Non Executive Directorships

£350 per day (£175 per half-day)

Vacancy Description

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is an independent and impartial advisory non-departmental public body. It is responsible for conducting reviews of the parliamentary constituency boundaries in England and making recommendations for changes to those boundaries.

The BCE is seeking outstanding candidates to appoint as Assistant Commissioners to support the current review. Successful candidates will be expected to assist the BCE in the analysis of consultation responses, and the development of appropriate subsequent recommendations to the Commission for revised boundary proposals. Some Assistant Commissioners will be expected to chair regional public hearings around the country.

Applicants must therefore be able to demonstrate evidence of strong communication skills (oral and written), analytical skills, teamwork and personal effectiveness. Previous experience of deploying these skills within a public and/or statutory context would be particularly desirable.

These are challenging vacancies, but for the right individuals offer a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the current review of the parliamentary constituencies in England.

Person Specification

Skills/experience required

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven knowledge, skills and experience of each of the selection criteria detailed.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Integrity and independence of mind;
• Ability to work accurately at speed and under pressure, quickly absorbing detail, and analysing large quantities of information objectively;
• Ability to produce clear and succinct evidence-based recommendations, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to work well as part of a team with the BCE’s Secretariat and one other Assistant Commissioner;
• Ability to work flexibly as required;
• Ability to explain procedures, to inspire respect and confidence, and to maintain authority when challenged, particularly in a public hearing context;
• Ability to treat everyone with respect and sensitivity whatever their background and to demonstrate patience, courtesy and tact when dealing with the general public.

 Desirable though not essential

Experience of working with spatial or geographic data and/or in the constitutional field.

Additional Information

Assistant Commissioners (ACs) are appointed to assist the Commission in conducting the review of parliamentary boundaries.

Two Assistant Commissioners are expected to be appointed for each of the nine regions in England, one of whom in each region will be designated as the ‘lead Assistant Commissioner’ for that region. Please state in your application form: a) if you have a preference of which region(s) you would like to work on; and b) whether or not you wish to be considered for the ‘lead’ role in a region.

As an Assistant Commissioner you may be asked to:

• attend (and, if designated a ‘lead’ Assistant Commissioner, chair) one or more public hearings in a region of England to which you are assigned;
• assist with the Secretariat’s analysis of all representations relating to that region following the initial and secondary consultation periods; and
• contribute to the production of a written paper from the Secretariat to the Boundary Commissioners recommending any revisions to the proposals for that region;
• Be assigned to a second region in exceptional circumstances.

Lead Assistant Commissioners will be expected to chair all the public hearings in their region. Assistant Commissioners will also be expected to attend and contribute to the presentation of the paper to the Boundary Commissioners with recommendations for the region, working with the Secretariat.

The Boundary Commission for England may also ask any Assistant Commissioner to assist it in the discharge of such other of its statutory duties as it sees fit.

Public hearings will be held during the secondary consultation period on the Commission’s proposals, scheduled to likely take place between early and late spring 2022.

How to Apply

Firstly, please read the candidate information pack to find out more about the Commission, the role, and the application process.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities the Commission is seeking, please complete and submit the following documents to boundarycommission.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk  by no later than 23.55pm on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

An application form with following:

1. A CV – setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements as well as your education and professional qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification;
3. A Candidate Supporting Information form. All data will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you have any questions about the vacancies please contact Wotey Tannoh at: acappointments@boundarycommissionengland.gov.uk