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Appointment details

Board Members (Welsh Essential) - the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research

Summary

• Organisation: Commission for Tertiary Education & Research (CTER)
• Sponsor department: Welsh Government
• Location: Wales
• Sectors: Education
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Legal
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £337 per day
• Length of term: 3 to 5 years
• Application deadline: 4pm on 27 March 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   21 February 2023

2. Application deadline

   4pm on 27 March 2023

3. Sifting date

   24 April 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   2 June 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

Appointment of Members of the CTER Board

The Board will consist of a maximum of 17 members comprising a Chair, Deputy Chair (the Chair of the Research and Innovation Committee), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and up to 14 Board Members.

The Board will also include non-voting associate members. There will be at least four associate members, representing learners and the education workforce.

Board Members will contribute to the transition arrangements required to establish the new organisation by April 2024. This will include working with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place to provide a smooth transition of staff.

Members will be accountable to the Chair of the Board and will be expected to contribute to help inform decision making and delivery during the Commission’s establishment and beyond. Members will support the Chair to ensure that authoritative and timely advice is provided to the Welsh Ministers via officials and will provide feedback to the sectors.

As a minimum, 20% of Board Members will have Welsh language skills, and all members are required to show an appreciation for bilingualism and share the Commission’s commitment to promoting the Welsh language.

In line with Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, actions will be taken to ensure that Boards of public bodies are representative and inclusive, and committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Role of the Board

The Board will:

• Ensure the highest standards of governance are established and implemented to deliver the Commission’s legal responsibilities, functions and duties;

• Ensure effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control.

• Provide effective leadership, defining and developing strategic direction and setting challenging objectives;

• Promote high standards of public finance management, upholding the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money;

• Ensure compliance with any statutory or administrative requirements in respect of the use of public funds;

• Regularly review financial information concerning the management of the organisation;

• Ensure the Commission operates within the limits of its authority and any delegated authority agreed with the Welsh Government and in accordance with any other conditions relating to the use of public funds;

• Ensure the Minister is kept fully informed of any changes likely to impact on the strategic direction of the organisation or on the attainability of its targets and of steps needed to deal with such changes;

• Ensure the Minister is informed in a timely manner about any concerns about the Commission’s activities, including activities which might affect the future level of resources required, and any policy or practice changes which may have wide financial implications;

• Taking appropriate remedial action to address any such concerns or changes with wide financial implications and providing positive assurances to the Minister via Welsh Government officials about the same;

• Ensure that, in reaching decisions, the Commission takes into account guidance issued by the Welsh Government;

• Ensure the Commission’s activities are conducted efficiently and effectively; monitoring performance to ensure it fully meets its aims, objectives and performance targets;

• Promote and act in accordance with the Nolan principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honest and leadership).

Board Members will:

• Play a key role in supporting the Chair in setting the strategic direction for the Commission and in assessing and evaluating the development and delivery of the organisation’s business strategy, plans and performance objectives;

• Support the development of the Board’s terms of reference alongside the Chair to ensure the role and remit of the Board is agreed from the outset;

• Contribute to Board meetings to enable informed and engaging discussions and effective decision making;

• Provide expertise on post compulsory education and training, promoting the needs of learners in tertiary education;

• Participate in or chair statutory committee meetings as well as other advisory (non-statutory) committees the Board might establish;

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders in developing post compulsory education and training priorities, ensuring delivery of best practice, value for money and alignment with other government priorities;

• Build effective relationships with sector leaders such as university Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, local authority Directors of Education, Head Teachers of schools with sixth forms, Chief Executives of private training providers etc;

• Promote high standards of public finance; upholding the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money.

Welsh Language

All candidates will be expected to engender a positive culture of Welsh-English bilingualism, as well as recognising the important contribution the Commission will need to make towards the achievement of  Cymraeg 2050: Welsh Language Strategy by facilitating transformational change across the sector. 

Introduction from the Minister

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the establishment of a new Welsh Government arm’s length body – the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. 

Working collaboratively with the sector and the Welsh Government, the Commission will play a key role in delivering a more engaged, excellent and equitable tertiary education and research sector in Wales that prioritises the interests of learners, tackles inequality and contributes to national prosperity. Our approach will enable learners to move seamlessly from compulsory to tertiary education, building on our national mission for education reform. 

The establishment of the Commission is essential to realising this vision. It will have extensive funding, planning and regulatory powers, enabling it to improve quality, efficiency and efficacy across the sector. It will have the interests of learners at its heart, and work collaboratively across the sector to improve individual and national outcomes

The role of Board Members will be critical to ensuring appropriate governance arrangements are in place to deliver the full range of legal and financial responsibilities placed on the Commission. Board Members will need to promote the highest standards of public finance management, upholding the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money. 

Board Members will need to be both ambitious and innovative. They will need to promote inclusivity and embrace diversity, supporting the Chair in providing effective leadership to the Commission and working in collaboration with partners at home and internationally to further the Commission’s work across the full range of its strategic duties.  

I am immensely proud of our schools, colleges, universities, independent training providers and adult learning organisations and the services they provide to citizens, our communities and the country at large. I want to build on our clear strengths to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward to hearing from you if you would like to help us achieve this vision. 

Introduction from the Chair

Message from Professor Dame Julie Lydon DBE Chair of CTER Board

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team establishing the Commission, supporting the Chief Executive and staff to realise the ambitions of this innovative development.

Effective team working, recognising our differing skills, showing mutual respect whilst being fully committed to the vision of the Commission will be our way of working as a Board. We will conduct ourselves to the highest standards of governance and work effectively as a team to support and challenge the CEO and wider staff team.

Working in partnership with the Welsh Government, key stakeholders, partners at home and overseas, we will discharge our full range of duties and enable the post compulsory sector to maximise its contribution to Welsh life and society.

Thank you for your interest in applying for this appointment. I look forward to hearing from you.

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

In appointing the Board, the Welsh Ministers are required by Schedule 1 of the Act to have regard for the composition of the Commission’s Board Members (between them) to have experience of and capability in a number of areas.

To be considered, candidates must therefore be able to demonstrate ability to operate at board level in one or more of the following areas:

• the provision of education or training;
• carrying out, administering, or commissioning research;
• promoting the needs of learners in tertiary education;
• financial management or accounting;
• general management in the private sector;
• board governance, assurance and/or risk management;
• legal;
• the promotion and development of tertiary education through the medium of Welsh.

Desirable criteria

• A clear understanding and commitment to equality and diversity and a willingness to challenge discriminatory practices;

• An ability to demonstrate understanding of the commitments of a public role, as defined in Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life;

• Excellent track record of engaging, inspiring and enthusing staff and stakeholders that demonstrates an inclusive and collaborative approach including working in partnership with staff representatives;

• An ability to challenge current thinking and test opinion, with an openness to be challenged and encourage open debate to reach better decisions;

• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

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 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.

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 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The selection panel will be chaired by James Owen, Welsh Government Interim Director for establishing the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research.

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@gov.wales

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 essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, 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

We 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 additional 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 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

As this is an office holder 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. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, 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 post of Board member is remunerated at £337 per day. There will be a scheme to reimburse subsistence expenses and other expenses necessarily incurred on business. This scheme will be approved by Ministers. You will be entitled to claim travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out governance responsibilities and related activities the in accordance with this scheme. You may also be eligible to claim reimbursement for costs in relation to childcare / care of the elderly/assistant carer, whilst carrying out governance responsibilities and related activities on behalf of the Body.

This post is not pensionable.

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 the end of your term of appointment 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 the  public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicapppointments.gov.wales. 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 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 https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

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

Contact details

For further information regarding the selection process or you need further assistance in applying for this role, please contact:

Public Appointments Team

Public Bodies Unit

Email: publicappointments@gov.wales 

For further information regarding the role of the Board Member contact James Owen Tel: 03000 256 416, Email: James.Owen@gov.wales 

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments 

Attachments

• Candidate Pack

• Candidate pack (Welsh)