Manager, Academic Assessments (GMG/EO 3)

Summary

Under the general direction of the Director, Academic Assessments, the Manager Academic Assessments is responsible for the development, construction and reviews. The incumbent will construct diagnostic tools and test instruments of sound psychometrics quality to assess students at the national level. 💰Salary: $11,175,811 - $14,305,983 JMD per annum

Responsibilities

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Supervises the development of assessment instruments to test students for national exams;
  • • Ensures the security of the developed assessment tools for exams;
  • • Leads analysis and technical reviews processes for national assessments;
  • • Reviews the development of assessment item banks to include, writing, editing and pre-testing;
  • • Leads the standard-setting activities by providing psychometric support;
  • • Guides the training activities for test writing and development;
  • • Leads the marking and reviews of exam scripts in post-assessment operations;
  • • Conducts workshops with school personnel to ensure adherence to exam conduct and administrative guidelines;
  • • Develops assessment tools and scripts;
  • • Conducts research to guide the development of student assessments and evaluation strategies;
  • • Review post-assessment e-marking activities for national exams;
  • • Participates in the development of assessment policies and guidelines for national exams;
  • • Trains school stakeholders in the development of assessment policies;
  • • Liaise with the Data Management and Analysis Section to prepare qualitative analysis reports on test results;
  • • Prepares progress reports on assessment development activities;
  • • Manages the empirical studies process related to the quality and performance criteria for tests;
  • • Manages the preparation of instructions for administering of tests;
  • • Conducts curriculum audit reports to ensure appropriate strategies are deployed for assessments;
  • • Prepares materials to enhance the administration, scoring and reporting of test results;
  • • Ensures the security of tests and other assessment materials during the test development phase;
  • • Manages the supervision of the marking of test papers to maintain the validity of the results.

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Encourages innovation and a culture of continuous improvement within the Branch;
  • • Leverages technology and analytics to enhance efficiency in the execution of duties;
  • • Supports the administration and co-ordination of special programmes such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), as needed;
  • • Participates in meetings and workshops concerning the Branch’s strategic planning and policy agendas.
  • • Human Resource
  • • Develops and manages the performance of the Section and its staff, including transferring skills, motivating staff through coaching and mentoring, arranging for training, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback to staff and initiating corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance;
  • • Supervises and evaluates the performance of staff to ensure that work output is consistent with the Work Plan;
  • • Ensures that training and other needs of employees are adequately identified and addressed;
  • • Participates, as required, in disciplinary proceedings involving staff;
  • • Prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
  • • Approves Vacation, Sick and Department Leave for staff, and participates in the administration of staff benefits, in keeping with the established human resource policies;
  • • Ensures subordinates comply with the policies and procedures of the Ministry and the Division;
  • • Provides staff with sufficient and appropriate physical resources to enable them to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively;
  • • Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • • Ability to exercise initiative
  • • Good oral and written communication skills
  • • Good presentation skills
  • • Good time management skills
  • • Good organizing skills
  • • Excellent problem-solving skills and good
  • • Attention to details
  • • High level of integrity and professionalism
  • • Sound decision-making skills

• Technical:

  • • Ability to manage data and conduct analysis
  • • Good knowledge of the Education Act and Regulations
  • • Good knowledge of Staff Orders and Public Sector Regulations
  • • Knowledge of Testing, Measurement/Assessment and Research Methodologies
  • • Good knowledge of testing, measurement, research and statistics principles
  • • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
  • • Knowledge of Psychometric principles and practice

Qualifications

• • Master’s Degree in Education, Psychology or related areas from a recognized institution;
• • Certificate in Educational Testing would be an asset;
• • Training in standards, monitoring and evaluation techniques;
• • Training in Testing and Measurement;
• • Experience using psychometric principles;
• • Three (3) years of experience in teaching and test development environment.

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • May be required to work beyond normal work hours in order to meet deadlines;
  • • May be required to work on public holidays/ weekends;
  • • Possession of a valid Drivers’ Licence and a reliable motor vehicle;
  • • Under constant stress due to the numerous demands of the job.

Applications accompanied by Résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, 11th April, 2025 to: Director, Human Resource Management Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information 2-4 National Heroes Circle Kingston 4 📧 Email: jobapplications@moey.gov.jm 📜 N.B. Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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