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Appointment details

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Summary

• Organisation: Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
• Sponsor department: Northern Ireland Office
• Location: Northern Ireland
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Consumer Advocacy
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £7500 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 17 November 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   26 October 2023

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 17 November 2023

3. Sifting date

   8 December 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   12 January 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

An outstanding individual is sought to become a member of the NIHRC. The successful applicant will be someone who has a commitment to human rights. They should have an understanding of and commitment to working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders and be able to apply personal expertise in contributing to the work of the Commission. They should also be committed to the need for good governance in public bodies.

Appointment description

All Commissioners will be expected to:

• ensure the Commission fulfils its functions in accordance with its statutory remit as defined in legislation;

• act in a way that promotes high standards of public finance, including the promotion of regularity, propriety and value for money;

• ensure that the Commission’s activities are conducted in an efficient and effective manner;

• ensure that strategies are developed for meeting the Commission’s overall objectives in accordance with Government’s policies and priorities and the wider context;

• monitor the Commission’s performance to ensure that it fully meets its aims, objectives and performance targets;

• ensure that the Commission’s control, regulation and monitoring of its activities ensure value for money within a framework of best practice, regularity and propriety;

• appoint the Chief Executive should this vacancy arise and ensure that his/her performance is regularly assessed against clear objectives and targets.

• attend Commission meetings regularly; and

• act as representatives of the Commission as required, e.g. at events, seminars or other functions

Organisation description

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (the ‘NIHRC’) was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement. Its powers and duties stem from the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

The NIHRC was established in 1999. It is a public body independent of Government. It operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.

Appointments to the NIHRC are made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The NIHRC is a national human rights institution with ‘A’ status accreditation from the United Nations (UN). Its powers are set out in legislation and its responsibilities as a National Human Rights Institution are set out in the UN General Assembly Resolution 48/134 (The Paris Principles).

The NIHRC’s functions include keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights and promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland. The NIHRC also plays a key role in the dedicated mechanism, established under Article 2 of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union, working with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

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

Candidates for this role will need to demonstrate:

• the ability to build productive and respectful relationships with fellow Commissioners, senior stakeholders and diverse communities;

• knowledge of human rights law or in depth understanding of the considerations that influence the environment in which the NIHRC works (including understanding of its statutory remit) and an ability to make a personal contribution to the work of the Commission;

• the ability to analyse information and exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and high level human rights issues; and

• a reputation for personal integrity, professional conduct and credibility, with an exceptional sense of propriety

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 by the closing date of 17 November 2023. 

Please enclose with your application:

• the completed application summary form, including your personal statement (of no more than two sides of A4) summarising your proven ability related to the person and job specifications. Your supporting statement should provide specific and detailed examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria (including what you did to achieve a specific result);

• Fair Employment Monitoring Questionnaire; and

• a full CV (including education and professional qualifications, career history, and relevant achievements and responsibilities)

Overview of the application process

Candidates selected at the shortlisting stage will be interviewed by the Advisory Assessment Panel.

If you require any further information about the application process you should contact the competition co-ordinator by email at NIHRC2023@nio.gov.uk

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Chris Flatt, Senior NIO Sponsor and Panel Chair

Alyson Kilpatrick, NIHRC Chief Commissioner

TBC, Independent Panel Member

Additional information for candidates

Disability confident

As a Whitehall department, the Northern Ireland Office has adopted the Department for Work and Pensions sponsored Disability Confident scheme, which has replaced the Guaranteed Interview Scheme or Two Ticks scheme that was widely used in Great Britain.

Disability Confident is a voluntary scheme that supports the Government’s commitment to halve the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people by encouraging employers to think differently about disability and to take positive action to improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers. We will make reasonable adjustments to help you attend your interview. You may wish to contact the competition coordinator (see contact details above) about your individual requirements should your application proceed to this stage in the process.

We will also offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for the job - you must be able to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate relevant skills and experience for each of the selection criteria set out in the essential skills section. This does not mean that all disabled people are entitled to an interview. The aim of this commitment is to encourage positive action for disabled people, encouraging them to apply for positions in public life by offering them the assurance that, should they meet the minimum criteria as advertised for the position, they will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities at the interview stage.

It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as an urgent appointment or if we receive a higher volume of applications that far exceeds the number of those expected then we may need to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered. This will include the number of interviews offered to disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments then you may wish to contact the competition coordinator about your requirements at the interview stage should you proceed in the 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.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

In the interests of transparency and openness, applicants are asked to consider whether their appointment may give rise to a conflict of interest and state this clearly on the application form. You should provide information regarding interests that you, or your immediate family, have that might be construed as being in conflict with the role of Commissioner.

An appointee to a public body could find that matters or incidents which did not previously attract attention could become matters of legitimate public interest once the person concerned holds a public appointment. Actual or perceived conflicts might include, for example, a situation where a candidate has interests in an organisation that might benefit from a contract with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or there may be issues in your personal or professional history (including any convictions or bankruptcy) that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment to Ministers or the Commission or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised. It is important that you bring them to the attention of the Advisory Assessment 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 and blogs. Due Diligence may be carried out on any publicly available information and shared with the Advisory Assessment Panel and Ministers. The panel may explore any issues you declare with you before they make a recommendation on the appointment.

A potential conflict will not necessarily preclude an individual from appointment but candidates must be prepared to have this explored during the recruitment process and before an appointment is confirmed.

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 will be for a maximum period of up to three years.

There may be a 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 position attracts an annual remuneration of £7,500 which will be paid in equal monthly instalments.

Travel and incidental expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Commission’s travel and subsistence policy.

Pension and redundancy

The position is not pensionable.

How to complain

If you feel that you have any complaints about any aspect of the way your application has been handled, we would like to hear from you. In the first instance please write, or e-mail, to the competition co-ordinator at the address above or e- mail - NIHRC2023@nio.gov.uk

Complaints must be received by the competition coordinator within 1 calendar month from the issue or after the campaign has closed, whichever is the later. Your complaint will be acknowledged within 2 working days of receipt and answered as quickly and clearly as possible; at the most within 20 working days of receipt. If this deadline cannot be met we will inform you why this is the case and when you can expect a reply. If, after receiving our response you are still not satisfied, you may contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair. Information about the Commissioner’s policy and manner in which complaints are investigated are set out in the Commissioner’s leaflet Your Guide to Making a Complaint about a Public Appointments Process. 

More information about the role of the Commissioner and contact information can be found at: http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/ 

Data protection

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

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

Contact details

For further information, please contact the competition coordinator at NIHRC2023@nio.gov.uk

Please note, we may be unable to receive your email if you are contacting us from a Northern Ireland Civil Service email address, if possible, please use an alternative email address or contact us on 07973773903.

Attachments

• NIHRC - Candidate Information Booklet

• NIHRC - Application Form

• NIHRC - Fair Employment Monitoring Questionnaire