Non Executive Directorships

Vacancy Description

About the Social Security Advisory Committee

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory body, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is the UK Government’s advisory body on social security matters. In addition to providing advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, it performs mandatory scrutiny of most secondary legislation laid before Parliament that underpin the welfare system. Thus, much of the Department’s policy and service delivery activity, including the welfare reform agenda, comes before the Committee.

In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee’s general advisory functions are deployed to:

•inform the Committee’s work, improving members’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent     advice to Ministers;

•add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders;

•stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.

The committee responds to the Department’s public consultation exercises where appropriate, and Ministers may also seek views on specific issues. The Committee may also select issues itself which it wishes to research and report upon. The Chair and Committee members meet regularly with Ministers and senior officials to discuss topical issues and also meet front-line staff and customers in the course of their visits to operational sites.

The Committee is independent of Government, the Department and sectional interests. It has a strong track record in offering informed, expert advice. Members come from a variety of backgrounds, but collectively they have a considerable depth of knowledge and expertise in social security policy, law and the wider social policy agenda.

Further information about the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/social-security-advisory-committee

The Role of a Committee Member

Members are expected to:

•Maintain and continuously develop an understanding of complex social security and welfare reform issues, taking into account Government policies, the financing of the welfare system and the broader economic social context;

•Fully prepare for all meetings by reading papers in advance and carrying out any other necessary preparatory work;

•Attend Committee meetings and make an effective personal contribution;

•Work constructively and collaboratively with the Chair and members of the Committee on all aspects of the Committee’s work; including its independent work programme and broader activities;

•Represent the Committee at external events on occasion.

Meetings

SSAC meets ten times every year at Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA. Members also have an opportunity to visit other locations, for example visits to operational sites.

Currently, to meet Covid-19 social distancing guidance, the Committee is meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

There are two posts available.

Candidates should demonstrate the following skills and experience regardless of the post they are applying for:

•knowledge, understanding and experience of working with governments and political stakeholders;

•understanding of the political and financial context in which the social security system operates and of the Committee’s role in advising Government;

•understanding of the impact of social security regulations and implementation on a diverse range of different groups of claimants, especially those who may face particular disadvantage;

•the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and to operate constructively and collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues;

?an ability to understand and analyse the details of complex proposals and evaluate and advise objectively on  the basis of that analysis;

•the ability to deal appropriately with confidential material shared with the Committee, and manage potential conflicts of interest (or perceived conflicts of interest) in a responsible manner.

•Additionally, candidates must demonstrate one or more of the following areas of experience:

?POST 1: Representative of workers: a good understanding of the impact of the benefit system on workers – including low paid workers, those with different forms of contract, the self-employed and those in fluctuating work. Candidates to demonstrate that they would be able to represent – with authority – a wide range of these perspectives, for example by having a network already in place or the ability to develop and maintain a credible and effective network.

•POST 2: Detailed knowledge of social security and tax credit laws, including the connections and interactions between them: primary legislation, regulations and implications for implementation.

If you have experience relating to both of the above posts, that should be clearly evidenced in your application.

How to Apply

In order for us to progress your application please submit the following completed documentation:

1. A CV (maximum 2-3 pages) with your education and professional qualifications and full employment history.

2. An accompanying Supporting Letter (maximum 2 pages) – this is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria set out on page 6/7. You should aim to provide specific examples that demonstrate how your knowledge and experience matches each of the criteria, and which describe what your role was in achieving a specific result. Please ensure your full name, the post for which you are applying and the corresponding reference number for the post are clearly noted at the top of your letter.

Please ensure your full name and the post for which you are applying is clearly stated at the top of your CV and Supporting Letter.

3. Personal Information Form Most of the information requested is not seen by the panel assessing your application (though the panel will consider any declaration of interests).

4. Diversity Monitoring Form. Collecting and analysing candidate data will help us improve our diversity strategy. It will allow us to run more successful recruitment exercises in the future and ensure that competitions are fair for all. This form is not part of the selection process and will be treated in strictest confidence. It will be kept separate from your application and not be seen by the selection panel.

Please email your application to: alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk.

The Vacancy closes at 17:00 on Friday 19th February 2021

If you have any difficulty in sending your application or need the application pack in an alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audio CD, tape or e-text), please contact the ALB Public Appointments Team on alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk.