*Closes 10th September*

Ministers are seeking to make 3 appointments to the board of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The Department values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are always keen to encourage candidates new to public appointments to consider applying for our roles.

Role description

Non-Executive Board Members (NEBMs) provide independent advice and expertise to inform the Department’s strategy, performance and governance of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The time commitment for this role is 2-3 days per month.
They attend the Departmental Board which meets quarterly and is chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and attended by the Department’s most senior officials.
The Board’s role is to bring independent advice, support and challenge to the Executive Team to help shape the Department’s work, particularly in terms of delivery.
All non-executives are also expected to contribute to the work of the Department in the following areas:
  • Independence: provide an independent perspective and assurance, including in advising the Permanent Secretary on the capability of the Department
  • Strategy: constructively challenge and contribute to the development of the Department’s strategy and business plan, including the setting and development of key objectives and targets
  • Performance: scrutinise the performance of the Department in meeting agreed goals and objectives, including financial targets, and work with senior officials to continue to improve Departmental performance
  • People: offer mentoring, support and guidance to senior leaders in the department, and support delivery of the Department’s wider People strategy
  • Governance: ensure governance, internal control and risk management systems are effective, and deliver relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board
  • Support the Board to help it engage with strategic issues in ways which have practical resonance
  • Connect the Board to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives and expertise to help the Department deliver its responsibilities
  • Expertise: bring expertise and experience in key areas of work, to support and supplement skills and experience brought by fellow non-executives.

Number of vacancies x3

Time commitment: 2 day(s) per month

Remuneration: £15000 per annum

Length of term Ministers will determine the length of the appointment, which will be up to 3 years.

Application deadline: 11:59am on 10 September 2024

Organisation description

DHSC is a ministerial department at the heart of delivering the Government’s priorities and supporting Ministers to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. The Department is committed to shortening the amount of time people spend in poor health, reducing health inequalities, driving economic growth, and ultimately improving the financial sustainability of the health and care system. As of 30 June 2024, the department employs 3,540 full-time equivalent employees, who work in locations across the country.

Our responsibilities

We are responsible for:

  • Supporting and advising our ministers: we help them shape and deliver policy that delivers the government’s objectives
  • Setting direction: we anticipate the future and lead debate ensuring we protect and improve global and domestic health
  • Accountability: we make sure the department and our arm’s length bodies deliver on our agreed plans and commitments
  • Acting as guardians of the health and care framework: we make sure the legislative, financial, administrative and policy frameworks are fit for purpose and work together
  • Troubleshooting: in the last resort, the public and Parliament expect us to take the action needed to resolve crucial and complex issues

Agencies and partner organisations, including contact information

DHSC is supported by a number of agencies and partner organisations also known as arm’s length bodies (ALBs).

We work closely with our partners in the health and care system, our ALBs, agencies, local authorities, across government, and with both patients and the public, ensuring that we are all working with one focus – the people who use our services.

To find out more about the department’s ALBs visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-contact-department-of-health-arms-length-bodies

Board composition

Board meetings are held at 39 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0EU.
The Department Board meets on a quarterly basis.

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

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.
  • Extensive senior experience and a track record of achievement in a relevant field, with an ability to operate effectively on the board of a significant national organisation
  • Strong strategic skills, with a bias towards effective delivery and implementation
  • Exceptional communication skills, able to work as part of a team and collaborate effectively with others to drive change in a large, complex system
  • Sound judgement, with the ability to consider and provide challenge on complex issues from an impartial and balanced viewpoint.

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.