Appointment details

Home Office Lead Non-Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Home Office Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: Home Office
• Location: London
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Change Management, Legal, Judicial, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £20,000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 11pm on 1 April 2026

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   13 March 2026

2. Application deadline

   11pm on 1 April 2026

3. Sifting date

   30 April 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   5 May 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

For more information on the Home Office and its activities, please refer to the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office and: Home Office annual report and accounts: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK

Introduction 

The Home Office is a Great Department of State, responsible for some of the most important public services and at the forefront of the government’s priorities: border security, public safety and national security. With over 50,000 people working on a wide range of operational, policy, and major programme delivery challenges, there has never been a more important time to join the team.

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) play a vital role in the operational and strategic leadership of the Department. They are responsible for providing independent advice, support and challenge to the Executive Team to help shape the Department’s work for Ministers, particularly in terms of delivery. 

The Home Office is seeking a high calibre Lead Non-Executive Director (NED) with substantial experience of leading complex, delivery focused organisations, to support the Home Secretary in the realisation of her ambitious agenda. The Lead Non-Executive Director directs a team of three to four other Non-Executive Directors fostering cohesive strategic leadership and objective challenge on strategy and policy priorities, major corporate issues and risks.

Appointment description

Title: Lead Non-Executive Director  

Reports to: Home Secretary 

Duration:        Three-year appointment and may be extended for up to a further three-years by mutual agreement.

Remuneration:       £20,000 per annum, for a time commitment of approximately 2 to 3 days per month.

Purpose:

The Lead Non-Executive Director provides a key role in diversifying and strengthening the strategic and operational leadership of the Home Office. The incumbent complements the skills and experience of Government Ministers and officials by bringing constructive challenge and advice to the Department’s work through a fresh, independent, and external perspective. 

Key responsibilities

The Lead Non-Executive Director will:

•    Support the Secretary of State in her role as chair of the Home Office Departmental Board, enabling the Board to provide advice, support, and challenge on Departmental delivery and strategy. Constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy and business planning, including the setting and development of key objectives and targets.

•    Work with the Permanent Secretaries and their Executive Team to scrutinise the performance of the organisation in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and monitor the reporting of performance, including financial targets.

• Support the delivery of a portfolio of departmental priorities by providing independent scrutiny, support and assurance.

• Attend approximately four Departmental Board meetings per year, and contribute effectively to its subcommittees, as required.

• Lead the Department’s team of Non-Executive directors, ensuring that they can fulfil their role effectively.

• Connect the Board to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives, opinions and expertise which will assist in furthering the business of the department. 

• Lead on tasks, as requested by the Secretary of State, related to the management of the Board (including Board Effectiveness evaluations).

• Work with the Government Lead Non-Executive Director, Baroness Casey, to learn from the experiences of other government departments, and other comparable organisations, and to feed back the views of the Prime Minister.

• Follow the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Leadership: Significant Board-level senior leadership experience in large and complex organisations, with the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward organisational priorities and performance with a specific focus on delivery across digital, data technology, automation, efficiency and operational delivery, commercial effectiveness and delivering large-scale transformation programmes.

• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the organisation and the context within which it operates. 

• Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant policy issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors.

• Relationship building, ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders. 

• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.

• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives. 

• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate. 

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of how government works, including the role of Departmental Boards, and of the role of NEDs in relation to those of executives and Ministers. 

• Previous Non-Executive Director experience on a public or private sector Board. 

Due diligence: Please note that as part of the recruitment process, due diligence, including social media checks will be undertaken on the appointable candidates.

Application and selection process

About this appointment

Some public appointments are made by the Prime Minister, or the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Others are made by Secretaries of State or other ministers and are of interest to the Prime Minister.

Public appointments made by or of interest to the Prime Minister

How to apply

Please submit the following two documents, clearly labelled. In order to apply, you will need to click on one of the links below, depending on if you have already set up an account on the Cabinet Office Public Appointment website. 

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/create-account

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/auth/sign-in

1. A concise CV (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.  

2. A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the experience, qualities and skill areas identified in the person specification. 

Please submit your application documents as two separate attachments and note that short-listed candidates will also be required to complete and return a separate form in relation to referees and nationality information. 

Please note the following: 

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date. 

• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided. Please refer to the advert and checklist to ensure you have provided the necessary documentation. 

• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt. 

• Feedback will only be given to unsuccessful candidates following interview. 

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.

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.

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)

The Panel will be chaired by the Home Office Acting Permanent Secretary and consist of Baroness Casey (Government Lead Non-Executive Director) and Dr Paul Martin CBE as the Senior 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

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 candidates will be required to have or to obtain security clearance to Security Check (SC) level. Pre-appointment checks will also be undertaken on immigration and criminal convictions. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checksFurther 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.

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

• The Lead NED will receive £20,000 per annum, based on a minimum expected time commitment of two - three days per month attendance. 

• The Home Secretary expects the Lead Non-Executive Director to play a central role in supporting and assuring the delivery of her priorities and will want to understand more about the time commitment you can make to help realise the Government’s ambitious manifesto.

• The remuneration is taxable through the Home Office payroll, but the appointment is not pensionable.

• NEDs can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on Home Office business at rates set by the Home office.

• Applicants should note that the successful candidate cannot be remunerated for this role if they are being paid for an existing full-time role from the public purse.

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.

If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk. We will reply to your complaint within 20 days. 

Data protection

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

Attachments

• Candidate Pack

• Home Office Privacy Notice

Contact details

If you have any queries about this role or the recruitment process, please contact the Home Office Board Secretariat team: Hannah.Sassa@homeoffice.co.uk 

If you have any queries about the recruitment process for this role, please contact the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk 

If helpful to you, there is guidance available on writing a supporting statement on the public appointment webpages here.