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
