Announcements (Archive)

Wales Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Body
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Appointing Department
Cabinet Office
Sectors
Business, Finance & Skills, Charity & Public Sector, Communities, Education, Health and Social Care, International, Judicial, Prison & Policing, Regulation, Science & Technology, Transport
Location
Regional - London for most Board meetings
Skills required
Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business / Commercial, Change Management, Communication / Media / Marketing, IT / Digital, Legal / Judicial, Major Projects, Regulation, Transformation
Number of Vacancies
1
Remuneration
£400 per day
Time Requirements
1-2 days per month (up to 25 days per year)

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    23/07/2021

  2. Closed for Applications

    03/09/2021 at 5pm

  3. Panel Sift

    21/09/2021

  4. Final Interview Date

    03/12/2021

  5. Announcement

    29/03/2022 at 00:00

Announcement

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

Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, has appointed Eryl Besse as the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)’s new Welsh Commissioner.

View Announcement

Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Baroness Kishwer Falkner
Added
23/07/2021
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Representative of Organisation
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Dr Samir Shah CBE
Added
23/07/2021
Positions
Chief Executive and Creative Director of Juniper Independent Member
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Peter Kennedy
Added
23/07/2021
Positions
Director of HR, Welsh Government Other Panel Member
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Charles Ramsden
Added
23/07/2021
Positions
Deputy Director, Government Equalities Office Departmental Official
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Political Activity-
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities wishes to appoint a Wales Commissioner to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

This appointment fulfils the requirements of the Equality Act 2006 that the membership of the Commission must include a Commissioner who knows about conditions in Wales (the “Wales Commissioner”). This appointment will be made with the consent of Welsh Ministers.

Appointments to the EHRC are for between 2 and 5 years. Following recommendations of the Tailored Review of the EHRC in July 2018, Commissioners’ terms are likely to be a minimum of 3 years. The roles and responsibilities of EHRC Commissioners are set out in the Commission’s Governance Manual.

Commissioners are responsible for:

  • working with the Chair and Chief Executive to set the strategic direction of the EHRC;
  • scrutinising the EHRC’s performance, and supporting the Chair in holding the Chief Executive to account; and
  • complying at all times with the Cabinet Office’s Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies (2011) and the EHRC’s Code of Conduct and conflicts of interest guidance (Part 4 of the EHRC’s Governance Manual).

In addition to the responsibilities of EHRC Commissioners, as set out in the Commission’s Governance Manual, the Wales Commissioner has particular responsibilities on the following matters:

  • Chairing the Wales Committee;
  • Engaging with other EHRC committees and working groups on Wales and GB-wide matters;
  • Contributing to the process of advising the Welsh Government on the effectiveness of equality and human rights law, and the implications of any proposed legislative changes on equality and human rights as they relate to Wales;
  • Contributing to the development of the EHRC’s annual report, strategic plan and business priorities for Wales;
  • Representing the EHRC in Wales including stakeholder and community engagement to further the EHRC’s priorities.

It is envisaged the successful candidate will take up the role in December 2021.

Person Specification

All candidates must demonstrate, in their CV and supporting letter, how they meet the selection criteria for the post, through their knowledge, skills and experience.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate:

  • Senior level leadership experience and the ability to work collaboratively and chair at Board level, including the credibility to challenge others effectively;  
  • The ability to build constructive relationships and influence at the highest level, and to act as an ambassador for the Commission, particularly in Wales, working with key stakeholders and promoting the organisation’s role and aims to the public and a wide range of partners; 
  • The ability to provide strategic, knowledgeable, impartial and balanced perspectives on a range of sensitive and complex issues and to contribute to the development of strategic priorities, weighing up competing arguments capable of justification under close scrutiny; 
  • A commitment to and knowledge or experience of equality and human rights;
  • An understanding of the context in which the Commission operates (the Commission’s responsibilities and mandate covers the different nations of Great Britain) and knowledge of conditions in Wales and their relationship to policy elsewhere in Great Britain;
  • High standards of integrity, commitment to public service values, and an understanding of the principles and practices of corporate governance

Desirable criteria

  • Welsh speaking.

How to Apply

In order for us to progress your application please submit the following completed documentation:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (maximum three sides of A4) outlining your education, professional qualifications and full employment history.
  • An accompanying Supporting Letter (maximum two sides of A4) – setting out your suitability for the roles and how you meet the essential and desirable skills set out in the person specification – please ensure your full name is clearly noted at the top of your letter.
  • Completion of the online Monitoring Form, which can be found here. Any information you provide in Section A will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel. Information to help answer these questions can be found on the Public Appointments website. If you experience any problems accessing the monitoring form please contact EHRC.publicappointments@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
  • If applicable, please complete the Disability Confident Scheme: Offering an interview to people with a disability form, which is included within the online Monitoring Form.
  • Names and contact details of two referees who will be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview.

Please send all the above required application documents to EHRC.publicappointments@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are unable to email your application, you can send it in the post to:

EHRC Sponsorship Team (for: EHRC Public Appointments)

Government Equalities Office 

Sanctuary Buildings

Great Smith St

Westminster

London SW1P 3BT.

We are happy to accept applications in Welsh language.

Please contact EHRC.publicappointments@cabinetoffice.gov.uk if you require this advert in an alternative form, explaining what you need and why you require an alternative format. Please note that all documents can be provided in Welsh language upon request.