Introduction
ICAI’s formal remit is to “provide independent evaluation and scrutiny of the impact and value for money of all UK Government ODA”. Its functions are to carry out a small number of well-prioritised, well-evidenced, credible, thematic reviews on strategic issues faced by the UK Government’s aid spending; inform and support Parliament in its role of holding the UK Government to account; and ensure its work is made available to the public.
Additional introductions
Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy for two part time Commissioners for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI)
You may already have some idea about the important work of ICAI. ICAI is led by a Board of three Commissioners. The recruitment process for the Chief Commissioner is currently underway and we are now looking to recruit the two part time Commissioners to complete the leadership team. The following pages will tell you more about ICAI’s purpose and the Commissioners’ roles, as well as the application process. Please do also view ICAI’s website to understand their work:
Home - ICAI (independent.gov.uk).
If, after reading the material, you have further questions about any aspect of this post you are welcome to speak to Shirley Cameron via ICAIrecruitment@fcdo.gov.uk.
If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Juliette Prodhan
Deputy Director- Development Policy Department
Appointment description
The Commissioners will:
- Represent ICAI effectively to a broad range of domestic and international audiences including the UK Parliament, which includes giving evidence to the International Development Committee (IDC) and its ICAI Sub-Committee.
- Report to the Chief Commissioner and support their leadership of ICAI, including through the development of a programme of scrutiny of UK Government Official Development Assistance.
- Form the membership of the ICAI Board, which is responsible for setting ICAI’s strategic direction and reviewing its performance.
- Working with the Chief Commissioner, lead and oversee reviews of UK Government’s aid spending and the production of high quality, well-evidenced and impartial reports by the service provider, supported by the secretariat.
- Contribute to continuous improvement in the impact of UK aid, monitoring implementation of ICAI findings and ensuring their dissemination.
- Expand ICAI’s toolkit beyond reviews to include more informal ways of helping organisational learning, and how to capture best practise.
- Build effective relationships with key stakeholders, including the IDC and government departments providing Official Development Assistance.
Organisation description
This is an exciting opportunity in an organisation that is at the heart of the UK international development effort, providing independent scrutiny of the effectiveness of all UK government aid which was more than £11 billion in aid in 2021.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) sets its own work programme, examining key strategic issues facing UK Aid programmes, and supports Parliament to hold the Government to account for the impact and value for money of those programmes.
ICAI’s work is high profile. ICAI reviews span the breadth of the UK’s aid priorities, from Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Tackling Fraud, UK Aid to Afghanistan, and Refugees in the UK.
They examine key international development challenges and their findings inform public and parliamentary debate. In addition to providing independent scrutiny, ICAI reviews contribute to improving the effectiveness and impact of UK aid. The Board of Commissioners work independently of Government and bring considerable international development and leadership experience to the role.
The part time Commissioners will support the Chief Commissioner to undertake thematic reviews on strategic issues faced by the UK Government’s aid spending, as well as expanding ICAI’s toolkit beyond reviews to include more informal ways of helping organisational learning and capturing best practice.
Further information on ICAI and its activities, including its most recent annual report, can be found on ICAI’s website:
Home - ICAI (independent.gov.uk).FCDO’s review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact may also be of interest as would the Cabinet Office mandated review of ICAI, published in December 2017:
ICAI Tailored Review.
Location
The roles are based in London with short periods of international travel required to undertake reviews.
Board composition
The Advisory Assessment Panel will consist of:
- Representative from sponsoring department (required) and lead of the Panel DG Development and Humanitarian - Nick Dyer
- Senior Independent panel member (approved by OCPA) - Sir Philip Augar- a former Non-executive member of the Department of Education and the Home Office, with extensive experience in the banking sector.
- International Development Sub-Committee on the work of ICAI representative: Richard Bacon or Theo Clarke
- New ICAI Chief Commissioner (tbc – currently being recruited) or Head of ICAI secretariat (civil servant) - Ekpe Attah