Pearson Education Ltd Hiring for Appeal Panel & Malpractice Committee Panellist Job at Birmingham, England , UK Full Time

Our Organisation

Pearson is the world’s learning company, operating in 70 countries. At Pearson, our purpose is to add life to a lifetime of learning. We envision a future where everyone can realise the life they imagine through learning.

We are currently looking for Appeal Panel and Malpractice Committee Panellists to sit on the Pearson Appeal Panels and Malpractice Committees. Part of our commitment to our customers and learners is to make sure they have the opportunity to appeal when they think we have got something wrong. The role of an independent appeal panellist and/or Malpractice Committee Panellist is essential in ensuring there is objectivity and fairness in the appeals process.

About the Roles

This role will require you to operate as a freelance, independent Appeal Panellist and/or a Malpractice Committee Panellist. Panels and Committees will be convened by our Regulation or Investigations Team, as required. Appeal Panels and Malpractice Committees typically includes one chair and two panellists per case.

The purpose of a Malpractice Committee is to independently review an investigation and evaluate the evidence obtained to determine whether malpractice has occurred and, if so, the appropriate sanction(s) that should be imposed on those responsible.

The purpose of an Appeal Panel is to independently consider the evidence presented to the Panel and determine whether Pearson has followed its own procedures and regulatory requirements in arriving at a decision about the award of marks or grades, the application of access arrangements or special consideration, or a malpractice sanction. Further details of the appeals process can be found in the JCQ guide to the awarding bodies’ appeal processes (Appeals – JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications).

Appeal Panels usually take place at one of our central London offices or online, depending on what is most appropriate for the case. Malpractice Committees will usually be conducted online. The arrangements for each Panel/Committee will be made clear at the outset, when we invite individuals to be Panellists.

Full training will be provided for these roles and additional training and support is available throughout the year, as required.

We ask for your availability for hearing/Committee dates in advance and pay a fee for each case to cover preparation and attendance. The current day rate is £245.00, and we will also pay travel and subsistence allowances (in person meetings only). We are looking for an availability commitment of approximately 1 to 2 hearing and Committee dates a month on average.

Your Key Responsibilities

• To attend Appeals Panels/Malpractice Committees either remotely or in person at a location of Pearson’s choice (usually in central London).
• To analyse and review appeals/malpractice documentation in advance of the Panel/Committee. This documentation can be complex and extensive.
• To listen to and assess complex discussions in an open and objective manner, ensuring both the appellant and Pearson have the opportunity to present their case.
• To ask relevant questions to seek clarity on issues pertinent to the case.
• To remain calm, objective and independent during proceedings and deliver decisions that either uphold, partially uphold or do not uphold the appeal.
• To know, understand and use relevant regulatory and policy documents (provided) in making decisions and reference these when documenting decisions.
• To work as part of the Panel/Committee to reach balanced, defensible decisions with clear reference to relevant regulations.
• To recommend sanctions to be applied to centres and or individuals in malpractice cases with clear reference to sanctions guidelines.
• To ensure decisions are free from bias, consistent and are evidence based and stand up to scrutiny.
• To provide feedback to Pearson on any areas of improvement identified.

About You

We’re looking for people with the highest personal and professional standards, who can determine fair outcomes in difficult situations, using regulatory requirements as the basis for decisions. To join us as a Panellist you should:

• Be a strong communicator (both verbal and written), including active listening.
• Be able to understand and apply policies, complex regulatory requirements and guidance documents.
• Be able to interpret, analyse and query complex evidence.
• Be able to remain calm and rational in challenging situations.
• Be able to identify and probe key issues.
• Be able to reach fair, clear, well-reasoned and defensible decisions that have the potential to have a significant impact on others.
• Have a strong sense of integrity and fairness.
• Have experience of working with a range of people, such as subject experts and educational professionals.
• Have proven management experience, ideally in an educational setting.

We are committed to ensuring our pool of Panellists reflect the diversity of our students and customers and we welcome applications from anyone with the skills required for these roles who shares our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Job Type: Freelance

Salary: £245.00-£295.00 per day

Benefits:

• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience of working with and applying complex regulatory requirements and documents?
• Do you have management experience, ideally in an educational setting?
• Do you have experience of working as part of a small, senior level team to reach evidence-based decisions that can stand up to scrutiny and challenge?
• Do you have the equipment and skills required to join panels via MS Teams from an environment that is suitable for the conduct of a panel hearing (free from interruptions and any disturbances?)
• Are you able to travel to London to attend in person meetings, as required?
• Are you available during normal working hours (9-5) to attend panel hearings that may last for 2-4 hours on average?

Application deadline: 10/06/2022
Reference ID: AB/MPP/001