Subject Head - Welsh Language

SQE Subject Head - Welsh Language

Location: Flexible,  with some time spent in London (N7)

Grade: A1

Reports to: Academic Heads of SQE1 & SQE2

Direct reports: None

Key stakeholders: SQE Team, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Interact, Freelance assessors, markers, question writers and translators.

 

Who we are & what we stand for

We design and deliver world-leading professional assessments. In 2018, we were appointed as the independent assessment organisation for the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which has now received Legal Services Board approval and will be introduced in 2021. This will become the sole route to qualifying as a Solicitor of England and Wales and be taken by upwards of 13,000 candidates per year.

We are part of the Kaplan group, one of the world’s largest and most diverse education and assessment providers. We operate in over 30 countries and maintain relationships and partnerships with more than 1,000 school districts, colleges and universities, professional bodies and over 10,000 businesses.  Our vast breadth and scope in terms of both capabilities and assets sets us apart.

As an employer, we work hard to make sure this a great place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed, regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or other belief, marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. If you require any adjustments, or additional support within the recruitment process, please contact us directly and we’ll do our best to help.

To view our candidate privacy notice click here.

How you’ll help us succeed

This is a challenging and varied role which offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the academic team responsible for delivering a major new licensing examination.  You’ll help us to deliver world-leading assessments by developing SQE1 & SQE2 questions in the Welsh Language, working as part of an existing academic team comprising the Academic Director, Academic Heads SQE1 and SQE2 and Subject Heads SQE1 and SQE2 in various disciplines to contribute to the content and quality of the final SQE assessments.

Responsibilities:

Your role will be primarily responsible for developing the SQE assessments, in particular the translation of SQE1 questions and SQE2 assessments into the Welsh language using standard translation methodology.

You will be working in conjunction with the Academic Heads in the following areas:

Question and Assessment Development

• Oversee the translation of questions into Welsh using standard translation methodology
• Commission and oversee freelance translators as required
• Write new questions for SQE1 and develop SQE2 oral and written assessment questions as required
• Edit and oversee the editing process for SQE1 questions and SQE2 assessments
• Review the statistical performance of questions and take appropriate action on their findings.

Recruitment and Training

• Help to recruit freelance translators, writers and examiners

• Attend and help run question writing events
• Contribute to the development of training for writers
• Deliver training to freelance question writers
• Sit as a member of internal and external scrutiny panels
• Contribute to the successful running of the Angoff Committee

• Foster the engagement of practitioners and a range of stakeholders

 

 

Assessment Windows and Quality Assurance

• Attending and facilitating SQE2 calibration/standard setting oral assessment meetings for solicitor and actor assessors
• Attending SQE2 oral assessments at assessment venues as academic lead/facilitator

• Marking SQE2 assessments where appropriate

• Reviewing the statistical performance of Welsh questions and Welsh markers and taking appropriate action as necessary
• Analysing assessor and marker feedback and ensuring feedback is fed forward with the aim of continuous improvement

In addition, you’ll also carry out other duties, within the broad scope and spirit of your role, as requested by your line manager or senior manager, including performing a quality assurance role in respect of existing QLTS assessments. Our business is continuously evolving, so your job description will evolve too.

What you will bring:

 Essential

• Professional qualification as a Solicitor of England and Wales with up to date knowledge of law and legal practice
• Fluency and proficiency in the Welsh language (See Appendix I) including a formal Welsh language qualification
• Strong administrative skills including organisational, time and document management skills and attention to detail
• The ability to respond positively under pressure to assessment editing and production deadlines
• The ability to use legal research databases proficiently
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including building strong and productive relationships with freelance question writers and assessors
• The ability to understand assessment methodology including its statistical aspects
• Willingness to be flexible and work within the business required hours

Desirable

• Significant professional experience of working through the medium of Welsh in the context of legal practice
• Experience of writing, marking and editing professional legal assessments
• Experience of teaching and/or examining law
• Experience of working in a professional environment with a variety of stakeholders
• The ability to think both originally and analytically

What you can expect

A competitive salary & clear pay structures, progression paths, and a comprehensive benefits package. You’ll be joining a great place, driven by a shared purpose, where everyone can succeed and build a brighter future together.          

How you can progress

From this role, your potential routes for progression include:

• Deputy Academic Head
• Academic Head

 

Appendix I - Fluency and proficiency in the Welsh language

In accordance with recognised assessment frameworks, fluency and proficiency in the Welsh language for the purpose of this post has been defined by the following ‘can do’ statements:

 LISTENING

You can:

• understand all kinds of spoken Welsh, including complex discussions.

SPEAKING

You can:

• express yourself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely.
• advise confidently and lead discussions on complex matters.

 READING

You can:

• read and understand all written texts with ease.
• identify lack of precision in texts and decipher any ambiguity.

WRITING

You can:

• write fluently, correctly and precisely.
• adapt your register and style according to the context.

Source: CANOLFAN BEDWYR - Bangor University's Centre for Welsh Language Services, Research and Technology.