UK Practice Module Facilitator

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is seeking to appoint current UK Practice Certificate holders to help facilitate the newly designed UK Practice Module Workshops. We encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates, in terms of, but not exclusively gender, age, disability, and ethnicity, as well as reflecting the geographical spread and practice areas of our membership.

UK Practice Module Workshop Facilitators

The IFoA has undertaken a review of the regime for awarding practicing certificates. Practice Certificate (“PC”) holders hold some of the most senior roles in the profession and it is important that the regime assess applicants for the PC role remains valid, up-to-date, and thorough.

As part of this review, the format of the practice module is changing from a multiple-choice examination to an online workshop. The workshops will be grouped into the specialties under which candidates apply for the PC role:

  • Scheme Actuary(Pensions)
  • Chief Actuary (Life)
  • Lloyd’s Syndicate Actuary
  • With Profits Actuary
  • Chief Actuary (non-Life without Lloyd’s)
  • Chief Actuary (non-Life with Lloyd’s)

We are calling for individuals who are either current PC holders or recently retired PC holders to volunteer as facilitators for these courses. The workshops will commence around the end of first quarter in 2023. Dates can be agreed with facilitators.

Description of the workshops

We anticipate that the workshops will be held online (but it is possible they could be held in person) and that they will be attended by 3 to 5 candidates depending on demand. It is possible this could be scaled up if needed. The workshops will involve a review of a case study that is relevant to a particular practice area. Candidates will be provided with the case study in advance of the workshops and asked to submit a written response to a number of questions based on the case study. During the workshop, the responses will be reviewed and discussed as a group, with facilitators probing candidates. Education actuaries will also attend the workshop and support the facilitators throughout the process.

A requirement is that volunteers must be a Fellow of the IFoA, and either hold or have recently held a practicing certificate.

Complete the application form

Task specification

The Head of Education Partnerships and Lifelong Learning is seeking to engage experienced facilitators for the practice module case study workshops. Facilitators will:

  • attend at least one but maybe two workshops each year that are held online
  • collaborate with members of the Lifelong Learning team
  • review initial submissions by candidates
  • assess candidates submissions and ask questions around the detail submitted
  • maximise learner participation and engagement during the workshops
  • contribute to individual and programme evaluation/continuous quality improvement
  • provide feedback to Lifelong Learning team to ensure Module design and delivery meets learning and programme goals
  • moderate and monitor learner progress in accordance with requirements
  • maximise learning outcomes via attention to group and individual engagement and dynamics
  • show good leadership, guidance, and direction in the online learning environment
  • set the agenda, objectives of the discussion, and timetable, to effectively meet Module goals
  • keep discussions and tasks on track, contribute special knowledge and insights, weave together various discussion threads and course components, and maintain group harmony.

Tenure

The workshop facilitator role duration is normally 1 year, renewable at the discretion of the Head of Education Partnerships and Lifelong Learning.

Time commitment

  • Attend one or two online workshops each year. Each session will last for around three hours
  • The default session time is 09:30 – 12:30 UK time but this will be confirmed ahead of the course date
  • We would require you to be present for the entirety of the sessions.
  • Allow at least 2-3 hours of preparation in advance of the seminar, 30 minutes before each seminar and one hour after.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

  • is a Fellow of the IFoA
  • holds or has recently held a practicing certificate in the area relevant to the course they will facilitate
  • is comfortable with public speaking
  • can show experience in facilitating groups
  • can demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a relevant practice area and a good grasp of current issues facing actuaries in senior practicing certificate roles.

In return, the facilitator will receive:

  • the chance to engage with the Engagement and Learning Directorate and to interact with participants to instill the key principles for future PC holders
  • opportunities for CPD in line with the current scheme arrangements.

This is a remunerated role and a fee will be paid

Mutually agreed services will be outlined in a ‘Schedule of services’ which will be provided to you on successful appointment. On successful completion of the services, you will be required to submit an invoice to the IFoA. The IFoA will provide you with a template invoice to use, and this invoice will be processed by a member of the IFoA’s Partnership team. If you wish to view the ‘Schedule of services and the applicable terms and conditions, prior to expressing interest in this role, please contact the Education Supporter Experience Team. Please note that this role is classified as a ‘Self-Employed Contractor’.

Additional information

The IFoA delivery team is made up of IFoA Executive staff and our volunteer community. Every individual who supports the IFoA, is valued, and are recognised, as part of our volunteer community and works in partnership with the IFoA Executive staff to deliver our strategy and Royal Charter, in line with our values

At the IFoA the term “volunteer” includes volunteers (members and non-members: lay), Office Holders, and Self Employed Contractors (paid roles).