Annex B
1. BBSRC
The Government has made a significant commitment
to the science base in the UK in recent years with substantial
additional funding. This and policy for the long term sustainability
of the research base in the UK are set out in its "Science
& Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014". The Research
Councils will continue to be the main route through which the
public funds for the research base are allocated. They will not
only be responsible for ensuring the prudent management of public
funds and for ensuring excellence in research, but for also taking
a strategic view of long term research needs and their impact
on society and the economy.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC) was established under the Science and Technology
Act 1965 and incorporated by Royal Charter on 1 April 1994 in
response to the Government White Paper, "Realising our Potential".
The BBSRC is a Non-Departmental Public Body and is funded mainly
by grant in aid allocated by its sponsoring body, the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
The BBSRC annual budget for 2008-2009 is £435m.
The BBSRC Office is based in Swindon, Wiltshire with a staff of
263, plus other staff in five institutes bringing the overall
total to 2149.
BBSRC Objectives
The objectives of the Council are:
a) to promote and support, by any means, high-quality
basic, strategic and applied research and related post-graduate
training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological
systems;
b) to advance knowledge and technology (including
the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes),
and provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs
of users and beneficiaries (including the agriculture, bioprocessing,
chemical, food, health care, pharmaceutical and other biotechnological-related
industries), thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness
of the United Kingdom and the quality of life;
c) in relation to the activities as engaged in by
Council under a) and b) above and in such manner as the Council
may see fit:
i) to generate public awareness
ii) to communicate research outcomes
iii) to encourage public engagement and dialogue
iv) to disseminate knowledge; and
v) to provide advice.
2. The Role of Chair
The position of BBSRC Chair will arise on 1 May 2009
on expiry of the term of the current Chair, Peter Ringrose.
The appointment will be for four years in the first
instance, with the possibility of reappointment. It is a part-time
and non-executive appointment, for which an honorarium is paid.
The rate at appointment will be £16,180 per annum. Expenses
will be reimbursed.
There is a degree of flexibility in the role, but
typically 20 to 25 days per year are expected. Council meets five
times a year and currently on two consecutive days at least twice
a year, at locations and venues deemed appropriate for the meeting.
The Chair will work with the full-time Chief Executive,
who is the Council's Accounting Officer, and a Council of 18 members,
leading the BBSRC in pursuit of its objects.
The Chair will act as custodian of the Council's
objects and Chartered objectives and is responsible for overall
direction and management of the Council.
Job Description
The key responsibilities of the role are:
- The Chair of the Council is formally responsible
to the Secretary of State, but works closely with the Director
General Science and Research (DGSR) and the BBSRC Chief Executive.
Responsibilities include providing effective strategic leadership,
with the assistance of the Chief Executive, on matters such as:
- formulating the Council's strategy for discharging
its objects as set out in the Royal Charter;
- effective execution of Council's decisions through
the Chief Executive;
- encouraging high standards of propriety, and
promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources
throughout BBSRC;
- ensuring that the Council, in reaching decisions,
liaises effectively with the Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills (DIUS); and
- representing the views of the Council to the
general public and representing BBSRC Council at various events,
fora etc.
- The Chair will also be required to:
- ensure that Council meets at regular intervals
throughout the year and that minutes of meetings accurately record
decisions taken, record any conflicts of interests and, where
appropriate, the views of individual Council members;
- provide DIUS with an assessment of performance
of individual Council members, when they are being considered
for reappointment to the Council or for appointment to the board
of some other public body;
- work with the Director General Science and Research,
the Chief Executive and the Council in the development of the
Council's strategic direction and policies to deliver BBSRC's
objects, within the overall framework of Government policy;
- work with the Director General Science and Research
and the other Research Council Chairs and Chief Executives on
cross council research and other wider science policy issues;
- work to improve the links between BBSRC, the
research community it supports, industry, national and international
science funding and policy agencies, including learned and professional
institutions, and with Government;
- through membership of the DIUS Remuneration Committee
consider the performance bonus of the Chief Executive and provide
advice to DIUS;
- chair the BBSRC Remuneration Board which considers
the pay and performance bonuses of the BBSRC Directors and other
Senior Staff; and
- chair the Appointments Committee, which recommends
to the Secretary of State, shortlists of members for possible
appointment to BBSRC Council.
Person Specification
Experience and qualifications
The appointee will have the following experience:
- senior leadership in a substantial and complex
organisation;
- non-executive or Chairing experience in a private
or public sector body;
- financial planning and management;
- operating in contexts where the ability to exercise
judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and high-level management
issues has been proved;
- dealing with complex, difficult discussions with
energy and diplomacy; and
- dealing effectively with governance and other
governing body management issues.
It would be desirable, but not essential, for candidates
to have experience either in a research led organisation or in
one that has a strong interface with such organisations.
Skills and personal qualities
Candidates will also demonstrate:
- excellent intellectual skills and good judgement;
and
- first class communication, relationship building
and persuasion skills.
Candidates should have sufficient stature to lead
the Council effectively as Chair, and have an interest in BBSRC's
research areas. Detailed knowledge of these areas is not necessary.
Conflicts of interest
Potential candidates should be aware that the Council
must avoid conflicts of interest in its work, and therefore individuals
with significant responsibilities in other bodies funding
biotechnology and biological sciences research are not eligible
to apply. Applicants are asked to declare any potential conflicts
on the application form and to note that all members of Council
are required to declare any private, professional or commercial
interests that might conflict with the interests of the Council,
or which might be perceived by others as creating a conflict of
interest.
3. Terms and Conditions
Remuneration/benefits
- This is a part time non-executive appointment
for which an honorarium is paid. The rate is currently £16,180
a year. Travel and other reasonable expenses will be paid.
Length of the appointment
- The appointment is for four years in the first
instance with the possibility of
re-appointment.
There is a degree of flexibility in the role, but typically in
the order of 24 days a year are expected.
4. How to Apply
The process will be conducted in accordance with
the guidelines issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments
and will be independently assessed. Details of OCPA can be found
in the separate monitoring form booklet that accompanies this
pack.
DIUS is committed to the principle of public appointments
on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency
of process and to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective
of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual
orientation, transgender and working patterns.
All applications will be acknowledged and put before
a duly constituted committee including an independent member.
The committee will in due course make recommendations to the Secretary
of State. The appointment must also be approved by the Prime Minister
and may be subject to a pre-appointment hearing with the Innovation
Universities Science and Skills Select Committee of the House
of Commons.
Saxton Bampfylde have been engaged to advise on this
appointment and applications should be made to them to arrive
not later than noon on 19 November 2008
Please include in your application:
i. a full cv, including educational and professional
qualifications, a full employment history showing the more significant
positions and responsibilities held, relevant achievements and
budgets and staff managed;
ii. the application form, summarising the most
significant contribution or impacts which you have made with regard
to the essential and desirable criteria, and the detachable equal
opportunities monitoring sheet;
iv. the names and contact details of two referees
who are in a position to comment on you professionally, with a
brief indication of how long and in what capacity they have known
you (referees will not be contacted before preliminary
interviews); and
v. daytime and evening telephone numbers (to
be used with discretion).
You may expect to be contacted by the consultant
not later than 1 December 2008.
Saxton Bampfylde will conduct preliminary interviews during December
2008. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to meet Professor
Adrian Smith, Director General for Science and Research, before
formal panel interviews expected to take place in January 2009.
All reasonable costs incurred in attending interviews will be
reimbursed.
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