Vacancy: Digital end-point assessor - Software

This is an exciting full-time vacancy for an IT professional to join BCS' existing team of expert End-Point Assessors. The role requires IT industry experience beyond training and assessing. Multiple aspects of data storage and analysis, both on-site and cloud-based are key aspects of the digital environment and a range of apprenticeship standards cover these disciplines. We are seeking applicants who have recent working aligned to these fields, ranging from general support, data security and analysis, through data architecture support, potentially up to design and implementation through AI.

Preference will be given to those who also have the capability to support other aspects of the digital workspace, such as back-end database support and integration, hardware and networking.

Candidates should have recent industry experience and expertise in one of the following priority CORE specialisms:

• Software Development
• Software Testing
• DevOPs
• Data Analysis
• Product Management/ Project Manager
• Cyber Security
  • Security Architect
  • Risk Analyst

A candidate would ideally also have exposure/capability in one or more of these additional skillsets:

• General IT Hardware
• Networking
• Accessibility/UX
• Product Development
• Business Analysis
• Solutions Architecture
• Sales/Marketing
• Content Creation

Applicants should also have had exposure to or awareness of the digital apprenticeship standards.

About the role

As a key member of the apprenticeship team, the digital assessor’s key responsibility is to end-point assess apprentices in line with the prescribed methods set out in the published digital apprenticeship assessment plans.

The assessor is required to work independently and use their occupational subject matter expertise to assess the content and quality of apprentices’ submitted evidence and decide if they satisfy the knowledge, skill and behavioural requirements (KSBs) specified by the standard.

The assessor is responsible for evaluating the previously mentioned KSBs demonstrated through portfolios or work-based evidence and conducting interviews with apprentices, using their professional judgement to determine and apply the grading criteria. Constructive feedback on the apprentice’s performance against the assessment criteria is provided to the training provider to help to continually improve outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

Assessment quality and standards

• Review apprentices’ pre-requisite evidence in preparation for interview;
• Conduct interviews with apprentices to discuss content of pre-requisite evidence to validate competence where necessary;
• Use a methodical, appropriate and logical approach when interviewing to identify a fair outcome; remaining impartial and unbiased at all times;
• Provide clear justification, with reasoning on grading decisions;
• Submit assessments for moderation as required by BCS;
• Provide written feedback for apprentices and their training provider in line with the BCS process;
• Proactively contribute to BCS end-point assessment, quality and standardisation meetings and be part of any appeals panel as required;
• Contribute to four standardisation meetings per year, with externally contracted assessors, to ensure comparability and understanding of EPA (one of which will be face to face);
• Follow BCS process for recording standardisation and other quality decisions;
• Act as an internal subject matter expert to support the development of a range of assessment materials appropriate to the various apprenticeship standards;
• Work with the Institute and understand the relevance of RITTech to apprentices and the wider digital community;
• Maintain and protect the interests of apprentices in line with Equality Act 2010 and BCS commitments to other applicable regulatory requirements.

Communication, management and working with BCS

• Maintain prompt and relevant communications with BCS and apprentices in keeping with all agreed service levels;
• Develop strong and effective working relationships across the business and provide a high quality of service to all stakeholders;
• Proactively identify and mitigate where possible potential risks to the quality, cost or timeliness of deliverables and their components, and notify the group operations team;
• Follow all applicable processes, policies and regulatory requirements – seeking clarification where necessary;
• Provide resolutions for problems, applying a high degree of diplomacy when appropriate;
• Represent BCS in a professional manner in all dealings with all external contacts;
• Be fully responsible for maintaining complete security and confidentiality of information and material obtained during these activities;
• Notify BCS of any potential conflict of interest which may arise during their role, either in relation to BCS or specific applicants;

Maintaining professional relevance

• Keep up to date with any apprenticeship developments, updates or changes, and attend any relevant meetings as required;
• Maintain continuous professional development of own occupational specialism;
• Attend training and refresher programmes as appropriate. Assessors may not carry out their role if they do not attend training sessions as required;
• Participate in provider forums to share experience and feedback, as required;
• Maintain a good understanding of the appropriate apprenticeships and supporting guidance material, particularly that relating to the competence requirements;
• To work with the product development team and advise as subject matter experts where relevant to ensure products are consistent and developed in line with the apprenticeship standards and assessment plans.
• Flexibility is required of all job holders to adjust responsibilities as required from time to time by their Line Manager/Divisional Director;
• All staff will live the BCS’ values and support our purpose;
• Continually looking at ways to make improvements to systems, processes and procedures;
• The content and reporting lines detailed in this job description may be reviewed and changed from time to time to reflect organisational requirements.

BCS is dedicated to providing training and development to help all staff realise their potential, and also offer a generous benefit package.

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT are committed to promoting equality at every opportunity as an employer. This statement and our policies are designed to ensure our recruitment and employment practices and procedures actively promote equality of opportunity and value diversity.

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK upon application.

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy may be removed before any listed closing date once a sufficient amount of applications have been received.

In the event that we receive a high number of applications for this vacancy, we may be unable to provide an individual response to every candidate, therefore if you haven’t heard back from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion.