Important

You can’t apply for this appointment

The application deadline has passed or the appointment has been closed for applications.

Appointment details

Members of the Animal Welfare Committee and Animal Sentience Committee

Summary

• Organisation: Animal Welfare Committee (AWC)
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 14
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £300 per day
• Length of term: Committee members are usually be appointed for a term of four years. Please refer to the attached Candidate Pack for full details.
• Application deadline: Midday on 6 June 2022

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   4 May 2022

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 6 June 2022

3. Sifting date

   13 June 2022

4. Interviews expected to end on

   8 July 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

Recruitment Round for the Animal Welfare Committee and Animal Sentience Committee

This is a joint recruitment round for the members of the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) and the new Animal Sentience Committee.

We are looking for 7 people to join the AWC and 7 people to join the new Animal Sentience Committee.

You may apply for positions on the AWC, the Animal Sentience Committee, or both if your skills and experience are relevant to vacancies on both committees.

About the AWC

The AWC is a non-statutory, expert committee of Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. The Committee: 

• Provides independent, authoritative, impartial and timely expert veterinary and scientific advice to Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments:

    o on the welfare of farmed animals (including farmed animals on agricultural land, at market, in   transit and at the place of killing), companion animals and wild animals kept by people; and 

      o on any other matters that might be considered necessary to improve standards of animal welfare. 

• Provides independent scientific support and advice, as requested, in line with Article 20 of Council Regulation (EC) No.1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing. The Welfare at Killing standing committee fulfils this role and also advises the Northern Ireland Executive in this respect. 

You may be asked to join the Welfare at Killing standing committee if you have the relevant skills and experience in the welfare of animals at the time of killing.

You can find more information about the AWC, including the Committee’s terms of reference and its recent publications, here

Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments have ambitious animal welfare programmes underway. Animal welfare is a devolved matter but there is excellent cooperation and collaboration across the administrations. This is an exciting time to join the AWC, with a number of positions available. You will have the opportunity to shape a refreshed AWC, whilst ensuring that the highly regarded expert scientific and veterinary advice the AWC delivers continues to support and guide Government decision making.

AWC Members (7 Vacancies)

Members of the AWC have collective responsibility for the operation of the Committee. Typical responsibilities will include working with Government policy teams, Committee members and external stakeholders to produce expert scientific and veterinary advice in a wide range of formats, contributing to Committee meetings and representing the Committee at external events. They must:

• Engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant evidence, including any guidance issued by the sponsor departments.

• Ensure that the Committee works within its terms of reference.

• Ensure that the Committee’s policy on openness is adhered to and that the Committee’s advice is comprehensible to members of the public.

Please refer to the attached Candidate Pack for full details.

About the Animal Sentience Committee

The Animal Sentience Committee is a new Committee, established under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. The Act provides assurance about how the welfare of sentient animals is taken into account in central Government policy decisions. The Committee’s remit does not extend to devolved matters.

The Animal Sentience Committee scrutinises policy decision making. It has statutory powers to produce reports containing its view on whether, or to what extent, the UK Government is having, or has had, all due regard to the ways in which policy decisions might have an adverse effect on the welfare of animals as sentient beings. The Committee ensures that UK Government policy decisions are appropriately informed by a scientific understanding of the impacts of those decisions on the welfare of sentient animals. The Animal Sentience Committee, therefore, is also able to select which UK Government policy decisions it wishes to investigate and needs the capability and capacity to fulfil this function.

You can find the Animal Sentience Committee’s draft Terms of Reference

 here

This is an opportunity to help set the direction of a new expert Committee, which will consider how individual central Government policies take account of animal welfare. We are looking for individuals with experience in the animal welfare sector, who would like to be a part of this new Committee.

Animal Sentience Committee Members (7 Vacancies)

Members of the Animal Sentience Committee have collective responsibility for the operation of the Committee. Typical responsibilities will include working with Government policy teams, Committee members and external stakeholders to produce expert reports, contributing to Committee meetings and representing the Committee at external events. They must: 

• Engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant evidence. 

• Ensure that the Committee works within its statutory remit. 

• Ensure that the Committee’s policy on transparency is adhered to.

Please refer to the attached Candidate Pack for full details.

Person specification

Essential criteria

AWC Members (7 Vacancies)

We are looking for people with a range of skills and experience, including, but not limited to the criteria below.

In your application, please provide examples, where applicable, of:

• How you have used your written and oral communication skills to put forward views clearly and cogently in discussion and to contribute effectively to the formulation of written advice when presenting complex findings to a generalist audience. 

• Your ability to think analytically and creatively when considering evidence and contributing to advice.

• Your ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive working relationships both within and outside the Committee.

• Your ability to work as part of a team to deliver agreed objectives. 

• Expertise in veterinary or other relevant science, or animal ethics.

• Your understanding of animal welfare legislation.

Animal Sentience Committee Members (7 Vacancies)

We are looking for people with a range of skills and experience, including, but not limited to the criteria below.

In your application, please provide examples, where applicable, of:

• How you have used your written and oral communication skills to put forward views clearly and cogently in discussion and to contribute effectively to the formulation of written advice when presenting complex findings to a generalist audience. 

• Your ability to think analytically and creatively when contributing to advice for Government.

• Your ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive working relationships both within and outside the Committee.

• Your ability to work as part of a team to deliver agreed objectives.

• Expertise in veterinary or other relevant science, or animal ethics.

• How you have used your extensive knowledge and understanding of animal welfare legislation and policy to think analytically and creatively when contributing advice or in your engagement with Government Departments in policy development.

• Your awareness of current research/science in the animal welfare space and the ability to assess to what extent decision making is led by relevant research/science.

Desirable criteria

AWC Members

Desirable criteria

Where applicable, in your application please provide examples of significant current or recent experience of working with animals or keeping animals (e.g. as a farmer, vet, or researcher), in any of the following areas: 

• Pig farming, including practical experience of a variety of illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment and the welfare of animals at the time of killing.

• Poultry farming, including practical experience of a variety of illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment and the welfare of animals at the time of killing.

• Equines, including practical experience of a variety of equine illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment and the welfare of animals at the time of killing.

• Dogs and cats, including practical experience of a variety of canine/feline-related illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment.

• Other pets (e.g. rabbits), including related illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment. 

• Kept wild animals and exotic pets (e.g. snakes), including related illnesses/issues and the methods of treatment.

• Fish, including the ways in which they are caught and kept for commercial consumption and/or their natural habitats and ecosystems.

• Decapods and cephalopods, including the ways in which they are caught and kept for commercial consumption and/or their natural habitats and ecosystems.

• Practical or academic experience of animal ethics, with an understanding of the concepts of stress, pain and suffering and how these relate to animal welfare.

Please refer to the attached Candidate Pack for full details.

Animal Sentience Committee Members 

Desirable criteria

Where applicable, in your application please provide examples of the below: 

• An understanding of domestic and international developments in animal welfare legislation. 

• Significant understanding of animal behaviour for a variety of animals and a general knowledge of the welfare of kept animals.

• Practical knowledge of a variety of animals and their welfare needs with regard to caring for and keeping animals, either in private ownership or commercially.

• Academic experience of research into animal welfare and caring for animals.

• Experience in informing the strategic direction of organisations in an advisory capacity.

• Practical knowledge and experience of conservation, ecology, or a biological background.

• Practical or academic experience of animal ethics, with an understanding of the concepts of stress, pain and suffering and how these relate to animal welfare.

Please refer to the attached Candidate Pack for full details.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Candidate Pack: https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1_AWC+and+ASC+-Candidate+Pack.

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:

• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire): https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/2_Monitoring+form+1+(Conflicts+of+interest+conduct+and+advertising+Questionnaire).docx

• Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire): https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/3_Monitoring+form+2+(Diversity+Questionnaire).docx

Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and at least two supporting statements from peers/stakeholder organisations or other experts, together with their statement of suitability.

The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max 750 words please).

Your CV and statement should be returned to the following address by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on Monday, 6th June 2022. Email to:awcsecretariat@defra.gov.uk; sentiencesecretariat@defra.gov.uk quoting reference Animal Welfare Committee/Animal Sentience Committee Members Recruitment.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

1. Gareth Baynham-Hughes- Director of Animal and Plant Health and Welfare, Defra - Panel Chair -Representative of Organisation
2. Marc Casale-- Deputy Director of Animal Welfare, Defra - Departmental Official
3. TBC

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)

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.

Reasonable adjustments

Government departments 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 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 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

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. If re-appointed, 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

Up to £300 per day. Fee paid.  Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will also be covered in line with current Defra policy. Details will be provided on appointment.

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 termination 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 email: awcsecretariat@defra.gov.uk; sentiencesecretariat@defra.gov.uk public appointments team in the first instance. 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.

Contact details

For further information please email::awcsecretariat@defra.gov.uk; sentiencesecretariat@defra.gov.uk 

Committee members are usually be appointed for a term of four years, which may be renewed once (eight years in total). Members will be appointed for no more than two terms, although extensions in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments may be sought under exceptional circumstances