The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (The Council) is an independent statutory body set up in 1946 to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Scheme. The majority of the Council’s time is spent considering whether the list of prescribed diseases for which benefit may be paid should be added to or amended. The Council can also provide advice on the administration of the scheme.
The next five years will be an exciting time for IIAC as it moves into a phase of being able to commission additional scientific support to drive forward the work of the Council. IIAC has embarked upon a comprehensive review of occupationally- related respiratory diseases as well as continuing its review of neurodegenerative diseases in professional sportspeople. There will be opportunities to further expand the current work programme to include a diverse range of topics, such as infectious zoonotic diseases or developing a strategy to investigate aspects of occupational health which may be unique to women. The incoming Chair will be encouraged to bring their own vision and insight into developing the Council’s direction during their term. There is a reactive element to the Council’s work, which means the focus of the Council’s time can change quite quickly, with the coronavirus pandemic being a prime example.
Andrew Western - Minister for Transformation
Thank you for your interest in applying for the role of Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC).
This is a vital role requiring strong leadership and stakeholder engagement of an independent scientific advisory body tasked with providing unbiased impartial advice to Ministers on matters relating to industrial injuries disablement benefit.
IIAC has a wide range and diverse range of stakeholders, including Ministers, DWP and those from the private sector such as Trade Unions or charitable organisations which have a focus on occupational health. The successful candidate will help set the future direction of the Council, ensuring it operates efficiently, effectively and impartially in order to gain their trust and confidence.
It is an exciting time to join IIAC as it has an independent work programme which the incoming Chair can help shape. There is also a reactive element to the Council’s work which means challenging topics for investigation can come in at any time.
I am committed to promoting greater diversity in all DWP’s public appointments. If you have the experience and skills that we are seeking please consider an application. If you have questions about the appointment process you can contact the DWP Public Appointments Team, alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk.
I want DWP and our arm’s-length bodies to be places where everyone, whatever their background, feels encouraged to achieve their potential. I believe attracting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including regional diversity and the full range of socio- economic groups, will allow us to be better able to provide the best possible support to those we serve.
DWP continues to support Cabinet Office in working towards 50% of all public appointees to be female and 14% of all public appointments to come from ethnic minority backgrounds. We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone.
If you are looking for an opportunity to use your talents to make a difference to the lives of millions of your fellow citizens, we look forward to hearing from you.
As Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) you will have particular responsibility for:
•Providing effective leadership to members of the Council.
•Ensuring the work of the Council remains relevant and transparent to wider interested parties and stakeholders.
•Ensuring the Council’s statutory role is fully and effectively discharged.
•You will also provide a high level of scientific assurance that Council investigations are informed, constructive and rigorous in the preparation of its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and to the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
•Stakeholder engagement is key to this role where the Chair will be required to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders to raise awareness of the Council’s work and support evidence gathering.
•The Chair will have regular contact specifically and actively with the DWP Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits (IIDB) Policy team, the DWP Scientific Adviser, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, and the IIAC partnership team.
The Chair will ensure:
•There is appropriate representation of the Council in all matters relevant to the Industrial Injuries Scheme.
•Engagement with stakeholders and the public in an open and fair manner.
•Advice is provided to DWP on the drafting of relevant legislation and guidance.
•Consideration is given in all interactions to the legal framework that governs the Council's business.
Role
The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) is a scientific, advisory, Non-Departmental Public Body. It is a statutory body established under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1946, which came into effect on 4 July 1948.
IIAC’s role is to provide independent advice to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on:
•matters relating to industrial injuries benefit or its administration that they have referred to the Council;
•any other matter relating to such benefit or its administration (principally the prescription of diseases within the scheme), and
•any regulations he proposes to make relating to industrial injuries benefit or its administration.
Membership
IIAC members are appointed by the responsible Minister, on behalf of the Secretary of State, and typically consist of:
•Independent members made up of the chair, doctors, scientists (including epidemiologists) and solicitors
•Representatives of employers
•Representatives of employees
Members receive a fee for attending meetings and reasonable travelling expenses. They receive no pension in relation to this work.
There are usually 16 members of IIAC at any one time - although this will vary from time to time. Legislation states that there must be equal numbers representing employers and employed earners respectively. Independent members come from occupational medicine, epidemiologists and related fields. As Ministers are required to refer proposed regulations concerning Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit to IIAC for its consideration, there is usually at least one legally qualified member to assist the Council with this task and any other legal issues that may arise.
Advice
IIAC’s advice to the Secretary of State usually takes the form of command papers which are laid before Parliament. These are published by DWP and copies placed in the House of Commons and House of Lords’ libraries and on the IIAC website. Ministers then respond to the recommendations made by IIAC in their reports.
IIAC meets four times a year and has a standing committee (the Research Working Group) that also meets four times a year. The Council has committed to meet with a range of stakeholders annually including holding public meetings bi-annually to ensure it maintains a good relationship with its stakeholders. IIAC has a Secretariat staffed by DWP officials and is funded and sponsored by DWP.
IIAC is an advisory non-departmental public body. The Council has no executive powers or authority to become involved in individual benefit claims.
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website