Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Full timeOn-site
Job description
Job Overview
The Quality Assurance & Compliance (QA&C) Manager at UoM Dubai is responsible for leading institutional quality assurance, regulatory compliance, institutional effectiveness, strategic performance assessment, and continuous improvement activities. The role ensures that the University's academic and administrative operations comply with local and international regulatory standards while supporting the University's strategic objectives and commitment to excellence.
The QA&C Manager plays a critical role in maintaining institutional licensure, programme accreditation, and compliance with the requirements of the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the Outcome-Based Education Framework (OBEF), Higher Education Data Base (HEDB/HEDS) reporting requirements, KHDA, MoHESR, and other relevant authorities. The role also ensures alignment with the academic quality frameworks and governance structures of the University of Manchester.
Acting as the institutional focal point for quality assurance, compliance, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and performance assessment, the QA&C Manager leads the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of institutional policies, quality assurance systems, strategic performance indicators, assessment frameworks, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role promotes a culture of evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and quality enhancement across academic and professional services functions.
The QA&C Manager collaborates closely with academic and administrative teams locally and at the Home Campus to ensure that educational quality, student outcomes, operational effectiveness, and institutional performance are continuously monitored, evaluated, and improved in line with institutional priorities and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Responsibilities
• Ensures compliance with local laws and regulations, including CAA Standards and the Outcome-Based Education Framework (OBEF).
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of QA&C policies and procedures, aligning them with the University’s overall business objectives.
• Promotes leading practices and excellence.
2. Quality Assurance and Compliance Systems, Plans and Assessment
• Develops, reviews, and updates local quality assurance plans, processes, and documentation to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, including CAA Standards and OBEF expectations for outcome-based curriculum design and assessment.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative departments to set quality benchmarks for programmes, curricula, and university services, aligning them with institutional standards and regulatory requirements. Aligns local quality practices with institutional standards in collaboration with the Manchester Student and Academic Services Division.
• Coordinates with the Student and Academic Services Division.
• Reports and helps measure engagement of academics, students, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders in the ongoing evaluation of student learning at the course, programme, and institutional levels, ensuring intended learning outcomes (ILOs) are mapped, assessed, and reported in line with OBEF requirements.
• Promotes locally a culture of accountability and improvement by encouraging the systematic use of evaluations, feedback, and review outcomes to enhance operations and constantly improve student experiences.
3. Compliance, Regulations and Accreditation
• Works in coordination with the Student and Academic Services Division in Manchester to support UoM Dubai in achieving and maintaining licensing and accreditation standards, as well as compliance with local laws and regulations, including CAA Standards and OBEF.
• Guides UoM Dubai departments in continuous improvement, informed by strategic planning and alignment with institutional policies.
• Guides and supports the preparation and submission of programme accreditations, institutional licensures (both initial and renewal), and audit reports, ensuring compliance with UAE regulatory standards and OBEF requirements for outcome-based design, delivery, and assessment.
• Manages submissions for substantive changes required by local accrediting bodies and maintains ongoing communication with regulatory authorities, including the CAA, MoHESR, KHDA, DIAC, DDA, and other local authorities, to ensure the timely submission of necessary documentation and information.
• Ensures that all teaching and learning activities at the Dubai branch align with the academic standards of the University of Manchester and with CAA/OBEF requirements.
• Maintains a comprehensive digital course file for each course (of each programme), containing essential data such as course specification, intended learning outcomes, assessment methods, student feedback, and teaching materials, all regularly updated to meet CAA standards, OBEF requirements, KHDA and MoHESR licensure, and CAA accreditation.
4.Data-Driven Quality Enhancement, Institutional Effectiveness and Operational Alignment
• Collects, analyses, and reports institutional data to identify opportunities for improvement in academic quality, institutional effectiveness, operational performance, and strategic objectives.
• Leads institutional effectiveness activities, including strategic planning assessment, operational effectiveness reviews, performance monitoring, and institutional benchmarking.
• Develops and monitors institutional key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance dashboards aligned with strategic priorities, CAA standards, OBEF, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates institutional assessment activities and evaluates achievement of strategic objectives through evidence-based analysis.
• Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of institutional effectiveness frameworks and continuous improvement plans.
• Designs and administers surveys for students, alumni, academics, employers, and staff to assess institutional performance, educational effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Establishes data governance practices to ensure data quality, accuracy, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Uses institutional research, performance data, and stakeholder feedback to develop recommendations that improve academic quality, student success, operational effectiveness, and institutional performance.
5. Continuous Improvement
• Drives enhancement-based approaches to continuous improvement by identifying areas for development through data insights, local audits, and stakeholder feedback.
• Leads initiatives to address gaps, including those identified through CAA reviews and OBEF outcome-attainment analysis.
• Facilitates workshops, seminars, and training sessions for local academics and staff, promoting best practices in quality standards and outcome-based education.
6.Reporting, Governance, Institutional Effectiveness and Continuous Quality Improvement
• Coordinates and submits HEDB/HEDS, KHDA Census, MoHESR, and other regulatory reporting requirements.
• Leads institutional reporting activities related to strategic performance indicators, institutional effectiveness, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinates institutional assessment cycles and prepares institutional effectiveness reports for senior management and regulatory authorities.
• Monitors institutional performance against strategic objectives and develops recommendations for enhancement and improvement.
• Coordinates institutional benchmarking activities and performance analysis.
• Maintains comprehensive records of quality assurance activities, institutional effectiveness assessments, accreditation submissions, audit findings, and improvement plans.
• Supports evidence-based institutional planning, governance, and decision-making processes.
• Coordinates institutional review cycles, effectiveness assessments, quality audits, and continuous improvement activities
7.Operational Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness
• Implements and oversees institutional quality assurance and effectiveness frameworks to support continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinates institutional effectiveness initiatives across academic and professional services departments.
• Monitors institutional performance indicators and operational effectiveness measures.
• Supports strategic planning implementation and assessment processes.
• Coordinates quality enhancement projects and monitors their effectiveness.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement and operational efficiencies.
• Ensures alignment between institutional priorities, regulatory requirements, and operational activities.
• Supports institutional readiness for accreditation reviews, audits, and external evaluations.
8. Staffing and Reporting Structure
• Coordinates with the Division of Student and Academic Services regarding management of programme assessment and local oversight of all quality assurance activities, from a compliance and accreditation support perspective.
• Reports directly to the UoM Dubai Founding Director & CEO, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic goals and efficient implementation of quality standards.
• Works collaboratively with the Division of Student and Academic Services to ensure alignment with the Home Campus.
9. General Representation
Coordination with UoM Dubai and Home Campus UoM.
• Plays a pivotal role in representing the University in key local accreditation processes and official gatherings.
• Actively participates in discussions and initiatives related to regulatory frameworks locally, regionally, and internationally, including the UK, while ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards such as CAA and OBEF.
• Stays informed about the latest developments in local regulations and global quality assurance trends within higher education.
• Is involved in UoM Dubai projects, contributing to the University’s strategic vision and development within the region.
• Collaborates with staff, academic teams, stakeholders, and partners on projects and events conducted locally or regionally.
• Represents the University at a range of official events, workshops, and training sessions organised by regulatory bodies, strategic talent partners, corporate partners, and other relevant organisations.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Professional Experience: Prior experience in quality assurance, compliance, or educational administration, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years in a United Arab Emirates based institution, with demonstrated experience managing teams or workstreams.
Higher Education Experience: Significant experience within the higher education sector, particularly in roles involving quality assurance, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and continuous quality improvement. Experience working within the United Arab Emirates higher education regulatory environment is essential, with familiarity with the United Kingdom higher education system, quality frameworks, and governance structures being highly desirable.
Quality Assurance Frameworks: Strong understanding of national and international compliance and quality assurance standards in higher education, including in-depth familiarity with CAA Standards, the Outcome-Based Education Framework (OBEF), MoHESR, and KHDA regulations.
Accreditation Processes: Knowledge of accreditation and compliance requirements and processes, including experience with self-study reports, site visits, and CAA HEDS reporting cycles.
Educational Assessment: Familiarity with outcome-based assessment methods and educational evaluation practices, including mapping and reporting of intended learning outcomes (ILOs) under OBEF.
Data Analysis: Understanding of data collection and analysis methods, including data analysis and reporting, and the ability to interpret and present findings effectively.
Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with stakeholders.
Project and People Management: Experience managing projects, teams, and coordinating activities related to quality assurance, including line management responsibility.
The person appointed should also possess:
• The ability to work well in a team, and to lead and manage staff, as well as to liaise with regulators, academics, and students.
• Ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with confidential information, and awareness of the implications of the Data Protection Act / GDPR.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Self-motivated with a positive ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to manage own workload and that of a team.
• The ability to propose, assess, and identify solutions to challenges.
• A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• Attention to detail and strong technical skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills focused on systems and programmes.
Educational Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, management, quality assurance, or a related field is often required.
Desired Knowledge and Certifications
Quality Assurance Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), or similar credentials can enhance qualifications.
Accreditation Training: Courses or certifications related to accreditation processes (e.g., from professional bodies in higher education) are beneficial.
Regulatory Standards: Knowledge of relevant national and international quality assurance standards and regulations including but not limited to CAA Standards, AACSB, AMBA, Equis.