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Role details

Zoos Expert Committee - Members

Application deadline 12 August 2022

Summary

• Organisation: DEFRA Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: Various
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Time commitment: 15 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £300 per day
• Length of term: 4 years (subject to criteria)
• Application deadline: Midday on 12 August 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   19 July 2022

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 12 August 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

We are looking for two new members who have the right qualities to work as part of a group of experts who have wide ranging, zoo related interests. You will build good working relations with other members of the Committee and with Defra and the Devolved Administrations to ensure that the Committee works effectively. You will make an active and constructive contribution to the work of the Committee, so that it can produce collectively agreed and soundly based advice. You will be able to lead on particular work streams where needed and deliver outputs and advice in a timely manner.

We are seeking two new members with different areas of expertise:

• Post A: An expert in small zoos in the UK, who is currently working within a small zoo/aquarium (e.g. a zoo/aquarium with a section 14(2) dispensation under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981).

• Post B: An expert in enforcing the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, who is currently working for a local authority undertaking a zoo licensing role.

Role description

The Committee 

The UK Zoos Expert Committee (ZEC) provides Ministers across the UK with access to independent, authoritative, impartial technical advice on zoo matters. This supports the policies, priorities and responsibilities of the UK Government and Devolved Administrations.

Its main responsibility is to provide advice and recommendations on encouraging the role of zoos in conservation, education and scientific research; to keep the operation and implementation of the zoo licensing system in the UK under review; and to advise or make recommendations to Ministers of any legislative or administrative changes that may be necessary.

 All members sit in a personal expert capacity and do not represent any particular body. Members are selected for their expertise on areas such as animal welfare, conservation, education, zoo veterinary issues, local authority implementation, large zoo operation, small zoo operation and zoo inspections.

The Secretariat for the Committee is provided by Defra whilst further input is provided by officials from all UK Administrations.

For further information about the work of the ZEC and current members, please visit the ZEC website at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-zoos-expert?committee-zec or contact the ZEC Secretariat by email at zecsecretariat@defra.gov.uk

Person specification

Essential criteria

Post A: An expert in small zoos in the UK Essential criteria • Currently working within a small zoo (for example, a zoo with a section 14(2) dispensation), with expertise in this area. • Ability to see the wide picture and maintain a positive attitude and pro-actively contribute to discussions and ongoing work to ensure the Committee provides Defra and the Devolved Administrations with collectively agreed, soundly based, actionable advice in a timely manner. • Ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive working relationships both within the Committee and with Defra and the Devolved Administrations. • Ability to examine issues in an impartial way and to be able to work collaboratively on a wide range of zoo-related issues, drawing on, but not limited by their expertise. • Ability and willingness to lead on particular work streams where needed.

Post B: An expert in enforcing the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 Essential criteria • Current practical working experience, of ideally more than five years, working for a local authority undertaking a zoo licensing role. • Ability to see the wide picture and to maintain a positive attitude and pro-actively contribute to discussions and ongoing work to ensure the Committee provides Defra and the Devolved Administrations with collectively agreed, soundly based, actionable advice in a timely manner. • Ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive working relationships both within the Committee and with Defra and the Devolved Administrations. • Ability to examine issues in an impartial way and to be able to work collaboratively on a wide range of zoo-related issues, drawing on, but not limited by their expertise. • Ability and willingness to lead on particular work streams where needed.

Desirable criteria

Post A:  Desirable criteria • Current practical working experience, of ideally more than five years, operating or managing an aquarium or related expertise in this area. • Included in the Secretary of State’s list under list 2 of zoo inspectors under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 • Experience of working with others to build consensus.

Post B:  Desirable criteria • Experience of working with others to build consensus

Application and selection process

How to apply

Candidate Pack:  ZEC_Candidate_Pack.docx

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:   

• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire): Monitoring+form+1+(Conflicts+of+interest+conduct+and+advertising+Questionnaire).doc

•  Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire): Monitoring+form+2+(Diversity+Questionnaire).docxCandidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability. The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please). 

Your CV and statement of suitability should be returned by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on 12 August 2022. Email to zecsecretariat@defra.gov.uk 

For further information please email: zecsecretariat@defra.gov.uk  

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Panel Chair - Simon Girling - Chair of Zoo Expert Committee – Other Panel Member

Peter Hall - Policy Lead – Animal Welfare, Zoo Expert Committee Secretariat - Departmental Official

Lucy Ovington - Policy Adviser - Animal Welfare, Zoo Expert Committee - Departmental Official

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  zecsecretariat@defra.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. 

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, 

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.

Committee Members:

•      Full day rate (8 hours):
•      £300 Half day rate (4 hours): 
•      £150 Quarter day rate (2 hours): £75

Members are entitled to an attendance fee of £300 per day. Members can claim the fees for attending meetings as well as time spent on ZEC business not associated with a particular meeting, e.g. for research or drafting work, with the agreement of the Secretariat and within available resources. Members can be reimbursed for all reasonable expenditure incurred in connection with attendance at ZEC meetings, visits, and representative events. Members will be expected to contribute approximately 15 days a year to ZEC work

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 zecsecretariat@defra.gov.uk  public appointments team in the first instance. 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

The closing date for applications is noon on 12 August 2022. 

We expect to have candidates shortlisted by w/c 19 August 2022 and panel interviews w/c 5 September 2022.

It is essential that your supporting statement gives full but concise information relevant to the appointment, clearly demonstrating how you meet each of the essential criteria. Please ensure to specify for which role you are applying.

At the shortlist meeting the panel will assess each application against the essential and desirable criteria and will then decide who to invite for final interview.

 Interviews are expected to take place online via Zoom and will last for approximately 45 minutes. Further details about the format will be provided to you in advance. 

Contact details: zecsecretariat@defra.gov.uk