Office for Students: Non-Executive Director Board Member
- Body
- Department for Education
- Appointing Department
- Department for Education
- Sector
- Education
- Location
- Meetings will be held in London and Bristol
- Number of Vacancies
- 2
- Remuneration
- £9,180 per annum
- Time Requirements
- 20 days per annum
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
28/08/2018
-
Closed for Applications
23/09/2018
-
Panel Sift
17/10/2018
-
Final Interview Date
14/11/2018 and 21/11/2018
-
Announcement
09.00am
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Sir Michael Barber
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Chair, Office for Students Representative of Organisation
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- Panel Member
- Ian Coates
- Positions
- Director, Higher Education, STEM and Tertiary Providers Departmental Official
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- Panel Member
- Ian Ferguson
- Positions
- DfE Non-Executive Director Independent Member
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- Panel Member
- Mandie Stravino
- Positions
- Chief Executive, Derby College Independent Member
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Vacancy Description
Exciting Opportunity to join the Board of the Office for Students
The Secretary of State for Education invites applications for appointment to the OfS, which was legally established on 1 January 2018 and began full operation in April 2018.
Creating the OfS is a central tenet of our reforms contained in the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. The OfS combines the existing regulatory functions of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), and the Department for Education regarding the regulation of alternative providers. The OfS will oversee a regulatory environment in higher education which puts the interests of students at the heart of the system, focusing on choice and competition. Further details on the role of the OfS is set out in the Government’s White Paper, the Act and in the OfS’ Strategy and Business Plan.
It is essential that the OfS Board has the range of skills, knowledge and experience required to be the independent regulator of a sector which is of such strategic importance to the UK, including representation of the diversity of the higher education sector. Non-Executive Directors play a key role in shaping OfS strategic direction and supporting the reform programme. OfS Board members are responsible for a wide range of activities including oversight of corporate strategy; reviewing risks, benefits and monitoring outcomes against plans; and being responsible for the stewardship of public funds. The Board draws on the expertise of individuals with experience of promoting choice for consumers, managing a regulatory system, and robust financial control.
We want to attract the highest quality candidates who have the overall strategic level and wide ranging knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to the work of the Board. Members of the Board are appointed by the Secretary of State, and the successful candidates will be selected based on appropriate background, experience and personal profile to lead the establishment of the OfS and work positively with the Government to implement the reforms.
In order to ensure as wide a representation on the Board as possible, we would particularly welcome applications from individuals with a further education or apprenticeships background. We also particularly welcome applications from female, disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) individuals.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
• Ability to build constructive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and drive forward a clear and strategic vision for the organisation.
• Genuine interest in contributing to the delivery of the Government’s priorities for higher education, including for example, widening access and participation, value for money, quality and choice, the student experience, protecting freedom of speech and the effective running of the OfS.
• The ability to contribute, influence and inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders both in formal environments (such as Board meetings) and in less formal environments (such as one-to-one meetings with Executives).
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate good judgement and high levels of integrity. This as part of 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).
• An engaging and collaborative working style together with adaptability.
Desirable Criteria:
• A successful candidate will demonstrate good strategic thinking and strong intellectual capability.
• An understanding of financial and corporate governance at a strategic level and experience of leading change within an organisation.
As well as the above requirements, which would be expected for all OfS Board Members, there are specific roles on the Board that will require additional expertise. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have knowledge of or experience in one or more of the following areas:
• understanding of the needs of consumers
• market regulation and competition (across all sectors, not limited to HE)
• further education and apprenticeships.
How to Apply
Please submit the following documents by email to:
PublicAppointments.APPLICATIONS@education.gov.uk
- A Covering Letter
- A CV
- Candidate Application Form
- Diversity Form
- GIS Form (if applicable)
Please include the vacancy title in the subject box. Please submit your application documents as separate attachments.
Alternatively, you can send your application via post to:
HR, Public Appointments
Ground Floor
Bishopsgate House
Feethams
Darlington
DL1 5QE
Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt when sending by email and post.
We cannot consider incomplete or partially submitted applications.
We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.
Please note, feedback will not be provided unless applicants are unsuccessful at interview.