Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQFP)
Chief Executive
Salary: c.£78,000
Hybrid working model
Since its creation, 21 years ago, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) has become established in a central role in the Scottish education, training and skills landscape.
The SCQF is overseen by the SCQF Partnership (SCQFP), which includes organisations from different sectors of education and training.
The Partnership employs a team of 12 people to maintain and promote the Framework. The team works with a range of stakeholders across Scotland to help create new learning pathways, broaden the curriculum offer to better meet the needs of all learners, and give recognition to all types of learning, wherever it occurs.
The SCQF is a key enabler for the Scottish Government’s aim of parity of esteem and recognition for all learning pathways, including the recognition of skills through prior and experiential learning. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Ms Shirley-Anne Somerville, has recently stressed her support for the SCQF and the SCQF Partnership team, and the need for it to retain its independent status, which she indicated is central to its ability to broker a holistic approach to improving the learner journey.
The current Chief Executive will retire at the end of 2022 and so the Partnership is now planning for a new Chief Executive to build on the successes to date and to lead the organisation moving forward.
The Chief Executive will:
- Be the advocate and public face of SCQF and SCQFP to government and to bodies with interests in education and training in Scotland;
- Act as chief advisor on matters of policy, strategy and practice to the Partnership Board and its committees;
- Formulate proposals, generate consensus and implement decisions on behalf of the Board and in accordance with public policies;
- Through enlightened staff management and judicious public communications, implement Board-led policy and practice and achieve objectives set by the Board;
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with partners across sectors and borders;
- Manage the Partnership as a viable and sustainable business.
The successful candidate will show proven success at a managerial level in a policy environment, demonstrating strong analytical thinking and astute judgement, particularly in respect of learners securing access to, and recognition of, educational attainments. They will be an excellent communicator with a high level of confidence and clarity and able to work easily with a wide range of people and organisations across diverse media.
As a well-organised leader, they will be able to manage, empower and elevate a team of staff whilst simultaneously operating on a strategic, innovative and risk-aware level. The role requires a comprehensive knowledge of education, quality assurance and skills development and recognition, and the successful candidate will be expected to join colleagues in leading on such operational matters when necessary.
This is a great opportunity to join the SCQFP at a dynamic time for the organisation, and a time of great change and challenge in the economy, working with a committed team and trusted partners to invest in Scotland’s lifelong learning. With major reviews and consultations ongoing in the education, training and skills sector, this is the perfect time for the right candidate to play a leading role in change and to steer the organisation towards new horizons.
For a confidential discussion please contact Donogh O’Brien or Lauren Crichton at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.