SACMILL Reappointments - Info Pack TEMPLATE-U

Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)

The recruitment and selection of 1 Member

Information pack for applicants

All applications must be returned by12 Noon, Tuesday 17th. November

Please quote reference 10038on all correspondence

ADDRESS FOR RETURN OF APPLICATIONS:

DBS NSAT

Oak level 2 # 6030-8

East Wing

Abbey Wood North

New Road

Stoke Gifford

Bristol

BS34 8QW

Tel: 030 679 84917

Email:

Contents

About the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)
Introduction
Terms of Reference
Chair/Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)
Person Specifications – Experience and Competencies required
Role ofMembers
Terms and Conditions of Appointment
Public Service Values
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Applying for a post
The Commissioner for Public Appointments
How to respond
Selection process
How we will handle your application
Equal Opportunities
Data protection
Dealing with any concerns

Enclosures

Expression of Interest form

Monitoring Information form

About the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)

Introduction / The Ministry of Defence is looking to appoint one member. You will be independent of the Ministry of Defence operational activities and have the ability to apply intellectual rigour
Terms of Reference / The Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL) provides independent advice to UK government departments and organisations on the biophysical, biomechanical, pathological and clinical aspects of less-lethal weapon systems.
SACMILL’s membership consists of an independent chair and other independent members to support its activities. Independent members are mainly medical and academic experts from the public and private sectors, providing an appropriate balance of independent lay and medical expertise on the committee. There are also three ex-officio members from within government to provide expert advice and guidance.
It succeeded the Defence Scientific Advisory Council Sub-Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (DOMILL) in 2012, and is responsible for:

issuing independent statements on the medical implications of the use of specific less-lethal weapon systems, when used in accordance with published operational guidance provided to users
giving advice on the risk of injury from specific less-lethal weapon systems striking specific areas of the body, in a format that will assist both those responsible for developing policy and for operational users to help make tactical decisions

SACMILL provides advice only to UK government departments and organisations. It does not provide scientific or technical advice to external suppliers of equipment and it does not act as a provider or commissioner of original research.

Members ofSACMILL

Person Specification

Member
SACMILL is looking to recruit one or more new members, who will have the appropriate medical expertise to play an active role in the work of the committee. The Committee has recently been examining issues surrounding the use of Taser and water cannon devices by the civilian police, and it is expected that such issues will continue to be central to its work in the future.
Essential Criteria:
* Exceptional analytical and communication skills
* Experience at a senior level in a medical specialism
Desirable Criteria:
* Understanding of the medical effects of less-lethal weapons
* Appreciation of the operational, ethical, political, societal and human rights dimensions surrounding the use of such weapons
Role of Members / Members of SACMILL have a collective responsibility for the operation of the Committee. They must:

engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant factors, including any guidance issued by the sponsor department or the responsible minister;

ensure that the code of Practice on Access to Government Information (including prompt responses to public requests for information) is adhered to;
agree and produce an Annual Report.

respond appropriately to complaints, if necessary with reference to the sponsor department; and

ensure that the committee does not exceed its powers or functions.

Communications between the board and Ministerwill generally be through the Chair, except where the board has agreed that an individual member should act on its behalf. Nevertheless, any committee member has the right of access to Ministeron any matter which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties as a committee member. In such cases the agreement of the rest of the committee should normally be sought.
Terms & Conditions of Appointment / Time Commitment and Remuneration
Location / The Member posts require a time commitment of approximately 3-5 days a year,for which the daily fee is £380.
Members are expected to spend typically 3-5 days per year on Committee business, including attending around three full meetings per year and participate fully in any subgroup activities.
In addition, reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
Meetings are usually held at MODMainBuilding, Whitehall, London. Occasional travel to other locations may be required.
Period of Appointment
Termination of Appointment / Appointments are made by MOD Ministers. Successful candidates will be appointed initially for a period of three years and the aim is to make these appointments by early 2016.

Extensions to appointment, renewable biennially, may be approved by Minister; the maximum total term shall be no more than 10 years, in any one post.

The Committee will be assisted by Government officials, including representatives of the MOD, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Home Office.The Chair will review membership/performance annually.

The Committee members are appointed in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.

Committee members may resign at any time by notice in writing to Minister.
Individual committee members can be removed from office by the Minister if they fail to perform the duties required of them in line with the standards expected in public office
You should note that this post is a public appointment and not an offer of employment. Such appointments are not normally subject to the provisions of employment law.
Public Service Values / On appointment / Candidates for these posts will need to be British Citizens
If appointed you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and go through security vetting.
Candidates are expected to inform Minister if they intend to accept a prominent position in any political party and to understand that the appointment may be terminated if it is felt that the positions are incompatible.
Members of SACMILL must at all times:
Observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the advice they provide and the management of this public body;
Be accountable to Parliament through Minister and the public more generally for its activities and for the standard of advice it provides; and
Comply fully with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, in accordance with Government policy on openness.
Members are also expected to adhere to the seven principles governing conduct in public life.
The Seven Principles of Public Life / Selflessness / Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest
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
Objectivity / Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
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
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
Honesty / Holders of public office should be truthful
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

Applying for a Post

The Commissioner for Public Appointments / The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors ministerial appointments to public bodies to ensure that they are made on merit after fair and open competition. More information about the role of the Commissioner and the Code of Practice is available from
How to respond / All candidates are required to submit the following forms in full:

Monitoring Form
Expressions of Interest Form
CV

Your completed forms should be returned to the following address by the closing date:
DBS NSAT
Oak level 2 # 6030-8
East Wing
Abbey Wood North
New Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8QW
Telephone: 030 679 84917
Email to:
Selection Process / Selection Panel –
The panel will consist of three members: the SACMILL Chair, a representative from MOD, and one external member.
Short-Listing – the short-listing panel will determine which candidate best demonstrates the specified qualities and experience, who will then be invited for interview.
It is therefore essential for your application to give full but concise information/evidence relevant to the post. Please make sure you have read the post description and list of qualities before completing your form and preparing your supporting documentation. Your application will be assessed on the strength of the information provided within your expression of interest and CV. Please keep a copy of all forms and any additional information you may send us for your own reference.
Interviewing – interviews are likely to take place from week commencing Tuesday 24 November 2015 at Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall, London. The interview should last in the region of 45 minutes.
Candidates will be able to claim for reasonable expenses incurred travelling to and from interview. Claim forms will be provided with invitations to interview.
How we will handle your application / The advertisement and this information pack will give you details of the specific vacancies for which you can apply.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application
Candidates will be notified in writing whether or not they have been shortlisted
The proposed sift date is in the week commencing 9 November 2015.
References will be taken up if candidates are selected for interview. You should ensure that they have given their permission for their names to be used.
Interviews are likely to take place from Tuesday 24 November 2015 at Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall, London.
All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Equal opportunities / These appointments will be governed by the principle of public appointment based on merit with independent assessment and transparency of process. Candidates may come from a wide range of background and experience although the successful candidates will need to demonstrate that they meet all the criteria for these appointments. We are keen to see people with diverse experience and backgrounds holding public appointments and hopeto receive applications from all sections of the community. Applications from women, ethnic minorities and disabled people will be welcomed.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme / The Ministry of Defence operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled people. The Equality Act 2010 defines a person as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment and the impairment has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Under the GIS a disabled candidate will be selected for interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the role decided by the selection panel at sift. To ensure fairness, the panel will not be informed of who has applied under the GIS until they have set the minimum criteria at the start of the sift meeting. If you wish to apply for consideration under the scheme, please tick the Guaranteed Interview Scheme Box at Part D of the Monitoring Information Form
Data Protection / The Ministry of Defence is required by the Commissioner for Public Appointments to retain information about the people who apply for public appointments, and make this information available to him or audit purposes, if requested to do so. The Ministry of Defence’s data protection policy in relation to the information we collect is set out below.
Your initial contact details, including your name and address will be held by the Ministry of Defence for a period of up to 2 years.
If you submit an application, that and any supporting documentation, will be retained by the Ministry of Defence for up to 2 years. Information held electronically, including your contact detailsand the monitoring information provided will also be held for up to 2 years.
If you would like these details to be removed from our records as soon as this recruitment exercise is complete, please write or e-mail the Ministry of Defence at the address on the front of this information pack.
Dealing with your concerns / In the first instance
For queries about your application, please telephone Ruth O’Grady at Defence Business Services on 030 679 84917 or e-mail

If you are not completely satisfied

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy. If you feel that you have any complaints about the way your application has been handled, we would like to hear from you.
Please contact the Civ HR Contact Centre on:
Email:
Tel: 0800 345 7772
quoting reference Public Appointments - NSAT
Taking it further
The Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir David Normington, regulates and monitors Ministerial appointments to public bodies.
If, after receiving a comprehensive response you are still concerned, you can write to the Commissioner for Public Appointments at the address below:
Commissioner for Public Appointments, and
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
Ground Floor
1 Horse Guards Road
London SW1A 2HQ