171.Paragraph 8 provides that Qualifications Scotland must appoint a chief executive, chief examiner, and a chief accreditation officer. These roles must be undertaken by three separate individuals.
172.The chief examiner is to be appointed by Qualifications Scotland to undertake such role relating to the body’s functions under sections 2 and 3 (see paragraphs 8 to 11 of these Notes) as Qualifications Scotland determines. The chief examiner’s responsibilities must include responding to written advice provided to Qualifications Scotland by the Expert Group on Qualifications Standards (see paragraph 23 of these Notes). Qualifications Scotland may only appoint a person as chief examiner if it considers that person to have suitable experience of working in the education, training, qualifications or skills development sector.
173.The chief accreditation officer is to be appointed by Qualifications Scotland to undertake such role relating to Qualifications Scotland’s functions under section 4 (see paragraphs 12 to 15 of these Notes) as the Accreditation Committee (see paragraphs 186 to 189 of these Notes) determines. When performing this role, the chief accreditation officer can share information with the chief examiner, but must act independently of them.
174.The appointment of the chief executive is subject to Ministerial approval of the person appointed. This chief executive also automatically becomes a member of Qualifications Scotland (see paragraph 2(1)(c) of this schedule). The appointment by Qualifications Scotland of the chief examiner, chief accreditation officer and other staff members does not require Ministerial approval. However, the terms and conditions of employment for the chief executive, chief examiner, chief accreditation officer and other staff members set by Qualifications Scotland are all subject to a requirement to obtain Ministerial approval.
Chief executive, chief examiner, chief accreditation officer and other staff