Examinations and Assessment Manager

Examinations and Assessment Division

The Examinations and Assessment Division (EAD) is the professional division of the SEC responsible for ensuring the quality and effective conduct of all of the Commission’s examinations. This involves taking all necessary actions to maintain parity of standards in each subject from year to year and ensuring compliance with the requirements and procedures of the Commission. It involves ensuring that full account is taken of all relevant legislation in areas such as equality, anti-discrimination, special educational needs, etc. The EAD is also responsible for research and development in the organisation.

The EAD comprises the Head of Examinations and Assessment Division (Deputy Chief Inspector level), four Assistant Heads (Assistant Chief Inspector level) and approximately 50 Examinations and Assessment Managers.

The Role

The EAM (Physical Education with another Curricular Subject) will report to an Assistant Head of the EAD.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role

The Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role will include the following:

• Acting as EAM for assigned examinations (which will not necessarily be limited to examinations in Physical Education);

• Preparing examination papers and other examination-related material;

• Managing the marking of examination papers and other related components in the assigned examinations;

• Developing marking schemes and all other relevant documentation to the required standards;

• Managing the marking and appeals process in assigned examinations;

• Maintaining standards from year to year;

• Advising on the appointment of contract staff, as required;

• Managing the performance of assigned contract staff, including their training needs, as required;

• Providing professional advice to the SEC;

• Interacting with school management and staff;

• Ensuring the quality and effective conduct of the state examinations;

• Representing the SEC in national and international fora.

Please note: The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may be assigned from time to time by the relevant line manager.

Office Location and Vacancy

The SEC headquarters is located in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. EAMs are located throughout the country, in regional, local, and home offices.

There is currently one vacancy for an EAM (Physical Education with another Curricular Subject). A panel will be formed from this competition to fill any future vacancies that may arise.

It is not expected that appointments will be made from this panel after December 2027.

Working Environment

Blended working is available subject to Civil Service and current SEC policy.

From time to time, the EAM may be required to travel domestically to attend meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences etc. Travel and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Civil Service regulations.

Training and Development

The SEC highly value supporting career and personal development. They encourage growth and development in areas such as leadership, team building, and interpersonal communication whilst fostering a collaborative environment.

The SEC have a range of learning and development supports, including educational assistance, OneLearning – training initiatives, tailored in-house learning and upskilling in specific relevant areas such as leadership and Irish language proficiency. They also provide access to a variety of different programmes for employee assistance, occupational health and wellbeing, lunch and learn seminars, wellbeing initiatives, and mentoring.

Salary Range: From €65,783 to €112,803 (LSI2)*

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Essential

Candidates must on or before 4th June 2026:

and

and

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate:

• A comprehensive knowledge of Physical Education and another curricular subject;

• Excellent communicative skills in English and a reasonable knowledge of Irish;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Comprehensive IT skills;

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the second level (post-primary) education system in Ireland;

• The requisite knowledge, ability and skills (including knowledge of relevant legislation and the Irish education system) and be suitable to discharge the duties of the position;

• A demonstrated ongoing commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Desirable

• Qualifications and experience that exceed the minima described under Essential Entry Requirements above, including relevant post-graduate qualifications;

• Competence and/or qualifications in any other subject assessed by the State Examinations Commission;

• Knowledge and experience in the areas of examinations and assessment;

• Knowledge of assessment principles;

• Knowledge of curriculum and assessment developments;

• Registration with the Teaching Council in Ireland on the basis of qualifications recognised for the purpose of registration as a teacher of Physical Education at second level (post-primary);

• Experience in leading and managing teams;

• Ability to implement established procedures/protocols;

• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills;

• Ability to think creatively and to convey ideas effectively;

• Current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland.

Please note:

Qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the process, therefore, those candidates who do not possess the essential requirements, on or by the dates as specified, and proceed with their application are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this competition.

The onus is on the candidate to ensure they fulfil the eligibility requirements as set out. publicjobs reserves the right to deem an applicant ineligible at any stage if it is apparent that the candidate does not hold the required eligibility/qualifications e.g. from the submitted application form. Candidates who are unable to demonstrate that they hold/will hold the required qualification(s) by the deadline specified may be withdrawn from the competition at any stage. An invitation to tests, interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility.

Candidates who are placed on a panel and come under consideration for a position will be required to provide documentary evidence of their eligibility, including qualifications. Please be aware a transcript of results may be required; therefore, the onus is on candidates to have this information available if requested by publicjobs