Appointment details

Chair of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB)

Summary

• Organisation: Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration
• Sponsor department: Department of Health and Social Care
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Health and Social Care
• Skills: Business, Communication, Human Resources
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 15 meeting(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £550 per day
• Length of term: Ministers will determine the length of the appointment, which will be up to 3 years.
• Application deadline: Midday on 11 December 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   20 November 2024

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 11 December 2024

3. Sifting date

   31 January 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   28 February 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

The DDRB performs a vital role in ensuring that doctors and dentists pay is set fairly and independently and the DDRB must maintain the confidence of its various stakeholders that this is the case. The chair must be able to lead the review body in assessing the evidence of the Government, organisations representing the NHS, and organisations representing doctors and dentists, in line with the DDRB’s recently revised terms of reference, in order to make annual independent recommendations to the governments on the remuneration of doctors and dentists employed in the NHS. Specifically:

• use your own experience, expertise, and judgement to promote effective understanding, analysis and challenge of evidence from stakeholders, wider sources and amongst members of the DDRB.

• understand the importance of different components of remuneration packages including pension arrangements.

• monitor developments in the NHS and bring insights on the issues facing the NHS and NHS doctors and dentists to Review Body discussions.

• ensure the Review Body operates in accordance with the DDRB terms of reference and assesses all the data and evidence available.

• work collaboratively and constructively with members and secretariat, lead the Review Body to agree its overall approach and key recommendations, and shape the final DDRB report.

• effectively represent the DDRB in meetings with stakeholders and on visits to Trusts and Health Boards.

• effectively review the performance of Review Body members and contribute to the recruitment of new members.

For information and to also apply for the NHSPRB Chair (VAC-8439), please visit: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8439.

Organisation description

The Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) advises on annual pay uplifts for doctors and dentists working or taking any part in the NHS.

The DDRB provides the Government with an objective and independent recommendation on pay based on evidence from a number of stakeholders, including trade unions and NHS system partners. It is therefore essential that its membership is cohesive and constituted with a balance of experience and fresh perspectives.  

The DDRB is independent and is responsible for: 

• providing advice to ministers in the governments of the UK on the remuneration of doctors and dentists employed by, or providing services to, the NHS (or HSC in Northern Ireland)

• conducting research on pay and related matters 

• visiting trusts and health units to meet staff and managers to gather information and views on pay and related issues 

The Review Body may also be asked to consider other specific issues. 

The Review Body is also required to take careful account of the economic and other evidence submitted by the UK Governments, Trade Unions, representatives of NHS employers and others. 

The Review Body should take account of the legal obligations on the NHS, including anti-discrimination legislation regarding age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and belief and disability. 

The Review Body recommendations and reports are submitted to: 

• the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health

• the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in Scotland

• the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services in the National Assembly for Wales

• the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety of the Northern Ireland Executive

The Terms of Reference are available online and members are expected to abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles).

DDRB Code of practice Code of conduct for board members of public bodies - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Board composition

Board meetings are usually held virtually and at: 

Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration

10 Victoria Street

1st Floor

London

SW1H 0NB

Meetings are scheduled for every Monday throughout the pay round, usually running from September to April/May, though this can change.

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

To be considered for the Chair role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills, and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment:

• be able to effectively chair a significant pay review body, demonstrated by a strong track record of achievement in relevant senior leadership roles with strategic decision-making responsibility.

• have an understanding of the role of pay and reward in motivation, recruitment, and retention amongst a professional workforce.

• be able to analyse and critically evaluate complex information, including data and evidence from a range of sources, and exercise sound independent judgement to reach fair, evidence-based conclusions.

• be an excellent communicator, able to consider and balance a range of perspectives, including those of trade unions, government, and patients; build consensus within the Review Body, and retain the independence of the Body and its recommendations.

Application and selection process

How to apply

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: Publicappointments - 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 Karen Dinsdale on karen.dinsdale@dhsc.gov.uk or 0113 2545414. 

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. As part of the assessment process for this role, the Department has agreed to consult a representative of the BMA for their views on the list of candidates. Those views will be shared with the AAP to inform their role in shortlisting. In the same way as for Panel members, the BMA representative will be bound by confidentiality and required not to share information about someone’s candidacy with any other person.

4. 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.

5. As part of the assessment process for this role, the Department has agreed to consult a representative of the BMA for their views on the list of candidates. Those views will be shared with the AAP to inform their role in shortlisting. In the same way as for Panel members, the BMA representative will be bound by confidentiality and required not to share information about someone’s candidacy with any other person.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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. For the DDRB Chair role, Ministers will make a recommendation to the Prime Minister, who will then make the final decision on appointment.

9. Ministers / the Prime Minister 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.

10. 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.

11. In some circumstances, Ministers / the Prime Minister may choose not to appoint any candidate and re-run the competition.

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 be chaired by Gavin Larner, DHSC Director for NHS Workforce; and also include a representative of the Pay Review Body Secretariat and 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 Karen.Dinsdale@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.

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 Permjeet Butler on the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at permjeet.butler@dhsc.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.

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

Contact details

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

Name: Jack Browne, Senior Policy Manager NHS Pay and Industrial Relations Team, DHSC

Tel:  020 79721142

Email: jack.browne@dhsc.gov.uk

Attachments

• DDRB Chair Candidate information pack