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Role details

Architects Registration Board (ARB) Financially Qualified Non-Executive Lay Member

Application deadline 4 August 2022

Summary

• Organisation: Architects Registration Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £375 per day
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: 11pm on 4 August 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   9 June 2022

2. Application deadline

   11pm on 4 August 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is seeking to appoint a non-executive Chair to the Architects Registration Board (ARB). 

Those who serve on the boards of public bodies play a vital role in the life of this country, whether by improving the delivery of public services or providing independent advice to Government. Many people from a wide range of backgrounds across the whole of the UK participate in public life by being members of the boards of public bodies. They are involved in making decisions that develop, shape or deliver government policy and public services.

The attached candidate pack sets out the requirements for the Financially Qualified Non-Executive Lay Member position along with information on the work of the Architects Registration Board and the appointment process. 

Role description

About the Role

Board members have a responsibility to:

• contribute to the Board’s overall strategic direction in line with its statutory objectives and functions;
• establish and build effective and constructive working relationships with the Executive, as they are held to account for delivering agreed strategic objectives;
• support the Executive, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the roles;
• contribute to the Board’s decision making process, taking proper account of the Architects Act 1997, ARB’s governance requirements, as well as any relevant guidance provided by the responsible government department;
• contribute to ensuring that the Board operates and exercises its functions in accordance with the highest standards of conduct and probity, and established good practice in decision making and that this is appropriately and effectively reviewed;
• deliver high standards of regularity and propriety;
• model the values and inclusive culture of the ARB;
• maintain regular contact with the Chair and develop and maintain open and supportive relationships with them;
• contribute to ensuring that the work of the Board and its members is reviewed and is working effectively;
• abide by the Code of Practice for Board members which is consistent with the Cabinet Office Model Code;
• promote ARB’s key messages by supporting a consistent approach to communications as set out in ARB’s strategy; and
• participate in appropriate reviews of their performance, relevant training and development and in the development of their own objectives

Organisation description

About the Architects Registration Board

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) was established in 1997 by the Architects Act and regulates over 44,000 architects.  ​​

Under the Act, ARB’s responsibilities are to: ​​

• Maintain the Architects Register, a tool anyone can use to confirm whether someone is a UK architect ​
• Set the education and training requirements for architects, and recognise qualifications so that architects can join the Register ​
• Ensure only appropriately qualified applicants from the UK and overseas join the Register ​
• Set and enforce the professional standards expected of UK architects  ​
• Take action against those who call themselves an architect illegally. ​​

ARB employs 43 staff, led by a Chief Executive and Registrar who is also ARB’s Accounting Officer, and has an annual budget of circa £7 million.  ​

From 2022, ARB will be in the first year of a bold and ambitious five-year strategy. It sets out how the ARB intends to respond to these and other challenges, playing a crucial role in areas such as initial education and training of architects.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

1. Membership of one the major accounting bodies (ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS, CIMA) and have significant senior financial experience;

2. Sitting on a committee or has previous experience in a non-executive role, or equivalent experience;

3. The ability to work effectively with the Executive to challenge, support and hold the Executive to account for the delivery of the organisation’s strategic aims and objectives;

4. The ability to contribute constructively to collective decision-making processes, respecting and listening to others and earning the respect of colleagues;

5. A strong commitment to good governance, and of upholding the recognised principles of public life, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; and

6. The ability to develop strategies in complex environments, as well as cross regulatory/business experience.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Please submit the required documentation listed at 1-3 below to PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk by 11.00 pm on 4th August 2022. If not provided your application will not be taken forward. Late applications will not be considered. 

Please ensure you include ‘ARB Finance Lay Member’ as the subject line of your email.

1.  Curriculum Vitae  (maximum 2 pages).

2.  An accompanying Supporting Letter (maximum 2 pages).

3.  Application and Diversity Information Form. This is an online form you will need to complete and submit via this link. You should declare any potential issues including conflicts of interest.

Candidates should note that 'due diligence' will be carried out as part of the assessment process if you are called to interview and will be shared with the Panel and Ministers, this will include searches on social media, blogs and/or other publicly available information.

Diversity data will be treated in confidence and is used for data gathering information only and will not affect your application. Please complete the Disability Confident section if relevant.

We intend to run a webinar about this role and the process on Friday 8th July 2022, please contact Alicep@ARB.org.uk if you are interested in attending.

If you have any questions about the appointments process, please contact PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The names of all appointable candidates are provided to Ministers. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

6. The Panel’s recommendations will be provided to Ministers in a report which details the assessment method used and the outcome of each interview. They will then be asked to agree on the candidate(s) who should be appointed.

7. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Chandru Dissanayeke, Director of Building Safety Reform, DLUHC - Panel Chair 

Alan Kershaw, Acting Chair, Architects Registration Board – Organisational Representative 

TBC - Independent Panel Member

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk.

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

Government departments are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

You will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. If re-appointed, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on official business however these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon termination because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact DLUHC's public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response, [and this appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments], you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk,Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website www.publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/complaints

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

We will process your application in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018. Your data will be held securely and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process. Access will be restricted to those dealing with your application or involved in the recruitment process, this will include Ministers and Special Advisers.

Data may also be shared with Cabinet Office, in order to comply with the Public Appointments Governance Code, article 3.1 of the Public Appointments Order in Council 2019.  Data may also be shared with Cabinet Office and The Commissioner for Public Appointments in order to meet the public equality duty as set out in the Equality Act, s149. The Commissioner may also request access as part of a complaint investigation or review of the recruitment process.

Your data will be stored for 2 years, if appointed your data will be stored for the duration of your tenure and may be shared with the organisation that you are appointed too, unless specifically requested otherwise. Should you wish your data to be removed from our records, please contact PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk.

Complaints:

If you consider that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:

  Information Commissioners Office

  Wycliffe House

  Water Lane

  Wilmslow

  Cheshire

  SK9 5AF

0303 123 1113 email: casework@ico.org.uk.

The data controller for Public Appointments is joint between DLUHC, OCPA and the Cabinet Office. 

Contact details

For further information please email: PublicAppointments@levellingup.gov.uk