*Closes 16th December*

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is seeking to appoint four new Non-Executive Board Members, including a Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. The successful candidates will provide external, independent advice, challenge and expertise, which informs the department’s decision-making process. ​
The 3 NEDs will be appointed for up to 3 years and remunerated at £15000 per annum for 2 days per month. The ARAC Chair will be appointed for up to 4 years and remunerated at £20000 per annum for 2 days per month.
Non-Executive Directors will have a responsibility to: ​
  • Sit on the departmental Board, chaired by the Secretary of State, and other Board sub-committees as required by the Chair;
  • Provide independent advice on all aspects of departmental policy, strategy, commercial and financial management, people resourcing, delivery and risk, performance management, and its delivery portfolio; ​
  • Undertake (or assist on) specific project work by agreement with ministers to assess and enhance the department’s performance; ​
  • Bring external experience and expertise to the role and be able to challenge the Board, ministers and officials, providing an important scrutiny function for the department;
  • Have the professional credibility and authority to challenge and hold MHCLG leaders to account; ​
  • Ensure that the departmental Lead Non-Executive Director is made aware of any concerns. ​​

MHCLG Departmental Board Non-Executive Directors and ARAC Chair

Number of vacancies x 4

Time commitment x 2 day(s) per month

Remuneration£15000 to £20000 per annum

Length of term x 3 years

 

The MHCLG Board is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, and includes ministers, senior officials (the Executive Team), a Lead Non-Executive and Non-Executive Board members. The board meets at least quarterly, with overarching responsibility for performance and delivery. The departmental non-executive directors work closely with ministers, the executive team and officials, and other members of the non-executive team, to provide independent advice, scrutiny and challenge on a range of areas including performance, delivery, departmental management and implementation of the single departmental plan.​
Audit and Risk Assurance Committee​
The ARAC supports the Board and Accounting Officer in their responsibilities for financial risk, control and governance. The Committee provides independent scrutiny of the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances on governance, risk management, the control environment and the integrity of financial statements. Its remit extends across the whole of the department and its arm’s length bodies.​

Organisation description

MHCLG is central to the mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local government. Further details of the department’s work are available below. The department is supported by 16 agencies and public bodies. ​

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – GOV.UK

Regulation of appointment

  • This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

  1. Senior leadership experience in non-executive or executive level roles in private, public or third sector organisations with demonstrable delivery results;
  2. The ability to challenge received wisdom, by scrutinising advice and decision making;
  3. An understanding of the key issues faced by the civil service and/or public sector and an ability to bring a fresh, external view to overcome these challenges
  4. Sound judgement, integrity (including when dealing with confidential or sensitive issues) and a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life
  5. An engaging and collaborative leadership style, including the ability to inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders including ministers and officials
  6. A passion for the department’s work with knowledge or experience of one of the following areas:
    a. Local Government and English devolution;
    b. Regeneration, housing and planning;
    c. Building safety, remediation and regulation;
    d. Communities, homelessness and resettlement; or
    e. Delivery of large-scale, complex programmes or projects.
    For candidates seeking membership of the Audit and Risk Committee, experience of managing finance, risk, and performance for similar sized organisations is essential.
    *Please specify in your supporting statement if you are applying for the ARAC role*
  7. Desirable criteria
  • A record of working with ministers, senior officials or other relevant public sector stakeholders;
  • Experience of leading digitally led systems transformation in highly commercial environments, including expertise in data and its role in shaping user experience, improving efficiency and enabling strategic delivery.
  • For candidates seeking membership of the Audit and Risk Committee, a relevant accountancy qualification, ideally from the ICAEW or otherwise a CCAB member, is highly desirable.

    How to apply

    In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

    Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

    • a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • a supporting statement
    • equality information
    • information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

    We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

    You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

    The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.