Our Ref: HRO 02/2025
Jobsplus Permit No: 1089/2024
Number of posts: 1 (One)
Published on: 4th March 2025
Closing date for submission: Friday 21st March 2025 at 12:00 (noon)
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Assessor is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of welfare service through monitoring and inspecting duties which fall under the remit of the Older Persons Standards Authority (hereunder referred as ‘OPSA’ or ‘the Authority’).
The prospective candidate should provide support and assistance within the Offices of the Quality Assurance Directorate as well as to ensure that the service provider is compliant with the standards to safeguard the wellbeing of the most vulnerable persons.
The Assessor shall be reporting to the respective Head and Quality Assurance Director.
Principal Responsibilities
The Assessor is responsible for supporting the Manager in updating and maintaining inspection processes.
Essential Functions
The key functions of the Assessor are to:
- Assist in developing and updating of internal policies and procedures of the Office.
- Comply with guidelines and directions as issued by the Authority whilst ensuring that operations are within the Authority’s policies and procedures.
- Provide the Authority with recommendations for granting or revoking of licences to social welfare services.
- Assist in the preparation of recommendations for remedial action plans for the achievement of the established standards and their conformity.
- Keep abreast with the Authority’s Standards and Regulations in the social sector and internal policies and procedures.
- Assist in the vetting of Quality Tools, policies and procedures as required for the smooth functioning of the Quality Assurance Directorate.
- Assist in cases as received by the Authority and prepare reports with evidence-based documentation thereafter.
- Facilitate the development of procedures in relation to the established care standards with entities and other stakeholders providing social welfare services.
- Assist the management in identifying solutions to improve operations and make recommendations for the introduction of such improvements, including proposals for amendments to auditing standards and procedures.
- Conduct a wide variety of audit tests/procedures and accurately interprets results against defined criteria and ensures that the work is competently and efficiently performed in accordance with professional and standards.
- Lead inspections, perform analyses, draw up reports and make representations whilst keeping updated data sheets as may be required.
- Collaborate with all units within the OPSA and with external stakeholders as may be necessary ensuring that standards and practices are upheld and that government policies are complied with.
- Attend meetings with service providers and any other stakeholders in relation to the licensing process.
- Perform any other duties as may be necessary and directed by the respective superior, Director of Quality Assurance or the CEO.
Business Skills
- Strong ethical values.
- Strong collaboration, verbal and writing communication skills with very good reporting abilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to prioritise, coordinate and organise work.
- A conscientious attitude, self-motivated and ability to work without close supervision.
- A level of accuracy and must be able to respond adequately to demands from internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work under pressure with a flexible approach.
- Preference will be given to applicants holding a valid vehicle driving licence and are willing to drive the Authority`s vehicles as and when required.
Knowledge
Excellent organisational skills with strong ethical values and high integrity.
- Good Analytical approach to work.
- High proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Qualifications and Experience Required
By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:
i. Proficient, both verbally and in writing, in the Maltese and English languages;
and
ii.
(a) In possession of a recognised Master`s qualification at MQF level 7 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in Gerontology and Dementia Studies or Social Policy or Social Sciences or Public Policy or Health and Social Care (Management) or Nursing or Management or a comparable professional qualification;
or
(b) In possession of a recognised Bachelor’s qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Gerontology and Dementia Studies or Social Policy or Social Sciences or Public Policy or Health and Social Care (Management) or Nursing or Management or a comparable professional qualification, plus two (2) years relevant work experience;
or
(c) In possession of a recognised qualification at MQF Level 5 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, plus (3) years relevant work experience;
and
iii. Available to work on evenings and weekends.
iv. A clean driving licence will be considered an asset.
v. Relevant work experience in the subject related to inspections of geriatric services, will be considered.
Terms and Conditions
The post of Assessor is for an indefinite term and is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months. It carries an annual salary of €27,511.00 in 2025 with an annual Increase of €840.00, an annual Increment of €487.00, and any other applicable allowances as per OPSA Collective Agreement 2022-2026.
This post has been designated for the purposes of sub-article 5 of article 4 of the Public Administration Act and in terms of Directive 14, since it involves regulatory / inspectorate functions. The relevant conditions laid out in the Public Administration Act and Directive 14 apply.
Eligible applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Board to assess their suitability to carry out the mentioned duties. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100% and the pass mark is 50%.
Submission Requirements
- Covering letter highlighting experience.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- A scanned copy of Qualifications and Certificates including Transcripts and Recognition Statements*.
- Police Certificate of Conduct (issued within the last six (6) months from closing date).
*Submission of Recognition Statements in respect of Qualifications
- With the exception of those qualifications referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 hereunder, applicants are required to submit a recognition statement by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, which is to be obtained by submitting an online “Application for the Recognition of Qualifications” at https://mfhea.mt/academic-qualifications/.
- Prior to requesting recognition statements as per paragraph 1 above in respect of their qualifications, candidates should first consult the “Malta Qualifications Database” of the MFHEA which can be accessed on http:/qualifications.ncfhe.gov.mt/#/dashboard. Applicants are exempt from submitting a recognition statement as mentioned in paragraph 1 if they are presenting qualifications listed therein. A print of such list including the qualification is to be submitted by the applicant.
3. No recognition statement by MQRIC is required in respect of qualifications issued by Maltese self-accrediting institutions, these being the University of Malta, MCAST and ITS; or any Maltese qualification that has been accredited by the MFHEA, which on the certificates states: The ‘Malta Further And Higher Education Authority deems this certificate to be MQF …….. ’.
Applications are to be sent electronically to [email protected]. Applications sent by post are to reach the Chief Executive Officer at the address:
Older Persons Standards Authority
The Exchange, Level 2
Spencer Hill
Marsa MRS1982
All applications, whether sent by e-mail, by post or delivered by hand, are to be received by not later than 12:00 hours (noon) (Central European Time) of Friday 21st March 2025. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are received within this deadline as late submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after closing date or from date of notification, whichever is the latest, to submit any incorrect, incomplete, or missing documents.
Human Resources Office
Older Persons Standards Authority.
The OPSA shall process information provided by candidates solely for the purpose of this vacancy. In the event of unsuccessful applications, the Authority may keep applicants’ personal data on file for a period up to twelve months following the date that the post applied for was filled. Applicants’ information will only be used to identify any future employment opportunities within the Authority for which applicants may be suited. Applicants are free to withdraw their application and their consent to the retention of their personal data, at any time.
