Non Executive Directorships

NED for Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Location: Various

Date Posted: 16/10/2023

Closing Date: 24/11/2023

£600/day 30 days/annum

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is tasked with a simple but powerful mission…

“Safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.”

The Agency’s creation saw the former Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency merge with Plant Health, GM Inspectorate, the Plant Varieties and Seeds Office and then in 2018 the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate also joined APHA. This powerful join up of science with field, technical, border and trade expertise ensure the Agency is in a position to deliver the bold ambitions of the UK government and devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales.

Since then, we have carried out that mission with pride and professionalism, establishing world leading services delivered by world-class people. But the world today is very different from the one back then. We have left the EU, emerged from a global pandemic, and seen how our food security and affordability can be affected overnight by events in faraway parts of the world. This highlights that a potential threat could exist around any corner and arrive at any time and without warning. That uncertainty has reinvigorated the importance of our role in protecting the UK. It has also reinforced that our role in protecting UK animal and plant life also places us on the frontline of safeguarding human life, all the while creating the conditions for UK trade to grow and thrive.

The Agency is growing fast – our role in international trade continues to be enhanced as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Policy in this area is extremely complex and requires expert advice and understanding. We currently have just over 3000 employees spread across more than 60 sites in Great Britain. We have secured significant new investment in our main scientific campus at Weybridge in Surrey, which will equip our scientists with the facilities they need to place the UK at the forefront of global scientific endeavour in this arena. We are proud of the national and international reputation which APHA has for the quality of our science and our services to our customers.

In May 2023, the Agency launched a new strategy which sets out how we aim to shape the future of APHA. The strategy is focused around our five pillars of innovate, protect, promote, people and place. Our new strategy will not solve all our challenges, but it will give us clear ambitions and outcomes to aim for. It showcases how critical we are to UK biosecurity, food security and mitigating some of the biggest challenges we and society face. It will take working together to bring it to life and unleash our potential, so this is an exciting time to join the Agency.

Introduction from the Secretary of State

A statement from Lord Benyon, Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs

“The Animal and Plant Health Agency is a vital part of the DEFRA family. Its work keeps the country safe from disease, protects taxpayers from the burdens of dealing with outbreaks and is a vital link to ministers in policy creation and implementation. Ministers are looking for a leader for APHA who understands the challenges for the organisation now and in the years to come. We are also looking or someone who will work well with ministers on a day to day basis”.

Role description

The vacancy is for APHA’s Lead Non-Executive Director, who will Chair the APHA Steering Board. They will be well organised and have proven business experience at either Chief Executive or Managing Director level. Alongside externally recognised credentials, we are particularly interested in individuals who are able to offer skills and experience in delivery of cultural change, particularly the ability to drive innovation.

The Chair is responsible for ensuring that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control. They will make sure that the Steering Board are provided advice on strategy and the deliverability of policies and key objectives (agreed annually) achieving value for money, scrutinise performance and provide support and challenge in the delivery of APHA responsibilities and the exercise of the Chief Executives responsibilities as Accounting Officer.

The Chair will make sure that the Steering Board takes into account guidance issued by the Department (Defra) and will receive and review regular financial information concerning the management of the APHA; and provides positive assurance to the department that appropriate action has been taken when concerns are raised.

The structure of the APHA Steering Board is agreed with Defra by the Director General of Food Farming and Biosecurity and the APHA Chief Executive. The Steering Board is chaired by a Lead Non-Executive (‘the APHA Chair’) who is responsible to the sponsor minister and will report through the Chief Executive and Defra Director General as appropriate. The Board comprises of four other Non-Executive Directors, the Chief Plant Health Officer (CPHO), the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), and seven Executive Directors (Including the Chief Executive).

Responsibilities

To ensure the Steering Board operates effectively providing appropriate influence, expert advice, support and constructive challenge, bringing external experience and expertise to the Steering Board discussions in strategic and operational matters.

Chair Steering Board meetings and maintain a high level of discussion and debate, helping steer the Agency by collective working.

To ensure an annual Steering Board effectiveness review is performed with consideration of an independent input at least every two years, and that results from that review are acted upon.

Compliance with the Corporate Governance Code, Code of Conduct for Steering Board Members and rules relating to the use of public funds and conflicts of interest.

Ensure that the governance arrangements for the Agency are working in the most effective way

Contribute to the delivery of the Annual Report and Accounts and Action Plans.

To meet regularly with other Non-Executive Directors to ensure their views are understood and concerns escalated.

To lead and provide the effective engagement of all Non-Executive Directors with the work of the Steering Board.

Act as a spokesperson for the Agency when appropriate.

Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with stakeholders when required.

Work with the Chief Executive to give direction to the members of the Steering Board and to ensure meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of the Agency.

Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Establish and build a strong relationship with the Chief Executive, while ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed objectives.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Integrity, probity and high ethical standards, with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of governance and systems of control, and how to apply them appropriately.

An ability to maintain a sense of perspective and to pick out critical issues, and to question intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously and decide dispassionately.

Independence of mind and sound judgement, together with the ability to provide impartial, objective and pragmatic advice.

Sufficient strength of character to seek and obtain full and satisfactory answers within the environment of the Steering Board.

Effective communication and relationship building skills, including the ability to negotiate, influence, challenge and listen sensitively to the views of others

An ability to engender trust and confidence, and to adopt a coaching style particularly with the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and other senior managers in APHA

A commitment to the 7 principles of public life, together with the willingness and availability to devote the necessary time to understand the business dynamics and context

Desirable criteria

Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation

Successful track record of achievement through their career

An understanding of government and of public sector delivery models

Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

Apply here

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Date Posted: 03/08/2024

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