Non Executive Directorships

Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) – Five Committee Members

Location: London

Date Posted: 06/01/2023

Closing Date: 02/12/2022

£256.80/day 2-3 days/month

Vacancy Description

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 agenda, comes before the Committee.

In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee has general advisory functions which 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; and
stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.

Ministers may seek the Committee’s views on specific issues or SSAC may itself select issues itself which it wishes to research and provide advice on. The Chair and Committee members meet regularly with Ministers and senior officials to discuss topical issues and meet front-line staff and customers during their visits to operational sites. The Committee also responds to the Department’s public consultation exercises where appropriate

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/ssac

Background of the Committee

The Chair and Members of SSAC are appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. These posts are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

By statute, SSAC must comprise a minimum of 10 members, of whom:

one member is selected after consultation with representatives of employers.
one member is selected after consultation with representatives of employees.
one member is selected after consultation with the Head of the Northern Ireland Department with responsibility for social security; and
one member with experience of chronically sick and disabled people. If possible, this member should have direct experience of illness or disability.

All members are involved across the full range of the Committee’s business.

Those Members that have active roles with other organisations are encouraged to use the experience, insight and expertise gained in those roles, but without representing sectional interests.

The Committee’s work consists largely of considering detailed and often complex proposals for social security regulations and producing ad hoc reports on specific areas of interest. Proposals for changes to regulations are normally presented as papers and sent to members in advance of meetings.

Members are expected to keep abreast of operational matters and to make occasional visits to operational units.

Members occasionally see restricted proposals and are expected to consider them in confidence. Members are expected to refer any requests for information or interview by the media to the Secretary or the Chair.

The Role of a Committee Members

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; and
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.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

There are five posts available:

1. Representative of employers and business

2. Representative of ethnic minorities

3. Experience of work among, and of the needs of, the chronically sick and disabled.

4. General knowledge and insight of issues relating to social security.

5. Social Security and Tax Credit Laws

Candidates must demonstrate the following skills and experience:

knowledge, understanding and experience of working with governments and political stakeholders;
awareness 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;
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 proposals and evaluate and advise objectively on the basis of that analysis; and
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.

In addition to the above for four of the roles, candidates must also be able to demonstrate one or more of the following areas of experience:

a good understanding of the impact of the benefit system on employers and business. Candidates to demonstrate that they have the ability to credibly represent a wide range of perspectives, including small and medium sized enterprises or those sectors which traditionally recruit high levels of low paid and transient workers, for example by having a strong network already in place or the ability to develop and maintain a credible and effective network.
working with members of ethnic minority communities, with a clear understanding of the impact of the benefit system. Candidates to have the ability to represent this diverse group authoritatively in terms of the potential challenges and opportunities the welfare system creates for them.
Experience of working among, and an understanding of the needs of, chronically sick and disabled people. Candidates to demonstrate that they have the ability to credibly represent a wide range of perspectives, for example by having a strong network already in place or the ability to develop and maintain a credible and effective network.
Knowledge of social security and tax credit laws.

Desirable Criteria:

a good knowledge of the UK’s welfare system, and the particular challenges and opportunities that it presents throughout the devolved nations.

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 statement (maximum 2 pages) – this is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria set out on page six. 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 that you clearly state your full name, and the post for which you are applying, at the top of your CV and supporting statement.

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

4. Diversity Monitoring Form. This is for monitoring purposes only. By collecting and analysing the data of those applying and obtaining an appointment, we can improve our diversity strategy. 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.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Disability Confident scheme has replaced the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. The Department for Work and Pensions, and its arms-length bodies, are accredited users of the Disability Confident symbol, which signifies organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled applicants.

All Disability Confident Employers will offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for a job or role. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the declaration in the Diversity Monitoring Form provided. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.

Whether you choose to apply under the Disability Confident scheme or not, you can still ask us to make particular adjustments for you when attending an interview. You can also contact us if you want to discuss the criteria for the role or have questions regarding your application.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

You will receive an automated acknowledgement once your application has been received. If you do not receive this receipt email, then your application will not have been sent successfully to the inbox. If you do not receive the acknowledgement email, please resend your application or contact us separately as soon as possible on the above email address.

Do not mark your email as ‘Private’ to ensure it passes our electronic security measures.

If you have any difficulty in sending your application or need the application pack in an alternative format, please contact the ALB Public Appointments Team using the email address above.

Due Diligence and ID verification:?

For candidates that reach interview stage, due diligence search using sources such as social media and public registers will be conducted.

When attending the interview you will be asked to provide ID. This can be either a valid passport or photo card driving licence.?

The closing date for applications is: 17:00 on Friday 06 January 2023.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Please email your application to: [email protected]

Apply here

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Other Positions Available:

Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) – Five Committee Members

Location: London

Date Posted: 06/01/2023

Closing Date: 02/12/2022

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Non Executive Directorships

Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) – Five Committee Members

Location: London

Date Posted: 06/01/2023

Closing Date: 02/12/2022

£256.80/day 2-3 days/month

Vacancy Description

Person Specification

How to Apply

Other Positions Available: