Announcements (Archive)

Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC) - North West - Chair

Body
Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee
Appointing Department
Ministry of Defence
Sector
Defence
Location
North West
Skills required
Communication / Media / Marketing, HR, IT / Digital, Legal / Judicial, Major Projects
Number of Vacancies
1
Remuneration
VAPC Chairs and Members are able to claim reimbursement of necessary travel and subsistence incurred as a result of their VAPC activities. Loss of earnings is also payable for up to 15 days per year at the rate of £25.77 for under 4 hours per day or £51.54 for over 4 hours per day.
Time Requirements
As a Chair, you will be expected to convene 3 regional Committee Meetings per year and attend 4 National Chairmen's Conferences per year, 2 of which will be in person at various locations and 2 via video link, in addition to assisting with Committee business e.g. representing the VAPC at Armed Forces Covenant meetings throughout the year. However, the veterans’ arena is a huge space and there is always more that can be done; the VAPC role can therefore take as much of your time as you are willing and able to give.

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    15/12/2021

  2. Closed for Applications

    06/02/2022

  3. Panel Sift

    21/02/2022

  4. Final Interview Date

    During the week commencing 14/03/22 & 21/03/22

  5. Announcement

    01/06/2022

Announcement

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

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans has appointed Lt Col John Lighten as Chair of the North West Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee. The appointments will last for 3 years and will take effect from 06 May 2022 until 05 May 2025.

View Announcement

Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Rob Rowntree
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
Deputy Head Veterans UK Departmental Official
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Political ActivityNone
Notes-
Panel Member
Alison Grant
Positions
Trustee of BLESMA Senior Independent Panel Member
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Political ActivityNone
Notes-
Panel Member
Alex Baxter
Positions
Chair of the Yorks and Humber VAPC Representative of Organisation
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Political ActivityNone
Notes-
Panel Member
David Richmond
Positions
Independent Veterans Advisor Office for Veterans Affairs Other Panel Member
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Political ActivityNone
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee is a Non-Departmental Public Body divided into 13 geographical regions.   Each Committee’s main functions are underpinned by a blend of statutory provision and interim Terms of Reference signed by the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans.

  • act as advocates for implementing the Armed Forces Covenant and associated measures at a local level
  • raise awareness, within their region, of the Armed Forces Covenant and associated measures, the War Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Veterans Welfare Service and the availability of cross-Government support to the Armed Forces, their families and Veterans.
  • assist serving personnel, veterans and their families in accessing local support services, provide assistance and guidance on the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and to provide an independent element to the Veterans UK complaints process relating to those schemes. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk
  • act as a conduit for localconsultationby Ministers, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans UK on issues affecting recipients of pension from the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation scheme. http://www.veteranstransition.co.uk/vtrreport.pdf

The VAPC Chairperson and members play a central role in promoting the interests and welfare of Veterans and their families. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-advisory-and-pensions-committees-x13 .The committees 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 above.

Suitable candidates for the Chair role may come from a wide range of backgrounds and, whilst knowledge of service life would be useful, it is not necessary. What is most important is that applicants should have a real commitment to supporting Veterans and their Families.

Person Specification

Candidates for the Chair role will need to demonstrate the following skills:

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 North West.
  • some experience or knowledge of the War Disablement Pension and Armed Forces Compensation schemes in terms of policy impact.
  • a knowledge of service life

Additional Information

A Public Appointment 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.

How to Apply

To apply please read the attached Candidate Information pack then submit the following documents by email to DBSCivPers-ResPublicAppts@mod.gov.uk FAO George Voss quoting reference number 46824_VAPC_NW_CHAIR.

  • Expression of Interest form
  • Diversity Monitoring Form
  • Current CV