Social Security Advisory Committee - Chair

 NED Vacancies, Paid Role, Public Sector  No Responses »
May 072020
 

Chair - Social Security Advisory Committee

Body: Social Security Advisory Committee
Appointing Department: Department for Work and Pensions
Sector: Regulation
Location: National , although you will be expected to travel to London for SSAC meetings
Number of Vacancies: 1
Remuneration: £22,000 per annum
Time Requirements: Five days each month
Closed for Applications: 01/06/2020

Vacancy Description

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory advisory body, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It has the following statutory functions:

  • to perform, on behalf of both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Parliament, a mandatory scrutiny of most of the proposed secondary legislation that underpins the social welfare system; and
  • to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, whether in response to a specific request from the UK Government or on its own initiative.

In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee’s general advisory functions are deployed to:

  • inform the Committee’s work, improving members’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers;
  • add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders; and
  • stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.

Recent examples of the Committee’s reports can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/occasional-papers-ssac

The Committee responds to the Department’s public consultation exercises where appropriate, and Ministers may also seek SSAC’s views on specific issues. The Committee may also select issues itself which it wishes to research and report on as part of its independent work programme. The Chair and Committee members meet regularly with Ministers and senior officials to discuss topical issues and also meet front-line staff and customers in the course of their visits to operational sites.

The Committee is independent of Government, the Department and sectional interests. It has a strong track record in offering informed, expert advice. Members come from a variety of backgrounds, but collectively they have a considerable depth of knowledge and expertise in social security policy, law and the wider social policy agenda.

More information can be obtained from SSAC’s website at www.gov.uk/ssac

The Role of the Chair

In setting the strategic direction for the Committee, the SSAC Chair will be required to demonstrate strong leadership in harnessing the skills, expertise and experience of a diverse Committee membership ensuring that it operates effectively as a team. The successful candidate will have the ability to build constructive relationships at senior levels (both in Government and with external stakeholders) and demonstrate good judgement.

The Chair will ensure the Committee provides an independent view (independent of both Government and other interested parties) which is evidence based and which reflects a wide range of perspectives.

Scrutinising, and where the Committee so decides, reporting on draft regulations entails mastering complex legal and technical detail, as well as understanding the operational context in which legislation will be brought into effect. The Chair will be able to draw on the considerable knowledge and expertise of the Committee membership during the scrutiny process, however they will need to have the capability to pick up on detailed proposals quickly in order that he/she can communicate credibly with Ministers, stakeholders and the media as appropriate.

The Chair also develops and maintains productive and constructive relationships with Ministers, Committee colleagues, senior civil servants, and the Committee’s external stakeholders in the course of SSAC’s work. The Chair does this through a mixture of formal and informal meetings and visits, attendance at events and conferences and through attending the Committee’s own stakeholder events. Due to potential Covid-19 restrictions the Chair will need to be confident in chairing online discussions given the uncertainty over where meetings will take place.

The Chair and Members have access to sensitive proposals from time to time. These are shared with the Committee in confidence.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

  1. Strong, measured and balanced leadership qualities with the ability to set and shape the strategic direction of the Committee, and to harnesses effectively the expertise and experience of a diverse Committee membership ensuring that it operates effectively as a team;
  2. Ability to operate constructively and build positive relationships with Committee colleagues and senior stakeholders (for example in this role you will regularly work with Ministers, senior Whitehall officials, Parliamentarians and other senior stakeholders) – communicating effectively/persuasively and demonstrating sound judgement;
  3. An interest in social security issues and the ability to understand, evaluate and advise objectively on complex issues relating to social security;
  4. Ability to take an impartial view (independent of both Government and other interested parties) which reflects a wide range of perspectives. To be credible, the Chair will need to be able to demonstrate their independence from the Committee’s primary stakeholders;
  5. An understanding of Government policy and the political and financial context in which social security policy operates; and
  6. The capacity to devote around five days per month to the Committee.

Desirable Criteria

An understanding of finance and governance issues including managing public money and financial probity

How to Apply

In order for us to progress your application please submit the following completed documentation:

  1. A CV (maximum 2-3 pages) with your education and professional qualifications and full employment history.
  2. An accompanying Supporting Statement (maximum 2 pages, font 12) – this is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria set out in this information pack. You should aim to provide specific examples that demonstrate how your knowledge and experience matches each of the criteria, and which describe what your role was in achieving a specific result.
    Please ensure your full name and the post for which you are applying are clearly noted at the top of your CV and Supporting Statement.
  3. Personal Information Form Most of the information requested is not seen by the panel assessing your application (though the panel may consider your declaration of interests).
  4. Diversity Monitoring Form. Collecting and analysing candidate data will help us improve our diversity strategy. It will allow us to run more successful recruitment exercises in the future and ensure that competitions are fair for all. This form is not part of the selection process and will be treated in strictest confidence. It will be kept separate from your application and not be seen by the selection panel.

Please email your application by 23:00 on 01/06/2020 to: [email protected].

If you have any difficulty in sending your application or need the application pack in an alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audio CD, tape or e-text), please contact the ALB Public Appointments Team on 0207 7449 7181 or 020 7449 7437

Attachments

This post is regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - Chair

 NED Vacancies, Paid Role, Public Sector  No Responses »
May 072020
 

Chair - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Recruiter: Department of Health & Social Care
Location: London
Salary: £63,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per week
Posted: 6 May 2020
Closes: 20 May 2020
Job Function: Chair
Industry: Public, Central Government

Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

VAC-1679

Ministers are looking to appoint a Chair to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA 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. The Agency plays a leading role in protecting and improving public health and supports innovation through scientific research and development.

The Chair of the MHRA is accountable to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and will provide strong leadership, challenge and direction to the organisation, encouraging and enabling the MHRA to be a first-class regulator of medicines and medical devices, building on its international status and leading the Agency through the changes to come now we have left the European Union.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Chief Executive, to set the tone for excellent working relationships between the three centres that comprise the MHRA, as well as between the MHRA and key stakeholders, ensure that the MHRA drives a major multi-year operational transformation programme, and progress and deliver the Agency’s innovation agenda.

To be considered for the post you must have a career record of achievements in the life sciences sector, or transferable experience from an alternative regulatory sector, of scale and relevance consistent with being the Chair of MHRA. You will have exemplary governance, organisational and transformational leadership skills, excellent communication skills and be able to gain the confidence of and build successful alliances with a range of stakeholders including Ministers.

Remuneration will be £63,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per week. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care determines the length of appointment, which will be up to 3 years.

For more information, please visit the Public Appointments website:

http://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ If you require an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio please call Kully Kanda on 0113 254 6769 quoting the reference VAC-1679.

The closing date for applications is midday on 17th March 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

Dimensions - Independent Committee Member (Audit and Risk)

 NED Vacancies, Not for Profit / Charity Sector, Paid Role  No Responses »
May 062020
 

Independent Committee Member (Audit and Risk) – Dimensions

Recruiter: ANDERSON QUIGLEY
Location: Meetings are held in Theale, Berkshire
Salary: Remuneration – £2,000 p/a
Posted: 01 May 2020
Closing date: 08 Jun 2020
Industry: Charities, Mental health, Social welfare, Finance & accounting, Accountancy, Financial controller
Job function: Trustee & non-executive director
Job level: Board / Trustee
Hours: Part time
Contract: Contract
Listing type: Job vacancy

Independent Committee Member (Audit and Risk)

Driven by our values, Dimensions is one of the country’s leading not-for-profit organisations supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The people we support, and their families are at the heart of everything we do and we want every person we support to have a great life. We are a financially resilient organisation, operating in the challenging but rewarding social care sector and currently improving the lives of 3,500 people.

The people we support are central to our existence and as such we are focussed on doing all that we can to ensure their safety and well-being. The Group Audit and Risk Committee (GARC) has an integral part to play in ensuring that risk is effectively managed by the Group, focussing on financial reporting, risk management, audit, whistleblowing and internal governance. The Committee helps to ensure that high standards of financial probity are in place, allowing us to allocate our resources in such a way that we are able to support more people, creating better outcomes.

We are looking to appoint an Independent Committee Member to help ensure that our assurance framework is robust and effective. Our governance is both well established and professional but as a learning organisation we see independent scrutiny as being critical. We need to continue to challenge our systems of risk management and control, to learn from our successes as well as our mistakes.

We are interested in applications from people who have had a successful career in risk management and/or internal audit, bringing both strategic and operational insight. Experience of advising at Board Level will be essential. We are open to sector, but it is likely that you will have worked in a large and complex organisation within a regulated sector.

Most importantly you will share our values and drive to help improve life opportunities for the people we support.

At Dimensions we are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background. We value diversity on our board and would particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

For more information on this exciting role, please visit our website.

For a confidential discussion please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: Rob Hilyer on 07719 325 771 or Elyse Turner-Pearce on 07808 648 559.

Parliamentary Digital Service - 5 Non-Executive Directors

 NED Vacancies, Paid Role, Public Sector  No Responses »
May 052020
 

5 Non-Executive Director - Parliamentary Digital Service

Reference number: 51040
Salary: £9,000
Grade: Other
Contract type: Fixed Term
Length of employment: 1 year with possibility of extension of up to 3 years; expected attendance of 10-15 days per year
Business area: Other, Parliamentary Digital Service
Type of role: Other
Working pattern: Part-time
Number of posts: 5
Location: Westminster
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 17th May 2020

About the job

The Parliamentary Digital Service is seeking three non-executive Members of the External Advisory Board, including the chair of the board, for its Transforming Digital programme and two non-executive Members of the External Advisory Board for Digital Portfolio.

About us:

We work with the House of Commons and the House of Lords to help them meet their objectives.

We support teams around Parliament with information management, communications, digital tools, data, and engagement strategies.

We are transforming to become a more open, outward-facing strategic partner to Parliament.

Job description

You're from a digital or transformation background, with the recognised ability to take a strategic view.

You've already implemented organisational change, ideally in the public sector, and you're happy to share your experience to shape our success.

You're an outcome-focused critical thinker with energy, ambition, and drive.

For full information please see the job description.

Responsibilities

Purpose of role- Transforming Digital:

The UK Parliament is starting a transformation programme to evolve as a digital-first organisation.

Recognising that digital is crucial to more effective partnership and enablement of Parliament to deliver its obligations to the United Kingdom, the programme, Transforming Digital (TD), builds on the progress of PDS to date, to become a higher performing, more open, nimble and outward facing organisation.

The mandate for the programme received approval from the Commons Executive Board and Lords Management Board in April 2020. Its governance includes an External Advisory Board comprising:

  • five external members, one being the Chair of the Board,
  • the Parliament Chief Information Officer and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) of the TD programme and,
  • the Programme Director.

The External Advisory Board ensures the TD programme is advised by external best practices and deep experience of digital transformation.

The Board advises and supports the Senior Responsible Officer, the Programme Director and the programme team, providing scrutiny and challenge for strategic decision making.
The Chair reports jointly to the TD programme SRO and to the chair of the Digital Strategy Board.

The other roles report to the Chair of External Advisory Board.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Provide independent advice on the leadership of the TD Programme, on priorities, key decisions and risk mitigation, and advise the SRO in developing PDS’s capacity and capabilities to meet its future challenges and deliver value for money;
  • Perform a full, open and collaborative role on the External Advisory Board offering constructive challenge as well as mentoring support to executive members;
  • Influence colleagues across Parliament to help them understand the outcomes from the TD Programme

Purpose of role – Digital Portfolio:

We want to provide excellent digital services for a modern Parliament.

We work with the House of Commons and the House of Lords to help them meet their objectives.

We oversee a broad Portfolio of Digital transformation. Please visit our blog to learn more.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Bring an external, informed and independent perspective to discussions on the Digital Portfolio, including at project and programme boards where appropriate.
  • Provide technical expert advice to project and programme SROs and senior team members, challenging strategies for project management and delivery.
  • Understand the Parliamentary Digital environment and the challenges and issues that need to be addressed in delivering Digital services for Parliament.
  • Ensure that appropriate risk management and internal controls exist, are fit for purpose, and are appropriately applied.
  • Address the particular circumstances of the House of Lords as sole or joint budget for much of the portfolio

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.

Selection process details

You are invited to apply with a letter of interest and full CV.

We will conduct a Sift based on the criteria set out in the key responsibilities section and successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :
Name : PDS HR
Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team :
Email : [email protected]

non-executive director

Dimensions – Full Group Board Member - Legal

 NED Vacancies, Not for Profit / Charity Sector, Paid Role  No Responses »
May 052020
 

Full Group Board Member - Legal - Dimensions

Recruiter: ANDERSON QUIGLEY
Location: Board meetings are held in London or Theale.
Salary: £9,000 p/a
Posted: 01 May 2020
Closing date: 08 Jun 2020
Industry: Charities, Mental health, Social welfare, Legal, Solicitor
Job function: Trustee & non-executive director
Job level: Board / Trustee
Hours: Part time
Contract: Contract
Listing type: Job vacancy

Driven by our values, Dimensions is one of the country’s leading not-for-profit organisations supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The people we support and their families are at the heart of everything we do and we want every person we support to have a great life. Dimensions is a financially resilient organisation, operating in the challenging but rewarding social care sector and currently improving the lives of 3,500 people.

As part of our commitment to constantly evolve and innovate, we are looking to strengthen our Board. Ours is an inspirational yet complicated organisation and to achieve our goals we are aware that there are areas in which we need to strengthen. We see Board rotation as being key to our organisational development, and as members reach the end of their terms we will seek to replace them with equally inspirational non-executive Directors.

Our full Group Board members provide strategic direction to a united and talented leadership team. Collectively they take responsibility for an annual turnover of c£200 million delivered by 7,000 colleagues across England and Wales. You will need to understand the challenges and risks of governance in a low margin, high volume multi-site organisation. You will need to be comfortable making decisions which can change people’s lives.

Following a skills audit, we are seeking to appoint a Board Member with a legal background. Although not essential, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from lawyers who have operated at a senior level (General Counsel) in complex organisations, potentially from a regulator or regulated industry. In addition to a successful executive career, some non-executive experience would be beneficial. An ability and desire to take collective responsibility for decision making is essential, and most importantly you will share our values and drive to help improve life opportunities for the people we support.

At Dimensions we are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background. We value diversity on our board and would particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

For more information on this exciting role, please visit our website.

For a confidential discussion please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: Rob Hilyer on 07719 325 771 or Elyse Turner-Pearce on 07808 648 559.

Welsh Gymnastics- Non-Executive Director

 NED Vacancies, Not for Profit / Charity Sector  No Responses »
May 042020
 

Non-Executive Director - Welsh Gymnastics

Location: Cardiff
Salary: Voluntary
Job Type: Permanent
Start Date:
Job Reference: BBBH19914
Added: 27 Apr 2020

Job Description

Acorn Executive Search is working in partnership with Welsh Gymnastics to recruit a Non-Executive Director in Cardiff.

Purpose

The board of directors has an essential role in Welsh Gymnastics governance and setting the strategic direction of the business.

The right balance brings specialist knowledge and expertise in key business areas such as management, finance, commercial and legal as well as gymnastics. A board member is required:

  • To ensure the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its Articles
  • To contribute actively to the board in giving strategic direction to the organisation setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
  • To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation, and the sport
  • To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
  • To protect and manage the property of the organisation

Duties of the board members

  • To act in accordance with the Articles, and to use powers only for the purposes for which they were conferred
  • To promote the success of the organisation for the achievement of the objects
  • A duty to exercise independent judgement
  • A duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence
  • A duty to avoid conflicts of interests
  • A duty not to accept benefits from third parties
  • A duty to declare to the other directors any interest that they have in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the organisation

In addition to the above statutory duties, each board member is expected to apply their specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the board reach sound decisions and make a practical contribution according to their particular knowledge, skills and experience.

This will involve:

  • Scrutinising board papers and regularly attending board meetings
  • Leading, and participating in, discussions
  • Focusing on key issues
  • Providing guidance on new initiatives
  • Other issues in which the Board member has special expertise.

Additional Information

Time Commitment

6 Meetings a Year (1 day in duration) plus some extra days on an annual basis subject to attendance at events and other board commitments.

Terms of Office

Normally limited to a maximum of 2 x 4 years

Welsh Gymnastics Strategy

In 2011 Welsh Gymnastics launched its 2020 Strategy. Since then, good progress has been made to execute the strategy. We will be working to update the strategy in the coming months.

How to Apply

Apply using an updated CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Acorn Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment.
Welsh Gymnastics

Job Applicant Privacy Notice

non-executive director

The Hospice Quality Partnership (HQP) - Non-Executive Director

 NED Vacancies, Not for Profit / Charity Sector  No Responses »
May 042020
 

Non-Executive Director - The Hospice Quality Partnership (HQP)

Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire
Salary: Unremunerated
Reference: PB / nonexHQP
Job Type: Permanent
Sector: Office & Specialist Support
Closing date: 20/05/2020

The company

We are looking for Non Executive Director ideally with a Corporate Law background to play a pivotal part in the growth and development of this great organisation.

You will join an existing board that meets 6 times per year in Macclesfield (this could also be remotely logged into) however there will be an expectation to be involved as and when required throughout the year and to be in touch with fellow board members.

The Hospice Quality Partnership (HQP) was formed to help hospices and is owned by the hospices it serves. Because we’re part of the hospice world, we understand what issues hospices face and how we can help.

We’re a new, innovative, social enterprise with partner hospices from across the UK, who all hold an equal share in the company. Our aim is to help hospices of all sizes save money, by improving procurement, reducing operating costs and sharing data for best practice. By working together on our more entrepreneurial ideas, we also plan to create additional revenue.

That way, we make sure that hospices make their funds go further, to where they’re needed most – looking after their patients and families’ needs.

Our people

Our people have all been involved in the hospice industry for many years and are passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. They believe in hospices delivering a quality service that’s in the best interests of the people who need them.

How we came about

The challenges faced by hospices in the UK are growing. As a nation, we’re living longer which means rising demand for services, while at the same time Government funding is very limited and competing for voluntary income is even tougher. We recognise the need to help hospices to reduce costs and set up HQP to do just that.

We also recognised that the partnership provided a way in which hospices could share data and improve business decision making, and even go one step further to explore opportunities to make money together.

We now offer a range of services to our partners, from supply agreements and up to date performance information, to developing partnership opportunities. Partners become a part of the HQP community where everyone pulls together to reduce costs, add value and save time.

Our values

HQP’s values are simple. We have a passion for hospice care and believe in the strength we have by working together as partners with integrity, accountability and innovation. Supporting our partners is crucial to our success, and we never want to stop learning how to do things better together.

The job

This is a great organisation to join and utilise your expertise to grow the organisation and in return be able to support a number of charities throughout the UK.

This may be your first Non-Executive role in which case you will be supported by the exiting team or you may already have experience of supporting organisations in a non-exec position, the opportunity is open to both.

The person

You will have a sound background in Law (ideally corporate law) and be able to advise on governance and share structures as well as general legal advice.

You will be proactive and be able to commit to the 6 meetings per year and also adhoc conversations as and when needed.

The benefits

This is an unremunerated position.

Contact

Paula Barber
Client Director – Charity & Not-for-Profit
Brewster Partners Recruitment Group

M: 07858 518 413
E: [email protected]

Applications

To apply for this job, please send your CV to the email above or to [email protected] quoting "Vacancy: Non Exec Director - Unremunerated, Reference: PB / nonexHQP". Thank you for your interest.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) - Chair

 NED Vacancies, Paid Role, Public Sector  No Responses »
May 042020
 

Chair - The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA)

Recruiter: Green Park
Location: London (Greater) (GB)
Salary: £700 per day
Posted: 01 May 2020
Closes: 03 June 2020
Ref: AT9494
Position/Level: Board
Responsibilities: Governance, Strategy
Sector: Government
Contract Type: Voluntary / Trustee
Language: English

Play your part in supporting a healthy democracy

Created in 2009, IPSA was the world’s first fully independent regulator of MPs’ financial remuneration. IPSA’s three main responsibilities are to regulate MPs’ business costs and expenses; to determine MPs’ pay and pension arrangements; and to provide financial support to MPs in carrying out their parliamentary functions.

Now is an exciting time for the organisation, as it moves to a new phase in its development, offering improved levels of service to MPs and their staff within a strong and user-friendly regulatory framework. Getting this right is crucial for a well-functioning Parliament and a healthy democracy.

We are looking for an experienced leader who will oversee the transformation of IPSA as an ambitious and modern authority. The successful candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges facing IPSA and Parliament, combined with a genuine passion for, and experience of, organisational and cultural change.

We are seeking candidates from a broad range of backgrounds, in particular senior individuals with strategic expertise gained in customer-centric organisations, with a proven ability to bring about change in complex environments, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and excellent communication skills.

They will be confident operating to the highest levels of public accountability, under public, political and media scrutiny. They will personify integrity, trust and resilience.

HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to apply for this position, you must submit the following three documents:

  1. A supporting statement (maximum two sides A4) highlighting your suitability and setting out, with clear examples, how you meet the essential criteria as highlighted in the Person Specification. Please note that the supporting statement is an important part of your application, it is an evidence-based document and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.
  2. A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements. Please provide details of your current remuneration package (and band if you are an internal candidate from within the Civil Service) and two professional referees together with a brief statement of the capacity and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted before final interviews without your express permission.
  3. A completed Diversity Monitoring Form. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not affect your application in any way; you may select ‘Prefer not to say’ if you do not wish to answer any questions.

Additionally, please also provide the following:

  • A statement of conflicts of interest (if applicable): if you, your spouse/partner, dependents, business partner or associate have any business interest or other activities which are or could be perceived as a conflict of interest with the role, you should declare that in your supporting statement. This may involve suspending or relinquishing stock market activity.
  • We are a Guaranteed Interview Scheme employer. If applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS), please complete the form downloadable.

Please submit your application by noon Wednesday 3rd June 2020.

If you do not receive an automated response email within 24 hours of submitting your application, please call 020 3145 9638 and speak to the Public Sector Search team, who can verify whether your application has been received or not.

Department for Work and Pensions - Non-Executive Member of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

 NED Vacancies, Paid Role, Public Sector  No Responses »
Apr 302020
 

Non-Executive Member of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee - Department for Work and Pensions

Body: Department for Work and Pensions
Appointing Department: Department for Work and Pensions
Sector: Business, Finance & Skills
Location: Predominantly London (for meetings), with occasional travel in the UK
Skills required: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business / Commercial, Change Management, Major Projects, Procurement, Regulation, Transformation
Number of Vacancies: 1
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum
Time Requirements: Approximately 20 days (per annum), including a minimum of 5 committee meetings

Vacancy Description

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking to fill a Non-Executive Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (DARAC) position.

Background

DWP provides services and support to over 22 million people and is responsible for over 730 million benefit payments each year totalling nearly £180 billion. At the same time, it is engaged in delivering a once in a generation programme of welfare reform to:

  • Encourage people into work and helping people to progress in work;
  • Run an effective welfare system that enables people to achieve financial independence by providing assistance and guidance into employment;
  • Tackle poverty and welfare dependency through a simplified welfare system that encourages people to find work and protects the most vulnerable;
  • Promote high levels of employment by helping people who are out of work, including people in disadvantaged groups move into work;
  • Help people meet the challenges of an ageing society and maintain standards of living in retirement; and
  • Provide opportunity, choice and independence to help disabled people to take an equal role in society.

The role of Non-Executive Member:

Non-Executive Members provide advice and bring an external perspective to the business of government. They bring independent oversight, support and constructive challenge to the Executive Team and Departmental Board, through expert influence and advice. Non-Executives may also be involved in working groups or offer advice and support to individual directors, in addition to ad hoc pieces of work across the Department.

The Non-Executive will attend the Audit and Risk Committee, which will generally meet five times a year. The post holder reports to the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, who is also a member of the Departmental Board, chaired by the Secretary of State.

The Audit and Risk Committee is a sub-committee of the Departmental Board and its purpose is to provide an independent view as to the appropriateness, adequacy and overall value for money of the governance, risk, control and associated assurance processes that are in place in DWP by:

  • Reviewing the comprehensiveness of assurances in meeting the Board and Accounting Officer’s assurance needs;
  • Reviewing the reliability and integrity of these assurances;
  • Advising the board and Accounting Officer about how well assurances consequently support them in decision making and in discharging their accountability obligations.

Key Responsibilities

  • To act as an independent advisor, challenging the department on its audit and risk management processes.
  • To advise the Departmental Board and Accounting Officer on the adequacy and efficacy of governance, risk, control and related assurance processes.
  • To make recommendations to the senior team on potential risks and vulnerabilities and support the department to improve.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience for this Non-Executive role:

  • Ability to bring a fresh, external view to decision making at board level;
  • Experience of best practice approaches to Audit and Risk Management in a range of private, public or third sector organisations;
  • An understanding of the key challenges faced by the public sector (particularly around the efficiency agenda) and the ability to bring their experience to bear on these challenges;
  • The ability to contribute and inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders both in formal environments (such as DARAC meetings) and in less formal environments (such as one-to-one meetings with Executives);
  • Sound judgement and a high level of integrity (including when dealing with confidential or sensitive issues) and a commitment to the seven principles of conduct in public life (http://www.public-standards.gov.uk/about-us/what-we-do/the-seven-principles) and,
  • An engaging collaborative working style, able to adapt to a wide range of political and non-political partners.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

If you would like further information, please contact the same address.

The vacancy closes on 27/05/2020

Attachments

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The Olive Tree Primary School - 2 Non-Executive Directors

 NED Vacancies, Not for Profit / Charity Sector  No Responses »
Apr 302020
 

2 Non-Executive Directors - The Olive Tree Primary School

The Olive Tree Primary School
LANCASHIRE AND WEST YORKSHIRE | BOLTON
Audit | CEO/ General Management | CFO/Financial | Corporate Governance | Human Resources | Legal/Compliance | Non-Executive/Trustee | Risk
Deadline date: 15th May 2020

The Olive Tree Primary Trust seeks to recruit two new non-executive directors and a new member to its board. Whilst this is designated as a Muslim faith school, Members and trustees are keen to invite applicants of any faith, or indeed no faith at all to provide a broader range of views and demonstrate independence. The Board meetings are held at the school in Bolton.

About the trust

The Olive Primary School is a single academy trust, it opened as a brand-new free school in 2013 and was judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its first inspection in July 2015. The school has 420 pupils, 55 staff members and a budget of around £2 million. Almost three-quarters of its pupils have English as an additional language.

The trust has experienced some challenges and has been criticized over some of it procedures. Financially the trust is sound with a healthy reserve but procedural practices have resulted in the Education & Skills Funding Agency (EFSA) issuing the trust with a Financial Notice to Improve (FNtI). The FNtI has not yet been published but is available from the trust. The DfE/ESFA have shared with Academy Ambassadors that the trust has responded positively and they welcome the opportunity to appoint some new, independent trustees to the board to help improve overall governance.

Plans for the future

Three key challenges for the trust over the next 12-24 months are:

  1. Ensuring a stable and effective organisational environment that provides the best learning outcomes for the children whilst both supporting and challenging the executive leaders.
  2. Strengthening governance through robust processes that ensure perceived conflicts of interests are managed at all levels and any additional programmes are thoroughly vetted and costed. This will include the removal of the FNtI.
  3. Developing a high degree of financial probity, which is maintained through challenge, and effective implementation of the Academies Financial Handbook.

The trust has a vision to expand, share best practice and grow. The team hope this will be through initially expanding the age range to allow existing pupils to continue their learning experience under the same ethos and philosophy by developing a secondary provision.

Trust ethos & values

Olive Tree Primary School works closely with its community and is a faith designated school with an Islamic ethos, which means that its core values and ethos are central to the development of pupils as:

  • Successful learners;
  • Confident individuals;
  • Responsible citizens.

The trust’s vision is ‘Believe You Can’ and is strongly based on the belief that all children and adults can and will succeed.

Further information on vision and values can be found here: http://www.theolivetreeprimary.com/vision-values--ethos.html

Role summary

Number of positions advertised: 3

Roles 1 & 2 – Trustee/Non-Executive Director

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse.

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.

Non-executive directors will be responsible for maintaining stability and the management of a dynamic structure. The role also includes contributing to financial planning for sustainability and potential growth and holding the CEO/CFO to account.

In the interests of safeguarding, all trustee appointments would be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Person specification

Every trustee is expected to abide by the trust’s code of conduct and the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Competency Framework for Governance (DfE) 2017 details the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective governance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583733/Competency_framework_for_governance_.pdf

The strategic expertise required for this role includes:

  • Essential (due to multiple roles, candidates may be accepted who possess one or more of the skills below)
    • CFO/ Finance
    • Audit
    • HR
    • Compliance
    • Risk
  • Desirable
    • Audit Committee Chair
    • Remuneration Committee Chair
    • Corporate Governance
    • Strategic
    • Qualified Accountant

Role 1: This individual will have demonstrable experience as the CFO/Finance Director of a company, with responsibility for managing a large budget. A qualified accountant is preferred.

  • Experience of an Audit committee and/or board level finance experience would be a particular advantage together with knowledge of risk management and statutory compliance obligations.
  • Familiarity with the current Charity Commission is not essential but would be an asset.

Role 2: The trust seeks a person with substantial senior experience HR in a medium or large commercial company. Ideally the suitable candidate will have Director level strategic experience of HR.

Time commitment

The trust board meets 5 times a year and board meetings tend to be held on Mondays at 7pm. Some trustees are invited to join one of the tree sub-committees depending on skills and interests. The subcommittees are Finance, HR & Standards, and Safeguarding. Subcommittee meetings may move around the week to match trustees availability but tend to commence around 5pm on a week-day. In general trustees should be able to commit to around 6 hours per month (on average).

Role 3 – Member

Members are able alter the trust’s Articles of Association and appoint (or remove) trustees/directors where necessary. They provide independent oversight to the work of the board of trustees in order to ensure suitable accountability for its decision making and strategy. Members are deemed to be ‘eyes on but hands-off’ and would only intervene in extreme circumstances.

Person specification

The competencies required for this role include:

  • Essential
    • CEO/General Management
    • Non-executive/ Trustee
  • Desirable
    • Corporate Governance
    • Legal/Compliance

The demands on a Member are relatively light and is likely to be around 12 hours over the year. The trust seeks individuals with an extensive and demonstrable background in a senior leadership role, with strategic vision and knowledge of the role of a non-executive director.

A good communicator and a ‘team player’, committed to attending Members’ meetings is essential. An individual with good business acumen is advantageous, as well as experience of working within a public sector environment, preferably at board level. An interest in education and an awareness of current educational priorities would be advantageous but is not essential.

Time commitment

Members are required to attend two meetings a year to oversee the strategy. The two new members will add to the already broad skillset within the existing team of three members.

Location of board meetings and trust website

The Olive Tree Primary School, Adelaide St, Bolton, BL3 5RW

http://www.theolivetreeprimary.com/vision-values--ethos.html

Governance structure

http://www.theolivetreeprimary.com/uploads/1/0/8/8/108826809/the_olive_tree_governance_and_senior_staff_structure.pdf

Background on academy trusts

Academy schools, which are charities run independently of local authority control, now account for 74% of secondary schools and 31% of primaries – and their number is growing all the time.

Many of these schools are grouped together as multi-academy trusts (MATs). There are currently 832 multi academy trusts of 3+ schools. If the schools are to fulfil their potential, the trusts need non-executives (known in charity law as trustees) to bring a wide range of skills and experience to help guide strategy, ensure their ambitions can be soundly financed and keep their schools up to the mark delivering for their pupils.

“Boards must be ambitious for all children and young people and infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement that enables the best possible outcomes. Governance must be grounded in reality as defined by both high-quality objective data and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and local communities. It should be driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focused on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.”
Source: Governance Handbook, Department for Education (2019)

Trusteeship is a voluntary, unpaid role for people who have the energy and skills to make a real contribution to shaping the future of our schools. You do not need to have any specialist knowledge of education.

Applications

Academy Ambassadors is a non-profit programme which recruits senior business leaders and professionals as volunteer non-executive directors onto the boards of multi-academy trusts. If you are interested in applying for the role please register your interest and send a copy of CV and a short expression of interest, detailing which role you are applying for. Please note: candidates should live within reasonable travelling distance of the trust and/or have a link with the region. For more information, please call 0207 952 8556 or email [email protected].

Key dates

Deadline for applications: due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this deadline has been extended to Friday 15th May 2020

We strongly recommend applying as early as you can to have the best possible chance of being considered as we may change the closing date if we have received sufficient applications. Applicants should be aware of the following key dates in the recruitment process.

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