Freelance External Quality Assurer (EQA)

Freelance External Quality Assurer (EQA) – Service Enterprise or Sport, Leisure and Recreation

Focus Awards, a leading Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation (AO), is seeking experienced and professional Freelance External Quality Assurers (EQAs) with occupational expertise across a wide range of sectors and subject areas.

We are looking for individuals with a strong quality assurance background who can effectively support centres, maintain regulatory compliance, and uphold the integrity of qualifications. Previous experience working with an Awarding Organisation is essential, together with excellent communication, organisational, and report-writing skills.

This is a freelance, associate position with work allocated on a centre and qualification basis. Visits may be conducted remotely or face-to-face, depending on centre requirements. Applicants must be willing to travel where necessary and hold a full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle.

Qualifications Required

• Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF), or ENTO Unit V2 (D35).
• Applicants who hold the Level 4 Award in Understanding the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice and are currently working towards the practical unit may be considered.
• Relevant occupational qualifications and/or substantial industry experience within the subject area.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct external quality assurance activities in accordance with Focus Awards' policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support new centre approvals and qualification approval activities where required.
• Conduct centre monitoring, support, and quality assurance visits (remote and/or face-to-face).
• Monitor centre compliance and verify the consistency and quality of assessment decisions across allocated centres.
• Review assessment and internal quality assurance practices to ensure validity, authenticity, reliability, currency, and sufficiency.
• Ensure centre staffing, resources, and delivery arrangements meet qualification and regulatory requirements.
• Meet with centre staff and learners to discuss qualification delivery, assessment practices, learner support, and quality assurance arrangements.
• Identify and share examples of good practice and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Produce timely, accurate, and evidence-based reports, including recommendations and actions where appropriate.
• Escalate risks, concerns, malpractice, maladministration, or non-compliance issues in line with Focus Awards procedures.
• Contribute to standardisation activities and maintain consistency in quality assurance decisions.
• Maintain current occupational competence and continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the qualifications being quality assured.
• Attend and successfully complete annual Focus Awards standardisation activities. Participation in standardisation is a requirement for maintaining EQA allocations.
• Support qualification development, qualification reviews, and resource development activities where requested.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience as an EQA for an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation.
• Experience across multiple regulated qualifications within the relevant sector.
• Qualification development, assessment design, or resource development experience.
• Experience supporting centre improvement and quality enhancement activities.

Working Arrangements

This is a freelance associate role. Work is allocated based on centre requirements, occupational competence, and availability. The role involves a combination of remote working and travel to centres as required. Attendance at standardisation meetings, occasional meetings at the Focus Awards head office in Rotherham, and other meetings with Focus Awards may also be required.