Own Art and Take it away Freelance Assessors

Person specification

About this opportunity

We are looking to recruita number of individualson a freelance basis to undertake ‘mystery shopper’ assessments of contemporary art galleriesand music retailers across the UK. The assessment of these galleries and music retailers is one step in the process of applying to become a registered member of the Own Art or Take it away scheme.

We are looking for people based in various locations across the UK, with a willingness to travel, strong written and oral communication and theability to assess quality levels according to ourmembership criteria and service standards.

You can apply to undertake mystery shopper assesments for galleries or music retailers, or both.

About the Own Art and Take it away schemes

Own Art and Take it away are publicly funded initiatives designed toincrease access to and engagement withthe arts by removing/reducing financial barriers through the provison interest free loans.

Own Art is a membership scheme for galleries and other retailers of contemporary visual arts and crafts. Own Art member retailers can offer customers the opportunity to spread the cost of eligible purchases over ten months with an interest free loan of £100 to £2,500.

Own Art is delivered by Creative United in partnership with our Credit Provider, Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance (“Hitachi”).The cost of offering loans to customers under the Own Art scheme is subsidised by our funding partners Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Take it away is a membership scheme for musical instrument retailers. Take it away member retailers can offer customers the opportunity to spread the cost of eligible purchases over 9 or 18 months with the benefit of an interest free loan of £100 to £5,000.

Take it away is delivered by Creative United in partnership with our Credit Provider, Secure Trust Bank Plc, trading as V12 Retail Finance (“V12 Finance”). The cost of offering loans to customers under the Take it away scheme is subsidised by our funding partner Arts Council England.

The Assessor role

It is the role of the Assessor to complete mystery shop visits and judge the gallery or music retailer’s standard of presentation, eligbility and customer service. We are looking for Assessors that are able to follow our guidelines for assessment, and explain their observations and experiencesin a clear and coherent way.

The Assessor is responsible for scoring the application against agreed criteria which will contribute to our overall assessment of the applicant’s suitability for membership of the scheme. It is imperative that Assessors act in a consistent and impartial way to ensure that the assessment process is fair for all applicants.

We are looking for the following skills, knowledge and logistical capabilities in a potential freelance assesor:

Essential / Desirable
Skills / Ability to analyse and evaluate information critically and exercise sound judgement
Strong written and oral communication / Experience in working as a ‘mystery shopper’ in any industry
Knowledge / Understanding of the Own Art and Take it away schemes / Retail experience/familiarity with customer service conduct
Logistics / Willingness to travel
Ability to independently plan and schedule travel arrangements / Holder of a valid UK driver’s licence
Access to own vehicle

Terms of Engagement

If your application for this role is successful, you will join a pool of freelance Own Art and Take it away Assessors based around the country that we can call upon to undertake mystery shopper visits on an ad-hoc basis.

The number and frequency of assignments allocated to an individual assessor will be dependent on the volume and geographic distribution of applications received, and the availability and willingness of the assessor to undertake the assisgnment within the required time frames.

We anticipate an average of 6 assignments per annum based on current levels of demand.

Fees

We offer a fixed fee of £100 per assessment completed, plus out of pockettravel expenses. Payment will be made following the submission of the assessment report, presentation of invoice and any receipts to support expense claims in line with our Expenses Policy.

Selection process

We expect to recruit a maximum of 10 Assessors in the first instance, located across the UK. We are looking for a diverse group of people to be involved in our network, and particularly welcome applications from people with Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and those from the lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender communities.

Candidates will be shortlisted based of the strength of their application and ability to meet requirements of the role. We will also take into account their ability to contribute to the diversity and reach of our network in terms of age, background, gender and geographic location.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in a short interview (which may take place via Skype).

Training and induction

Successful candidates will receive an induction pack and training materials prior to being issued with an assignment This will include information on how to retain anonymity about the scheme and communicating the intention of the visit.

To apply

Please provide:

  • Your CV
  • A cover letter detailing:
  • Why you think you are suited for the role
  • Demonstratable evidence of the essential and desired criteria
  • This application form with the following information sections completed

Applications should be emailed to with ‘Freelance Assessor Application’ in the subject line. Applications must be received by 5:00pm on Monday 21 November 2016

Applicant information:

Please complete this form and include with your application:

Your Details
Name
Address
Town/City
Postcode
Email
Telephone
Do you have a valid UK Driver’s Licence? / YES / NO
Do you have access to your own vehicle? / YES / NO

I am interested in doing mystery shops for the following schemes (please tick):

The Own Art scheme only
The Take it away scheme only
Both schemes

Please indicate which areas of the country you would be prepared to cover (please tick all that apply):

  • ENGLAND

  • East of England

  • East Midlands

  • London

  • North East & Cumbria

  • North West

  • South East

  • South West

  • West Midlands

Yorkshire & the Humber
  • SCOTLAND

  • Aberdeen City and Shire

  • Argyll & The Isles

  • Ayrshire & Arran

  • Dumfries & Galloway

  • Dundee & Angus

Edinburgh & The Lothians
Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley
Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley
Orkney
Outer Hebrides
Perthshire
The Highlands
The Kingdom of Fife
Shetland
Scottish Borders
NORTHERN IRELAND
ALL areas

Name:______

Signed: ______

Dated:______

Creative United is a registered trademark of Creative Sector Services CIC, a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales under number 08280539. Registered office: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.