Appointment details

Independent Non-Executive Director x2 (one role to include Chair of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee)

Summary

• Organisation: Criminal Cases Review Commission
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Justice
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Change Management
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £400 per day
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 11am on 8 July 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   18 June 2025

2. Application deadline

   11am on 8 July 2025

3. Sifting date

   21 July 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   15 September 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

A fantastic, intellectually challenging and rewarding Board member role playing a vital part in the Criminal Justice System. 

We are the independent statutory body established to investigate miscarriages of justice in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice with a budget for the current year of just over £7.5M. We have referred over 870 cases to the appellate courts and receive circa 1,500 cases a year. The majority of those applications are in relation to the most serious crimes such as murder, rape, terrorism, and drugs.

 We are replacing two of our three Independent Non-Executive Board Members who are coming to the end of their term. One of these roles will also Chair our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. We are searching for two Non-Executive Directors who can complement the skills and knowledge of the other Board Members and who combine independence of mind with the ability to work as part of a team. One role will also require someone who is financially qualified with recent experience of audit committees.

The Board is responsible for determining and overseeing the overall strategic direction of the Commission.  As an Independent Non-Executive Director, you have corporate responsibility to ensure high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times. You will provide external perspective and challenge to the Commission’s work, strengthen governance by supporting the Chair in securing good governance and supporting the Chief Executive in the effective and efficient management and leadership of the Commission and its staff. 

You will have an exceptional track record of success on boards in the public, private or voluntary sectors.  This, coupled with an understanding of the economic and political environment in which the Commission operates, will enable you make a positive contribution to the future success of this important organisation.

The CCRC is currently a 'remote first’ organisation, with an office located in central Birmingham. The post holder will be able to work from home, and there will be occasional meetings in the Birmingham office.

Much of their work is carried out electronically via Microsoft O365 and Teams so it is essential that the successful candidate is enthusiastic about using IT.

Person specification

Essential criteria

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience of working at Board level with Audit Committees (as a member or an attendee) in either the justice sector, or a large delivery organisation in the private or public sector. The successful candidate must have a proven track record of enabling change and managing risk in a customer facing business and a sound knowledge and experience of good governance at senior levels and/or an understanding of working with government along with undisputed personal integrity. 

​The postholder will be a robust and resilient strategic thinker, able to innovate and promote alternative ways of thinking, achieving change and continuous improvement in the delivery of services.

You will be able to demonstrate authority, commitment and consistency whilst acting as an effective team member, motivating and empowering others and inspiring trust and confidence.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the

following:

• Broad business management experience, including experience of the oversight of risk, in a major delivery organisation in the private, public or third sector;​
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders including the ability to respond to and reconcile the differing needs of those stakeholders;​
• Exceptional communication skills, high level of personal impact and the ability to effectively chair meetings and to provide leadership, constructive and independent challenge and support to the Board;​
• Independence of judgement, the capacity to bring a fresh, external view to decision-making, and an outstanding track record of board level career achievement;​
• Ability to understand and deal with issues of a high-profile sensitive casework-based organisation and to analyse complex information, reach practical decisions and to think strategically;​
• Demonstrable commitment to and an understanding of diversity and equality.​

​

In addition, we are looking for: ​

• One candidate to possess experience at Board level within a public sector organisation; ​
• INED only: Programme management experience, or similar, of transformational change / innovation; ​
• ARAC Chair only: Demonstrable experience of the oversight of finance and audit in a major delivery organisation including holding a recognised CCAB qualification.​

Desirable criteria

While knowledge of the justice sector would be beneficial, it is not essential; commercial acumen and insight are equally valuable.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Interested candidates can apply via the CCRC website: Independent Non-Executive Director x2

Alternatively, candidates can send their application directly to the CCRC’s Human Resources team via HR@ccrc.gov.uk

Candidates will need to provide the following documents as part of their application:

·       A CV (maximum of 2 sides)

·       A Personal Statement (maximum of 2 sides)

·       Supporting Document – includes conflicts of interest, public appointments information, referee details, and political activity declaration

• Diversity Monitoring form

Please quote the reference number CCRCINED25 on all 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. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

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

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Dame Vera Baird

CCRC Interim Chair

Andrew Humphrey

Interim Head of Public Bodies Centre of Expertise

Paul Smith

MoJ Chair of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

Jacqui Francis

Independent Panel Member

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

This appointment is open to British or Commonwealth citizens, British Dependent Territories citizens, British Nationals (Overseas) citizens, British protected persons, citizens of the Republic of Ireland, European Economic Area (EEA) nationals or to those of other member states, and to certain non-EEA family members. Applicants must have rights of residence in the UK.

If you need further advice, please contact HR@ccrc.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 the post will be a non-pensionable fee of £400 per day.

Reasonable travel expenses and subsistence will be re-imbursed in accordance with CCRC policies.

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

If you have a complaint about any aspect of the way your application has been handled, we would like to hear from you. In the first instance please write to or e-mail the Public Appointments Team at the e-mail address given below quoting the appropriate reference number.

Maggie Garrett, Ministry of Justice, Head of the Public Appointments Team, ALB Centre of Expertise, Ministry of Justice:  

OR

Alexandra Morton, Ministry of Justice, Head of the Public Appointments Team, ALB Centre of Expertise, Ministry of Justice:  

PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk

Complaints must be received by the Public Appointments Team within 12 calendar months of the issue or the closure of the recruitment competition, whichever is the later.

We will acknowledge your complaint within two working days of receipt and reply within 20 working days of receipt. We will tell you if we cannot meet this deadline for any reason and provide an expected reply date.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Public Appointments - Privacy Notice

Contact details

The successful candidate’s appointment will be subject to clearance of the below security checks:

• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) - includes confirmation of identity and right to work in the UK, plus a standard criminal record check
• Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

BPSS checks can take up to five weeks to process following completion of forms. Upon completion of the BPSS check, the CTC will take place and can take up to seven weeks to process following completion of the online form.

For further information, please contact the MoJ Public Appointments Team at PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk.