A job description for the role of exams officer must clearly detail the role and responsibilities expected of your exams officer and if applicable, any other role they will be required to undertake in addition to the exams officer role
Many newly appointed exams officers state that the job description and the questions they were asked at their interview, do not reflect their role which they undertook upon appointment. Therefore, the job description, and sample interview questions, should accurately reflect the expectations of the role - this will also support centres in ensuring that they attract and appoint the most appropriate person to serve as exams officer at their centre.
Although the National Association of Examinations Officers (NAEO) does not encourage an exams officers in performing, or being asked to perform, a role in addition to their core role of exams officer, there is an appreciation that there may be circumstances where an exams officer may undertake an appropriate/relevant additional role (e.g. a data-related role). However, if this is the case, it should be reflected in the time allowed to perform the exams officer role and the renumeration offered in the job description.
Any job description should be based upon the tasks which an exams officer will be expected to undertake including JCQ and awarding body requirements, and the deadlines which will need to be met.
Consideration should also be given to the job title. The NAEO recommends that an exams officer is appointed as ‘Head of Exams’ to reflect the responsibility placed upon an exams officer.
The exams officer is the individual who serves as the ‘in-house expert’ in JCQ and awarding body regulations, and the person who can ensure/advise upon best practice and maintain the integrity and security of the examination system.
Qualification requirements should be included within the Person Specification (see the Person Specification section).
The job description should also include the salary and type of contract which will be offered to the successful candidate (see Salary and Contract Type section).
Sample job description
If this sample job description template is used, it should be reviewed/amended to address centre-specific requirements.
Download a sample job description