Further Education Adviser

Job summary

Further Education (FE) Advisers are key members of the FE Commissioner team, working with FE colleges to improve their quality and financial resilience and with local authorities delivering further education.

The role of the FE Commissioner and her team forms part of DfE’s college oversight policy. The policy encourages enabling a self-supporting sector, with access to tiered support where needed. Support for colleges can also be mandated where risks are significant. You will be working with the FE Commissioner to support colleges where need is greatest, to recognise and tackle any issues, and to help them improve.

Further information on the role and how to apply can be found in the attached applicant pack.

Job description

FE Advisers work with the FE Commissioner to provide help and support for colleges, which includes:

• universal support such as effective practice guides, national roundtables and webinars
• health checks and apprenticeship reviews
• improvement reviews supporting colleges at risk from a quality and/or financial perspective (but have not reached a trigger for intervention) by reviewing their approach to managing the risks they face
• tailored support for colleges, including the recruitment of senior leaders and board appointments
• post intervention monitoring and support (PIMS) for those colleges moving out of intervention

Intervention assessments: supporting the FE Commissioner and her deputies to assess the capacity of the existing governance and leadership of a college to deliver rapid and sustainable improvements where serious weaknesses and risk of failure have been identified. These may be followed up with stocktake visits to review the progress of the college against the recommendations made within the intervention report.

FE Commissioner local provision needs assessments: supporting Deputy Commissioners in examining the options for achieving long term sustainable provision in a local area where the issues cannot be solved by looking at individual institutions in isolation.

FE Commissioner led structure and prospects appraisals: a structured way of assessing options to change a college’s structure and/or provision in a clear, objective and evidence-based way.

Person specification

Successful candidates are required to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• ability to lead and influence complex organisational change within an educational context, delivering at pace
• ability to develop and implement quality and improvement strategies through the lens of governance and leadership
• outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and persuade senior stakeholders at the highest levels
• ability to work effectively across multiple stakeholders (including ministers, civil servants and sector leaders), demonstrating resilience and a positive, solutions-focused approach in challenging circumstances
• either senior/executive level experience and expertise in curriculum, quality improvement, safeguarding, inclusion and/or SEND

or

• a qualified accountant with current/recent experience, track record and knowledge of FE funding, finance, and financial planning/recovery at a strategic level
• an understanding of the regulatory and inspection framework within which FE institutions operate

Desirable Criteria:

• extensive experience in leading approach to achieve a high-quality learner journey, curriculum planning, teaching and assessing
• experience working with mayoral authorities, MPs, local leaders
• national knowledge of the FE sector through a curriculum, quality and/or financial lens and working across FE colleges
• knowledge of pre 16 provision

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an
informed decision.

Benefits

Terms of appointment

Location

These posts involve significant travel and it is expected that the successful candidates shall use their home as a base.

Time requirement

FE Advisers are required for a maximum of 200 days work per year unless appointed on a reduced set maximum number of days to be discussed at interview.

Term

This appointment will be made on the basis of a two-year fixed-term appointment. There is no entitlement to paid annual or public holiday leave.

Remuneration

The role of FE Adviser will be remunerated at a rate of £600 per day.

It is required that post holders will be engaged on a PAYE basis through the Department for Education’s payroll system.

Expenses

In performing the services required by these roles, out of pocket travel and subsistence costs may be reimbursed by the Department for Education subject to the limits set by the department.

Pension

The post is not pensionable.

These appointments are made subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check clearance and due diligence checks.

Conduct and standards in public life

Members are expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct and are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and demonstrate a sound understanding of and commitment to the principles of public life (see next page).

Principles of Public Life- The Seven Principles of Public Life

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 26th August 2026.

If you wish to apply, please submit the following documents by email to:

[email removed]

1. Covering letter, not exceeding 1000 words (Arial size 12)
2. CV
3. Diversity form

Please include the vacancy title in the subject box and submit each application document as a separate attachment.

Please note the following:

• we cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date
• applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided – please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested
• applications will be acknowledged upon receipt
• feedback cannot be given at application stage, it will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

The interview panel will be chaired by the FE Commissioner