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Appointment details

Office For Nuclear Regulation (ONR) - Non-Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Office for Nuclear Regulation
• Sponsor department: Department for Work and Pensions
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Energy
• Skills: Human Resources, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 30 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £15000 per annum
• Length of term: 5
• Application deadline: 5pm on 15 November 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   21 October 2024

2. Application deadline

   5pm on 15 November 2024

3. Sifting date

   13 December 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   14 March 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is a public corporation sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). ONR is responsible for the regulation of nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, and nuclear site health and safety across the UK.

ONR’s vision is to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. The nuclear landscape ONR regulates is changing at pace. In January 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050 and ONR is now working with them on how nuclear will be part of the overall net zero ambition.

DWP is seeking a Non-Executive Director with a range of established skills and competences to contribute to ONR’s strategic direction to 2030 and beyond, to drive regulatory excellence and to oversee the organisation’s governance arrangements.

Introduction from the Chair

Dame Judith Hackitt Office for Nuclear Regulation Chair

Thank you for your interest in the role of Non-Executive Director on the ONR Board. This is an important role providing strong strategic leadership of the UK’s independent nuclear regulator tasked with holding the industry to account on behalf of the public.

I am privileged to be leading ONR as its Interim Chair and cannot emphasise too much the crucial role that ONR plays in helping to keep society, the public and the environment safe through the robust and efficient regulation of the civil nuclear industry. 

Given the many challenges the industry is facing as it undergoes significant growth, diversification and change, and as ONR continues to strive for better ways of working and regulatory excellence, there has never been a more exciting time to join the organisation and help to provide the strategic direction to achieve our mission: to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

Additional introductions

Peter Schofield, DWP Permanent Secretary

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.

Appointment description

The successful candidate will contribute to the Board’s role in leading the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to achieve its vision to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. Key responsibilities for this role include:  

• Helping lead the work of ONR by operating effectively as a Board Member with particular expertise in human resource organisational development and by contributing to Board meetings and discussions. 

• Participation as chair or member of one or more of the Board’s standing Committees, as required by the ONR Chair and subject to relevant skill sets. This will include the relevant expertise to Chair the ONR Remuneration and Resilience Committee.

• Maintaining effective working relationships with a broad range of networks and stakeholders.  

• Representing ONR externally, acting collectively in representing its decisions to stakeholders and the general public.  

• Demonstrating a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public life. 

Organisation description

• The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the UK’s independent nuclear regulatory authority. Established as a statutory public corporation on 1 April 2014, under the Energy Act 2013, its mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

• ONR independently regulates nuclear safety, nuclear security and nuclear site health and safety across 36 licensed nuclear sites and performs targeted inspection activity across their supply chains. It also regulates the transportation of nuclear materials and ensures safeguards obligations for the UK are met. 

• ONR is also responsible for regulating the design and construction of new nuclear facilities, ensuring they are built and operated to the highest standards and oversees the decommissioning of nuclear sites. ONR cooperates with other UK and international regulators and agencies on safety and security issues of common concern, including associated research.

• ONR’s duty is to ensure that the nuclear industry controls its hazards effectively, has a culture of continuous improvement and maintains high standards.

• ONR’s gross budget for 2024/2025 is circa £114m. Approximately 95% of its running costs are from the nuclear industry it regulates and government departments to whom it provides a service. 3% of running costs are grant-funded by ONR’s sponsor body, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The remaining 2% is funded from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

• ONR employs about 660 full time equivalent staff across three locations (Liverpool, Cheltenham, and London) with about 410 technical specialist staff. 

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

We are seeking candidates with the right skills and abilities to complement the existing Board members and who will be able to contribute across the Board’s remit. The successful candidates will need to demonstrate:  

• Ability to contribute effectively and strategically to Board activity, challenging and supporting the executive team to lead the organisation working collegiately with the Chair and other NEDs. 

• Ability to influence, build consensus and communicate with a range of stakeholders. 

• Ability to test and analyse complex issues, evaluate proposals, and address risk. 

• Proven knowledge and experience in human resources including organisation development and business change transformation.

Desirable criteria

• Candidates to have knowledge of, or a willingness to develop, an understanding of the policy and political environment within which the public sector operates whilst being clear on their non-executive role to support the nuclear regulator’s priorities.

• Knowledge of the environment within which the public sector operates or a willingness to develop this.

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:

1. A  Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max, In Word format not PDF) which provides your contact details, details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any relevant publications or awards;

2. A Supporting Statement (2 pages Max in Word format not PDF) This should be a maximum of two pages, font size 12. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria set out in this information pack. The initial sift is based on this information, so it is important to fully address the criteria. You should aim to provide specific examples that demonstrate how your knowledge and experience matches each of the criteria, and which describe what your role was in achieving a specific result. Please ensure your full name is noted at the top of the letter.                                                               

3. Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues;

4. Personal Information and Diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel;

5. Disability Confident – please state if you want to be considered for the disability confident scheme;

6. Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable);

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.

The closing date for applications is at 17:00 time on 15 November 2024.

Late applications will not be accepted. 

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)

The panel will consist of four members: 

Panel Chair – Viki Hogan, DWP Deputy Director, Private Pensions and Arms- Length Bodies Division.

Panel Member – Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Board of the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

Panel Member – Katrina McLeay, Deputy Director, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Independent Panel Member – Michael McDonagh.

The panel will ensure that appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code. The DWP Public Appointments Team will keep you updated on the progress of the competition.

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

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK) to be eligible to apply, and the role is based in the UK.

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 DWP ALB Public Appointments team at alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk

Security clearance

Security Clearance: The successful candidate will be required to undertake SC level Security checks in line with the Civil Service/UKSV guidelines, and Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional security clearance may also be required for certain roles. 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 ‘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 DWP ALB Public Appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk  They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

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.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Department’s data protection privacy notice and relevant policies are available on the Department’s Personal 

Information Charter: Personal information charter - Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Contact details

Please Contact the DWP ALB Public Appointments Team at

alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Pack