Ofcom
- Body
- The Office of Communications (OFCOM)
- Appointing Department
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Sectors
- Culture, Media & Sport, Regulation
- Location
- London
- Number of Vacancies
- 1
- Remuneration
- The remuneration for the role for up to 2 days a week is £42,519 per annum.
- Time Requirements
- Up to 2 days per week
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
20/04/2017
-
Closed for Applications
16/06/2017
-
Panel Sift
27/06/2017
-
Final Interview Date
11/07/2017
-
Announcement
29/09/2017
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Culture Secretary appoints Ofcom board member
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Matthew Gould
- Added
- 20/03/2017
- Positions
- Director General Departmental Official
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| Political Activity | - |
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| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Dame Patricia Hodgson
- Added
- 20/03/2017
- Positions
- Ofcom Chair Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | - |
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| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Baroness Sarah Hogg
- Added
- 06/04/2017
- Positions
- Independent Member
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| Political Activity | Conservative benches in the House of Lords from 1995 to 2010. Crossbencher since then. |
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| Notes | - |
Vacancy Description
Ofcom is seeking to further strengthen and balance the skills around the Board table with a crucial appointment.
This Board Member will be expected to have a good understanding of broadcasting policy issues, content regulation and be a clear advocate for the consumer in the context of devolved policies in the nations and regions. They will, in the context of the new Members of the Ofcom Board being appointed by each of the devolved administrations, reflect the needs of consumers and citizens in England and be able to work with their colleagues from the devolved Nations on policy and consumer issues.
This will demand a good understanding of the legislative environment in which Ofcom operates and of the wider public policy environment.
They will be expected to make a contribution to the work of the Content Board and to that of the Nations’ Committee. In this context, they should be able to situate the UK communications market’s performance in an international context to help inform policy debates and priorities.
Person Specification
The candidate will be expected to meet the following generic criteria:
- the ability to understand the business and economic principles underpinning the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal sectors in the digital environment.
- sound judgement and decision-making to ensure successful delivery in a highly complex organisation;
- an appreciation of the competitive and consumer dynamics of these fast changing sectors;
- the ability to operate at Board level and be team players working with the Chairman and other colleagues;
- personal integrity of a high order; demonstrable understanding of Ofcom’s need to make independent judgements under pressure; no conflicts arising from any commercial or political interests;
The candidate will be also be expected to meet the following specialist criteria:
- Excellent understanding of broadcasting policy and regulatory issues, the UK media policy landscape and relevant international context.
- Understanding of the needs of consumers and citizens in England and an ability to work well with colleagues from the devolved Nations on policy and consumer issues
Additional Information
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services. It operates under the Communications Act 2003 and the Postal Services Act 2011. Ofcom is accountable to Parliament but is independent of both Government and those it regulates.
Ofcom operates at the cutting edge of the digital communications industries in the UK, with a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, encouraging and enforcing competition. It has responsibility for overseeing television and radio broadcasting throughout the United Kingdom including regulating the BBC under its new Charter; it is responsible for the universal service obligation in the postal and telecommunications sectors, ensuring the effective use of spectrum and that a wide range of electronic communications services are available (such as broadband and mobile telephony).
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be appointing a new member to the Ofcom Board.
The appointment will be made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointment process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Role of the Board
The Ofcom Board comprises up to twelve Directors (currently six Non-Executive Directors including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman and three Executive Directors; it is expected that non-executive directors for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be appointed during 2017). It provides strategic direction and is the main statutory instrument of regulation with a fundamental role in the effective implementation of the Communications Act 2003, the Postal Services Act 2011 and the regulatory aspects of the BBC Charter and Agreement.
The Board has oversight of Ofcom’s statutory duties and responsibilities, its adherence to the principles of good corporate governance and Ofcom’s commitment to carrying out its duties with independence and impartiality.
The Board acts on a collective basis. It takes decisions after considering recommendations made to it by the Ofcom Executive, which has operational responsibility and answers to the Board. The work of both the Board and Executive is informed by the contribution of a number of advisory bodies.
The Board meets monthly (except August). Meetings are held on a Tuesday normally from 9.00am to 2pm. There are also a number of Board sub-committees on which members are expected to sit.
The Ofcom Board meetings are formal: agendas and notes/minutes of meetings are published regularly on Ofcom’s website. Meetings are usually held at Ofcom’s London offices. Board members will be expected to attend occasional meetings/functions in the devolved Nations.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to submit:
- A detailed CV (no more than 3 pages) – this should provide details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any publications or awards;
- A covering letter (no more than 2 pages) – setting out how you meet the criteria – please make sure you refer to the contents of this document;
- Diversity monitoring form; and
- Declaration of conflict of interest form.
The Diversity Form will be kept separately from your application and Conflicts of Interest Form, and will not be seen by the selection panel in order to meet the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Completed applications should be sent to: publicappointments@culture.gov.uk. Please put ‘Ofcom– Board Member’ in the subject title. Alternatively, they can be posted to Tarjit Chal, 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ.
Further information and Queries
If you would like to speak to someone about the appointment process, please contact Tarjit Chal at DCMS, on 020 7211 6644 (email address: tarjit.chal@culture.gov.uk).
To talk to someone about the roles themselves, please contact recruitment@ofcom.org.uk stating ‘Ofcom Board Member’ in the subject title.