Announcements (Archive)

Member of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA)

Body
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Appointing Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Sector
Health and Social Care
Location
London
Number of Vacancies
7
Remuneration
Members will be remunerated at the standard rate of £7,883 per annum.
Time Requirements
2-3 days per month

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    04/08/2021

  2. Closed for Applications

    06/09/2021 at 12:00

  3. Panel Sift

    06/10/2021

  4. Final Interview Date

    TBC

  5. Announcement

    23/03/2022 at 11:00

Announcement

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

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority – members Professor Frances Ashcroft, Alex Kafetz, Professor Geeta Nargund, Alison McTavish and Dr Zeynep Gurtin have been appointed as members of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for 3 years from 1 April 2022. Professor Frances Flinter and Graham James have also been appointed for 3 years from 1 May 2022.

These appointments will involve a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per month. Remuneration for the roles will be at a rate of £7,883 per year.

These appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this Code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

These appointments are made on merit and political activity played no part in the decision process. However, in accordance with the Code, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None have declared any political activity.

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Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Maria Nyberg
Added
04/08/2021
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
DHSC senior sponsor for HFEA
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Henrietta Hughes
Added
04/08/2021
Positions
Independent Member
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Julia Chain
Added
04/08/2021
Positions
Chair of HFEA
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Professor Iqbal Singh
Added
03/09/2021
Positions
Other Panel Member
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The HFEA has been the UK’s regulator of fertility treatment and embryo research for 30 years, created to make policy and regulate standards as the fertility sector developed following the birth of the world’s first IVF baby, Louise Brown, in 1978. It is a huge privilege to be a Board member of this internationally renowned and respected organisation and to be able to contribute to policy and licensing decisions in such an innovative and ethically contested area of medicine.

Ministers are seeking to appoint seven members to the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Roles and Responsibilities of a member

To build and retain public and professional confidence in the regulation of fertility treatment and embryo research and to play a key part in the effective and successful governance of the HFEA.

Specifically, to:

  • support the Chair and the Executive in setting the strategic direction of the HFEA, and review this on a regular basis in light of developments in the external and internal environments;
  • support the Chair and the Executive in developing the HFEA in-line with the organisation’s strategic aims while maintaining a positive, constructive, and appropriate relationship with its stakeholders in both the public and private sector;
  • provide an independent view, a substantive contribution, and constructive challenge at Authority meetings and sub committees; and
  • monitor the performance of the HFEA’s Executive, holding it to account for the delivery of the HFEA’s business plan, HM Treasury and Department of Health and Social Care requirements.

We have vacancies for seven members of the HFEA. Three posts are for professional members and four are for lay members.

To be classified as a Professional member you must fulfil one of the following categories:

  • is/has been a registered medial practitioner; or
  • is/has been concerned with the keeping or using of sperm, eggs or embryos outside the body; or
  • is/has been directly concerned with commissioning or funding research involving the keeping or use of sperm, eggs or embryos or who has actively participated in any decision to do so.

A person who would be recognised as a professional cannot apply for a lay post.

Person Specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills, and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.

For all 7 roles:

  • ability to provide effective scrutiny and challenge to the Executive and to hold them to account for the delivery of performance and the delivery of its strategy;
  • ability to think strategically and to exercise sound judgement on complex and sensitive issues;
  • have the highest standards of personal propriety in relation to governance, accountability, risk, and financial management.

and have a background or expertise in one of the following areas:

For the 3 professional member roles

  • a background as a clinical geneticist and senior level experience in a fertility field or in a field closely related to fertility, or
  • a background as a senior nurse or counsellor with senior level experience in a fertility field or in a field closely related to fertility, or
  • senior level experience in other areas of women’s health and reproductive medicine, such as a GP or an obstetrician-gynaecologist.

For the 4 lay member roles

  • a leading biomedical scientist, not working on human embryos, who will draw on their knowledge and experience to provide insights into new biomedical developments and inform Board discussions and Authority decisions; or
  • a person with expertise and ideally experience of working with Big Data in healthcare, and an understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities of making the best use of data in public services in the 21st century; or
  • a person with expertise in faith issues or medical ethics, could be from a faith, academic, or other background; or
  • a person with expertise in medical law, ethics and issues of consent.

Additional Information

For further details on the HFEA and role of member please see the candidate information pack below.

How to Apply

To make an application please email your CV, a supporting letter and completed monitoring forms to:

appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk – please quote ref: VAC – 1739 in the subject field.

If you are unable to apply by email please contact Qasher Mahmood on 0207 972 3085

Applications must be received by midday on 6th September 2021.