Assistant Director The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) safeguards standards and improves the quality of higher education in the UK. We review and report on universities and colleges, and publish guidance for them.

Our role is increasingly important at a time when quality and standards are under the spotlight, and students rightly have high expectations of their education. Over the last year, our research and analysis function has taken on greater significance, and we are looking to increase the extent of our activities in this area.

The Research, Information and Enquiry team consists of a Head of Function, two Assistant Directors, two Development Officers and 1.5 Information Officers.

We are looking to appoint an Assistant Director, on a permanent full time basis, to assist us with the following areas of activity:

• supporting reviews of higher education, through the provision of information
• coordinating evaluation across QAA
• providing an evidence based research and analysis capability
• developing dissemination and briefing products for internal and external use
• contributing to organisation wide performance monitoring
• managing programmes of work.

You will need to be well organised and have an excellent standard of written, communication and presentation skills. Significant experience in research is required, with a good understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods. A good understanding of the UK higher education sector is preferred. As the post involves the management of two staff members, experience of staff or project management is desirable. The post is based at QAA's head office in Gloucester, and will involve travel within the United Kingdom.

The salary for this post is on a range between £44,269 - £51,249 per annum.

First stage interviews will be held on: Friday 7 October 2011.
Second stage interviews will be held on: Wednesday 12 October 2011.

Application forms and further details are available on our website: www.qaa.ac.uk or email vacancies@qaa.ac.uk.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Mandy Nelson on 01452 557182.

Closing date for all applications: Monday 12 September (5pm).

No agencies, no CVs.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Southgate House, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1UB
Registered Charity No 1062746 and SC037786