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Appointment details

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority - Non Executive Chair

Summary

• Organisation: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
• Sponsor department: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Energy
• Skills: Business, Change Management, Human Resources, International Experience, Major Projects, Procurement, Regulation, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £187500 per annum
• Length of term: 3
• Application deadline: 7pm on 20 August 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   13 July 2023

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 20 August 2023

3. Sifting date

   25 September 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   30 October 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Chair of the NDA is a critical and highly visible role of national importance, providing effective leadership and direction to the Board, offering appropriate and robust challenge in shaping the organisation’s strategy. Appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in consultation with Scottish ministers, the Chair will lead the NDA, maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders and representing the NDA externally.

Appointment description

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the Board effectively, drawing out the skills and experience of other Non-Executive Board Members (NEDs) and working collaboratively with the Executive. Ensure the optimal balance between support and challenge, particularly between the Non-Executive and Executive Board Members, both through setting the best example, as well as leading and guiding Board discussions and decisions. Ensure that the Board is effective in providing direction and holding the executive to account. 
• Develop the Board as a whole, increasing its breadth of skills and overall effectiveness ensuring its continuing progress and its composition, assessing skills against requirements. Work with government to play a leading role in attracting and identifying new NEDs as existing terms expire to take the organisation forward, ensuring they have the support and induction they need to be effective. Uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity of the Board.
• Establish a close and effective working relationship with the CEO and the Group Leadership Team and be available to provide them with advice and support as required. Constructively manage relationships with leaders across the NDA group, particularly with subsidiary Boards and Chairs. Work with the Board to consider the appropriateness of group governance structures, with a view to strengthening collaboration in line with the OneNDA vision.
• Ensure the Board’s strategy for delivering the NDA’s statutory functions and satisfying its statutory duties and that it takes into account all relevant Government policy and guidance. Ensure the Board and the wider governance structure effects appropriate authority in its engagement with the Executive, informed with the right information and analysis. Promote the highest standards of corporate governance and ensure that the NDA complies with all governance requirements.

Play a leading role in the NDA’s engagement with its key stakeholders, both with Parliament and the UK Government – including Ministers and officials in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), UK Government Investments (UKGI), HM Treasury (HMT), and the Scottish Government – and externally, such as with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), local stakeholder groups, and the NDA supply chain. Do so as an influencer and working in conjunction/partnership with the CEO and other senior Executives, as well as the NDA’s subsidiaries within the wider NDA group to ensure that the NDA understands, and has the right profile with, its stakeholders.

The time requirement for this role is 2.5 days a week.

Organisation description

As owner of one of the largest nuclear decommissioning and remediation programmes in Europe, the NDA’s main priority is to lead the work across the NDA group and develop the strategy for how it should be carried out. It also plays an important role in supporting the government’s aspiration for the UK to be a global leader in the civil nuclear sector. Its strategy is continually evolving and is updated every five years. The NDA strives to deliver best value for the UK taxpayer by focusing on reducing the highest hazards and risks, while ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally responsible operations at its sites. The NDA seeks ways to reduce the level of public funding from government by generating revenue through its commercial activities

Person specification

Essential criteria

All of the following are considered essential requirements for the role:

• Notable experience at Board-level as a Chair, Committee Chair, or Non-Executive of a large complex organisation in a group context;
• A track record of delivering organisational and cultural improvements; evidence of a strong personal commitment to fostering a positive corporate culture;
• A track record of building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicating with impact and demonstrating emotional intelligence, collaboration, and leadership skills;
• Experience of infrastructure or other capital intensive and/or safety critical industries;
• An ability to work with Government on topics including Board composition and mission delivery; and
• UK based and a British national with an ability to obtain Developed Vetting security clearance.

Desirable criteria

Some or all of the following would be desirable:

• Experience of major projects and programme management;
• Experience of operating in a regulated industry;
• Experience of working with or close to the public sector.

Application and selection process

How to apply

The application deadline is 2300hrs Sunday 20th August 2023.

The preferred method of application is online: please visit www.odgers.com/89031

If you are unable to apply online, please email: simon.havers@odgersberndtson.com

How to apply: application stage

In order to apply you will need to provide:

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

2. A Supporting Statement (no longer than two pages) setting out your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role. Please note that the Supporting Statement is an important part of your application and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.

3. Diversity monitoring information which you will receive an email prompt to complete during the application process. 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. Applications will not be considered complete until this monitoring information has been provided.

4. Disability Confident. If you wish to be considered for the Disability Confident scheme, then please state this at the beginning of your Supporting Statement.

DESNZ and NDA are accredited users of the Disability Confident symbol, which signifies organisations with a positive attitude towards disabled applicants. All Disability Confident Employers will offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for a job or role. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability. Whether you choose to apply under the Disability Confident scheme or not, you can still ask us to make particular adjustments for you

Completed applications should be submitted online on the Odgers Berndtson website. You will receive an automated acknowledgement once your application has been received. If you do not receive this receipt email, then your application will not have been successfully submitted. If you do not receive the acknowledgement email, please resend your application or contact us separately as soon as possible at the above email address.

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.

Overview of the application process

Once the competition closes, the panel will assess the applications to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria in the Person Specification. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application. The Panel will identify a subset of candidates who best match the criteria for an initial interview with Odgers Berndtson to further explore their skills and experience with reference to all the criteria in the person specification. For those candidates selected for preliminary interview, as part of the due diligence process, Odgers Berndtson will require the completion of a Declaration of Interest form and may request details of referees to take references from. The panel will then have a further meeting to review interview reports on these candidates alongside CVs and statements of suitability in order to select the shortlist. At this stage they may choose to take into account the desirable criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. This could be in relation to any of the criteria set out in the vacancy description, key responsibilities and accountabilities and person specification. Prior to interview, you may have the opportunity for informal conversations with key personnel in order to improve your understanding of the organisation. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. The panel will identify which candidates are appointable before a final decision on who to appoint is made by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Scottish Government. Prior to this decision, candidates may be asked to meet with Ministers. 

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

In line with the Governance Code, the campaign will involve the formation of an Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP). The role of the panel is to ensure that appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code. They also act on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero as the appointing Minister. The AAP will comprise of:

•  Clive Maxwell, Second Permanent Secretary to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (panel Chair). 
• Charles Donald, Chief Executive, UK Government Investments (UKGI). 
• Irene Dorner, NED and former Chair, Taylor Wimpey (Senior Independent Panel Member).

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

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the NDA are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all candidates during the selection process, so that appointments are selected from the widest pool of talent available. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and assessment process. Reasonable adjustments could include, for example, ensuring that information is provided in an accessible format. If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact us in the first instance. If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format then please contact: simon.havers@odgersberndtson.com

Disability confident

DESNZ and NDA are accredited users of the Disability Confident symbol, which signifies organisations with a positive attitude towards disabled applicants. All Disability Confident Employers will offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for a job or role. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability. Whether you choose to apply under the Disability Confident scheme or not, you can still ask us to make particular adjustments for you.

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. These are:

1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. 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.
3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. 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.

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

Public Appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity, in relation to stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable or political interest that might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important that those appointed as members of public bodies maintain the confidence of Parliament and the public. If there are any issues in your personal or professional history that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment, or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised, it is important that you bring them to the attention of the panel and provide details of the issue(s) in your application. In considering whether you wish to declare any issues, you should also reflect on any public statements you have made, including through social media. The panel may explore issues with you before they make a recommendation on the appointment.

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

If you feel you have reason to complain you should direct your concerns in the first instance to Odgers Berndtson who will make every effort to deal with these and respond to you as soon as possible.

Please contact: simon.havers@odgersberndtson.com

Data protection

This process is being run in conjunction with UK Government Investments (UKGI). Candidates are asked to read the UKGI data privacy notice prior to applying to understand how your data will be treated by UKGI, available here.

Contact details

For a conversation in confidence and additional information about the role, please contact: simon.havers@odgersberndtson.com.

Attachments

• Candidate Pack