Role details

Chair of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Application deadline 30 April 2024

Summary

• Organisation: NHS Counter Fraud Authority
• Sponsor department: Department of Health and Social Care
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Health and Social Care
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Business, Change Management, Commercial, Communication, Media, Marketing, Human Resources, Insurance, International Experience, Technology / Digital, Legal, Judicial, Major Projects, Procurement, Regulation, Retail, Transformation, Cyber Security, Consumer Advocacy, Casework and Complaints Handling, Social Care, Education
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £14450 per annum
• Length of term: Ministers will determine the length of the appointment, which will be up to 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59am on 30 April 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   22 March 2024

2. Application deadline

   11:59am on 30 April 2024

3. Sifting date

   10 May 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   5 June 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The information in this pack is for the role of Chair of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA).

Ministers are also seeking to make 2 Non-Executive Director appointments to the board of the NHSCFA. For information

For information and to apply for the Non-Executive Director roles (VAC-8053), please visit Role details – NED of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK (apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk)

Role description

Ministers are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA).

The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.  The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are always keen to encourage candidates new to public appointments to consider applying for our roles.

The Chair will lead the Board of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Executive Directors (EDs). The Chair will hold the Chief Executive, Finance Director and Performance & Improvement Director to account, and will share corporate responsibility for the decisions of the NHSCFA Board and the performance of the organisation. Along with the NEDs, the Chair will contribute to the development of strategy, stakeholder engagement and annual objectives. The Chair will ensure sound governance, including robust and effective systems of financial control and risk management, are in place.

You will build, maintain and enhance NHSCFA’s reputation as an open and independent body that places a high priority upon preventing and detecting fraud and recovering losses where they occur. This will ensure public funds essential to delivering effective patient care, are directed to where they are needed most.  

You will play a key role in ensuring that the organisation is focused upon providing excellent services and good value for money and enabling the NHSCFA to contribute to the wider aims of the NHS. You will provide appropriate challenge, scrutiny and support at Board level, ensuring the NHSCFA is doing all it can to reduce fraud in the NHS and is meeting its obligations related to the Government Functional Standard GovS 013: Counter Fraud.

The role will include a particular focus on:

• Overseeing strategic direction setting in cooperation and accordance with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Counter Fraud Strategy, including working collaboratively with other NHS bodies, Public Sector Fraud Authority, Ministers, senior Government officials, and representatives of employer and employee interests

• Monitoring developments in the NHS, bring insights on the issues facing the NHS to NHSCFA discussions and ensuring the Board has access to these issues

• Supporting and challenging the executive team

• Performance monitoring and evaluating the NHSCFA functions and compliance with Government Functional Standard GovS 013: Counter Fraud.

• Ensuring effective induction of the NEDs and the development of the Board as a whole

• Ensuring propriety, probity and value for money

• Advising the DHSC on the performance of NEDs

• Ensuring comprehensive and appropriate cooperation with DHSC on all matters

• Working with the Chief Executive Officer in accountability meetings with Ministers and officials

Organisation description

The NHSCFA is a Special Health Authority, created under section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006 and established on 1 November 2017, under The NHSCFA (Establishment, Constitution, and Staff and Other Transfer Provisions) Order 2017. It carries out the Secretary of State’s counter fraud functions in respect of the health service in England.

With a resource of around 163 full time staff, NHSCFA received an indicative non-ringfenced revenue budget allocation of £13.493 million in 2023/24. The NHSCFA produces an annual Strategic Intelligence Assessment (SIA). The SIA 2023 estimates the NHS in England is vulnerable to £1.264 billion worth of fraud.

The NHSCFA Board is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the organisation and ensuring that the ALB is able to account to Parliament and the public on how it delivers its functions. The NHSCFA published its Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 on 13 July 2023.

The current NHSCFA strategy covers the period of 2023-2026, setting out the organisations’ priorities, for the 3 year strategic period.

• NHSCFA website: https://cfa.nhs.uk/

• NHSCFA corporate publications: https://cfa.nhs.uk/about-nhscfa/corporate-publications

• NHSCFA website (NHSCFA Four principles of Good Practice and Value and Behaviours Framework): Values and behaviour framework | Working for the NHSCFA | NHS Counter Fraud Authority

• GOV.UK (Government Partnerships with Arms-Length Bodies Code of Good Practice): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnerships-with-arms-length-bodies-code-of-good-practice

Board composition

NHSCFA Board of Directors | About the NHSCFA | NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Board meetings take place every two months in London, Coventry or Newcastle & Virtual

The location of main office is:

Government Hub

10 South Colonnade

Canary Wharf

London

E14 4PU

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

• Ability to chair and lead the development of a high-performing, national organisation in a complex and fast-moving environment 

• A portfolio of corporate governance and organisational skills, including strategic planning, financial and risk management, managing organisational change and continuing to build a positive organisational culture and values

• Strong interpersonal skills and a skilled communicator 

• Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to achieve shared goals

Application and selection process

How to apply

The Department of Health and Social Care’s Honours and ALB Public Appointments Unit is managing this recruitment campaign. 

In order to apply, you will need to create an account or sign in on the “Apply for a public appointment” website.

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

Guidance on what to include in your CV/Supporting Statement and tips for applying can be found in the corresponding sections below and on the public appointment website: Public appointments - GOV.UK.

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.

You will also be required to make any declarations related to standards in public life and ensuring public confidence in your Supporting Statement.  Further information on this can be found in the relevant section below.

If you are unable to create an account and apply online, or if you have any problems submitting your application online, please contact Daniel Clemence on 0113 254 5335

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.

In completing an application, please firstly note the following in relation to:

• Disqualification from appointment

• Outside interests and reputational issues: Conflicts of interest

• Outside interests and reputational issues: Political Activity and social media

• Standards in public life and ensuring public confidence.

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)

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.

The panel will include:

• Sean Byrne, DHSC senior sponsor for NHSCFA (panel chair)
• Sue Douthwaite, Chair of NHS Business Services Authority - panel member
• Mark Cheeseman, Director, Public Sector Fraud Authority as an independent panel member

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 Daniel.Clemence@dhsc.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.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are ‘spent’ must be declared. Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment but must be declared in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process.The post holder must hold or be prepared to undergo Security Clearance vetting.

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

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.  

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

The Department of Health and Social Care will aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy. If you have any complaints about the way your application has been handled, please contact Steve Howell by emailing Steve.Howell@dhsc.gov.uk 

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 our privacy policy.

The DHSC privacy notice can be found at DHSC privacy notice - GOV.UK.

Contact details

For further information regarding the role of the NHSCFA and the role of the Chair please contact:

Name: Jane Robinson

Tel: 020 7210 4852

Email: Jane.Robinson@dhsc.gov.uk

For any queries about your application status or the selection process, please contact Daniel Clemence in DHSC’s Honours and ALB Public Appointments Unit:

Email: Daniel.Clemence@dhsc.gov.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Information Pack