About AIM

AIM supports the growth in the end-point assessment (EPA) of apprenticeship standards, delivering high-quality EPA in partnership with major employers across sectors. We are seeking talented and motivated assessors for the Publishing Professional standard.

About the Role

As an Independent End-Point Assessor for the Publishing Professional Level 4 apprenticeship standard, you will assess apprentices once they have successfully completed their training and entered Gateway.

Using your professional publishing expertise, you will make fair, valid and independent assessment decisions against the published assessment and grading criteria, helping to ensure apprentices demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a competent publishing professional.

The occupation supports key parts of the publishing process, from the conception of books, digital products, journals and educational resources through to production, sales, marketing and publicity. Publishing professionals may work across editorial, marketing, sales, publicity, production, rights, contracts or digital publishing.

This flexible associate role provides an opportunity to remain connected to the publishing industry while helping to support and develop the next generation of creative professionals.

What You'll Be doing

You'll conduct independent End-Point Assessments in line with the apprenticeship standard and EPA plan, assessing apprentices against the published assessment and grading criteria and the associated knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Assessment activities include a Project with Report, Presentation and Questions, and a Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence. You'll review the project report, presentation materials and portfolio evidence, conduct the presentation questioning and professional discussion, make independent grading decisions and complete assessment documentation within agreed timescales.

You'll also participate in induction, training and standardisation activities to ensure assessment decisions remain fair, reliable and consistent. 

Essential Requirements

· To be considered for this role, applicants must:

·   Be independent and have no conflict of interest with the apprentices, employers or training providers they assess.

·   Have substantial and relevant professional experience within publishing or a closely related publishing environment.

·   Be able to demonstrate current occupational competence and up-to-date industry knowledge appropriate to a Level 4 Publishing Professional apprenticeship.

·   Have strong practical knowledge and experience of publishing processes and professional practice.

·   Understand the publishing process from conception and development through production and into sales, marketing and publicity.

·   Have experience of working with internal and external stakeholders across one or more publishing functions, such as editorial, marketing, sales, publicity, production, rights, contracts or digital.

·   Have strong organisational, communication and report-writing skills.

·   Be confident using digital systems and assessment platforms.

·   Understand the apprenticeship occupational standard and End-Point Assessment plan.

·   Hold, or be working towards, a recognised assessor qualification such as TAQA

or CAVA.

·   Have the right to work in the UK.

·   Be willing to travel where required.

    Desirable Expertise

Previous experience as an assessor, trainer, mentor or quality assurer would be advantageous, as would experience of apprenticeship delivery or End-Point Assessment.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants will be required to attend induction and standardisation activities before conduction EPA activity and participate in ongoing standardisation events throughout the year.

Associates are expected to maintain and evidence current occupational competence, comply with AIM's Internal and External Quality Assurance requirements, maintain accurate assessment records and undertake assessment training where previous End-Point Assessment experience is not held.

• Flexible associate working arrangements that can fit around existing employment, consultancy or portfolio careers.

• Competitive fee per assessment.

• Opportunity to influence and support the next generation of creative industry professionals.

• Remain actively connected to the profession while sharing your expertise and experience.

• Ongoing training, moderation and standardisation support.

• Work with an experienced and supportive Apprenticeship Team.

• Be part of a growing organisation working with employers and training providers across the UK.

AIM will provide assessment guidance and assessment materials to support assessors in carrying out End-Point Assessment activities.

Assessments will be recorded for moderation and quality assurance purposes.

Ongoing training, moderation and standardisation activities form part of the role to ensure consistency, reliability and quality of assessment decisions.

AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group are committed to promoting equity, celebrating diversity and ensuring inclusion across all aspects of our work as an Awarding Organisation. We require everyone regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances should have fair and equitable access to our qualifications, our services, and all our opportunities.

We are dedicated to creating and continually maintaining an environment that is inclusive, is free from discrimination, harassment, or bias. This includes, but is in no way limited to, characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010 age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion is embedded in the design, delivery and awarding of all our qualifications and assessment materials We actively work to remove barriers by using our impact assessment tool and make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all learners can achieve their full potential. We also endeavour to ensure that our assessment materials and processes are fair, accessible, and free from cultural or unconscious bias.

We are committed to working toward:

• Ensuring fairness and transparency in all our policies, procedures, and decision making.

• Listening to and learning from the voices of our learners, our centres, our staff and our stakeholders especially those from underrepresented groups.

• Regularly reviewing our practices to identify and address any and all inequality or unintended disadvantage.

• Building a diverse workforce and partner network that reflects the communities we serve.

• Supporting continuous professional development in EDI for all staff and associates.

Our vision is to become a sector leader in inclusive awarding practices. We understand that this is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuous improvement to help create a more equitable and representative organisation.