agreed plans and service standards.
• Complete accurate, evidence-based reports, risk assessments and follow-up activity within agreed timescales.
• Ensure centre actions are proportionate, clearly documented and verified as complete within agreed deadlines.
• Identify and elevate significant quality, compliance, malpractice, maladministration and adverse-effect risks promptly and in line with escalation controls.
• Demonstrate consistent application of ETC sampling strategies and standardisation outcomes across allocated centres.
• Evidence effective follow-up through reduced repeat non-compliance or clear escalation where issues persist.
• Meet agreed service standards for centre communication, support and follow-up.
• Complete allocated scrutiny, valididty, standardization and continuous improvement activity to agreed timescales.

All job descriptions are subject to change to reflect future organisational developments and role requirements. The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may be adjusted in line with business needs. As the organisation continues to evolve, the post holder will be expected to work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to support this growth. In addition, all employees are required to comply with organisational policies and codes of practice, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance.