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Work with us to shape real change
At NCFE, we want to cultivate a purpose-led, collaborative, vibrant and high-performance culture where our people are connected and aligned to achieving, and at the heart of our Vision for Our People is the desire to provide rich and rewarding career experiences.
Our flexible workforce is a key component of this, existing to support NCFE in ensuring learners taking our qualifications are getting the best education possible whilst enabling and supporting us to meet our needs and customer demand.
Joining us in one of these important roles means you’ll choose how to fit your work around your other personal and professional commitments – making this is a great opportunity to make a difference in a way that suits you.
Find out all about the opportunities we offer below and what life is like as a flexible worker at NCFE. You can also view and apply any of our live opportunities.
Can’t find any live vacancies that match your skills and experience? Register for our Talent Community to be kept up to date about new opportunities.
How our flexible arrangements work
Flexible Workers typically have more flexibility than employees. Being a Flexible Worker means you can decide your own schedule and balance your work commitments around your personal life.
Unlike employed colleagues, Flexible Workers aren’t obliged to carry out work (although should always complete any work that is already committed to) and you aren’t guaranteed to be offered work.
Whilst in a flexible working arrangement with NCFE, you:
- occasionally do work for us and may do work for other organisations too
- must agree to NCFE terms and conditions to work
- aren’t allowed to subcontract your work
- will be paid via our payroll; we deduct tax and NI contributions
- work under the supervision of a manager or operational contact.
Whilst not an employed colleague, you also benefit from:
- being able to take work on from us alongside your other commitments
- making a direct impact to the lives of learners
- bringing real purpose to your work by working for a charity
- opportunities for continuous professional development to support your career.
Find out more about rights as a Flexible Worker and contact terms and conditions:
Learn moreThe flexible worker roles we recruit to
We recruit into a number of flexible worker roles, and you can find out more about what each of these entail below:
Assessment Associate
Assessment Associates either write, review, or scrutinise external assessments. Each position requires a good depth of subject knowledge in your chosen specialism.
Writer
Writers produce and submit high-quality assessment content. You’ll produce assessment content relevant to the qualification or assessment specification and level.
Writers are given a timescale to work with Reviewers, Scrutineers and/or Assessment Production Officers to deliver a completed reliable assessment.
Reviewer
Reviewers check that all assessments meet regulatory requirements and our specifications. You’ll check that writers have produced assessment content that’s relevant to the qualification or assessment specification and level. Reviewers further make sure that content is challenging but analogous with previous assessments.
Reviewers will independently liaise with Writers, Scrutineers and/or Assessment Production Officers to deliver completed reliable assessments within a given timeframe.
Scrutineer
Scrutineers sit the assessment as a learner would, without knowing the mark scheme in advance. Following that, you’ll provide feedback on the assessment content, mark scheme, and suggest changes.
Scrutineers work with Writers, Reviewers and/or Assessment Production Officers to deliver completed reliable assessments within a given timeframe.
Examiner
Examiners mark external assessments and submit results within a given timeframe. You’ll attend standardisation meetings, mark to a required standard, and submit marks by set dates to ensure we can release accurate and timely results to our learners.
Chief Examiner
Chief Examiners lead a team of Examiners within a qualification, ensuring all examiners are trained and accurately marking to the required standard, with responsibility for sampling marking and providing feedback and guidance.
Chief Examiners also support with setting grade boundaries through awarding (where required), and lead on post-results services, carrying out reviews of marking.
External Quality Assurer
External Quality Assurers (EQAs) work alongside the Quality Assurance team to conduct approval reviews at new centres to check their systems and procedures meet NCFE’s requirements. As an EQA, you’ll check existing centres meet the requirements for our standards on grading, monitoring and assessment delivery.
You’ll also provide centres with up-to-date support and advice while visiting, and between visits. If approval criteria aren’t currently being met, or centres want to improve further, you’ll provide feedback. You’ll submit EQA reports via our online portals and work with the Lead EQA to find suitable portfolios for standardisation.
Independent End Point Assessor
Independent End Point Assessors (IEPA’s) assess and document an apprentice’s competency against industry specific standards, within agreed SLA’s and using appropriate technology systems.
IEPA’s engage in regular training and standardisation activities, delivering quality assessments in line with standards.
Moderator
Moderators are expected to make a judgement on the accuracy and validity of the providers assessment decisions by checking a sample of the students work submitted by the provider. You’ll attend standardisation meetings, moderate to a required standard, and submit marks by set dates to ensure we can release accurate and timely results to our learners.
Chief Moderator
Chief Moderators lead a team of Moderators within a qualification, ensuring all Moderators are trained and accurately moderating to the required standard, with responsibility for sampling moderation and providing feedback and guidance. Chief Moderators are expected to make a judgement on the accuracy and validity of the provider and moderators assessment decisions by continuously analysing data and evidence which forms part of the quality process to ensure qualification and regulatory compliance.
Chief Moderators also support with setting grade boundaries through awarding, and lead on post-results services. For example, carrying out reviews of moderation.
Want to know more?
Have your questions answered below around the flexible worker application, induction and training process, and your rights and protections.
Flexible worker FAQs
Q: What is a flexible worker?
A: Flexible Workers typically have more flexibility than employees. Being a Flexible Worker means you can decide your own schedule, and balance your work commitments around your personal life. You’re never obliged to carry out work (although should always complete any work that you’ve already committed to) and you aren’t guaranteed to be offered work.
Flexible Workers have the HMRC employment status of “Worker” more information about this employment status can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/worker
Q: I’ve already worked as a flexible worker for NCFE. Do I need to reapply?
A: If you’re no longer contracted with NCFE then yes, you will need to re-apply to come back onboard with us.
Q: Can I apply for more than one role?
A: Yes, in fact flexible workers can often undertake multiple roles with us concurrently. For example, you could be an Examiner and a Writer with us.
Q: What is the application and interview process?
This will be dependent on the role but will likely consist of an online application via a CV submission to a job role followed by a remote, Microsoft Teams interview. Some roles will include a task to assess your competence.
Q: How long will it take for me to be onboarded as a flexible worker?
A: It’s impossible to give a definitive answer here as that’s dependant on a number of factors/circumstances. We’ll need to carry out a Right to Work checks and some roles require us to perform a DBS check, however, we have various options available to ensure this process is as quick and smooth as possible.
Q: Will I receive an induction?
A: Yes, once onboarded you’ll receive a full induction from your operational contact. When you receive this will be dependent on your role, but this will be communicated to you from your operational contact as part of your welcome email.
Q: What training will I receive?
Training is broken down into two parts, essential training and operational training.
Essential training
Before embarking on any work for NCFE, you’re required to complete essential learning modules on our Learning Management System. There may also be role-specific training you’re required to undertake before completing work - your operational contact will advise you if this is the case.
It’s a regulatory requirement that these essential modules are completed once per academic session to keep you up to date with industry standards and best practice. All individuals need to demonstrate compliance for audit purposes.
Once you’ve completed your essential training, you’ll be entitled to claim a one-off ‘Annual Mandatory Reads/eLearning Modules’ fee.
Operational training
This is delivered by your new operation team(s) and will give you detail about your role(s) at NCFE.
Q: How am I paid?
A: All workers’ fees and expense claims must be loaded and authorised on the Quality Zone system by the 7th of each month.
Monthly payslips are uploaded to the employee access area of the portal two to three days before you’re paid on the 28th of the month (or earlier if the 28th falls on a weekend or bank holiday).
Q: I don’t live in the UK, can I still come onboard as a Flexible worker?
A: No, all workers main place of residence must be in mainland Britain (Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland)
Q: Can I work abroad?
A: This is dependent on circumstance and role type and must be cleared with your operational contact before any work is undertaken abroad.
Q: I’m self employed and pay my own tax / NI. As a flexible worker, can I be paid via invoice?
A: No, we pay our workers Tax and NI via payroll.
Q Am I eligible for pension, sick pay or other statutory rights?
A: Please find a summary of flexible workers' rights and protections below.
Right / protection |
Flexible worker |
Employee |
Self-employed |
|
The individual agrees to perform the work or service personally (that is, by themselves as a 'personal service') and do not send substitutes instead |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Right not to be unfairly dismissed (after 2 years' service) |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Able to take on work with other organisations |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Itemised payslip |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Statutory minimum notice |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Statutory redundancy pay (after 2 years' service) |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Protection from discrimination in the workplace |
Yes |
Yes |
Possibly~ |
|
National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage (if aged 25 and over) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Protection from unlawful deduction from my wages |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Paid annual leave |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Right to daily and weekly rest breaks |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Pension auto-enrolment |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Right to be accompanied to disciplinary or grievance hearing |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Rights under data protection legislation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Whistleblowing protection |
Yes |
Yes |
Possibly |
|
Statutory sick pay |
Possibly* |
Yes |
No |
|
Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay |
Possibly^ |
Yes |
No |
|
Unpaid time off to care for dependants |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Right to request flexible working |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Time off for ante-natal care |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Time off for trade union activities |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Health and safety in the workplace |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
~ If the worker satisfies the definition of 'eligible jobholder'.
* The definition for 'qualifying employees' under the legislation is wider than under the normal employment status tests and includes those whose earnings are liable for Class 1 National Insurance contributions.
^ The definition of 'employee' for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay purposes is wider than the standard definition.
Q Can I claim tax relief?
A: As a flexible worker you can claim tax relief for certain work-related expenses that you cover, online through HMRC. You might be able to claim tax relief if:
- you use your own money for things that you must buy for your job
- you only use these things for your work
- you’ve paid income tax in the year you're claiming for.
Read the full guidance on gov.uk.
Case study: From flexible worker to full-time colleague
Claire joined us as a flexible worker and soon progressed to a role in Assessment Delivery. After two years in that position, she became our Assessment Production Manager. We spoke to Claire about her journey with us so far:
Why did you join NCFE as a flexible worker?
I joined NCFE as an External Quality Assurer (EQA), after a recommendation from an EQA who I had been working with during my own organisation’s quality assurance visits. A position became available for a North East-based external contractor for sport, exercise, and leisure. So, I applied and went through the application and induction process.
The induction process was very engaging. We worked through various qualifications, looked at a range of quality checks that would be required, and completed role-play scenarios on giving and receiving feedback. I was responsible for many centres, from large further education (FE) colleges to small training providers based all over the North East, working across a wide range of sport and exercise programmes. In September 2018 I was also approached by the Product Development team to review a suite of newly-developed fitness qualifications.
The one thing that stuck out from the induction and initial training programmes was that you were fully welcomed into NCFE. Even though I was a contractor, I was still treated with the same professionalism and respect as any colleague.
Why work with us as a flexible worker?
Interested in joining us as a flexible worker? See what some of our workers and hiring managers have to say about what life is like as a flexible worker with NCFE and the benefits they bring to the team.
Flexible worker testimonials
Excellent communication. Queries are always acknowledged quickly and efficiently, even during busier periods.
Training offered is interesting, varied and fit for purpose. It’s easily accessible and the continuous updated knowledge results in roles being carried out effectively.
Feedback groups are conducted regularly; opinions are listened to, and managers always take suggestions for improvements seriously.
Everyone is very supportive, professional, respectful, and always happy to help.
Great work-life balance due to flexibility and being able to manage time between other commitments.
Flexi hiring manager testimonials
Flexible worker opportunities provide invaluable experience for education professionals to enrich their own practice and continued professional development and are integral to our key purpose as a learner centred awarding organisation. We rely on our examining teams to provide invaluable knowledge, expertise, and support to ensure that all learners can achieve to the best of their ability.
Our EQA team is made up of several flexible workers. Those who can’t commit to a regular work schedule can join us and use their expertise to work with our centres to assure the integrity of our internally-assessed qualifications.
Ready to shape real change? Take a look at our current opportunities for flexible work:
Flexible vacancies