Non-Executive Directors (NED) Members of the Animal Health & Welfare Board for England x 2

Non-Executive Directors on the AHWBE will:

• Provide strategic direction and advice from the AHWBE to Defra Ministers on the health & welfare of kept animals (including companion and aquatic animals).

• Provide support to the Chair and other Non-Executive Board members and ensure Defra priorities are properly understood by industry stakeholders.

• Assist and provide constructive challenge to Defra officials in the development of animal health & welfare policy.

• Be able to take a strategic view in their decision-making, whilst acting with impartiality in providing evidence-based advice and guidance.

• Support the development and ongoing delivery of the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway by working closely with policy and delivery officials.

• Champion the potential for co-design in developing existing and new policy and communication e.g. through specific task and finish groups.

• Have strong existing industry networks and to be able to expand these as needed.

• Maintain and build links with industry, sector council groups and Defra Policy Teams.

• Extensive working knowledge of animal health and welfare in the farming industry and/or companion animal sector, ideally of more than five years.

•  Ability to maintain a positive attitude and pro-active contribution to discussions and ongoing work to ensure the Board provides Defra with collectively agreed, soundly based, actionable advice in a timely manner.

• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and pro-active contribution to discussions and ongoing work to ensure the Board provides Defra with collectively agreed, soundly based, actionable advice in a timely manner.

• Ability to lead specific work areas within the Board work plan

• Ability to understand and value a different perspective and to build productive working relationships both within the Board, Defra and external experts and representatives.

•  Ability to examine issues in an impartial way and to be able to work collaboratively on a wide range of animal health & welfare related issues, drawing on, but not limited to their expertise.

•  Ability and willingness to work flexibly with Defra Policy Officials and where necessary Defra Ministers.

• Appreciation of the impact of animals on the environment.

• Experience of working with others to build consensus on policy preferably in relation to farming and companion animal sectors.

• Specific knowledge and experience of the sheep and/or intensive pig and poultry industry.