*Closes 29th August*

Dstl is led by a Board of Directors which includes the Chair and five Non-Executive Members (including one MOD NEM). We are seeking an exceptional individual to join the Dstl Board as a Non-executive Member (NEM), with an anticipated start date of 01 December 2024, subject to security clearance.

The key responsibilities of a Dstl Non-Executive Member include:

  • To provide an independent perspective to the strategic direction of Dstl’s work
  • To encourage and support Dstl’s drive for continuous improvement through objective, constructive challenge and scrutiny of Dstl’s performance
  • To make a creative contribution by questioning existing ways of working and encouraging innovation and new thinking
  • To share knowledge and expertise with both the Board and individual Executive Directors as appropriate
  • To contribute to Board sub-committees and significant change programme boards as appropriate
  • To build effective relationships with Board colleagues, internal and external stakeholders
  • To actively communicate Dstl’s role to internal and external stakeholders, and to understand any challenges/concerns
  • To role model Dstl’s guiding principles
  • The successful candidate will be required to undertake Security Check clearance.
  • The successful candidate must abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members

Sponsor department – Ministry of Defence

Time Commitment – 30 days per annum

Remuneration – £18000 per annum

Organisation description

Dstl is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field.

Dstl supplies specialist services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support. We are innovative, collaborative and impactful.
Our responsibilities include:
• Supplying sensitive and specialist science and technology services for MOD and wider government
• Providing and facilitating expert advice, analysis and assurance on defence procurement
• Leading on the MOD’s science and technology programme
• Understanding risks and opportunities through horizon-scanning
• Acting as a trusted interface between MOD, wider government, the private sector and academia to provide science and technology support to military operations by the UK and her allies
• Championing and developing science and technology skills across MOD
• International work such as coordinating the UK’s involvement in NATO science and technology activity
Further information about Dstl can be found on our web page and in the Dstl Framework Document.

Board composition

The Dstl Board (in an advisory capacity) exercises strategic oversight of Dstl and provide assurance to MOD, of Dstl in the delivery of its objectives. Its key roles are to:

  • Advise on the development of Dstl’s organisational strategies and business plans
  • Advise on Dstl’s risk appetite and the controls in place to manage risks and threats to Dstl achieving its objectives, and to address opportunities
  • Monitor organisational performance and seek assurance around the effectiveness of mitigations required
  • Advise on the health of Dstl’s capabilities and the quality of the S&T
  • Advise on, and endorse, investment proposals in support of Dstl’s business plans that are above the delegation of the Chief Executive, before submission to MOD
  • Seek assurance that Dstl is operating in compliance with relevant policies and standards

The Board comprises:

  • An independent non-executive Chair
  • Chief Executive of Dstl
  • Independent Non-Executive Members (NEMs). The role of the NEMs is to provide expert advice, guidance and challenge to the Dstl Executive team
  • The Ministry of Defence’s formal NEM, representing the Ministry of Defence on the Board, who is consulted on matters that have consequences for the wider Department or Government. The Ministry of Defence NEM will also advise the Sponsor on the strategic direction and performance of Dstl and the effectiveness of the Chair
  • Dstl Chief Finance Officer
  • Dstl Chief Science and Technology Officer
  • Other members of the Executive as agreed between the Chair and Chief Executive

The Board is supported by an Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, chaired by a NEM. The Role of the Dstl Audit and Risk Assurance Committee: The Dstl Board has established an Audit and Risk Assurance Committee as a sub-committee of the Board to support them in their responsibilities for issues of risk, control and governance by reviewing the comprehensiveness of assurances in meeting the Board and Accounting Officer’s assurance needs, and reviewing the reliability and integrity of these assurances. The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee does not have any executive responsibilities nor is charged with making or endorsing any decisions. It takes care to maintain its independence.

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee advises the Board and the Chief Executive on:

  • the strategic processes for risk, control and governance, taking into account related ethical standards, and the Governance Statement
  • the accounting policies, the accounts, and the Annual Report, including the process for review of the accounts prior to submission for audit, levels of error identified, and management’s letter of representation to the external auditors
  • the planned activity and results of both internal and external audit
  • adequacy of management response to issues identified by audit activity
  • assurances relating to the management of risk and corporate governance requirements for Dstl
  • proposals for tendering for external audit services or for purchase of non-audit services from contractors who provide audit services
  • anti-fraud policies, whistle-blowing processes, and arrangements for special investigations
  • its own effectiveness through periodic review, and reporting the results of those reviews to the Board.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Candidates are required to demonstrate:

Strategic Leadership

  • Senior leadership experience, derived from a professional career at a senior level, able to contribute to the development of strategy and associated longer-term issues, introduce new thinking and challenge existing ways of doing things;
  • Driving delivery and transformational changes to ensure all challenges facing the business are dealt with effectively and at pace.
  • Ability to provide a challenging and supportive role to the Dstl Chair, Chief Executive and other senior executives, using sound judgment, analysis and decision-making skills;
  • An engaging and collaborative working style, demonstrating leadership and influencing skills with a range of stakeholders.

Professional Expertise

  • Thorough and contemporary understanding and knowledge of one or more of the following fields:
  • Science, technology and innovation
  • Digital, MI, and AI
  • Infrastructure and safety
  • Transformation and cultural change

Desirable criteria

It is desirable that the successful candidates bring:

  • Knowledge and expertise of operating in a technological or scientific environment (not necessarily defence) of comparable scale and complexity to Dstl with a strong emphasis on safety;
  • An interest in the challenges of Government and an understanding of the public sector;
  • Wider experience of other sectors to foster diversity of thought;
  • Mentoring and counselling colleagues to help them realise their full potential.

Application and selection process

In order to apply you will need to provide:
  • A Curriculum Vitae which provides details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any publications or awards;
  • A supporting statement in the ‘Expression of Interest Form’ explaining how you meet the eligibility criteria. Make sure you refer to the contents of the candidate information pack and provide specific examples which demonstrate proven and demonstrable expertise or ability.  Please ensure your full name and the campaign reference number are clearly stated at the top of your CV and additional papers;
  • Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues (further information below);
  • Complete the Expression of Interest Form including your supporting statement; contact details for two referees “(by providing their details you are giving consent for us to contact them should you be successful at the shortlisting stage)” and any conflict of interest
  • diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel;
  • Disability Confident – Offering an interview to disabled people (ifapplicable), and;
  • Reasonable adjustments – requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable).
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.