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Appointment details

Non-Executive Director, Wilton Park

Summary

• Organisation: Wilton Park
• Sponsor department: Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office
• Location: South East
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Business, Communication, International Experience
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 14 day(s) per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 31 January 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   20 December 2023

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 31 January 2024

3. Sifting date

   31 March 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   31 May 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Additional introductions

A Message from Will Hines, Strategy Director, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Senior Responsible Owner for Wilton Park

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy for a non-executive director position on the board of Wilton Park.

Wilton Park is an Executive Agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), tasked with convening networks of influence to discreetly address critical global challenges. Wilton Park supports UK foreign policy development and the international strategic priorities of His Majesty’s Government, bringing together experts, policy makers and decision makers to seek solutions to complex global issues. They are also a trusted partner for a wide range of foreign governments, international organisations and actors keen to explore – and resolve - issues of global importance. A home of strategic thought, respectful dialogue, and discreet diplomacy, Wilton Park offers a unique forum to work through difficult questions and a safe space to help resolve differences.

Wilton Park is both of government and independent from it and is a significant source of soft power for the UK. Trusted by governments, businesses and civil society, Wilton Park occupies a unique position, able to facilitate conversations that nobody else can. Partners work with and return to Wilton Park because of its ability to generate new ideas, help them find practical solutions, and support them in building networks of influence.

The following pages will tell you more about Wilton Park’s purpose, the nature of the Board and this non-executive director role, as well as the application process. Please do also view the Wilton Park website to understand their work www.wiltonpark.org.uk.

If, after reading the material, you have further questions about any aspect of this post you are welcome to speak to Sue Betts (sue.betts@wiltonpark.org.uk). If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact Elaine McKay (elaine.mckay@fcdo.gov.uk).

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Will Hines, Strategy Director, FCDO

Appointment description

This is both a challenging and exciting time to join Wilton Park. We are looking to appoint an individual with commitment and expertise to the Board, which is challenging and leading the organisation to become internationally recognised as a preeminent forum for discreet honest dialogue supporting international partnerships to tackle common global challenges.

Whilst the Board’s Chair has overall responsibility for the performance of the Board, all members of the Board have an important individual and collective role in working with the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team to evolve the strategic direction of the body, to ensure delivery goals and to ensure that it fulfils the governance, financial management, and efficiency standards required of it as a public body.

Organisation description

Wilton Park is a discreet forum for policy discussion designed for experts and policy-makers to engage in genuine dialogue with a network of diverse voices, in order to address the most pressing challenges of our time.

For over 75 years it has been at the forefront of global policy development, building and curating trusted global networks and bringing people together for world-changing dialogue.

As an Executive Agency of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Wilton Park works with governments, international organisations, civil society groups, the private sector, and individuals to address a wide range of diplomatic and development issues, including issues such as climate change, conflict, trade, and security.

Further information on Wilton Park and its activities, including its most recent annual report can be found on Wilton Park’s website.

Board composition

The Board currently comprises six Members. Members of the Board as follows and biographical information can be found on Wilton Park’s website:

• The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Gisela Stuart (Chair);
• Tom Cargill (Chief Executive)
• James Rawlingson; NED
• Julia Prescot; NED
• Ruth Crowell; NED
• Will Hines; FCDO

Person specification

Essential criteria

All candidates must demonstrate, in their CV and supporting letter, how they meet the following criteria, through their knowledge, attributes and skills.

• Ability to promote a clear understanding of Wilton Park’s strategic vision, and how this supports the UK’s strategic foreign policy priorities:
• Understanding of the power of aligning public and private sector actors in support of national and global interests;
• Sound knowledge and expertise in good governance and the ability to demonstrate strategic leadership at senior/Board;
• Ability to drive the realisation of fundraising strategies by proactively helping to identify and develop relationships with existing and potential donors and supporters;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage and inspire stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration.

Desirable criteria

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Experience in philanthropy through grant-making and/or foundations.
• Ability to bring an active personal and professional network.

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

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 will consist of:

• Will Hines, Strategy Director, FCDO (Panel Chair);
• The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Gisela Stuart, Chair, Wilton Park;
• John Raine, Chair of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, as 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 the Elaine McKay via elaine.mckay@fcdo.gov.uk

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

• NED appointments are unpaid.
• Reasonable standard travel expenses will be payable.
• The 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.

If you are not completely satisfied with the recruitment process, please contact the Sponsor Team at WiltonParkSponsorTeam@fcdo.gov.uk. They will investigate your complaint and issue you with a response within 10 working days which addresses your concerns and recommends remedial action if required.

If you are not content with this response you can request escalate your complaint to the ALB Hub within FCDO - please contact Joe Huggett (Senior Policy Manager, ALB Hub) at Joe.Huggett@fcdo.gov.uk. The ALB Hub will review your complaint in relation to the recruitment process and issue you with a response within 20 working days.

Data protection

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

Personal data collected as part of this job application will be processed in accordance with the FCDO’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice. You can read this here. The Privacy Notice explains what personal data the FCDO holds about you, how we collect it, and how we will use and may share information about you.

Contact details

If you have questions about any aspect of this post you are welcome to speak to Sue Betts (sue.betts@wiltonpark.org.uk). If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact Elaine McKay (elaine.mckay@fcdo.gov.uk).

Attachments

• Wilton Park, Non-Executive Director - Candidate Job Pack