Role details

Independent Pension Specialist (IPS) for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board

Application deadline 13 September 2024

Summary

• Organisation: Teacher's Pension Scheme Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Education
• Skills: Business, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £400 per day
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 7pm on 13 September 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   29 July 2024

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 13 September 2024

3. Sifting date

   16 September 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   30 September 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The Public Service Pensions Act 2013 required the Secretary of State, as scheme manager of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, to establish a Pension Board. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board (TPSPB) was established in 2015 and is independently chaired. 

It is responsible for providing assurance on the effectiveness of the arrangements for administering the scheme to the Secretary of State for Education. The Department is seeking to recruit a new Independent Pension Specialist for the TPSPB as the current post-holder’s term is coming to an end.  

Total time commitment is 20-30 days per year spent preparing for, attending and supporting these meetings.  The Pension Specialist will also be expected to attend induction events and complete on line training modules to become familiar with the TPS and the requirements of the role.

The successful applicant will be a fees paid post-holder remunerated at a rate of up to £400 per day, to a maximum of £12,000 per annum.  Travel and subsistence expenses are also paid.

Role description

• To provide pension expertise to the Board in respect of administrative services and the wider pensions landscape. To provide guidance and advice facilitating the Board’s understanding of current issues and future challenges / changes.
• To provide an objective view of the standards and solutions that could be expected from service providers, taking into account and, where necessary, challenging the view of the service providers.
• To enable the Board to make informed decisions by providing relevant information on pensions including examples of practice in the wider pensions market.
• To provide guidance and advice to the Board to assist the Board in understanding risks to the scheme and mitigating against them.To attend and prepare for quarterly TPSPB and the wider role by ensuring that:  

1. all circulated papers are read in a timely manner;
2. expert advice and clarification is requested promptly; 
3. own training needs are identified and are met including attending any mandatory courses

 

• To offer support, guidance and expertise to the four sub-committees of the TPSPB by:   

1. reading all circulated sub-committee papers and providing feedback where required/requested; and
2. liaising with the chairs of the sub-committees, attending meetings where either the chair feels it would add value to the discussions, or where the Pension Specialist feels that (s)he can enhance understanding and aid discussion.

• Ensuring own understanding of roles and responsibilities.
• Actively participating in all performance management activities.
• Eliciting views from and sharing feedback with the sector on Board related matters.
• Acting in accordance with the seven principles of public life and relevant laws and regulations
• Contributing to the quarterly TPSPB meeting through a regular agenda item to update Board colleagues on key issues in the wider pension landscape in which they will have an interest.

Organisation description

The Secretary of State for Education is seeking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational individual for the role of Independent Pension Specialist for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board (TPSPB). The Board consists of a chair, five member representatives, five employer representatives and one Departmental representative.

Board composition

The Board consists of an independent chair, five member representatives, five employer representatives, an independent pension specialist and one DfE Official (Contract management) 

Person specification

Essential criteria

We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced person who is able to demonstrate the skills and experience detailed in the role and person specification. In particular, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• a high level of technical (pension specific) knowledge, particularly in relation to defined benefit schemes;
• a knowledge of public service schemes;
• knowledge of good governance practices in the public and/or private sector;
• good communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to understand and work with a diverse range of stakeholders; and the ability to analyse and challenge advice/proposals.

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)

• the candidate application form - please complete the application form attached at the bottom of this advert to provide your evidence against the criteria; when you are asked to upload your supporting statement please upload the completed form

• 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.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

John Brown - Head of Policy Projects - Departmental Official

Alan Taylor - Chair TPSPB - Member of Teachers' Pension Board

Helen Cowan - Secretariat Team Leader - Departmental Official 

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. 

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  [ADD CONTACT DETAILS]

Security clearance

The successful candidate may be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘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  TPS.PENSIONBOARDSECRETARIAT@education.gov.uk if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. 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 additional information, please contact - Helen Cowan - TPS.PENSIONBOARDSECRETARIAT@education.gov.uk

Attachments

• Application Form

• About the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board - Terms of Reference