Exams Invigilator

Role Title

Invigilator   

Role Information

Role Type

 Pay Band

 Location

 Duration

 Reports to:

Business Delivery

Venue Staff

Addis Ababa-Ethiopia

2 years renewable

Test Day Coordinator

Role purpose

To ensure that any test administered by the British Council runs smoothly on the test day/s and that all assigned test day duties and standards are met.

About us

The British Council provides access to English Language and other UK qualifications through its Examinations Services. The UK qualifications and assessments that we provide have the power to change people’s lives, enabling them to access life, study or work opportunities overseas or in their own countries. Qualifications and examinations are one of the most powerful drivers of improvements in teaching, learning and professional practice.

The British Council Examinations Services administers a wide range of UK exams on behalf of UK based Exam Boards and awarding bodies. These include English proficiency exams such as IELTS, Cambridge English and Aptis, school exams such as IGCSE, O and A levels for Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel International, a range of professional and university qualifications such as ACCA (accounting).

In Ethiopia, we run exams in several locations such as Addis Ababa, Jimma, Jijiga, Dire Dawa, Mekele, Hawassa and Arba Minch.

As an Invigilator, you will be part of a wider team of exams venue staff expected to support the delivery of a variety of tests in various locations. You will be required to work very closely with British Council Examinations Services staff, other venue staff and venue service providers to ensure the test days run smoothly.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview:

The British Council established a presence in Ethiopia in 1942 shortly after the return of the Emperor Haile Selassie from exile in the UK. Our work in Arts, English and Exam, Education and Society is delivered across Ethiopia’s 11 regions. We work with partners – UK, Ethiopia and international – to the benefit of individuals, the UK and Ethiopia. There is a growing demand for IELTS amongst individuals wishing to improve their study and career opportunities. There is a growing recognition amongst public and private sector organisations of the advantages of benchmarking students’, teachers’, and employees’ language levels.

The English and Examinations Strategic Business Unit (E&E) is one of three strategic business units in the British Council (the others being Arts and Education & Society) all of which have the remit to build trust for the people of the UK by building relationships through aspects of our language and culture.  E&E achieves this by enabling people across the world to access the life-changing education and work opportunities that are created by learning English or gaining valuable UK qualifications.  Promoting the English language also provides a medium for communication, helping break down barriers of misunderstanding or mistrust between cultures. The British Council’s 2020 vision for English & Examinations is to be the world authority in high quality English language teaching, learning and assessment, as well as the International distributor of choice for UK professional and school qualifications.

The Examinations business makes a significant contribution to British Council financial sustainability, and as such, it is essential that the business evolves in order to maintain its position in a fast-changing operating context. There is a need to standardise and automate activities across the globe to deliver efficiencies, and there is also a requirement to develop new digital products and services to meet changing customer demands and competitive pressures. In a cost and resource-constrained environment, balancing the on-going requirements and allocation of funds will be critical, as will the integration and planning of the implementation of the different changes across a global network of 110+ countries charged with the on-going delivery of impact and income whilst changing key elements of the supporting operational platform.

Main Accountabilities:

You will be accountable for maintaining the integrity and reputation of the British Council and the various examination boards by ensuring that tests are delivered to prescribed standards for customer service, security and administration. You will also be accountable for promoting a positive image of the British Council by providing a high standard of customer care on the test day.

Programme/service support

• Report promptly to test venue at agreed time. In case of any delays or if unable to get to the test venue, inform the appropriate test day or British Council Examinations Services staff in a timely manner.
• Follow all relevant standards & procedures, based on training and reference materials provided by the British Council Examinations Services and the relevant Exam Boards.
• Be familiar with the emergency procedures for the test day venue.
• Invigilate examinations to the standard required by the British Council Examinations Service and the relevant Exams Boards.
• Actively monitor candidates during tests to make sure that there is no violation of test conditions.
• Support the supervisor to ensure that candidates have a positive and consistent test day experience and a positive image of the British Council.
• Ensure all material is accounted for and handed over securely to the supervisor.
• Complete and maintain accurate records of exam assignments. Complete all reports, logs and claims accurately as required by British Council Examinations Services.
• Follow all relevant guidelines and policies in the areas of: Data Protection, Child Protection, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, and Anti-Fraud.
• Report any incidents, emergencies or breaches of security to the appropriate test day supervisor.
• Work with the test day supervisor to promote and ensure the wellbeing of candidates at all time. In case of emergencies, follow correct procedures.
• Additional duties in line with the role may be required.

Customer support

• Enable good customer flow by giving candidates clear direction and answering their enquiries.
• Ensure that candidates follow the agreed exam procedures regarding the location and security of their belongings.
• Conduct candidate entry, exit, identity checks and Test Day Photography procedures according to exam requirements.
• Ensure special arrangements are provided as required

Training and development:

• Attend all briefing and training sessions as requested by the British Council Examinations Services Centre.
• Complete all mandatory training modules: Data Protection, Child Protection, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Anti-Fraud, Identity Checks as required.

Other important features or requirements of the job:

• Some invigilators may be required to travel, including overnight stays. The majority will not have this requirement. During the recruitment process you will be asked to indicate your willingness to travel.
• You are required to be very vigilant when observing candidates; to watch and hear what is going on in the exams room.
• Although there may not be a prescribed uniform for your role, while carrying out your duties, you must always be dressed in line with the cultural expectations of the country you are working in and your position in accordance with your role as representing the British Council.  However, it is recommended that you wear soft comfortable shoes.  Noisy shoes and distracting jewellery are not permitted.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Country Operations Manager, Exams team and Liaison Officers

External

• UK Qualifications/Exams Bodies, Venue Staffs and Examiners, and Exams Candidates

Role Requirements:

Threshold requirements:

Assessment stage

Passport requirements/ Right to work in country

Must be able to legally work in the country of appointment.

Shortlisting

Direct contact or managing staff working with children?

Yes/No

IF YES. Appropriate police check

N/A

Notes

You will be paid as per the terms and conditions of your contract.

You may be required to work weekends (Saturdays and /or Sundays), public holidays, extended hours in the early morning or late evening, as this is when many examinations take place. You must have the flexibility to work beyond the prior agreed work schedule

DBS checks or local equivalent required

Person Specification:

Assessment stage

Language requirements

Minimum / essential

Desirable

Assessment Stage

• English language level of CEFR B1 (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing skills) or equivalent (eg Cambridge English PET, IELTS 5)

Minimum of B1

National or international certification, or testing will be completed as part of the recruitment and selection process

Qualifications

Minimum / essential

Desirable

Assessment Stage

• Diploma or equivalent qualification

Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience

Minimum / essential

Desirable

Assessment Stage

• Customer Service: experience of responding to children/ young adults and parents' needs (as customers) in a professional manner, to a high level of quality.
• Experience of planning and delivery in a fast-paced operational environment at a management level
• Experience managing small teams or demonstrating management potential
• Experience of delivery change and ensuring that new ways of working are embedded

Awareness of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Experience working in Exams environment.

Experience of leading on delivery of computer-based exams.

Shortlisting AND Interview

Role Specific Skills (if any)

Assessment Stage

• N/A

Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Core Skills

Assessment Stage

Using technology level 1: Operates as a basic user of information systems, digital and office technology. Able to use British Council systems and software, and the internet, to do the job and manage documents or processes.

Planning and organising level 1: Is methodical. Able to plan own work over short timescales for routine or familiar tasks and processes. Has a good attention to detail. Is punctual and reliable.

Communications in English level 1: Communicates clearly and effectively. Listens to others and expresses self clearly, with grammatical accuracy and awareness of a diverse audience in speaking and writing.

Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Behaviours

Assessment Stage

Being accountable (Essential):

Giving constructive feedback to others in a way they can understand and accept.

Working together (Essential):

Works well with others, is approachable and flexible.

Interview

Interview