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Appointment details

Chair, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation)

Summary

• Organisation: Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Education
• Skills: Communication, Major Projects, Regulation, Education
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £55000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 22 March 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   23 February 2024

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 22 March 2024

3. Sifting date

   3 May 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   30 September 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

As Chair of Ofqual, you will be responsible for chairing the board which provides strategic leadership of the organisation.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• ensure that the board is effective in providing good governance, challenge and support to the work of Ofqual

• lead the board in developing a strategy for discharging its statutory duties

• promote the efficient and effective use of Ofqual’s resource, including that Ofqual has the right people and culture to be successful

• be an effective representative of Ofqual and its board both internally and externally, maintaining effective relationships with key leaders in education, training and industry

• ensure that board members are aware of their duties and responsibilities and that a code of practice for board members is in place, and encourage high standards of propriety

• provide for the induction, training, objectives and performance assessment of individual board members and succession planning for the board as a whole to ensure the board has the right skills for the work it is asked to do

• act as a point of contact between Ofqual, Ministers and Parliament, as appropriate

• work continuously to improve the performance of the board

Close and regular liaison on a range of matters between the Chair and the Chief Regulator and other senior Ofqual staff is essential. An effective working relationship between the Chair and the Chief Regulator is of key importance to the well-being of the organisation and to the efficient progress of business.

Board composition

Interim Chief Regulator: Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, current Chair of Oak Academy Trust and previously Chair of Ofqual from January 2021- December 2023 and CEO, Tenax Schools Trust – 2015- December 2023

Interim Chair: Frances Wadsworth CBE, Deputy Further Education Commissioner, Principal and CEO of Croydon College between 2011 and 2018, following 6 years as Principal and CEO of East Surrey College.

Board Members:

Susan Barratt: Former Audit Partner at Deloitte

Matt Tee: Executive Director of Communications and Engagement, NHS Kent and Medway

Dr Catherine McClellan: Deputy CEO (Research and Assessment), Australian Council for Educational Research, Owner and Principal Scientist, Clowder Consulting, Member of the Measurement Advisory Group, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority

Chris Paterson: Director of Impact at the Education Endowment Foundation

Cindy Leslie: Trustee/Non-Executive Director/Chair Audit Committee, Birbeck College, University of London

Eileen Milner: Previously CEO of the Education Skills and Funding Agency, previously COO of the Care Quality Commission

Mark Farrar: Formerly CEO of the Association of Accounting Technicians, previously CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board

Hardip Begol CBE: Member of the Oak National Academy board, Non-Executive Director, The Centre for Education and Youth CIC, previously CEO of Woodard Academies Trust

Clare Pelham: Chief Executive of the Epilepsy Society, Non-Executive Governor of Birmingham City University, and Director of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• evidence of working successfully at the most senior level in the public, voluntary or private sector

• first-rate strategic thinking capabilities which can be used to steer Ofqual through existing and future challenges

• a commitment to ensuring that qualifications and assessments are rigorous, valid and reliable, command the confidence of parents, students and teachers, meet the needs of employers and play their part in economic development and a successful education system

• highly effective communication skills and the ability to command the respect, and inspire the confidence, of, Ministers, Parliament, awarding organisations and leaders in the education sector and of the Ofqual executive, as well as of students, parents and the general public; including the ability to represent Ofqual effectively in the media

• the ability to navigate the political landscape skilfully, and a good understanding of the Government’s educational reform programme, and the role of the regulator in implementing the reforms.

If a large number of applications is received, preliminary sifting will be carried out using only the following two essential criteria:

·     evidence of working successfully at the most senior level in the public, voluntary or private sector

·     highly effective communication skills and the ability to command the respect, and inspire the confidence of, Ministers, Parliament, awarding organisations and leaders in the education sector and of the Ofqual executive, as well as of students, parents and the general public; including the ability to represent Ofqual effectively in the media.

Desirable criteria

• A track record of success in board level financial, commercial and people management.

• Experience at senior leadership level, ideally beyond a single school or college, in the education or training sectors, and in particular an understanding of the role that qualifications play in an effective education and skills system.

• Awareness of strategic approaches to regulation and the factors that enable effective regulatory practice.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV),
• a supporting statement,
• equality information,
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The Advisory Assessment Panel for this role comprises the following:

Representative of DfE - Stuart Miller (sift), Jenny Oldroyd (interviews).

Directors of Curriculum and General Qualifications (jobshare).

Senior Independent Panel Member - Lambert Allman. 

Lambert is Chair and Independent Member of the Judicial Appointments Commission and has over 30 years of experience working at a senior level with children and young people in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors.

Other Panel Member - Shelagh Legrave CBE. 

Shelagh is the Further Education Commissioner. Prior to her appointment Shelagh was Chief Executive of Chichester College Group, having a long career history in Further Education leadership.

Other Panel Member - Stuart McMinnies, Non-Executive Board Member (DfE). 

Stuart has been a non-executive board member of the Department for Education since May 2022. He was a non-executive board member of the Education & Skills Funding Agency from September 2018 to June 2022. After a career in private equity, today he is a Senior Adviser to Duke Street LLP and a non-executive director of Ardent Hire Solutions Ltd and Delfield Group Holdings Ltd.

None of the Panellists have any political activity to declare.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below).

If you need further advice please contact: ofqualchair.recruitment@education.gov.uk .

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the Ofqual Sponsor Team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at ofqualchair.recruitment@education.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Personal data collected as part of this exercise will be processed in accordance with the Department for Education Privacy Notice. You can access the privacy notice here: Privacy information: Department for Education workforce - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Contact details

The time commitment is approximately two days per week, although the successful candidate may need to work additional hours as necessary for the proper performance of their duties.

The post will be based in Ofqual’s Coventry office, One Friargate, Coventry, CV1 2GN. Ofqual works flexibly, with a hybrid office/home based working model. The role may also require some national travel.

Should you have any queries please ofqualchair.recruitment@education.gov.uk .