The SCQF Partnership is the independent, charitable company set up to maintain and develop Scotland’s National Qualifications Framework. We work with a wide range of awarding bodies, professional bodies and other programme owners to ensure that a wide variety of learning is recognised on the Framework, responding to employer needs and promoting broader learning pathways for the benefit of individuals of all ages and abilities.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Head of Development and Engagement to be part of our busy team. If successful, you would work to deliver key messages about the benefits of the Framework to our external audiences, whilst developing specific projects and new approaches to extending use and understanding of the Framework.

This is an exciting post which offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of Scotland’s lifelong learning system and to be part of national policy reform discussions.

Responsible for a small staff team (currently 3), this role requires someone who has excellent communication skills and has significant experience of managing a team to deliver effectively. You will also have a proven track record of working at a strategic level with Government and/or national agencies or third sector organisations.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage, support and develop a small staff team focused on communications and development activity, focused on achieving consistently high performance.
• Support the Chief Executive in implementing focused strategic priorities that maximise the Framework’s impact in promoting equity in learning opportunity, Recognition of Prior Learning and increasing awareness and application of the Framework in Scotland
• Lead the development of new project proposals that are capable of promoting and extending the framework
• Refresh, implement and regularly review the Partnership’s Marketing and communications strategy
• Manage and monitor the Communications and development activity budgets
• Oversee the management and delivery of all marketing and communications activity, including development and review of the website, social media strategy, E-zine and publications delivery.
• Lead on external engagement with key partners, employers and users of the Framework and its Principles, through the operation of the SCQF Forum and delivery of conferences, workshops and bespoke projects etc.
• Lead the Partnership’s work to continuously improve the impact of the SCQF across a range of sectors
• Oversee the development of a range of workshops which promote understanding of different aspects of the SCQF and its resources
• Work with policy makers in Scottish Government and its national agencies to ensure that the SCQF supports and is supported by Scottish Government policy and strategy
• Encourage partners and stakeholders to use SCQF terminology to describe all learning undertaken in Scotland
• Work closely with the Head of Quality Assurance Review and Enhancement to deliver relevant communication tools and workshop content including those for the Recognition of Prior Learning
• Contribute to the leadership of the Partnership, working closely with the Chief Executive and other Heads of Service and the wider team to secure the sustainability of the Partnership, maintaining focus and continuing relevance to the Scottish Education and Skills landscape.
• Respond flexibly to the priorities of our small organisation, assuming other duties as required.

Person specification

Essential criteria

The post holder will:

• Have a proven track record of working at a strategic level with Government and/or national agencies or third sector organisations
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of at least one aspect of the lifelong learning sector and its policy environment
• Have experience of managing a team effectively
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal including presenting to a variety of external audiences
• Show experience of developing and implementing new partnership projects from inception to delivery, including their promotion and communication
• Have strong influencing and motivational skills
• Be a team player who enjoys working with others to find solutions collaboratively
• Have experience of performance management, review and reporting
• Have experience of external relations and partnership engagement
• Evidence a commitment to our values of integrity, quality, partnership working, inclusiveness and respect through their working life
• Be flexible and quick to respond to change and opportunities that this presents and
• Have experience of managing budgets

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.