10 Oct 2025
The role of IAQA is to carry out periodic institution-wide reviews and regular monitoring activities at all higher education institutions in Iceland through the Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF). The Agency also contributes to and promotes knowledge in the field of quality assurance in Iceland by organising platforms for discussion and exchange with key stakeholders.
The Board is the supreme governing body of IAQA. It is responsible for developing the QEF and approving the outcomes of all reviews undertaken on behalf of the Agency. The Board plays a key role in guiding the Agency’s strategic direction and ensuring the quality and integrity of its activities. The Board also meets with key stakeholder groups at regular intervals and participates in public events organised by the Agency. For more detailed information on the Board’s responsibilities, see the IAQA Statutes and the Board Manual.
The Board comprises a minimum of four senior international experts and a student representative. Board members are appointed by the Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education for six years, with the exception of the student who is appointed for two years. Board meetings are held four times per year in Iceland; in March, May, September and November. Board members receive a modest fee for each meeting, and travel and accommodation is organised and paid by the Secretariat. For current membership, please visit https://iaqa.is/theagency/organisation
Qualifications
Candidates should be able to demonstrate competency in one or more of the following areas:
- Senior role within a quality assurance agency (executive or non-executive).
- Senior role within a HEI (quality management related, education and/or research).
- Senior role with a national or international HEI, policy or agency association.
- Personal experience of external quality assurance as a review panel member or Chair, nationally and internationally.
- Personal experience of wider work for quality assurance agencies (e.g. sectoral analysis) or other types of HE Policy development work.
- Previous experience of working with enhancement-led approaches to quality assurance.
- Governing body experience.
Further considerations:
- Appropriate gender balance is maintained among Board members who are active for more than two years, according to current Icelandic legislation on gender equality.
- Board membership is drawn widely from the European HE Area and North America, including one member from North America and at least one member from the Nordic countries.
- No more than two members with primary work-experience from the same country should sit on the Board.
Term of appointment
There are two forthcoming vacancies on the Board: a) from November 2026 to November 2032, and b) from November 2027 to November 2033. The first vacancy will be filled by a representative from the Nordic countries, and the second by a representative from outside the Nordic region.
Application process
Interested candidates are invited to submit:
- A letter of interest outlining their motivation and relevant experience.
- A current curriculum vitae.
Applications should be sent to secretariat@iaqa.is no later than 1 November 2025.
A Search Committee will evaluate all incoming applications against the criteria listed in IAQA’s procedure for the appointment of Board members and submit a shortlist of candidates to the Board.
For further information or inquiries please contact Prof Elsa Núñez, Chair of the Search Committee, nunez@easternct.edu