About the job

Job summary

Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications. These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications. Regulating on behalf of students of all ages and apprentices is central to how we fulfil our statutory objectives.

For more information about the work we do please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation. We are proud of the action we are taking to support EDI and Wellbeing and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to support our ethos of creating a diverse culture that is reflective of both our employees and the learners we support.

Due to our continued commitment and focus in relation to EDI, our inclusion and fair treatment score based on the Civil Service 2022 annual people survey ranks us 4th out of 104 participating departments.

Ofqual is a rewarding, dynamic place to work. We offer employees the opportunity to develop within their role and progress through the organisation via a number of Learning and Development opportunities and activities.

We are in the top ten Civil Service departments for staff engagement which focuses on motivation and commitment to organisational goals and values. Based on the 2022 annual people survey Ofqual are ranked 9th out of 104 participating departments.

Job description

Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications. These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications. Regulating on behalf of students of all ages and apprentices is central to how we fulfil our statutory objectives.  For more information about what we do please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual   About the team The role of Executive Research and Analysis is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead Ofqual’s extensive research programme and ensure the delivery of high-quality official statistics used widely by the media and many others with an interest in education. Ofqual’s research is well-regarded both in England and internationally and this post is responsible for ensuring that the research programme is targeted to key strategic priorities and enables effective regulation in the interests of students and apprentices.  Few roles combine the opportunity to both shape and execute high quality research and analysis, and then also have direct influence on national policy and practice – with tangible effect on the lives of a million students every year.  What will the post holder be doing? As one of Ofqual’s senior leaders, you'll be accountable for Ofqual’s research and analysis directorate, leading work to fulfil Ofqual’s statutory objective to promote public confidence and maintain standards. You will need to be an expert in educational assessment, the approaches to securing high quality research and confident in data analytics. You’ll need to use your expertise to communicate complex concepts clearly and authoritatively to a diverse set of audiences, to influence and build confidence.   A proven ability to lead by example, motivate, and develop staff at all levels, providing vision, strategic direction, integrity, and professionalism is essential as is the ability to influence others and build consensus across stakeholders across the education landscape as well as internally. Any offer to the successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which include Right to Work in the UK, 2 x written references, pre-employment medical clearance and a Basic DBS. All Executive Directors at Ofqual are also expected to satisfy the criteria for National Security Vetting to Security Check level. Duties and responsibilities to include, but is not limited to: •           To lead Ofqual’s research and analysis function. •           To agree and set Ofqual’s strategy and priorities for assessment-related research and data analysis, so it is consistent with our statutory objectives, and supports improvements to awarding and to the wider assessment and qualifications system, particularly as set out in in Ofqual’s corporate plan •           Sponsor, and act as an advocate for, Ofqual’s assessment related research and data analysis to enhance Ofqual’s reputation as an expert and evidence-based regulator, including by collaborating with external researchers as appropriate. •           Ensure that Ofqual’s, and other, assessment research findings and data analysis are presented to the Ofqual Executive and Board, so that they can be used by Ofqual as appropriate to influence wider-system decision making and advise government.

Person specification

Please refer to the job description for a full list of essential criteria to support your application.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £100,000, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) contributes £27,000 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Please note that we regret that we do not offer sponsorship opportunities at this time.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the shortlisting panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a personal statement evidencing how you meet the essential criteria shown on the job description.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements as this will form a key part of your evidence when the panel is scoring your application, against the requirements of the role.

Ofqual has adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. You’ll be asked to remove all personal details from your CV when you apply.

During the interview process, this vacancy may include a short presentation and/or assessment. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.

Please submit your application by 28th January 2024 at 23:55pm.

Interview dates – 7th February 2024 (subject to change).

We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade than they applied for, we may extend an offer without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has comparable behaviours and essential criteria.

Ofqual works flexibly, with a hybrid office/home based working model. Employees will spend at least two to three days a week working from our office in Coventry. As Coventry will be your base location expenses for travel to the office will not be paid.

Final panel interviews will be held in person. Further details will be provided at invite to interview stage.

One of our resourcing colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.

Please be aware that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you require assistance or need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should tell us what changes or help you might need further in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. You should contact us at recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk to discuss your needs.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.