Role details

Non-Executive Member (Audit and Risk Chair) - UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Application deadline 16 August 2022

Summary

• Organisation: UK Health Security Agency
• Sponsor department: Department of Health and Social Care
• Location: Various
• Sector: Health and Social Care
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £13137 per annum
• Length of term: Up to 3 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 16 August 2022

Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   20 July 2022

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 16 August 2022

3. Sifting date

   16 September 2022

4. Interviews expected to end on

   3 October 2022

These dates are indicative and may be subject to change

Person specification

Essential criteria

Ministers are seeking to appoint a new Non-Executive Member (NEM) to the board of the UKHSA, and who will be responsible for Chairing the UKHSA’s Audit and Risk Committee.

The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity. The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are keen to encourage candidates from all sections of the community and from across the UK to consider applying for this role.

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:

• A career track record of achievement, including in a significant senior financial role in either the private or public sector, with a professional background in accountancy or a related discipline, and experience of assurance, risk management and the work of audit committees.
• An ability to operate effectively on the board of a significant national organisation, with the highest standards of personal propriety in relation to governance, accountability, and conduct.  
• Demonstrable interest in the work of the UKHSA, and particularly in the development of new and improved methods of prevention, detection and response to infectious diseases and other threats to the nation’s health.
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgement, and demonstrable experience of strategic thinking, with the ability to scrutinise and challenge complex proposals constructively.

Role description

Role description

UKHSA Non-Executive Members (NEMs) will be appointed to provide independent and constructive challenge to enable the Board to achieve its responsibilities. All NEMs must be independent of management and able to allocate sufficient time to the Board to discharge their responsibilities effectively. This includes ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are always observed and ensuring that the Agency operates in an open, accountable, and responsive way.

As a NEM, you will:

• Contribute to the development of the Agency’s strategic direction and strategic objectives, considering your own understanding of the external environment that could impact on the achievement of these objectives.
• Contribute to the governance of the Agency by ensuring that independent oversight is maintained on the Agency’s operational effectiveness, patient engagement, risk management, financial efficiency and working relationship with key stakeholders.
• Monitor the overall performance of the Agency and advise UKHSA’s Executive on the delivery of the agreed strategic imperatives and business plan objectives.
• Become an active and constructive member of at least one of the four UKHSA Board Committees and take on at least one special interest role, so that the Board can benefit from independent, specialist expertise built outside the Agency.
• Act as an ambassador for the Agency always and help connect the Agency with stakeholders in other organisations when appropriate. Individual NEMs may be asked to represent the Agency in external meetings in some situations, but only with the prior agreement of both the Chair and the Chief Executive.
• Identify any matters that may adversely affect the reputation or public trust in the Agency’s work, through a broad understanding of the wider UK and international environment in which the Agency operates.
• Act as a “critical friend” by providing independent counsel, support, and constructive challenge to members of the Executive Committee without straying into the day-to-day management of the organisation.

Organisation description

COVID-19 is the biggest health and economic challenge that our nation has ever faced – no one predicted it nor the scale at which it has tested us all.

The UKHSA has been set up to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. It will need to take action like no other organisation previously in order to mitigate threats to health before they materialise.

UKHSA will build the nation’s health resilience and security, strengthening its ability to detect and monitor infectious disease and external threats to health. Going deeper to analyse threats to health and how best to prevent and control with a robust evidence and knowledge base. The UKHSA will take action to mitigate threats to health when they materialise, ensuring it has a system-wide response in partnership with the UK’s Devolved Administrations, local authorities, NHS, academia and industry.

The UKHSA will have a strong role in global health security, and excellence in scientific and intellectual leadership. This new organisation will drive a step change in data systems, data architecture and analytics in order to enable much better surveillance of all hazards, both on a domestic and global scale. It is critical that the UKHSA has operational excellence at its core – it needs to be agile, innovative and flexible, with the ability to mobilise and scale both its own and the system’s resources as required.

UKHSA will be a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, having strong relationships across local and national government, the NHS and global partners. In order for the UKHSA to be truly successful, it will need to tackle the inequalities that exist in health and ensure there is constant focus on really making a difference.

Diversity at UKHSA is about reflecting the communities we serve, holding the principles of equality and inclusion at the heart of everything we do and all that we stand for, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together. We aim to foster a culture where individuals of all backgrounds feel confident in bringing their whole selves to work, feel included and their talents are nurtured, empowering them to contribute fully to our purpose.

Application and selection process

How to apply

For full information please refer to the Candidate Information Pack https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/FINAL+-+CANDIDATE+INFORMATION+PACK2.pdf

In order to apply you will need to provide:

1. A  Curriculum Vitae which provides details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any publications or awards;

2. A supporting statement setting out how you meet the eligibility criteria;

3. Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues;

4. Diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel. (https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/UKHSA_Monitoring_form_Word.docx

5. https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/UKHSA_Monitoring_form.pdf

6. Disability Confident – If you want to be considered for the disability confident scheme, Please refer to Candidate Information Pack and monitoring form for further information.

7. Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable).

Completed applications should be submitted to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.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 Karen.Dinsdale@dhsc.gov.uk / 0113 2545414

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  karen.dinsdale@dhsc.gov.uk

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 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 Permjeet Butler (Appointments Manager) within the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at permjeet.butler@dhsc.gov.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.

The DHSC privacy notice can be found at DHSC privacy notice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Contact details

For further information regarding the role for UKHSA and the role of the ARC Chair please contact: Carmel Gibbons

Email: carmel.gibbons@odgersberndtson.com

For any queries about your application status or the selection process, please contact Karen Dinsdale in DHSC’s Public Appointments and Honours Unit:

Email: Karen Dinsdale@dhsc.gov.uk

Telephone: 0113 2545414