- A real commitment to supporting veterans and their families, and the knowledge and experience to implement it.
- The ability to provide effective leadership and management of meetings, partnership working, promotion of a team approach and to work in a collaborative way to achieve outcomes.
- Influencing and negotiating skills of a high level, excellent all round communication skills and the ability to work with military and civil authorities and other major suppliers of direct assistance to Veterans and to comment on and develop practical plans for existing circumstances and the future.
- The ability to consider complex issues relating to the terms, detail, implementation, administration and delivery of services to veterans and their families, the Armed Forces Covenant and the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes.
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC) South West Chair
Application deadline 5 February 2023
Summary
- Organisation
- Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees
- Sponsor department
- Ministry of Defence
- Location
- South West
- Sector
- Defence
- Skills
- Business, Commercial, Communication, Media, Marketing, Human Resources, Technology / Digital, Legal, Major Projects, Regulation, Transformation
- Number of vacancies
- 1
- Time commitment
- Adhoc
- Length of term
- 3 years with a possible reappointment for 1 further term of 3 years subject to satisfactory performance.
- Application deadline
- 11pm on 5 February 2023
Timeline for this appointment
-
Opening date
12 December 2022
-
Application deadline
11pm on 5 February 2023
-
Sifting date
27 February 2023
-
Interviews expected to end on
3 April 2023
Person specification
Role description
- one set of functions by statutory provision as members of a statutory committee, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1133/made and
- another set of functions as members of a regional informal group by Supplementary Terms of Reference (TORs) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-vapc-terms-of-reference-will-assist-all-veterans-and-their-families
- provide a distinct, identifiable, and independent point of reference for the Veteran community and all those supporting it to raise, respond to, promote and raise awareness of issues relating to Veterans Services, the Strategy for our Veterans, the Armed Forces Covenant and the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes and the availability of cross-Government support from multiple Departments to the Armed Forces, their families and Veterans
- act from an independent standpoint as an advocate, promoter, facilitator, or communicator of Veterans Services provided by government, central and local authorities, stakeholders, charities and others;
- report and make representations from an independent standpoint on strategy and the delivery of the above to Ministers and others;
- act as bodies to enable and foster consultation by the Secretary of State, the MOD, Veterans UK and the Armed Forces Covenant Team on issues affecting those entitled to payments under the War Pension/Armed Forces Compensation Schemes;
- support Veterans UK by providing an independent quality assurance overview related to the service delivery of the Welfare Service at a local level. Develop relations with Vets UK Regional Welfare Managers to gain an awareness of Veterans’ welfare concerns at a regional level and advise as to how best to maximise effective welfare support.
- Convene and chair at least two meetings a year of the members of their VAPC and its informal regional group.
- Convene such further meetings as those members conclude are necessary for the proper performance of their functions.
- Attend or arrange for a substitute to attend the Council of Chairs and the Chairs’ conferences.
- Draft or arrange the drafting of the reports of the members of their regional VAPC and their informal regional group.
- Lead on the annual recruitment process for members for their region. Ensuring compliance with Governance Code on Public Appointments, as advised by the Sponsor Team and the Public Appointments Team. A VAPC Chair is expected to chair the Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP) throughout the selection process and to provide the Minister with the combined views of the AAP on each candidate to assist with his appointment decision.
- Monitor the progress and report, when appropriate, on the performance of members in their region.
- Represent their regional VAPC and its informal regional group at regional veterans forums e.g. Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board meetings.
Application and selection process
In order to apply you will need to provide:
- 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;
- A supporting statement in the ‘Expression of Interest Form’ explaining how you meet the eligibility criteria. Make sure you refer to the contents of the candidate information pack and provide specific examples which demonstrate proven and demonstrable expertise or ability. Please ensure your full name and the campaign reference number are clearly stated at the top of your CV and additional papers;
- Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues (further information below);
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form including your supporting statement; contact details for two referees “(by providing their details you are giving consent for us to contact them should you be successful at the shortlisting stage)” and any conflict of interest
- 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;
- Disability Confident – Offering an interview to disabled people (if applicable), and;
- Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable).
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.
To apply please read the attached Campaign Information pack then submit the following documents by email to: DBSCivPers-ResPublicAppts@mod.gov.uk FAO Bethany Hammond quoting reference 53162_VAPC_SW_CHAIR
- Expression of Interest form
- Diversity Monitoring Form
- Current CV
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
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.
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.
At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.
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.
The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.
Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. 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.
Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.
Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.
Most people can apply for a public appointment. We actively encourage applicants who can bring new talent and fresh perspectives to the services we all care about. Whatever your interests, background and experience there is an opportunity for you to get involved.
You can be a public appointee alongside your job, as long as you have the time to do both roles.
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)Additional information for candidates
- 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.
- Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
- Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
- Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
- Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
- Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
- Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
- Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
- 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 public statements that you have made;
- and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported;
- 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; and
- 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.