Announcements (Archive)

Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee - 5 Regional Chairs

Body
Veterans UK - MoD
Appointing Department
Ministry of Defence
Sectors
Communities, Defence, Health and Social Care
Location
Various according to region appointed.
Number of Vacancies
5
Remuneration
This is a voluntary post although Reasonable Travel and Subsistence Expenses will be paid.
Time Requirements
2 National Conferences and 3 Regional Meetings per year plus any additional meetings and casework.

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    02/08/2019

  2. Closed for Applications

    20/10/2019

  3. Panel Sift

    TBC

  4. Final Interview Date

    Between 29/10/2019 & 15/11/2019

  5. Announcement

    27/07/2020 at 07:00

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

The following members were appointed Chairs by the minister and will take up post for 3 years beginning on 18th March 2020 and ending on 17th March 2023.

Barry Smith- East Midlands Simon Brake- West Midlands Sir Arthur Charles- London Paul Beresford-Green- Northern Ireland

Date: 27/07/2020

View Announcement

Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Andy Dowds
Added
05/08/2019
Positions
Panel Chair for all regional sift and interviews
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Kingsley Donaldson
Added
05/08/2019
Panel Role
VAPC National Chair & Chair Northern Ireland VAPC Representative of Organisation
Positions
VAPC Representative for East Midlands, West-Midlands and London sift and interviews
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
TBC
Panel Role
Independent Member
Positions
Independent for East Midlands, West-Midlands and London sift and interviews
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
John Lighten
Added
05/08/2019
Panel Role
Vice-Chair of VAPC Chairs Group Representative of Organisation
Positions
VAPC Representative for Northern Ireland and North-East England sift and interviews
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
TBC
Added
05/08/2019
Panel Role
Independent Member
Positions
Independent for Northern Ireland and North-East England sift and interviews
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The VAPC Chairperson will play a central role in the recruitment of members and in promoting the interests and welfare of Veterans and their families. The committee meet between 2 and 4 times per year and members are expected to be involved in a wide ranging agenda of issues relating to the functions of the committee set out below. Suitable candidates may come from a wide range of backgrounds. Whilst a knowledge of service life would be useful, what is most important is that the applicant should have a real commitment to supporting veterans and their dependants.

Specific requirements of the Chairpersons position are to:

  • chair meetings of the VAPC which will be held at least twice a year;
  • run effective meetings and be able to promote a team approach amongst VAPC members, Veterans UK and MoD officials;
  • demonstrate good all round communication skills and the ability to consider complex issues.
  • recruit suitable members adhering to the Commissioner for public appointments guidance.
  • act as advocates for implementing improved cross-Government support, including services outlined in the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • raise awareness, within their area, of the above services, the War Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the Veterans Welfare Service.
  • assist serving personnel, their families and veterans in accessing the above services and other local support available to them. This will include providing assistance and guidance to individuals in accessing the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The committees will also provide an independent element to the Veterans UK complaints process relating to these schemes.
  • based on their involvement in the wider process and their contact with

individuals in the local areas, act as a conduit for local consultation by Ministers, the Ministry of Defence and the Veterans UK on issues affecting recipients of pension from the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

Person Specification

Essential:

  • effective leadership and management of meetings and promoting a team approach
  • influencing and negotiating skills of a high level, partnership working and the ability to work in a collaborative way to achieve outcomes
  • the ability to work with military and civil authorities and other major suppliers of direct assistance to Veterans
  • excellent all-round communication skills
  • the ability to consider complex issues.
  • the ability to look ahead and work with others to develop practical plans.Desirable:Some knowledge of the following areas would be helpful but not essential as training and mentoring will be available:
  • the Government’s commitment to veterans as set out in the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • provision of welfare and support and knowledge of the support environment in the area for which you are applying (North East, West Midlands, East Midlands, Northern Ireland or London).
  • some experience or knowledge of service pensions and/or compensation schemes in terms of policy impact.
  • a knowledge of service life

A Public Appointment[1] will give you a chance to:

  • help make decisions that affect people’s lives
  • help make a difference and change things for the better in the public interest
  • contribute your skills, expertise and experience for the benefit of society
  • develop new skills, learn about new subjects and enhance your confidence
  • meet a new range of people in different walks of life
  • develop your career, for example, by gaining public sector board experience
  • refocus your career, for example, if you have returned from a career break or maternity/paternity leave
  • give something back and contribute to the delivery of the highest quality of public services in the public interest.

Additional Information

The 5 Regions recruiting for a new Chair are as follows:

East Midlands, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, North-East and London.

The Panel Members for East Midlands, West Midlands and London are currently:

  • Chair – Andy Dowds – Head of Vets UK
  • Panel Member – Kingsley Donaldson – Chair of VAPC Chairs Group
  • Independent Member – Still to be confirmed

The Panel Members for Northern Ireland and North-East are as follows:

  • Chair – Andy Dowds – Head of Vets UK
  • Panel Member – John Lighten – Vice-Chair of VAPC Chairs Group
  • Independent Member – Still to be confirmed

How to Apply

To apply for one, or more, of these positions please complete a copy of the attached Expression of Interest Form, stating which region(s0 the application is for plus a copy of the Diversity Information Form which is also attached, having firstly read the Candidates Information Pack attached.

Both documents should be returned as e-mail attachments (preferred method), along with a copy of your most recent CV, to DBSCivPers-ResNONSTDAPPTS@mod.gov.uk quoting reference number 23739.

For further information you can also contact us on 030679 85048.