Institute of Professional Editors

Institute of Professional Editors Ltd

Accreditation 2008

From:  Accreditation Board

To:      Assessors Forum, members of Australian societies of editors, interested individuals

Date:    20 March 2008

Position description

The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) has initiated the development of an accreditation scheme for Australian editors. The scheme will be two-tiered, providing for accreditation at a level of competence (Accredited Editor) and at a senior level (Advanced Accredited Editor).

The first accreditation exam is most likely to be held on Saturday 26 July 2008 (date to be confirmed). The exam will be a handwritten one, delivered simultaneously in each state/territory capital. A call for applications for positions on the exam development team was issued by the Accreditation Board on 6 March 2008.

This brief sets out the requirements for the position of Exam Coordinator, and covers:

• Position description

• Key selection criteria

• Remuneration

• Applications.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Karen Disney, Chair of the IPEd Accreditation Board, on 08 8363 3279 (h) or email karen.disney@kbr.com.

1 Position description

The Exam Coordinator is appointed by the Accreditation Board to oversee the administration of the exam for accreditation of editors.

There are three aspects to the Exam Coordinator's work.

1 Pre-exam administration, which includes:

• receiving exam applications from the IPEd Secretary
• allocating reference numbers and providing receipts and information on exam procedures to candidates
• providing advice to the state and territory societies about the conduct of the exam
• receiving the exam paper and briefing notes from the exam development team
• printing and securely storing the exam paper
• securely disseminating the paper and any accompanying materials to the state and territory exam invigilators.

2 Administrative support to the state and territory exam invigilators on the day of the exam:

• being ‘on-call' for six hours on the day of the exam (the three hours of the exam plus one-and-a-half hours before and after the exam)

3 Post-exam administration, which includes:

• receiving the exam papers from the state and territory invigilators
• destroying unused papers
• disseminating exam papers to the markers
• debriefing the Accreditation Board on the conduct of the exam
• liaising with the markers to collect the exam papers and collate the results for the Accreditation Board
• receiving appeals and arranging for a second marker to assess the disputed exam papers
• referring unresolved appeals to the Accreditation Board for adjudication
• liaising with the Accreditation Board about the conduct and result of reviews.

The highest level of confidentiality and discretion is required from all concerned to ensure the proper conduct and administration of this exam. The Accreditation Board therefore expects and relies upon the Exam Coordinator to maintain confidentiality of information and materials at all times, and act with discretion throughout the process and beyond.

2 Key selection criteria

The ideal appointee should have organisational, administrative and communications skills of a high order. In particular, the appointee must demonstrate exceptional adaptability and interpersonal skills.

The appointee must also be able to develop an in-depth understanding of the content and presentation of the exam so that she/he can respond with discretion, foresight and flexibility to any queries or irregularities identified by invigilators on the day of the exam and report any such irregularities to the Accreditation Board afterwards.

Key criteria include:

• expert knowledge of the editing profession and publishing processes
• demonstrated experience in project management
• exceptional communication skills
• experience in coordinating professional contractors and volunteer personnel
• demonstrated capacity to meet a demanding schedule, within a limited budget
• able to be on-call for a six-hour period on exam day (Saturday 26 July 2008, TBC) and attend a weekend briefing and moderation weekend (8-10 August TBC)
• a working telephone, with a number that can be published in guidelines for assessors and the societies hosting the exam.

3 Remuneration and contractual terms and conditions

Remuneration for the exam coordinator is offered as a single, one-off fee of $2000. Please note that this fee does not include GST.

The remuneration includes provision for all expenses, fees, overheads and outgoings related to the brief for that position. Since the accreditation scheme is being organised on a limited budget, no further consideration for additional payment will be entertained.

For the briefing and moderation weekend, travel, accommodation, meals and incidentals for the Exam Coordinator will be arranged by the Accreditation Board-or reimbursed upon presentation of receipts.

The Exam Coordinator will be required to sign a contract setting out the terms and conditions of her/his engagement on the project. The contract does not establish an employer-employee relationship, and it does not in any way signify a promise of additional or future work or employment, including engagement to coordinate any future exams.

4 Applications

Applications can be emailed or posted to the address below and should include:

• a covering letter
• your current CV, including contact details for two referees.

Deadline is 5.00 pm, Friday 4 April 2008.

Ms Karen Disney
Chair, IPED Accreditation Board
12 Appelbee Crescent
Norwood SA 5067

Email: karen.disney@kbr.com