Role details

Non-Executive Director (NED) members for Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) - 3 roles

Application deadline 7 October 2024

Summary

• Organisation: Trade Remedies Authority
• Sponsor department: Department for Business and Trade
• Location: South East
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Business, Technology / Digital, Legal, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 3
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £18000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 7 October 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   6 September 2024

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 7 October 2024

3. Sifting date

   23 October 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   21 November 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction from the Secretary of State

Dear Candidates,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).

The TRA plays a critical role in the UK’s independent trade remedies system. It was established on 1 June 2021 with the remit of ensuring UK domestic industries have a safety net to protect them against injury caused by unfair trading practices, such as dumping and subsidies, and unforeseen surges in imports.

The TRA investigates whether new and existing trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports. It then makes a recommendation to the Department for Business and Trade Secretary of State on what trade remedy to apply. These remedies usually take the form of additional duties on those imports. Their work helps to create a level playing field for UK industries.

The appointed NEDs will have substantial responsibilities to provide challenge to the Board and hold the Executive team to account for delivery, including the effective conduct of trade remedies investigations, and recommending fair and objective trade remedies measures.

We welcome fresh expertise and perspectives to the Board to help ensure the Trade Remedies Authority continues to play its essential role in upholding Britain’s position as a leading advocate for open trade.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities that we are seeking to provide strong direction and governance to lead this important organisation, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy), Department for Business and Trade 

Introduction from the Chair

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in joining the Trade Remedies Authority as a Non-Executive Director on the Board. We are now recruiting for three new roles to help steer the organisation as it continues to evolve and grow as an organisation.

The TRA recently published an ambitious 2024-2027 plan that sets out how we will build on our first three years of operation since replacing the EU’s trade defence instruments after Brexit. As the Board works closely to oversee and support the TRA in the delivery of this strategic and operational plans, we are looking in particular to identify new members of the Board with strategic trade policy expertise, artificial intelligence and digital knowledge and experience of change leadership in an investigative body.

If you have the necessary experience and are interested and motivated to play a role in making the TRA a more effective organisation, then I look forward to hearing from you.

Good luck with your application.

Nick Baird

Chair, Trade Remedies Authority  

Role description

The TRA Board sets the strategic direction and priorities of the organisation, monitoring its performance against its objectives and holding the Chief Executive and executive team to account. The Board plays a key check and balance role, ensuring that the TRA’s independence is maintained. It ensures that the TRA sufficiently considers the views and perspectives of relevant stakeholders where appropriate. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that the TRA fulfils its statutory duties with effective use of public funds. The Board provides assurance of the soundness of TRA’s processes.

The TRA was established on 1 June 2021 by the passing of the Trade Act 2021. It is now looking to increase the skills and oversight of its board as it continues to evolve as an organisation.

To complete the skills of existing Board members, the TRA is particularly seeking experienced, senior and knowledgable candidates from all parts of the United Kingdom who bring the following skills and knowledge to the board:

• intellectual or academic strategic context and thinking on global trade. 
• cyber, AI and digital knowledge to better support transformation and manage risks across the TRA.
• experience of change leadership in an investigative body. 

The responsibilities of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) on the board will encompass the following responsibilities:

• To support the Minister, TRA Chief Executive and other board members in their leadership of the TRA.
• To exercise their role through influence, scrutiny, challenge and advice about the implications of policy, delivery and transformation proposals by:
• reviewing business plans and challenging progress;
• scrutinising performance, and challenging on progress;
• providing advice on issues and supporting and ensuring approval processes are followed and identifying and mitigating risks.
• To actively participate in board meetings, sharing good practice and learning and to make an effective contribution to the board. 
• To act as a trusted sounding board to the Chief Exectutive and senior individuals as appropriate, on any specific agreed specialist areas (or more generally).
• Provide strong and constructive challenge and support to the executive team to ensure that it delivers the approved strategy, and support the executive team in discharging their leadership responsibilities.
• To give advice on the operational/delivery implications of policy proposals and potential risk mitigants, which informs the Department’s decision-making process.
• To provide independent support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the business plan and provide management advice to the executive (where requested). 
• Undertake deep dives into risks and material delivery challenges.
• To regularly review and challenge key documents and performance data.
• As required, to support and chair some of the sub-committees of the board.
• Take on specific reviews or provide advice on strategic questions set by the Secretary of State, Ministers or officials.
• To attend occasional government-wide meetings for non-executives from time to time to share best practice and to ensure their department learns from the successes and failures of comparable organisations.
• NEDs collectively ensure that decisions made by the Board follow proper procedures and are supported by sufficient high quality information.

Organisation description

The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority is an arm’s length body, that acts independently on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). It is responsible for investigating claims of unfair trading practices and helping prevent injury to UK industry.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) was established as a new non-departmental public body, ensuring an appropriate degree of separation from DBT, and is responsible for investigating alleged unfair import practices. Trade measures can have a substantial effect on both consumers and businesses – that is why it is imperative that stakeholders trust that investigative and decision-making processes are fair and objective.

The TRA is responsible for conducting investigations into unfair trading practices and unexpected surges in imports.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is responsible for making a final determination on whether to accept or reject recommendations to impose measures.

Board composition

The TRA Board is made up of the Chair, Chief Executive, General Counsel, Director of Corporate Services and three Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) including one vacant role.

Current members are: Nick Baird (Chair), Oliver Griffiths (Chief Executive), Clare Brodie (General Counsel), Steven O'Donoghue (Director of Corporate Services) and John Hughes and Adam Marshall as NEDs. See also details about Governance of the TRA.

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

• A track record of astute legal, financial and/or regulatory experience gained in a complex domestic and international environment;    
• Clear evidence of leadership as a non-executive or executive demonstrating a proven ability to make complex, evidence-based judgements to advise and inform strategic direction and organisation performance;     
• The ability to demonstrate an understanding of, or experience in, issues facing producers, consumers, trade unions, the regions and nations of the UK, and other stakeholders relevant to the work of the TRA;    
• The ability to deliver results with vigour and pace, and to demonstrate resilience during periods of uncertainty and high media interest;    
• The ability to work as part of a diverse team and take collective responsibility for judgements, similarly, win the trust of those who may have differing or conflicting views; and,    
• A strong commitment to equal opportunities, diversity of skills and experience, and public service values

Desirable criteria

• Strategic thinking abilities and knowledge of the global trade context, with the ability to challenge assumptions and support planning to meet geopolitical challenges.
• Expertise in how digital / Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be utilised to drive efficiencies, automate core tasks, and monitor global trends.
• Change leadership experience, ideally in the trade defence field.

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) 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;
• a supporting statement (no longer than two pages) setting out 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.
• 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.

Application guidance

Please ensure your CV includes:

• Your full name, title, contact number and your personal email address.
• Maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial black font, setting out your career history in chronological order, and including the dates you occupied these roles.
• Does not include any information can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data.

Guidance on Supporting Statement format:

• The supporting Supporting Statement is your opportunity to demonstrate to the Advisory Assessment Panel how you can demonstrated the skills and experience outlined.
• Please provide subheading and separate paragraphs in relation to how you meet each criterion.
• Write all acronyms in full when first used.
• Ensure your full name and the title of the post are clearly noted at the top of your Supporting Statement.
• The maximum page limit for your Supporting Statement is two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial font black.
• Does not include any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data.

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.

You will be asked to prepare some identification documents if you are invited to interview - further information will be provided closer to the time. 

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 Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP) will consist of the following people:

• Katie Law, Director, Trade Defence, Department for Business and Trade (Panel Chair) 
• Nick Baird - Chair, Trade Remedies Authority 
• Mark Addison - Former Chief Executive of the Crown Prosecution Service (Independent Panel Member) 

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 dbtappointments@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before taking up the post. 

In due course, once in post, the NED members may be asked to obtain additional security clearances. 

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. 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

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

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 which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. 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. 

There is no entitlement to annual leave, public and privilege holidays. 

Applicants should note that the successful candidates cannot be renumerated for this role if they are being paid for an existing full-time role from the public purse. 

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

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. 

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 DBT Public Appointments team at dbtappointments@businessandtrade.gov.uk in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. We 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 its privacy policy.

The Department for Business and Trade's privacy notice can be found on gov.uk. 

The Trade Remedies Authority data protection and privacy notice is accessible here. 

Contact details

If you any questions about the roles please contact Edwina Osborne, Senior Campaigns Manager via the DBT Public Appointments team email address at dbtappointments@businessandtrade.gov.uk