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Appointment details

Non Executive Director for UK National Commission for UNESCO

Summary

• Organisation: UNESCO
• Sponsor department: Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office
• Location: London
• Sectors: Professional, Scientific and Technical
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Length of term: 3 years, with possible extension of a further 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 10 July 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   17 June 2022

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 10 July 2022

3. Interviews expected to end on

   18 July 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

This voluntary post is an opportunity to play a leading expert role in the UK and internationally in the field of Social and Human Sciences.

This pro bono Board vacancy post operates within multilateral and national policy advice frameworks, grounded in close links with the UK’s UNESCO designations such as UNESCO university chairs and UNESCO Creative Cities.

Could you provide expert, independent advice for the UK’s National Commission for UNESCO on Social and Human Sciences policy? Would you like to work with the UK’s UNESCO designations, with the UK government, UNESCO and its member states?

The UK National Commission for UNESCO is inviting applications for a Non-Executive Director (NED) with expertise and experience in the field of Social and Human Sciences.

Appointment description

UK NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO (UKNC) NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (VOLUNTARY)

ROLE DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Purpose

To further the vision, purpose, objectives and values of the UKNC, in:

·       Providing expert, independent policy advice to UK and devolved government on UNESCO related issues.

·       Supporting and enhancing the value of the UK’s 170+ UNESCO sites and projects.

·       Supporting the UK government’s agenda in helping UNESCO become more institutionally effective.

·       Advising and supporting individuals and institutions in the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies on accessing UNESCO accreditation.

·       To work with and share best practice with the global network of the other UNESCO Member States’ National Commissions for UNESCO.

Main tasks

·       To provide expert advice in their field of competency.

·       To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the UKNC.To work with other Directors to ensure that the policies and practices of UKNC are in keeping with its aims, that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a company limited by guarantee, and strives to achieve best practice.

Behaviours and Attitudes 

·       Understand and support the aims, objectives and procedures of UKNC as set out in its Articles of Association and Accountable Grant.

·       Demonstrate a commitment both to UNESCO’s aims and to working to promote the UKNC’s vision and principles, strategy and major policies.

·       Understand and consider the organisation (including the Secretariat) as a whole, maintaining good relations with all colleagues and recognising the respective roles of Board members and Secretariat staff.

·       Ensure familiarity with UNESCO programmes, policies and procedures and of the UK Government’s priorities and policies towards UNESCO relevant to their policy portfolio

·       Be aware of the UNESCO designations and in the UK and Overseas Territories and familiar with those in their policy portfolio.

·       At all times when acting as a Director, or in connection with the UKNC’s aims and objectives, to act in the best interests of the UKNC.

·      Prepare for, attend and contribute to Board and other meetings of Directors and occasionally take part in relevant training sessions.

·       Follow the Members’ Code of Conduct & Best Practice, particularly when exercising the functions of the Directors or any of its task or sub-groups or committees

Main duties

Providing Expert Advice

• Respond to requests for expert advice in the area of competency to which you are appointed.
• Propose and pursue areas for policy review and research.
• Prepare briefings on issues for UNESCO and other meetings in the area of competency to which you are appointed.
• Promote the organisational effectiveness of UNESCO
• Represent UKNC and/or the UK government at appropriate meetings, including the UNESCO General Conference.

Formulating and reviewing strategic aims

• As part of the Board, regularly review UKNC strategic aims.
• As part of the Board, formulate new organisational policies and strategies as needed.

 Good Governance

• Ensure that the policies and practices of UKNC are in keeping with its aims.
• Ensure that legal and financial requirements are met.
• Ensure that best practice is pursued, particularly with regard to value for money and transparency.
• Fulfill such other duties and assignments within the scope of the role as may be required from time to time by the Board of Directors 

Commitment

• Directors will be expected to take an active role in the UKNC’s work, relating both to their specific expertise and to general Company business.
• Directors will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to UKNC’s work, relating both to their specific expertise and to general Company business.
• Directors will, on occasion be expected to travel to meetings in the UK, Paris or other locations to represent the UKNC and further its work, and to support the UK’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris or elsewhere. 

Organisation description

The UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC)

As the central link for UNESCO-related matters in the UK and a constitutional part of the UK’s membership of UNESCO, the UKNC works to support the UK’s contribution to UNESCO and bring the benefits of UNESCO to the UK. It is part of UNESCO’s unique global network of national cooperating bodies known as National Commissions, and it works at the heart of the UK’s 170+ UNESCO designations. Its aim is to connect the UK Government and UNESCO to the UK’s educational, academic, scientific, cultural, creative and artistic communities The UKNC has up to nine Non Executive Directors.

In this role, the UKNC’s core functions are:

• To provide expert, independent policy advice to UK and devolved governments on UNESCO related issues.

• To support and enhance the value of the UK’s 170+ UNESCO sites and projects.

• To support the UK government’s agenda in helping UNESCO become more institutionally effective.

• To advise and support individuals and institutions in the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies on accessing UNESCO accreditation.

• To work with and share best practice with the global network of the other UNESCO Member States’ National Commissions for UNESCO.

The UKNC is a company limited by guarantee, with a small Secretariat, normally based in Whitehall Court, London.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Commitment to the objectives and ideals of the UK National Commission.

• Broad understanding of UNESCO, its objectives and activities and a commitment to UNESCO’s values.

• Particular knowledge and experience of work in the Social and Human Sciences sector specific to UNESCO’s interests and concerns.

• Experience of strategy and policy development and performance monitoring.

• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in English (orally and in writing) with a wide-cross section of society.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with UNESCO or other International Organisations.

• Experience of raising funds and/or gaining grants and building partnerships.

• Experience of awards and accreditation processes.

• General level of experience of and awareness in the Social and Human Sciences field.

• Experience of roles in advisory bodies and/or of working with Government (preferably Westminster or Devolved Administrations).

Application and selection process

How to apply

Applicants should complete and submit their application with a short covering letter (max 2 sides A4) indicating the relevance of expertise, engagement and networks and the names of two referees.

Completed applications should be submitted to  recruitment@unesco.org.uk

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

If you have any questions about the appointments process, please contact by email to Colin McInnes (NED, SHS Portfolio, cmcinnes@unesco.org.uk or James Bridge, CEO/Secretary-General at jbridge@unesco.org.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)

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

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  [ADD CONTACT DETAILS]

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

The role is voluntary and there will be reimbursement of reasonable approved expenses only.

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 due to the volume of applications received, we are only able to offer 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 the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application atrecruitment@unesco.org.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

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

Contact details

Informal enquiries, or requests to arrange a conversation in confidence may be addressed by email to Colin McInnes (NED, SHS Portfolio, cmcinnes@unesco.org.uk or James Bridge, CEO/Secretary-General at jbridge@unesco.org.uk).