Qualification Support Assistant in Oxford

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is the UK's chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and internationally. The IFoA regulates and represents over 34,000 members worldwide, overseeing their actuarial education at all stages of qualification and development throughout their careers. We set examinations, continuing professional development, professional codes and disciplinary standards for our members.

We are currently recruiting a Qualification Support Assistant for a Fixed term contract until the end of July 2027. This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Oxford hub. You will be in the hub 1 or 2 days per week, with daily attendance during exam periods in April and September. We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our flexible working policy. Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. The starting salary is £29,450 per annum. Interviews will take place in the week commencing 10 August. Applicants for this role must have the right to work in the UK.

This role is to support users of the IFoA’s qualification processes, predominantly members, non-members, employers and self-employed contractors. There are over 15,000 learners who are registered to sit the assessments relating to the IFoA qualifications. There are 26 assessments which run twice a year (in April and September) plus a further 3 assessments which can be sat throughout the year relating to the IFoA qualifications. All these assessments must be added accurately onto the exam platforms in sufficient time for the assessment to take place on the agreed date. Supporting 40+ exam centres, each requiring a secure file platform to allow for transfer of data which includes over 400 attendance registers, which are manually collated.

The role will have responsibility for the accuracy of the assessment material and data entered onto the internal and external platforms working with external suppliers and IFoA colleagues to deliver all key assessment processes within the agreed dates. There are over 400 external examiners and markers that support this work whom the post holder will be engaging with.

• Providing multi-channel first-line support to both centres and individual candidates sitting remotely on the exam days including by phone, Teams and email.
• Effective management of key inbox traffic which is essential to maintaining a smooth communication flow, prioritising critical tasks, and ensuring timely responses to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting the exam centres that all need a secure file platform to allow for transfer of data which includes the manually collated attendance registers.
• Detecting and reporting breaches of examination regulations through reviewing video recordings and other documentation for candidates sitting the examinations online or other instances where a candidate may have breached the rules in a centre.
• Effective support of the self-employed contractors setting up secure file transfers, ensuring documents are accurately moved at key times, setting up marking meetings and formatting examiner reports which aid candidates in their revision.
• To administer the CERA seminars, professionalism courses, CB3 (Business Management) and exam counselling.

• Excellent attention for detail and able to maintain high levels of accuracy.
• Excellent customer care skills including sensitivity to the needs of the customer.
• Confident phone manner.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Must organise own workload and take responsibility/ownership.
• Strong IT skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• Integrity, discretion and diplomacy in the handling of confidential and sensitive information.

• Experience within a professional body or higher education provider.
• Working with volunteers.

The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you.