The Speaker's Committee First Report


Annex A


The role and job description[1]

The Electoral Commission is facing a period of change. The Government is shortly to implement the group of recommendations on the governance of the Commission made by the Committee in Standards in Public Life.

The over-arching responsibility of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is to give leadership to the Commissioners and, through the full-time Chief Executive, who reports to him and is the head of the Commission's staff, to the Commission generally. The Chair is also the Commission's principal public face and ambassador.

Within that context, key responsibilities include:

  • giving leadership to, and working with, Commissioners, the Chief Executive and Executive Team to set the strategic direction and ensure appropriate resources and governance arrangements are in place and monitored
  • ensuring efficient and effective use of public funds (in conjunction with the Commission's Accounting Officer) and that the Commission acts in accordance with the powers and duties given to it by PPERA and other legislation
  • leading the change management process within the college of Commissioners itself, and in particular the forthcoming integration of Commissioners with a political background
  • making, collectively with the other Commissioners, key decisions on the exercise of the Commission's statutory powers and the extent of their delegation to staff
  • chairing monthly Electoral Commission meetings and other Committees as appropriate and approving strategic developments
  • representing the Commission in dealings with government, politicians and political parties, the Speaker's Committee, devolved legislatures, overseas electoral commissions and international bodies and other stakeholders and acting as an ambassador for the Commission
  • selecting the Chief Executive and appraising his or her performance and, with the Commissioners and the Chief Executive, selecting candidates for appointment as the most senior managers in the Commission
  • discharging the statutory responsibility, personally or through a nominee, of Chief Counting Officer for the conduct of any UK-wide, national or regional referendum
  • identifying and resolving any conflicting interests or activities that may affect the effectiveness, independence or impartiality of the Commission, particularly in relation to the regulation of political parties following the appointment of Commissioners with political experience
  • serving as a member of the Commission's Remuneration Committee and, if required, such other committees as may be established from time to time.

The person specification[2]

Important: please review the following before proceeding further:

It is essential that in your application, you meet as many of the criteria listed below as possible. You must also not be disqualified by law from being appointed as a Commissioner because you have in the last ten years been an elected politician (other than a parish or community councillor), an officer or employee of a political party, or a reported donor or lender to a political party. In addition, if appointed as Chair you may not be a member of a registered political party. The relevant legislation can be found in section 3(4) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and section 74 and Schedule 1 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

With a personal profile at national level, you must be able to demonstrate substantial experience, integrity, and significant achievement of:

  • leading, or contributing to the leadership and strategic direction of a complex and changing organisation with multiple stakeholders operating in a political environment.
  • public speaking, chairing meetings and undertaking media and ambassadorial work
  • understanding and/or experience of the political and regulatory context in which the Electoral Commission operates
  • applying legislation and, ideally, taking and reviewing regulatory decisions at board level
  • experience of roles that have required independent and impartial contributions in the delivery of public or other services
  • experience of or an ability to create and maintain credibility with a range of stakeholders such as ministers, electoral administrators, politicians and political parties, devolved administrations and the wider public
  • a personal style that demonstrates authority, commitment, consistency and fairness
  • ability to promote the Commission's and voters' interests to stakeholders, the media and the general public
  • undisputed integrity, with the ability to think clearly and exercise sound judgment
  • strong understanding of diversity in the context of the work of the Electoral Commission.



1   As agreed by the Speaker's Committee and supplied to applicants for the post. Back

2   As agreed by the Speaker's Committee and supplied to applicants for the post. Back


 
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