Appendix 3: Candidate information
pack
Diversity
To ensure our public bodies better represent
the communities we serve, we positively welcome applicants from
all walks of life. All public appointments are made on merit following
a fair, open and transparent process as regulated by the Office
of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Equal opportunities
UK government has a policy of equality
of opportunity. We aim to promote equal opportunity policies whereby
no one suffers unfair discrimination either directly or indirectly,
or harassment, on grounds such as race, colour, ethnic or national
origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual
orientation, religious beliefs or age.
Disability
Defra will be operating an interview
access scheme for disabled people (as defined by the Equalities
Act 2010) who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment as
published in these notes. If you wish to apply for consideration
under this scheme, please notify GatenbySanderson when you return
your application. In addition, if you require any special arrangements
at interview stage, please give details in a covering letter to
enable us to make the appropriate arrangements if necessary. Furthermore,
reasonable adjustments will be made in the event of a successful
application.
Environment Agency
Foreword
I want us to be the first generation
to improve the natural environment of England and leave it in
a better state for the benefit of everyone—now and in the
future. It is a big ambition but one which my Department is strongly
committed too. To achieve this we have to recognise the environment
and the economy are inextricably linked. We can only have a growing,
prosperous economy if we have a healthy and improving environment.
The Environment Agency is pivotal in
helping us to secure a healthy environment and economic growth.
It operates at the place where environmental change has its greatest
impact on people's lives. It works to reduce the risks to people
and properties from flooding; makes sure there is enough water
for people and wildlife; protects and improves air, land and water
quality and applies the environmental standards within which industry
can operate.
During the recent Triennial Review of
the Environment Agency I've heard from the body's customers how
much they value what it does and how things have improved over
recent years. I've also heard ideas about how it can improve delivery
and in particular how it needs to work with others to give a more
integrated and effective service which will better support growth.
The Environment Agency needs to deliver this change against the
backdrop of the tight fiscal climate.
I am looking for a Chairman who is committed
to the continued success of the Environment Agency and can drive
forward the changes required to achieve excellence and deliver
the Government aims on the environment and growth. If you think
that you provide the strong leadership and vision that this role
demands during this critical period then I encourage you to apply.
Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, Secretary
of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Introduction
The Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking to appoint a new Chairman
of the Environment Agency, the Government's statutory advisor
on the protection and enhancement of the environment.
The Board of the Environment Agency
comprises a Chairman, Chief Executive and no more than 15 members,
details of the current Board can be found at Annex A. The vacancy
for a Chairman is due to the end of the term for the current Chairman,
Lord Chris Smith, in July 2014.
This is a public appointment and the
successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate their commitment
to the Nolan principles of public service (Selflessness, Integrity,
Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership).
What is the Environment Agency?
The Environment Agency is Defra's largest
Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). It plays a key role in delivering
the environmental priorities of central government through its
functions and roles.
It was established under the Environment
Act 1995, with the principal aim: "in discharging its functions
so to protect or enhance the environment, taken as a whole, as
to make the contribution that the Secretary of State considers
appropriate towards achieving sustainable development."
It is a Category 1 responder and works
with other emergency services to prepare for and respond to incidents,
and to help communities recover after an incident.
The Environment Agency is a statutory
body with its own powers and duties, exercising its regulatory
responsibilities at arm's length from Ministers. It is accountable
to Defra's Secretary of State for the delivery of its objectives,
who in turn is responsible to Parliament for the performance of
the Environment Agency. Its annual objectives which must be agreed
with the Secretary of State are published in its corporate plan.
It currently employs about 11,300 people
and is responsible for a budget of about £1 billion pa, about
half of which is spent on flood and coastal risk management. About
a third of the Environment Agency's income comes from charges
for services in relation to its licensing activities, with the
remainder coming from Government grant.
Further information on the role of Environment
Agency is available on the Environment Agency web site at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Triennial Review of Natural England
and the Environment Agency
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/triennialreviewfeature.aspx
Role Description
As Chairman, you will provide overall
leadership and strategic vision for the Board of the Environment
Agency, which delivers Government policy for protecting and enhancing
the environment in England.
The Environment Agency tackles many
critical issues, including ensuring there is enough water for
people and wildlife, pollution prevention and flood defence. It
is also responsible for incentivising business energy efficiency
and cost-effective carbon reduction and carrying out proportionate
pollution regulation. As Chairman, you will understand the environment
and its importance to everyone. You will help improve the environment
and grow the rural economy and business. You will be able to balance
priorities and command confidence and respect at the highest level
with Ministers across Government and partners.
You will promote a positive and constructive
relationship with everyone that works with the Environment Agency
including local government and local communities, business and
industry, planners and developers, and a wide range of other interest
groups. Providing excellent customer service will be core to your
role.
This is a dynamic period for the Environment
Agency and a significant challenge will be to deliver the Environment
Agency's priorities within a tight fiscal period. Supporting the
executive team to prioritise resources and drive forward further
efficiencies will be key to delivering the best value to the tax
payer.
The successful candidate will have a
keen interest and understanding of the environmental priorities
for England and in driving sustainable development.
The Environment Agency is going through
a period of substantial reform. Strong leadership in the context
of change and transition will be essential while maintaining a
clear focus and ensuring business continuity across a range of
areas. You will also implement the conclusions of the joint Triennial
Review of the Environment Agency and Natural England. This will
involve in particular delivering a joint plan for driving further
integration between the two bodies, continuing to drive the improvements
in culture and ways of working as well as working closely across
the Defra network in various ways, including the sharing of services
with the wider Defra network.
Principal Accountabilities
· manage
the business of the Board, ensuring that Board membership is aligned
with the challenges facing the organisation; and that the skills
of Board members, both individually and in teams, are used effectively.
· ensure
that the Board has accurate and clear financial information and
is advised of all achievements and likely future developments
and trends.
· oversee
and make a strong contribution to the Environment Agency's corporate
strategy, acting as a sounding board for the Chief Executive who
will involve the Board in the development of new strategic plans,
and implement the NE/EA Triennial Review.
· be
the principal public face representing the Environment Agency
to Parliament and Government Ministers, senior representatives
of partner organisations, with the media and promoting excellent
relations, explaining the Environment Agency's work to a range
of audiences.
· take
responsibility for building and maintaining an effective Board,
in particular ensuring that the correct governance arrangements
are in place, and ensuring that the performance of individual
members of the Board and its committees is evaluated annually.
· support
and encourage the Chief Executive and their staff in their roles,
but also, as required, constructively challenge the Chief Executive's
decisions and recommendations.
Person Specification
The candidate will need to effectively
lead the Board and the organisation and have the interpersonal
skills to engage effectively with a wide cross section of people
and organisations. The candidate will help improve the environment
and grow the rural economy and business. The candidate will be
able to demonstrate:
· Strong
leadership;
· Excellent
ambassadorial qualities;
· Clear
strategic and creative thinking;
· A
collaborative style, being a team player, ready to work with partners
across sectors to deliver Government's long term objectives for
the natural environment and the public benefit it brings; and
· Probity,
integrity and a commitment to public service values.
Essential Criteria
Candidates should be able to demonstrate
the following:
1. commercial acumen including experience
at Board or equivalent level in the private or public sector;
2. an ability to work with organisations
undergoing major organisational restructuring, to create a culture
of continuous improvement and deliver a top quality service to
customers;
3. an understanding of how the Environment
Agency can improve the environment and contribute to a range of
Government priorities. The ability and capacity to lead and represent
the Environment Agency, clearly communicating its strategic direction
and purpose;
4. an ability to build a strong
team culture and create consensus on practical solutions both
within the Board and in the way the wider organisation does business;
You are required to provide a statement
of your suitability (maximum 2 pages) for the role and your CV.
Your statement should describe your skills, knowledge and experience
as relevant to the essential criteria listed 1- 4 above.
Terms of appointment
Period of appointment
It is anticipated that the successful
candidate will take up post in July 2014 with a Board meeting
currently planned for 17 July 2014 (TBC).
Appointments are normally for up to
three years and restricted to a maximum of two terms. The length
of these terms will be determined by any statutory constraints
or be a matter for decision by Ministers. In total, though, an
appointee cannot serve more than a total of ten years.
Re-appointments may be made subject
to satisfactory performance assessment and will be at the discretion
of Ministers. Appointment for this vacancy will be initially for
three years.
Time Commitment
The Chair is expected to spend 2/3 days
a week (subject to negotiation) on Environment Agency business.
This time commitment includes time preparing for meetings and
travelling time. The Board normally meets every month except August
and January; four of these meetings are held in public. The Board
also has five Committees which meet regularly and the Chair may
attend.
Remuneration and Allowances
The remuneration for Environment Agency
Chairman is set at £100,000 per year (flat rate). Reasonable
travel expenses are also paid. This role is non-pensionable.
Annual Appraisal
An annual appraisal will be carried
out by the Secretary of State.
Location of Offices
The Environment Agency is based in Bristol
and London, the Chairman's office is in London. Other offices
are located throughout England.
Conflicts of Interest
You must inform the Department if you
have any conflict of interest that might affect your ability to
undertake this role. You should disclose information on any relevant
business interest, public appointment or position of authority,
including other connections with commercial, public or voluntary
bodies.
Applying for the role
The Commissioner for Public Appointments
This appointment is regulated by the
Commissioner for Public Appointments, to ensure that it is made
on merit after fair and open competition. More information about
the role of the Commissioner and their Code of Practice is available
from http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Code-of-Practice-20121.pdf
For full details of the complaints process
for public appointments, please click on the following link which
will take you to the Commissioner for Public Appointments website
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/
Alternatively please contact the Commissioner's
office on 020 7271 0831 for a printed copy.
How to respond
Candidates should submit their CV with
education, professional qualifications and employment history
and the names and contact details for two referees, together with
their statement of suitability. The statement of suitability should
give evidence of strength and depth of your ability to meet essential
criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate
how you meet each of the essential criteria (max two pages please).
All candidates are required to complete
the following forms:
· Political
Activity Question
· Diversity
Monitoring Questionnaire
· Conflicts
of interest
Conflict of Interests
You will be required to declare any
conflict of interest that arises in the course of Environment
Agency business and must declare any relevant business interests,
positions of authority or other connections with commercial, public
or voluntary bodies. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest
will be fully explored by the panel at short listing or interview
stage.
Your CV and statement along with the
other documents should be returned via the GatenbySanderson website
by the closing date: Noon, 5th March 2014.
Selection Process
This appointment is being made in accordance
with the guidance laid down by the Office of the Commissioner
for Public Appointments (OCPA).
The Panel will include: Margaret Scott
(Public Appointments Assessor, Panel Chair), Iain Ferguson (Defra
non-executive), Dame Helen Alexander (Chair, London Port Authority)
and Peter Unwin (Defra Director General, Policy Delivery).
The candidates who, from the information
provided, most closely match the criteria for appointment will
be invited to preliminary interview with GatenbySanderson. It
is therefore essential for your statement to give full but concise
information relevant to the appointment.
Following the preliminary interviews
the panel will then consider which candidates should be invited
for final interview. References will be taken up for those candidates
selected for final interview.
Final Interviews
Interviews will take place at Defra's
headquarters at Nobel House, Smith Square, London on 7 April 2014.
The Selection Panel is the same as the long/short listing panel.
In the interview candidates will be asked questions to assess
whether they can demonstrate that they have the qualities specified.
Candidates will be able to claim reasonable
expenses incurred travelling to and from the interview (please
note you may be asked to justify travelling costs if the Department
consider the claims unnecessarily excessive). Please let GatenbySanderson
know beforehand if you are likely to claim and costs if known.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee
Pre-appointment Scrutiny Hearing
This role is likely to be subject to
a pre-appointment Scrutiny Hearing by the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs Select Committee (EFRA). The Secretary of State's
preferred candidate may be invited to attend a Hearing at EFRA's
request.
Annex A
Current membership of the Board
Lord Chris Smith (Chairman)
Robert Light (Deputy Chairman)
Emma Howard Boyd
Jeremy Walker
John Varley
Clive Elphick
Karen Burrows
Richard Leafe
Peter Ainsworth
Richard Macdonald
Paul Leinster (Chief Executive)
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