Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - 4 Non-Executive Directors

Apr 202021

4 Non-Executive Directors - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Body: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Appointing Department: Department of Health
Sector: Health
Location: London/Various
Number of Vacancies: 4
Remuneration: The NEDs are remunerated at the standard rate of £7,883 per annum
Time Requirements: 2 to 3 days per month
Closed for Applications: 10/05/2021 at midday

Vacancy Description

Ministers are seeking to make up to four appointments to the board of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The Agency regulates medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK. It is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care. Recognised globally as an authority in its field, the agency plays a leading role in protecting and improving public health and supports innovation through scientific research and development.

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) are appointed to provide independent and constructive challenge to enable the Board to achieve its responsibilities. All NEDs must be independent of management and must allocate sufficient time to the Agency Board to discharge their responsibilities effectively. This includes ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times and ensuring that the Agency operates in an open, accountable and responsive way.

As a NED, you will:

Contribute to the development of the Agency’s strategic direction and strategic objectives, taking into account your own understanding of the external environment that could impact on the achievement of these objectives
Contribute to the governance of the Agency by ensuring that independent oversight is maintained on the Agency’s operational effectiveness, patient engagement, risk management, financial efficiency and working relationship with key stakeholders
Monitor the overall performance of the Agency and hold the Executive Committee to account for the delivery of the agreed strategic imperatives and business plan objectives
Become an active and constructive member of at least one of the three MHRA Board Assurance Committees and take on at least one special interest role so that the board can benefit from independent, specialist expertise built outside the Agency
Act as an ambassador for the Agency at all times and help connect the Agency with stakeholders in other organisations when appropriate. Individual NEDs may be asked to represent the Agency in external meetings in some situations, but only with the prior agreement of both the Chair and the Chief Executive
Identify any matters that may adversely affect the reputation or public trust in the Agency’s work, through a broad understanding of the wider UK and international environment in which the Agency operates
Act as a “critical friend” by providing independent counsel, support and constructive challenge to members of the Executive Committee without straying into the day-to-day management of the organisation.

Person Specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.

A record of achievement and an ability to operate effectively on the board of a significant national organisation, with the highest standards of personal propriety in relation to governance, accountability and conduct.
Demonstrable interest in the work of the MHRA, and particularly in the development of new medical products and the role of regulation in enabling innovation.
Excellent communication skills, sound judgement and demonstrable experience of strategic thinking, with the ability to scrutinise and challenge complex proposals constructively.

In addition, candidates should bring specific skills and experience in at least one of the following areas:

Expertise on Innovative Medicines – 2 NED roles
- Candidates will have a medical or healthcare qualification and be considered by their peers to have specialist knowledge on the development and/or clinical use of innovative biological medicines, cell and gene therapies and/or companion diagnostics to deliver meaningful patient benefits
Expertise on Digital Health and/or Medical Technologies – 2 NED roles
- Candidates will have a track record of working on the development and clinical application of digital health, artificial intelligence, and/or innovative medical technologies to deliver meaningful patient benefits.

Other skills which would be highly desirable and valued by the Board include experience of innovative clinical trial design and delivery; patient safety, vigilance and risk management; patient involvement and engagement; and use of real-world data.