Role details

National Veterans’ Commissioner

Application deadline 14 May 2024

Summary

• Organisation: National Veterans Commissioner
• Sponsor department: Cabinet Office
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Communication
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 150 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £306 per day
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 4pm on 14 May 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   24 April 2024

2. Application deadline

   4pm on 14 May 2024

3. Sifting date

   22 May 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   7 June 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The Deputy Prime Minister is seeking to appoint a National Veterans’ Commissioner (NVC). This role will cover England and any veterans matters which are reserved to the UK Government and are not in the remit of the Devolved Administrations. The Armed Forces have a long and important tradition both in England and throughout the UK, and we are exceptionally proud of all our veterans. Our ex-service personnel and their families deserve recognition, support and respect throughout the duration of their service and beyond. The recruitment of an NVC, which supersedes the Independent Veterans Advisor (IVA), is another important step forward in supporting the Armed Forces community in England, and part of meeting the UK Government's ambition of making the United Kingdom the best place in the world to be a veteran.

Introduction from the Secretary of State

FOREWORD FROM THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the new National Veterans’ Commissioner position. I place great importance on the role of Commissioner and seek an individual who is ready to act as a figurehead for veterans and continue to identify and challenge barriers preventing former servicemen and women from realising their full potential. I am conscious that veterans’ families and Armed Forces’ families during the transition to civilian life require support, and I would like the Commissioner to act as an advocate, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. The Commissioner must understand the wider public sector landscape and hear directly from veterans and from those who do so much to support them. Understanding the veterans’ perspective, knowing where the problems are, and working alongside partners to identify solutions, will be crucial to the continuing success of this office and that will require creativity and leadership.

A good working knowledge of the veterans sector or the ability to understand it quickly will therefore be essential as would be experience of working in or with the public sector. The enclosed information will, I hope, answer many of the questions you may have about the role and work of the Commissioner. The post is non-statutory and, as such, does not have legal powers or duties. It does, however, offer a unique opportunity for a dynamic individual to deliver maximum impact for former members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and their families.

I will be looking to appoint an individual who can bring vision, influence and innovation to the role; someone who will work collaboratively with third sector partners and public sector leaders, including the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, to drive improvements in standards of service. I welcome applications from all suitably experienced individuals regardless of ethnicity, religion or belief, political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability.

We owe an enormous debt to all those who have served in the UK Armed Forces: they deserve, and should receive the highest level of advice, support and care in return. I will look to the National Veterans’ Commissioner to spearhead our ambition to deliver on this obligation and enhance support for veterans, their families and Armed Forces families as we strive to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world to be a veteran. I hope that you will feel able to submit an application and, once again, thankyou for your interest in this post.

RT HON OLIVER DOWDEN CBE MP

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Role description

• Listen to and understand the issues and barriers affecting veterans and their families, and use the information to influence improvement in services;
• Be open and accessible to the real life experiences of individual veterans;
• Promote the positive contribution of veterans in England, including their support for communities, the skills and experiences they bring to careers and enriching our society;
• Help coordinate a better understanding of the veteran community, by engaging with relevant stakeholders and gathering evidence on the experiences of those who have previously served in the Armed Forces and their families;
• Provide independent advice to Ministers on veterans' lived experiences, interests and needs, including suggestions for enhancements based on an understanding and evidence of veterans interactions with statutory, public, private and charitable services;
• Encourage collaboration and coordination between all those working to support the veteran community that will build upon and complement the work of the UK Government, public, private & charity sectors, key stakeholders and academia; Work with the Minister for Veterans Affairs (Min VA) and key stakeholders to recognise areas of need in service provision and identify the means to address those needs; 
• Advocate for improvement, where appropriate, in coordination and integration across services to facilitate better communication and outcomes;
• Build the profile of veterans and promote wider recognition of the skills, experiences and talents of veterans, and the valued contributions they make to communities and employers;
• Recognise that Armed Forces and veterans’ families also require support, including during periods of transition;
• Develop a programme of activities and communication to support the above
• responsibilities

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Strong and visible leadership skills, with the ability to challenge constructively, influence and negotiate with key stakeholders at local, national and strategic levels to improve outcomes for veterans;
• A proven ability to work collaboratively, delivering improved outcomes through partnership, demonstrating sensitivity in dealing with people, empowering and motivating them, whilst maintaining a flexible and adaptable approach;
• An ability to analyse, understand and interpret information and lived experiences of veterans and to provide effective challenge on the UK Government statutory provision for veterans;
• Knowledge of the provision of services, the ex-Service sector and Armed Forces transition arrangements in England, and awareness of the provision of these by the Devolved Administrations; 
• A practical understanding of the requirements of good corporate governance in both the UK and Devolved Administration settings, including financial and performance management and personal integrity; and
• Previous service in HM Forces

Desirable criteria

An understanding of the political landscape, ideally with experience of working with Government and an ability to develop a strong, constructive and credible relationship with Ministers and senior officials.

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.

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.

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)

Panel Chair: Anisha Worbs, Director of the Office for Veterans' Affairs

Representative of Organisation: James Greenrod, Head of Armed Forces People Support

Independent Panel Member: Sir Nick Pope, Executive Chairman, Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities)

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 ovabusinessmanagement@cabinetoffice.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 to individuals 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 ‘essential 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

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

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 ten years in any one post. 

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

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the Office for Veterans' Affairs team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at ovabusinessmanagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

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

The privacy notice for the National Veteran's Commissioner is attached below.

Contact details

ovabusinessmanagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Attachments

• NVC Privacy Notice