Responsibilities of the Co-Chair include:
- Chairing regular meetings of the Specialty Education Advisory Committee
- Attend meetings of the Education Board
- Approve applications for the award of the CCT in a timely manner so that recommendations to the GMC are not delayed
The Specialty Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is responsible for the overall structure of the Specialty Training Programme and for maintaining the standards of education and training. SEAC meets four times a year (three remote and one in person meeting).
This appointment is for a three-year term beginning in January 2026 and will be appointed by interview.
Doctors with a substantive consultant post in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice (must be a UK Fellow or Member) are eligible to apply for this position.
Please see the role description, person specifications and other information at the bottom of the page.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form via the button below. Once completed, you will be asked to share a CV with us via email to SpecialtyTrainingCCT@rcog.org.uk.
Should you have any additional enquiries please email SpecialtyTrainingCCT@rcog.org.uk.
Application deadline: Monday 17 November 2025
Interview date: first two weeks of December, date tbc
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Role description
Co-Chair, Specialty Education Advisory Committee
Education Board
January 2026 – January 2029
The role of the Co-Chair is to ensure that the Committee carries out its responsibilities for the content, structure and delivery of the Specialty Training Programme and advise on the eligibility of doctors for the award of the Certificate of Completion of Training. It is the responsibility of the Co-Chairs to ensure that decisions reached by the Committee are implemented.
- Chair regular meetings of the Specialty Education Advisory Committee (alternating with the second co-chair). This requires close liaison with the Committee Administrator in the preparation of the agenda and post meeting action points. The Committee meets four times annually and reports to the Education Board.
- Liaise with the Vice President for Education, Director of Education, Head of Specialty Education and Training, members of SEAC, which includes all Heads of School, and Postgraduate Deans regarding Committee related issues.
- Attend meetings of the Education Board.
- Liaise with the Chairs of the Curriculum Committee, Special Interest Training Committee and Subspecialty Committee regarding the development of the curricula.
- Liaise with the MTI Officer regarding the quality of MTI training.
- Liaise with the Director of Education, Head of Specialty Education and Training and Committee Administrator with regards to reporting to the GMC.
- Oversee the educational quality agenda including the Training Evaluation Committee and Training Evaluation Form (TEF) survey against the RCOG Quality Criteria and dissemination of results; provision of specialist assessors to deanery ARCP panels and other mechanisms to improve the quality of training and education.
- Present updates on the work of the Committee at relevant events.
- Brief the President and College Officers regarding new regulations and national policy affecting education and training as and when necessary.
- Represent the Specialty Education Advisory Committee on RCOG working groups, the Education Board and at relevant meetings of the General Medical Council and the Academy of Royal Colleges.
- Approve applications for the award of the CCT in a timely manner so that recommendations to the GMC are not delayed.
- Assess applications for Out of Programme Training relating to the proportion of time to be credited towards training.
- Education Directorate
- Vice President, Education
- Lead Dean for Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Heads of School
- Chairs of reporting committees
- Trainees
This is a busy post and would require two virtual (three hours duration) and two full days face to face SEAC meetings per year, attendance at other relevant meetings (virtual) and support work.
This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.
Person specification
- FRCOG/MRCOG
- Registered with a licence to practice with GMC, in good standing
- Substantive consultant in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice
- Evidence of annual appraisal
- Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous three years
Desirable
- Experience as a current member of the SEAC or another education committee
- Evidence of appropriate PG experience as a senior educator
- Current/previous Head of School role
- Significant involvement in the School/Deanery structure
- Experience in leading the work of a large committee with a wide remit and complex processes
- Experience of ARCP processes
Desirable
- Management of education at regional level
- Ability to communicate with Committee Chairs, Postgraduate Deans, Heads of School and trainees
- Good knowledge of UK postgraduate medical education environment and policies
CPD information
Information about the RCOG CPD Framework can be found here.
Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers
If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including, for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.
CPD users can now freely select and record the number of credits for all their CPD activities. For Experiential Learning Events, a Reflection is required to claim the selected credits. In addition, 1 or 2 credits can be claimed for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.
For those who prefer to follow RCOG recommendations, the CPD Framework still provides a suggested number of credits that can be claimed for different CPD activities.
Further information can be found in the RCOG CPD Framework document.
Volunteering with the RCOG is a rich and rewarding experience which offers a range of professional and personal benefits:
- Professional recognition
- Build networks and friendships
- Career development
- Make meaningful change
- Wellbeing