Examination Executive – Paper Development Unit

Examination Executive – Paper Development Unit

Fixed Term Part-Time Position – 24-month contract. There are two fixed term, part-time positions available.

Based in Chartered Accountants Ireland, Belfast

About Chartered Accountants Ireland 

Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accountancy body, representing over 40,000 members in over 100 countries and educating 8,600 students. Its members provide leadership across both the public and private sector, bringing experience, trusted expertise, and strict standards to all aspects of their work. As the largest professional body on the island of Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland engages with several stakeholders including governments, policy makers, regulators, and business groups on key issues affecting the profession and the wider economy. Chartered Accountants Ireland supports members at every stage of their career from education to qualification to continuing professional development.   

Institute Values 

The Institute seeks to ensure an environment based on our new values of Excellence, Forward-Looking, Openness and Accountability. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how these may apply to them in the role for which they are applying and how their previous experience is relevant to them.

Summary of Role  

To manage and develop the Institute’s examination paper development process with the aim of maintaining the Institute’s reputation and upholding quality standards.  The key areas of responsibility cover:

• Selecting and training of Examiners and Moderators;

• Managing the exam paper (including solutions and marking scheme) development processes, under the guidance of the PDU manager;

• Managing the publication of formal solutions and (where appropriate) annotated student solutions;

• Working with the Paper Development Unit Manager, Head of Assessment & Syllabus and other colleagues to support related processes.

Key Responsibilities  

Examiner & Moderator Selection and Training:

• Assisting with the Examiner and Moderator selection process against agreed criteria in conjunction with the relevant Examination Board/Committees;

• Assessing any training and development needs for the Examiners and Moderators and to arrange for same;

• Issuing appropriate contracts and guidance to all such personnel;

• Briefing Examiners and Moderators on the expectations of the roles and any changes from time to time;

• Undertaking a review of the performance of each Examiner and Moderator and actively planning for the strengthening of this team on an on-going basis.

Examinations Paper Development:

• Commissioning and managing the authoring, moderation and finalisation of examination papers (including solutions and marking schemes) and ensuring that appropriate back up papers are in place (to include interim assessments and end-of-year examinations).  This includes ensuring that all papers & solutions are typeset in a format suitable for publication;

• Managing the quality control process over papers in line with Institute procedures and ensure that these operate on a consistent basis (this includes syllabus fit, timing, standard and clarity).  Advising on the improvement of these quality processes;

• Ensuring that all examination papers have good syllabus fit and meet guidelines relating to consistency of approach, standard of material and appropriate timing considerations;

• Agreeing of final examination papers and publication of same including solutions in a timely manner;

• Managing and overseeing the development of related examination materials to support examinations (solutions, marking schemes, examination materials (e.g. tax tables, formulae sheets etc.) ;

• Ensuring that appropriate and timely approval of the papers takes place and ensuring appropriate minutes and documentation is in place to support same;

• Considering any examination feedback and how this might be reflected in the future examination papers

• Considering how exam feedback is best communicated to key stakeholders (including CASSI, Education Delivery Division and liaisons with Educators);

• Undertaking appropriate research to support and influence the development of assessment for qualifying chartered accountants and facilitating the preparation of appropriate reports in relation to same to examinations committees;

• Maintaining the Institute reputation in our dealings with Regulators.

• Supporting quality processes in relation to marking of examination scripts.

Teamwork and Financial Management:

• Managing the key relationships with all key stakeholders in a proactive manner (particularly the Examiners, Moderators, Markers and Committees);

• Budgeting for examination paper development and accounting for same during the year;

• Working collaboratively with other Institute Departments, and building relationships with key external stakeholders (training firms, student societies), Examiners and Moderators etc.

• Working with other staff within ETD and elsewhere to ensure appropriate resources and processes are in place;

• Achieving team targets relating to customer service, accuracy of processing and timely publication of solutions and related reports etc.

As the Institute is an all-island body, there may be an element of travel from time to time.

Person Specification

This position requires a person who can establish proactive and trusting relationships with colleagues, sub-contractors, and Committees based upon credible experience and expertise. Excellent organisational, communication and influencing skills will be required.

Given the technical nature of the role candidates should be qualified Chartered Accountants, ideally with a minimum of three years post-qualification experience in an education/assessment role.

Experience in the hiring and assessment of staff, including assessment of their training needs, would be an advantage.

A sound knowledge of the work of technical aspects of accountancy education and assessment processes in particular would be an advantage. Given the nature of the role a strong demonstrable attention to detail is needed. A knowledge of and experience in the operation of quality assurance processes would be a distinct advantage.  

Experience of managing change would be a distinct advantage.  The position will interest those who enjoy the challenge of change. The Institute is the premier accounting body in Ireland, and is embracing an agenda for change centring on being the leader in accountancy education and examinations. Candidates should be committed to contributing fully to a team of professionals at the very centre of development of the accountancy examinations in Ireland.

Flexible work arrangements 

The Institute is seeking and encourages applications from experienced candidates who may be looking for flexible work arrangements. If such arrangements are being sought please bring these to the attention of your interviewer.  

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Chartered Accountants Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.