The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)

Appointment of a Board Member

Candidate Information Pack

Deadline for Applications

Noon 9th December 2016


Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • About Ofqual
  • Roles and Responsibilities of the Ofqual Board
  • Person Specification
  • Terms of Appointment
  • The Appointment Process
  • Regulation by the Commissioner for Public Appointments
  • Annex 1: The Seven Principles of Public Life
  • Annex 2: Declaration of Interests
  • Annex 3: Public Appointments Diversity Form

Foreword:

If you are reading this, it is probably because you care enough about education to want to make sure that our qualifications system meets the needs of everyone it serves: teenagers, adults, universities and other educational institutions and employers.

Qualifications are or should be mirrors of educational achievement. They are important because they open doors and shape lives; but they are also important because they have a very strong influence on what is taught in schools and colleges.

As the independent regulator of general and vocational qualifications, Ofqual’s main job is to maintain standards of qualifications, in terms of their content, their level of demand and also the processes by which they are administered and marked. At the moment, it is also carrying through the current extensive programme of qualification reforms to qualifications, which aim to raise standards to compete with the best performing systems globally. Beyond maintaining standards and overseeing reforms, Ofqual also has to promote public awareness of and confidence in regulated qualifications.

Qualifications regulation is only worth having if it adds real value to the education system, and your expertise could help to ensure that Ofqual continues to do just that. Ofqual needs board members who can command respect and inspire confidence across the education sector, the public, awarding organisations, Government ministers and Ofqual itself. This is a significant challenge, but a fascinating and rewarding one. I will be leaving soon after five years to move to Ofsted as Chief Inspector, and can honestly say that my five years at Ofqual have been the most interesting and rewarding in my entire career.

Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to read this pack. If you fit the bill, I hope that you will want to apply. If you are successful, you will be working with the new chair who will soon be appointed to replace me, and you will take Ofqual forward as a strong and credible regulator that contributes to making the qualifications system an integral part of a truly top-class education system.

Yours Sincerely

Amanda Spielman

Chair

About Ofqual:

Ofqual is a non-ministerial Department reporting to Parliament and is the independent qualifications regulator for England. Its primary responsibilities are to maintain standards in regulated qualifications and assessments - which include GCSEs, A levels, a wide range of other qualifications and National Curriculum assessments, but not degrees - and to ensure that they are provided efficiently and cost effectively. It regulates qualificationsfor the benefit of those who study for and of those who rely on regulated qualifications. Some qualifications that Ofqual regulates are bought and used privately, with no government involvement or funding.

Ofqual’s objectives and duties

Ofqual has five statutory objectives. In brief, they are:

1To secure qualifications standards

2To promote National Assessment standards

3To promote public confidence in regulated qualifications and National Assessment arrangements

4To promote awareness of the range and benefits of regulated qualifications

5To secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently.

Ofqual’s corporate plan for 2016 to 2019

The corporate plan 2016-2019 sets out a comprehensive programme of work to fulfil Ofqual’s statutory objectives and to provide valued qualifications for those who study, teach or otherwise rely on them. The planned programme of work ensures that both established and new regulated qualifications are effective, delivered as intended, and support good educational and training outcomes.

You can read Ofqual’s 2016-2019 corporate plan in full at:

Roles and Responsibilities of the Ofqual Board

The Ofqual Board is the legal authority responsible for the regulation of qualifications and assessments.

The Board provides leadership and direction, setting strategic aims, values and standards. It consists of the Chair, between 7 and 12 ordinary members and the Chief Regulator (Chief Executive). Day to day responsibilities are delegated to the Chief Regulator.

The Board has four committees, two of which meet regularly, and two advisory groups:

  • Audit and Risk Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Reform Committee (convened as necessary)
  • Enforcement Committee (convened as necessary)
  • Standards Advisory Group
  • Vocational Advisory Group

Other board sub-groups are established as required. Each committee is chaired by a Board member.

Equality of opportunity

We particularly welcome applications from groups in society that are underrepresented on the current Board, including female and black, Asian and minority ethnic applicants.

For more information about Ofqual, go to

Person Specification

The Secretary of State is seeking applications from high calibre individuals for appointment to the Ofqual Board.

To help you decide if you wish to be considered for these posts, we have listed below the criteria that will be applied when assessing applications. Applicants will need to demonstrate in their written applications instances where their experience matches the essential criteria detailed below and it will be an advantage to demonstrate evidence of experience that matches the desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

  • The ability to think strategically and to contribute to strategic development in different contexts;
  • High level management and/or board experience in the public, voluntary or private sectors;
  • The ability to build effective relationships at high levels and/or between organisations.

Desirable Criteria:

Roles Specific:

Some but not all of the posts specifically require the following criteria; demonstrating experience in these areas will be a particular advantage:

  • Experience of the education sector, particularly further and secondary education;
  • Senior level practical or academic experience of measuring vocational qualification outcomes;
  • A background in, or experience of working in,the commercial sector, and delivering value for money

General

  • An understanding of the regulatory framework within which Ofqual operates.

Successful candidates are expected to support Ofqual's aims and objectives and act as ambassadors for the organisation.

Terms of Appointment

  • Members are entitled to remuneration at £6,000 per annum. Remuneration is taxable under Schedule E and may be subject to Class I National Insurance Contributions. It is not pensionable.
  • Board members are also eligible to claim allowances, at rates set by Ofqual, for travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on Ofqual business.

Appointment and tenure of office

The initial appointment will be for a period of threeyears from 1 April 2017. The appointment may be renewed at the end of the first period of office. Any reappointment will be subject to a satisfactory performance appraisal by the chair; there should be no assumption of automatic reappointment.

Time commitment

Up to 20 days per year.

Location

Board and Committee meetings are usually held in Coventry; advisory and sub groups are held in Coventry or London.

Training

Induction will be provided on appointment.

Eligibility

These appointments are made by the Secretary of State for Education and are subject to routine security clearance.

Standards in public life

You will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. All successful candidates will be asked to subscribe to a Code of Conduct.

Applicants must also confirm that they understand the standards of probity required by public appointees outlined in the “Seven Principles of Public Life” set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the ‘Nolan principles’ (see Annex A).

Disqualification for appointment

There are circumstances in which an individual will not be considered for appointment. They include:

  • People who have received a prison sentence or suspended sentence of 3 months or more in the last five years;
  • People who are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order;
  • In certain circumstances, those who have had an earlier term of appointment to another public body terminated;
  • Anyone who is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
  • Anyone who has been removed from trusteeship of a charity.

Conflict of Interests

You are required to declare any business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organisations that may be relevant to the business of Ofqual. If the selection panel is concerned that such interests may impact on the independence or perceived independence required for this role, they will discuss their concerns with you if you are invited for interview.

Political activity

In the light of recommendations made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee), candidates are required to declare any significant activity undertaken in the past five years. This information will be used for monitoring purposes. However, if your application is successful the information may be released into the public domain.

The Appointment Process

Applicants should submit a CV and a separate personal statement demonstrating how they meet the key requirements for the role as set out in the personal specification. Your personal statement should be no more than three pages long. Please also include details of two referees: note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent. Your application must be submitted by email to or by post to:

Felicity Little

Department for Education

Great Smith Street

Westminster

London

SW1 3BT

We also ask that you completea diversitymonitoring form and form relating to declaration of interests, convictions and political activity and submit these along with your application. The forms can be found accompanying this information pack on the Public Appointments website (for completion electronically) and can also be found in Annex 2 and 3 of this document.

Theclosingdateforapplications is noon on 9th December 2016

We will rely on the information you provide on your CV and supporting statement to assess whether you have the experience required at the appropriate level. Please ensure that you provide written evidence to support how you meet all of the relevant criteria, which are identified in the role profile.

The selection panel for this role will consist of:

  • Chair of Ofqual (to be appointed)
  • The Director General for Education Standards, Department for Education
  • Independent Panel Member

Interviews for this role will take place in London in late January/ earlyFebruary 2017. Where a candidate is unable to attend an interview on the set date an alternative date will only be offered at the discretion of the panel.

Wewillprovidefeedbackateachstage oftheprocess.

Indicative timetable

  • Closing date for applications – Noon on 9th December 2016
  • Panel interviews – 30th Jan, 1st, 2nd,February 2017
  • Successful candidate takes up post – 1st April 2017

Queries

Ifyouhaveanyqueriesabouttheroleortheappointmentprocess,pleasecontactFelicity Little on by phone at 020 7340 8112.

If youare notcompletelysatisfied,pleaseraiseanycomplaint inthefirstinstanceto:

Stephen Rogers,DepartmentforEducation,QualificationsDivision,Level2,SanctuaryBuildings,Great SmithStreet,London, SW1P3BT. Email: .

Regulation by the Commissioner for Public Appointments

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair. More information about the role of the Commissioner and her Code of Practice is available from

Annex 1: The seven principles of public life

All applicants for public appointments are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and an understanding of, the value and importance of the principles of public service. The seven principles of public life are:

  1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

  1. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

  1. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

  1. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

  1. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

  1. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

  1. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Annex 2: Declaration of interests

Forms also available separately (accompanying this information pack on the Public Appointments website) for candidates wishing to complete and submit electronically.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Please complete this form and send with your application to: by post to:

Felicity Little

Department for Education

Great Smith Street

Westminster

London

SW1 3BT

POSITION APPLIED FOR: Ofqual Board Members
SURNAME / FIRST NAME / INITIAL(S) / TITLE
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) / EMAIL ADDRESS
LATEST EMPLOYER (ORGANISATION) / LATEST JOB TITLE / SALARY

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Please provide details below of any business or other interests or any personal connections which, if you are appointed, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Department for Education or Ofqual.

Any particular conflicts of interest detailed here will not prevent you going forward to interview but may, if appropriate, be explored with you during your interview to establish how you would address the issue(s) should you be successful in your application.

Political Activity Questionnaire

All applicants for a public appointment should complete the questionnaire below.

This question is asked as it enables the monitoring of political activity of candidates for a public appointment in so far as it is already in the public domain. Neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment (except where statute dictates specific representation).

Please indicate which of the following activities you have undertaken during the past five years by ticking the appropriate box and by providing details of your involvement. Name the party or body for which you have been active. If you have been or are an Independent or have sought or obtained office as a representative of a particular interest group, you should state this.

Please tick all relevant categories.

Obtained office as a Local Councillor, MP, MEP etc. / ☐
Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices. / ☐
Spoken on behalf of a party or candidate. / ☐
Acted as a political agent. / ☐
Held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a party. / ☐
Canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election. / ☐
Undertaken any political activity which you consider relevant. / ☐
Made a recordable donation to a political party. [1] / ☐
None of the above activities apply. / ☐

Name of Party of which activity undertaken:

Note: this form is for monitoring purposes only and will only be seen by the selection panel prior to interview. However, it is appreciated that such activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you should include it separately in your personal statement.

Annex 3: Public Appointment Diversity Monitoring Form

All Government Departments aim to provide fair and equal access to public appointments and to ensure that all sectors of society are represented. You are asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. The questions set out in this form below help us to monitor the effectiveness of this policy by gaining a picture of all those applying for and obtaining appointments. They also help us to monitor how we are complying with equality law.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination and promotes equality on the basis of a number of ‘protected characteristics’. We ask for information on your ‘protected characteristics’ in order to help us monitor our performance on equality.

The commitment to widening access to public appointments is set out in Increasing Diversity in Public Appointments which can be viewed at:

We may also be asked to provide information – in summary form only that does not identify individuals – in response to Parliamentary Questions and other public enquiries and reports on our equality performance.

In line with Government policy, and in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, the information you provide will be held confidentially and can only be used if you give us your consent.

The form will be kept separate from your application and will not be seen by the shortlisting or interview panel. Assessment of your suitability for the post is made purely on the information you give on the application form and your performance at the interview, should you be invited. Appointments are made strictly on merit.

If you consider yourself to have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010 and would like to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme then please complete the Guaranteed Interview Request form and submit it with your application.

DIVERSITY MONITORING FORM

NAME OF APPLICANT:

GENDER:

At birth, were you described as…

Male☐Female☐

Intersex☐Prefer not to say ☐

Which of the following describes how you think of yourself?

Male☐Female☐

In another way:

AGE:

35 & under☐36-45☐

46-55☐56-65☐

66+☐

DISABILITY:

The Equality Act 2010 defines a person as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long term (i.e. has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months) adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Adverse effects may arise from external barriers experienced by people with impairments.