Non Executive Directorships

Windrush Commissioner

Location: Various

Date Posted: 20/02/2025

Closing Date: 20/03/2025

£78000 to £130000 per annum

About the appointment

Additional introductions

Foreword from Sir Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary

The Home Office’s treatment of the Windrush and Commonwealth communities saw individuals who have the right to live in this country victimised through no fault of their own because they were unable to prove their right to live in this country and access public services. As a consequence, Windrush became tragically associated with a scandal not of their making. The Home Office is determined to change that, embedding lasting cultural change that makes a difference to all our communities.

There is no doubt that a first step must be ensuring that the victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal receive the compensation they are due quickly and efficiently. Last October, the Home Secretary updated Parliament on the Home Office plans to establish a Windrush Commissioner – a crucial, independent advocate for those affected. The Windrush Commissioner will be a trusted voice for the victims at the highest level, extending the reach of the compensation scheme to all impacted communities, identifying, and raising systemic issues across government to ensure that action is taken. The Commissioner will also assure the Home Office’s delivery of the compensation scheme. The efficiency of this scheme directly impacts on the victims and their family members, many of whom are still traumatised by their experiences.

To ensure that the injustices faced by the victims never happen again, the Windrush Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s progress as we undertake a review of the implementation of Wendy William’s Windrush Lessons Learned Review (WLLR) in today’s context – holding the Department to account as we learn the lessons of the past to drive improvements. Their challenge will support long-term cultural change as we embed the lessons learned into every aspect of our work across the Home Office and make a difference to all the communities the Home Office works to protect on a daily basis.

I am looking for an outstanding candidate to take on the post of Windrush Commissioner, someone with a proven track record of strategic leadership, a clear vision for driving impactful change, and the ability to engage with a diverse range of individuals, including victims, their families, representatives, and stakeholders from across a range of backgrounds and viewpoints. I expect the Commissioner to embody the core values necessary to succeed in this vital role, demonstrating exceptional judgement, credibility and personal integrity. He or she will have a strong understanding of the issues related to the scandal and its impact on the Windrush and Commonwealth communities, ideally informed by lived experience.

Appointment description

Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to read this information pack. This is a highly rewarding role, with the opportunity to make a lasting impact. If you possess the skills and qualities outlined, we encourage you to apply. Should you be successful, we look forward to working with you to deliver long-awaited justice for the Windrush and Commonwealth communities, and to drive real and sustained cultural change across the Department.

The Windrush Commissioner will be a public appointee and will operate independently of Home Office serving as an independent advocate and trusted voice for victims, families and impacted communities affected by the Home Office Windrush Scandal, driving improvements and promoting lasting and sustainable change.

The Commissioner will assure our delivery of the Windrush Compensation Scheme and advise on the Government’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review (WLLR) recommendations to ensure change that matters to the Windrush communities and its wider impact across the whole department and across Government.

The Commissioner will make recommendations to support the Home Secretary’s leadership of long-term cultural change to embed the principles and the lessons from the Windrush Review into every aspect of our work within the Home Office on immigration, homeland security and public safety, to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. This vital role will evolve through meaningful engagement with key stakeholders and Ministers, allowing priorities to be identified and refined.

Responsibility to engage with and act as a trusted voice for victims and Windrush communities and relevant organisations affected by the Home Office Windrush Scandal to build a trusted relationship, advocating improvements and lasting change.
Act as an authoritative voice, providing independent scrutiny, challenge and advice to the Home Secretary and Ministers where the learning of Windrush is relevant right across the Home Office including immigration, homeland security, and public safety, to ensure that these kinds of injustices cannot be repeated.
Advising on the Government’s response to and implementation of the WLLR recommendations to ensure that lessons of the past are learned.
Assure delivery of the Windrush Compensation Scheme to provide advice to Ministers on the scheme’s effectiveness in achieving its objectives and provide assurance that the needs of Windrush communities are met.

Person specification

Essential criteria

PART ONE: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Strong understanding of the Home Office Windrush scandal and the challenges faced by the Windrush generation and other Commonwealth citizens informed by either lived experience or direct, first-hand knowledge.

Proven track record of impactful strategic leadership at senior levels of Civil Society, Government, Private Sector, Public Sector or Academia driving change and delivering measurable outcomes.

Outstanding communication and interpersonal engagement skills as demonstrated by the ability to build and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders such as communities, government departments, organisations and the public.

Experience of leading complex and sensitive programmes across organisational boundaries and fostering a partnership focused approach to address challenges.

Experience in influencing interventions that shifts the culture of an organisation to create an inclusive and positive culture to support long term cultural change.

Demonstrative experience of providing clear, robust and independent advice in high profile situations having to navigate diverse perspectives and developing solutions while fostering trust and confidence among communities and stakeholders.

PART TWO: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

You should also be able to demonstrate:

The ability to be a highly regarded, credible and confident public office holder and advocate who is able to build and maintain trust with communities and stakeholders

Demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and cultural sensitivity.

Credibility with individuals, stakeholders, communities, government and the public.

Ability to provide independent scrutiny and challenge to senior leaders, provide candid advice to ministers.?

The Windrush Commissioner should operate in the public interest at all times, rather than in the interests of any particular organisation or interest group. They should consistently demonstrate the highest levels of personal integrity, in accordance with the 7 Principles of Public Life.

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Other Positions Available:

Windrush Commissioner

Location: Various

Date Posted: 20/02/2025

Closing Date: 20/03/2025

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Non Executive Directorships

Windrush Commissioner

Location: Various

Date Posted: 20/02/2025

Closing Date: 20/03/2025

£78000 to £130000 per annum

About the appointment

Additional introductions

Appointment description

Person specification

Essential criteria

Other Positions Available: