With regard to research or consulting, these services are not necessarily done within a particular Centre, but have been set up under their own auspices. Research is a standalone department led by the current Head of Islamic Finance. Detailed information can be found by clicking here for those who wish to undertake, discuss or develop research that is linked to the financial sector.
Assessment/consulting is a growing component at BIBF, and similar to the Research Department, is set up to run as a strategic deliverable to the financial sector. It is lead by the Head of Leadership and Management.
The Assessment & Development Centre will give businesses the opportunity to enjoy the following advantages:
–
Improving the efficiency of the recruitment/selection process by identifying the most suitable candidates for the position/training course
–
Reducing the time and money spent on unsuitable candidates, as well as the resources spent on finding replacements
–
Results in more informed recruitment/training decisions being made by providing additional objective information about a candidate
–
Creating customised courses on the basis of what is actually needed, rather than what is assumed to be needed
–
Implementing various ability tests suitable for different occupational levels and groups
–
Offering the option of online services
–
Assurance of confidentiality and best practices in delivery
Personality Assessments:
SHL’s Personality Questionnaire, commonly referred to as OPQ, is an established tool, well known in HR circles. The Occupational Personality Questionnaire measures aspects of behavior which cannot easily be identified by other techniques, such as CVs and interviews, yet are crucial to performance potential. The OPQ32 targets the competencies required by managers, graduates and experienced hires. It provides valuable information on an individual’s behavior against 32 personality characteristics. The OPQ32 dimensions are grouped into three areas: relationship with people, thinking styles, and feelings and emotions. The OPQ is available in both languages Arabic and English and will be delivered online. Upon completion of the questionnaire the any of the following reports can be generated:
- Manager Report- for recruitment:
This is a brief narrative report, intended to be used as a basis for providing written feedback to line managers It contains the same narrative text as the User Report, but without technical OPQ information, such as the profile chart or graphical scale. This report provides managers with information regarding the best way to handle the candidate who completed the questionnaire.
- Universal Competency Framework Report-for recruitment
The report is based on the Universal Competency Framework, a single overarching framework for defining competencies for all jobs, at all levels, in all industries, across all countries. The Universal Competency Report acknowledges a line manager’s need for concise, accurate and relevant information and provides an insight into an individual’s potential to perform across 20 critical job competencies. In addition to the Report you can request an interview guide to help you ask the right questions and hire the right people.
- The Development Action Planner-for development
The UCF Development Action Planner report builds a profile of an employee’s personal style and aptitude in a work environment. The report uses the SHL Universal Competency Framework (UCF) to generate an accurate measure of their strengths and weaknesses as they relate to their potential performance at work. It also provides the employee and their line manager with development tips and shows improvement opportunities.
- Team Impact report- Team development:
This report assesses the preferred role and competencies that a candidate could play within a team according to SHL project completion cycle. Each project, in order to complete requires different sort of individuals that can effectively perform specific functions within each stage. From the report, it can be determined whether all stages and functions are covered within a team or not.
Ability Tests
Administrative Skills:
- Verbal Usage: This test measures vocabulary, spelling and the grammatical skills essential in the drafting and processing of basic work correspondence. It takes 10 minutes exactly to complete and consists of 30 questions.
- Numerical Usage: This test measures basic number skills. The emphasis is on straightforward calculation and the understanding of arithmetical operations. It takes 7 minutes exactly to complete and consists of 30 questions
- Clerical Checking: measures candidate accuracy and speed in checking information and data entry. Consists of 40 questions and takes 7 minutes exactly.
- Verbal reasoning: This test assesses the ability to understand and interpret the logical reasoning of various arguments based on short reading passages. It is consisted of 30 multiple-choices questions and takes 20 minutes exactly to complete.
- Numerical reasoning: This test assesses the ability to understand tables and interpret data based on statistical information presented. It is consisted of 18 multiple-choice questions and takes 20 minutes exactly to complete.
- Diagrammatical reasoning: This test assesses the ability to understand diagrams and interpret logical sequences based on ambiguous shapes and figures. It is consisted of 40 multiple-choice questions and takes 20 minutes exactly to complete.
Management & Graduates Item Bank:
The Management and Graduate Item Bank is used in the selection of graduates over a wide range of industries and in the selection, development and promotion of work experienced managers and professional staff across all functions. The range of parallel forms is particularly valuable to those operating in the graduate recruitment field. Four parallel versions are available for each test, to allow use on different occasions and to prevent over-use of a particular test.
- Verbal Reasoning (VMG6): Measures the ability to evaluate the logic of various kinds of argument. The task is to decide whether a statement made in connection with given information is true or untrue, or whether there is insufficient information to judge. Consists of 32 questions and takes 18 minutes exactly to complete.
- Numerical Reasoning (NMG6): Measures the ability to make correct decisions or inferences from numerical data. The tasks set and data presented are highly relevant to a range of management level jobs. Calculators allowed. The test consists of 20 questions and takes 20 minutes exactly to complete.
Scores generated for each candidate will include a norm based score (e.g. better than 60% of the comparison group) as well as level of accuracy and speed for each test.
Computer Skills
This suit of computer based tests is designed to measure individual’s skills in using Microsoft Office Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook program. These tests are suitable to be used to select candidates for jobs that require good knowledge in using computers, such as admin staff.
- MS Word - core and expert
- MS Access - core and expert
- MS Excel - core and expert
- MS PowerPoint - core and expert
- MS Outlook - core
Competency Based InterviewingCompetency based interviews are behavioural interviews including questions that ask candidates to demonstrate that they have a particular skill or a "key competency" the firm is looking for. Candidates will be asked to do this, using situational examples from their life experiences, to illustrate their personality, skill set and individual competencies to the interviewer. The interview usually takes 45 minutes depending on the number of competencies incorporated, which usually does not exceed four competencies.
Personality Assessments:
- English Proficiency:
The Oxford Online Placement Test is an adaptive computer-based test of English language proficiency. The test takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, during which the student answers multiple-choice questions. Depending on the answers the student gives, the level of the test adapts to the ability of the student. Areas assessed are: vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening.
- Writing Skills:
We design English writing tests that are aimed to measure the candidates’ skills in terms of cohesion, content, structure and use of English (vocabulary and grammar). The topics are varied and selected to match the purpose of the assessment. For example, the tests could ask the candidate to write a letter for administrative jobs recruitment or differences between conventional and Islamic banks for compliance officer. Essays are then marked by an English language specialist.
Group Exercises: In group exercises a number of candidates are asked to work together in order to complete a particular task. The set of competencies assessed can change depending on the exercise and the client request. Each candidate is observed and assessed throughout the exercise by a trained assessor. A range of group exercises are available under the following categories: strategic, operational, customer contact and tactical.
In-Trays:
Candidates are given a file of papers providing information about issues that need to be addressed. Tasks include sorting and organising this information, prioritizing the different issues, making decisions and writing reports. A range of exercises are available under the following categories: strategic, operational, customer contact and tactical.
Development Focused Feedback Session:
During the feedback session, the candidates will receive feedback about their performance in the assessment- especially their personality profile and report. The purpose of the session would be to give them feedback about their potential areas of strength as well as development and propose some individual development plans for them to consider for the future. The session will take 45 minutes – one hour per candidate and will be delivered by a specialized consultant.
Coaching
Coaching is ultimately an act of human recourse development. It is the first step in improving performance, which include raising awareness about strengths and areas for development, exploring fresh prospective and solutions to different issues, improving relationships and communication, as well as reducing stress, empowering employees and building confidence. Coaching is a great approach to develop leadership skills, creativity and encourage individuals to think outside the box.
Organisational Health & Functions:
Measuring Corporate Culture:
A special workshop can be designed to evaluate the way by which employees perceive the corporate culture in relation to four main domains: Performance, Human Resources, Decision Making and Relationships. Each domain is further analysed into specific scales or dimensions. The workshop can be stretched to include group discussions and recommendations related to the corporate culture. This workshop can either be conducted by itself or incorporated into Team Building programme.
Team Building:
Team building exercises consist of a variety of tasks designed to develop group members and their ability to work together effectively. There are many types of team building activities that range from kids games to games that involve novel complex tasks and are designed for specific needs. There are also more complex team building exercises that are composed of multiple exercises such as ropes courses, corporate drumming and exercises that last over several days. The purpose of team building exercises is to assist teams in becoming cohesive units of individuals that can effectively work together to complete tasks.
Objectives:
- Improving communication
- Breaking the ice between colleagues
- Motivating a team
- Getting to know each other
- Getting everyone "onto the same page", including goal setting
- Teaching the team self-regulation strategies
- Helping participants to learn more about themselves (strengths and weaknesses)
- Identifying and utilising the strengths of team members
- Improving team productivity
- Practicing effective collaboration with team members
The agenda of the day can be adjusted according to the requirements of each client. In fact, business focused sessions can be added in the afternoon if requested.
Customised Tests & Case studies:
We can create a customised test or case study using our team of specialised experts to meet your specific needs. Those could vary from writing exercises in a special field such as HR< Finance, It or sales to a more complex case studies. We can also provide the required assessment in either Arabic or English. We have provided for some of our clients typing, translation and letter writing skills for various positions.
Read more
