Guidance

Apply to be an external expert with Ofqual

Find out what the role of an external expert involves and how to apply. Information for current experts on renewing your contract or adding additional skills.

Published 29 March 2018
Last updated 21 September 2018 — see all updates

• From: Ofqual

• Applies to: England

External experts flyer

PDF, 120KB, 2 pages

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Are you looking for a new challenge? Would you like to add to your CV?

We are looking for people to join us as external experts to help our work on qualifications and assessments for GCSEs, A levels, a wide range of vocational and technical qualifications and new apprenticeship end-point assessments.

External experts are invaluable to the work we do to ensure the qualifications we regulate are fit for purpose – making sure they assess the right things, in a consistent way, and can be trusted.

Who can be an external expert?

Become an expert for Ofqual

We are looking for people from a wide range of different backgrounds.

You might:

• be a teacher, practitioner, assessor, examiner or an academic
• have extensive skills and experience in a particular industry

Please read our Person specification and eligibility criteria - external experts (PDF, 546KB, 7 pages) for full details of the role.

How we make use of your expertise

There are lots of ways we might ask you to contribute. For example, we might ask you to:

• comment on the content of qualifications and the quality of their assessments
• provide specialist opinion, professional insight or industry expertise on a specific theme
• become involved in large scale projects where qualifications are being developed, or respond to ad hoc queries
• contribute to research projects

To see who is currently advising us, please download Ofqual's list of external experts (ODS, 32.8KB)

Why should I apply?

This is a great opportunity to:

• use your professional expertise to help shape and improve the education system
• be involved in crucial pieces of work that will benefit learners
• gain an insight into how qualifications are regulated
• be a representative for your subject or industry

Will I be paid?

You will be paid for any expertise you provide.

How to apply?

Before applying, make sure you read the External experts factsheet (PDF, 104KB, 3 pages) to increase your chance of success.

To apply please complete the new applicant form.

The application process is open all year round, but we sometimes highlight specific subjects and sectors where we are particularly looking for external experts.

We are currently looking for experts with experience in the following areas. These experts may be asked to work on specific assignments which may include reviewing and commenting on apprenticeship end point assessments.

Clicking on the area of expertise will show you the apprenticeship standard for that area.

• British sign language (BSL)
• Golf greenkeeper
• Hair professional
• Customer service practitioner
• Customer service specialist
• Healthcare assistant practitioner
• Healthcare support worker
• Conveyancing technician
• Bus and coach engineering technician
• Heavy vehicle service and maintenance technician
• Horticulture and landscape operative
• Landscape and horticulture supervisor
• Mineral processing, mobile and static plant operator
• Mineral processing weighbridge operator
• Arborist
• Forest operative
• Trade supplier
• Paralegal

To see the full list of apprenticeship end point assessments in which we are involved, see the confirmed Ofqual quality-assured apprenticeship end point assessments.

Current experts

Renewing your contract

If you have received an email notification inviting you to renew your contract, please complete the renewal form

Adding additional skills

If you would like to add additional skills, experience, or acquired knowledge in a field of work or subject, to your original application, please complete the additional expertise form.

Additional information

Please read our Person specification and eligibility criteria - external experts (PDF, 546KB, 7 pages) , Privacy statement (PDF, 244KB, 5 pages) and Terms and Conditions (PDF, 489KB, 20 pages) before completing any of the application forms.

How we process your application is shown in Stages of the recruitment process (PDF, 98.3KB, 1 page) .

If you have any questions please contact us at experts@ofqual.gov.uk for further information.

Published 29 March 2018
Last updated 21 September 2018 + show all updates

1. 21 September 2018 Added a video explaining the work of an expert, a factsheet and a promotional leaflet.
2. 22 August 2018 Added a list of specialisms where we are currently looking to recruit experts.
3. 29 June 2018 Updated person specification added and changes made to how we make use of your expertise.
4. 14 June 2018 Updated list of external experts added
5. 21 May 2018 Updated terms and conditions
6. 16 May 2018 Update to attached terms and conditions. Schedule 2e updated to state our obligation to publish details of any contract over £10k. Minor typos fixed.
7. 11 May 2018 Updated list of experts
8. 10 May 2018 Updated terms and conditions added.
9. 30 April 2018 Updated the list of experts.
10. 6 April 2018 Added revised terms and conditions doc
11. 29 March 2018 First published.