Non Executive Directorships

Lay Member Committee for Standards, House of Commons

Location: London

Date Posted: 12/02/2021

Closing Date: 05/03/2021

£600/day 4-6 days a month

Vacancy Description

Lay Member, Committee on Standards London Time commitment three to four days per month Fixed Term up to Six Years Remuneration: £600 per day

The UK Parliament was the first in the world to introduce independent scrutiny of MPs with the establishment of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards role and the appointment of lay members to the House of Commons Committee on Standards. Selected via open and fair competition, lay members have become an integral part of the Committee, bringing breadth of experience and external perspectives. They play a full role in the Committee’s work, equal in numbers to the MPs on the Committee and with full voting rights, involved in both disciplinary cases and inquiries related to broader standards matters.

The House of Commons is seeking to appoint a talented individual whose skills, perspectives and experience will enrich the Committee and its decision-making.

Lay members should bring experience of contributing to decision-making on sensitive matters where there were strong and contested views; and of working with colleagues to come to an agreed approach. Alongside this, proven ability to consider and review large volumes of information to reach sound, evidence-based judgments which take account of codes of conduct, rules, or organisational context will be vital. Experience of working strategically with or within complex environments to develop and improve systems and processes is also essential, as are a general understanding of Parliament’s role in a representative democracy, and the role of MPs. Other required qualities, including personal ones, are set out in the information pack available to candidates.

Some track record of contributing to a regulatory or disciplinary environment may prove helpful to a candidate but is not essential.

Lay members must be, and be seen to be, politically neutral. They must demonstrate complete impartiality during their time on the Committee and should not during their term of office undertake any party-political activity or belong or donate to a political party. Please note that individuals are ineligible for this role if they are current or former MPs or Peers or if they have been involved in party political activity or have been a member of or donated to a political party during the 12 months before their application was submitted.

If you are interested in learning more then please go to www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe71189 or contact laymemberhoc@gatenbysanderson.com. Further detail regarding registration of interests and eligibility are contained in the candidate pack.

The closing date is 12 noon, Friday 5 March 2021

Please Note: These appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity, in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable, or political interest which might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important, therefore, that you consider your circumstances when applying for this appointment and identify any potential conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived.

There is a requirement to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest you may have in being appointed in a separate form. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be fully explored by the Panel at interview stage.

A key stage of the recruitment process is that the successful candidate’s appointment will be debated in the House of Commons, a public event where their CV may be discussed. Candidates should be aware of this.

Person Specification

The lay members will come from a range of backgrounds and areas of the United Kingdom. All candidates will be required to demonstrate in their written applications and at interview how their life experience has equipped them to meet the requirements of the role. The criteria that will be used to assess whether candidates have the required knowledge, experience, skills and qualities are set out below. Please ensure you provide evidence, metrics where relevant, and examples (as far as you are able) in response to these when writing your application. Should you be longlisted, these areas will be assessed in more depth at interview.

Experience of contributing to decision-making on sensitive matters where there were strong and contested views;
Experience of putting forward an independent opinion in a diverse group and working to come to an agreed approach;
Proven ability to consider and review large amounts of information to come to sound evidence-based judgments which take account of codes of conduct, rules or organisational context;
Experience of working strategically with or within complex organisations or complex situations, to develop and improve systems and processes and to challenge where necessary; and
A general understanding of Parliament’s role in a representative democracy and the role of Members of Parliament in particular.
Absolute integrity
The communication skills to get your view across in meetings or in writing
Confidence and strength of character to manage situations both assertively and sensitively
Respect for the sensitivity and confidential nature of some of the evidence and knowledge that will arise during the course of the work
The ability to forge relationships of trust while retaining independence of thought
Political neutrality (with no party political activity [as defined under ‘Eligibility’ below] or membership of a political party during the 12 months before their application was submitted)
The resilience required to work in an environment of close parliamentary, media and public scrutiny.
Proven commitment to diversity and inclusivity

How to Apply

Apply here

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Other Positions Available:

House of Commons External Commissioner

Location: London

Date Posted: 22/02/2021

Closing Date: 07/03/2021