Non Executive Directorships

Non-Executive Board Members x5, Departmental Board, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Location: London

Date Posted: 06/10/2023

Closing Date: 06/11/2023

£15000 to £20000 per annum – 15 days/year

About the role

Introduction from the Secretary of State

From day one as DSIT’s Secretary of State, I have sought to place the best and brightest minds from the worlds of science and technology at the heart of our department’s decision-making. Our non-executive directors are key to this effort.

Their insights and guidance are instrumental in helping us drive economic growth, create the high-skilled, high-paid jobs of the future, and pursue bold discoveries that improve people’s everyday lives. Past non-executive directors have come from all walks of life, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. They have been the pioneers of our country’s most daring space missions. Board members of our most innovative businesses. Scientists from our most prestigious universities.

With their help, we have started to embed DSIT into the public’s consciousness as an inspiring, forward-looking department, squarely focused on delivery. Their views have informed our plans for wireless, AI, semiconductor and quantum technologies, for example. And they have overseen our investment of hundreds of millions of pounds in R&D, in innovation accelerators and in our life sciences.

I want us to build on this momentum so that we can secure the UK’s position as a science and tech superpower by 2030. The next cohort of non-executive directors will help us turn that vision into a reality. They will help us make sure our department is fully geared up for success – with the right people, in the right places, with the right tools to spur growth and innovation. There are so many opportunities for our non-executives to contribute to the mission in our department, whether that is:

· rolling out gigabit capable broadband and 5g networks to the most rural parts of the country

· supporting our world-leading researchers to find breakthroughs in modern medicine, like BioNTech’s life-saving mRNA vaccine for cancer patients

· harnessing hydrogen, solar, and wind power to help us gain energy independence and slash winter fuel bills

· boosting our advanced manufacturing bases in places like Glasgow, Manchester and the West Midlands, creating the jobs of tomorrow across a whole host of different industries – from space and satellites to science and shipbuilding.

In all of this work, I want us to work hand-in-hand with our non-executive directors to make DSIT the most innovative department in government – to be as bold and as daring in its ambition as the sectors it champions.

On behalf of all of us at DSIT, I would like to thank you for your interest in being part of this journey. I hope you will join us in our mission to realise the brightest of futures for science, innovation, and technology in the UK.

The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Role description

The role of the board

The board is a decision-making board responsible for the collective strategic and operational leadership of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The board provides advice and challenge to the department on its performance and delivery of its priorities and brings together ministers, officials and non-executive directors as independent experts.

Remit

The board give assurance that the department and the public bodies which it sponsors operate in a way that is strategic and results focused and offers scrutiny on the department’s commercial decision-making. The board makes sure that the department has the capabilities and talented people it needs to deliver its priorities and offers scrutiny on the department’s commercial decision-making.

In practice, the board delegates day-to-day oversight of these matters to the executive committee and other departmental sub-committees.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website

Person specification

Essential criteria

Your application should demonstrate, with examples the following essential requirements:

· proven leadership in large and complex organisations in the private, public or voluntary sectors [Lead Criteria]

· experience of risk, performance and financial management with strong analytical skills with the ability to identify key issues/implications

· ability to build and maintain successful relationships as well as provide challenge and inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders

· an understanding of the key challenges faced by the public sector and the ability to bring their experience to bear on these challenges

· genuine interest in contributing to the effective running of the department and the public bodies which it sponsors.

If there is a significant volume of applications, we will sift on the leading criteria as indicated above.

Desirable criteria

· Big picture thinker – able to understand DSIT’s role in the economy.

· Governance knowledge – sound judgement and knowledge of processes and required outcomes.

· Independent mindset – confident and capable of asking questions for clarity.

· Ambassador potential – positively represent the ideals and ambitions of the DSIT.

· Energy and commitment – enthusiastic and willing to work effectively with SoS and board towards common goals.

For the ARAC Chair role, there are two further desirable criteria:

– Experience as a chair or member of an audit, risk and assurance committee in the public or private sector;

– Qualified accountant or member of another professional body.

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