Appointment details

Certification Officer

Summary

• Organisation: Certification Officer
• Sponsor department: Department for Business and Trade
• Location: London
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Business, Commercial, Legal, Regulation, Casework and Complaints Handling
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 5 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £125,000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 5pm on 18 June 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   21 May 2025

2. Application deadline

   5pm on 18 June 2025

3. Sifting date

   27 June 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   11 July 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Candidates,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Certification Officer.

The Certification Officer has been the regulator of trade unions and employers' associations since 1975. It not only carries out regulatory functions, but has administrative, supervisory, and significant quasi-judicial functions. With the passage of the Employment Rights Bill returning the role of the Certification Officer to their traditional remit, this is a pivotal time to take on this leadership role.

The Certification Officer is an independent statutory officeholder responsible for, among other things, maintaining the official lists of trade unions and employer’s associations, certifying the independence of trade unions, and seeing that trade unions and employer’s associations keep proper accounting records thereby maintaining public confidence in their governance and financial transparency. This role is vital in upholding fair, transparent, and well-regulated industrial relations in the UK.

This position will require strong leadership, sound judgement, and a commitment to maintaining impartiality in complex and often sensitive matters, making it both a challenging and highly fulfilling role for the right candidate.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-profile, independent regulatory role, with a meaningful impact on trade union and employer governance in the UK.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups.

Justin Madders MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets), Department for Business and Trade

Appointment description

The Certification Officer (CO) is an independent statutory officeholder responsible for regulating trade unions and employers’ associations in accordance with relevant legislation. This is a crucial role in ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and maintaining public confidence in the governance and financial transparency of these organisations. The CO is free from Ministerial direction and operates independently to ensure trade union and employer associations compliance with certain rules and legal requirements.

This role involves overseeing compliance, determining decisions on complaints, initiating investigations into financial matters, and certifying the independence of trade unions. It requires strong analytical and decision-making skills, along with the ability to maintain impartiality while dealing with complex and often sensitive issues.

The CO is supported by a small office of staff employed by the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas). 

This is a challenging yet rewarding role that requires a high degree of independence, fairness, and attention to detail. If you have the expertise and experience required to ensure compliance and fairness in the trade union governance, we encourage you to apply. 

Organisation description

The Certification Officer (CO) and their team ensure that trade unions and employers’ associations carry out their statutory duties. The CO is an independent officer, appointed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The CO is funded largely by trade unions and employers' associations through the collection of a levy each year.

Reverting to the traditional aspect of the CO role means operating in line with the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Bill, including the removal of additional investigatory powers, the powers to impose financial penalties and levy requirements that were established under the Trade Union Act 2016. The CO will return to its previous remit.

The functions of the Certification Officer are contained in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended). These functions include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining a list of trade unions and employers' association.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and keeping annual returns from trade unions and other employers' associations available for public inspection.
• Determining complaints concerning trade union elections, and other ballots, and breaches of trade union rules.
• Ensuring observance of statutory requirements governing mergers between trade unions and between employers’ associations.
• Certifying the independence of trade unions.
• Overseeing the political funds and the finances of trade unions and employers associations.

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

1. Strong knowledge and understanding of employment law, trade union regulations, good workplace practice, and governance frameworks.

2. Ability to operate at senior leadership level and provide strategic thinking in an organisational context.

3. Experience in regulatory, adjudication, tribunal, or oversight roles.

4. Ability to lead and manage disputes in a manner that maintains public confidence in the impartiality and independence required of the Certification Officer.

5. Excellent communications and stakeholder engagement skills, both verbal and written.

6. Ability to analyse and evaluate complex information to deliver fair, balanced and proportionate judgments based on evidence and reasoned argument and present them clearly and accurately.

7. Demonstrated financial management skills, including budgeting and resource allocation in the context of the broader strategic objectives.  

Desirable criteria

1. Legal qualifications in employment, administrative, or regulatory legislation.

2. Understanding of legal processes and knowledge of formal or informal hearings in legal or workplace settings.

3. Experience of working at senior level in a public body (including universities), a trade union, a private sector organisation, the legal profession, or the Civil Service.

4. Experience of working with trade union officers and members.

5. Understanding of financial management and governance of trade unions and employers’ associations.

6. Knowledge of public sector governance, policy-making processes and decision-making frameworks, particularly in the context of employment law, trade unions, and certification processes. 

7. Familiarity with public accountability mechanisms, dispute resolution protocols, and the application of legal standards and regulations specific to the Certification Officer's responsibilities.

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) 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.
• A Supporting Statement (no longer than two pages) setting out how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role. Please note that the Supporting Statement is an important part of your application and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.
• 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. 

Application guidance 

Please ensure your CV includes: 

• Your full name, title, contact number and your personal email address. 
• Maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial black font, setting out your career history in chronological order, and including the dates you occupied these roles. 
• Does not include any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data. 

Guidance on Supporting Statement Format: 

• The Supporting Statement is your opportunity to demonstrate to the Advisory Assessment Panel how you can demonstrate the skills and experience outlined. 
• Please provide a subheading and separate paragraphs in relation to how you meet each criterion. 
• Write all acronyms in full when first used. 
• Ensure your full name and the title of the post are clearly noted at the top of your Supporting Statement. 
• The maximum page limit for your Supporting Statement is two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial font black. 
• Does not include any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data. 

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all the elements listed above, and arrive before the published application deadline.

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 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 the applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria and, 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 (via 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 an appointment decision.
6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.
7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.
8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Panel Chair: Rebecca Bradfield, Director, Employment Rights DBT

Remaining panel members to be confirmed. 

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by Ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with Ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to Ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the Minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards.

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986).
• you 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 DBT Appointments Team

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 to be 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, such as 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.
• any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported. 

These 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.

£125,000 (FTE) per annum (including pension benefits) for 5 days per week. Both remuneration and expenses are taxable.

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

The salary is pensionable, which is consistent with standard arrangements for public appointments at this level. The Certification Officer is included in the Schedule 1of the Superannuation Act 1972. Comparable provisions exist for similar roles in other oversight bodies- for example, Pensions Ombudsman, Immigration Services Commissioner, Small Business Commissioner.

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  DBT Public Appointments Team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application to the dbtappointment@businessandtrade.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 Department for Business and Trade's privacy notice can be found on gov.uk. 

Contact details

If you have any questions about the role, please contact the Mel Hill in the DBT Appointments Team at dbtappointments@businessandtrade.gov.uk