Vacancy -- Appointment of a Chair of the Board for the Commission for Tertiary Education & Research (CTER)

Vacancy details

Commission for Tertiary Education & Research
TBC

The post of Chair is remunerated at £394 per day. There will be a scheme to reimburse subsistence expenses, and other expenses necessarily incurred on business. This scheme will be approved by Ministers. You will be entitled to claim travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out work on the in accordance with this scheme. You may also be eligible to claim reimbursement for costs in relation to childcare / care of the  elderly/assistant carer, whilst carrying out work on behalf of the Body.

This post is not pensionable

4
month

Function of body

During establishment

  • Work with the CEO and Welsh Government Programme Board Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) on the implementation plan to ensure CTER is delivered on time and is fit for purpose for day one of operation
  • Monitor programme level risks, issues, and dependencies
  • Provide feedback to the programme team on proposals and progress
  • Work in partnership with Welsh Government to ensure that constituent projects are developed collaboratively maximising opportunities for co-construction and a solution focused approach.
  • Consider the interests of external stakeholders and future CTER staff in the programme
  • Identify potential opportunities and benefits.


Once CTER is Established

  • Support the CEO in delivering the remit of the Board
  • Lead the work of any subgroup (as required) in support of the Board’s work plan and achievement of delivery targets Work collaboratively with stakeholders in developing post compulsory education and training priorities, ensuring delivery of best practice, value for money and alignment with other government priorities.
  • Promote post compulsory education and training, highlighting the opportunities and benefits
  • Ensure the Board delivers CTER’s strategic aims and vision effectively
  • Conduct its functions in line with the agreed terms of reference
  • Promote high standards of public finance; upholding the principles of regularity, propriety, and value for money; ensure appropriate governance arrangements are established and implemented to deliver the legal responsibilities, functions and duties placed on the body by Statute Skills Required by the CTER Board


In appointing the Chair and ordinary Board members, the Welsh Ministers are required by Schedule 1 of the TER (Wales) Bill to have regard to the desirability of the CTER’s members (between them) having capabilities or expertise in the following areas:

  •  Practitioner or post compulsory education and training field expertise
  • Experience of promoting the needs of learners in tertiary education
  • Administrative/research background
  • Financial expertise – or an accountancy qualification
  • Audit
  • Industrial or commercial/business/background
  • Legal background
  • Equalities/diversity expertise (there is usually expertise within this area on every board)
  • Expertise on Welsh medium issues

Role description

The successful post holder will chair the CTER Board, developing Terms of Reference for its operation in partnership with WG. The CTER Board Chair will contribute to the transition implementation arrangements required in order to establish the new organisation by April 2024. This will include working with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place to provide a smooth transition of staff. They will be accountable to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language and be responsible for informing decisions and delivery concerning CTER’s establishment. The Chair will ensure that authoritative and timely advice is provided to the Welsh Government Ministers via officials and will provide feedback to the sectors.

The post holder will:

  • Work with the CEO and Welsh Government Programme Board Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) on the implementation plan to ensure CTER is delivered on time and is fit for purpose for day one of operation
  • Ensure that all members of the CTER Board have clear roles and responsibilities with regards to the establishment and development of CTER
  • Lead the CTER board in setting the strategic direction for CTER and assess and evaluate the development and delivery of the organisation’s business strategy, plans and performance objectives
  • Chair and facilitate CTER Board meetings, determining the agenda and approving the minutes
  • Inform the performance management of the CEO and be responsible for the CTER Board members
  • Scope CTER’s vision, mission and goals
  • Build relationships with sector leaders
  • Provide project representation at a senior level, engaging with key stakeholders, across Wales, the UK and internationally
  • Promote high standards of public finance; upholding the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money; ensure appropriate governance arrangements are established and implemented to deliver the legal responsibilities, functions and duties placed on the body by Statute
  • Assist in the appointment of the CEO

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Desirable
Can read simple material on everyday topics with understanding
Can write simple work-related correspondence
Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics
Can hold simple work-related conversations

Person specification

To be considered you must demonstrate you have the qualities and skills to meet all the essential criteria for appointment:

  • An outstanding record of leadership, oversee organisational transformation, and development at Board level or equivalent in a complex organisation with an ability to provide strategic direction and coherent leadership
  • A well-developed knowledge and understanding of post compulsory education and training (PCET)
  • A knowledge and understanding of the Welsh, UK and international tertiary education and training policy context, with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities CTER’s creation
  • Well-developed analytical reasoning skills and judgement based on an expert ability to process and interpret complex information A clear understanding and commitment to equality and diversity and a willingness to challenge discriminatory practices
  • Excellent track record of engaging, inspiring and enthusing staff and stakeholders that demonstrates an inclusive and collaborative approach including working in partnership with staff representatives
  • A track record of successfully managing complex and challenging relationships, providing appropriate support as necessary and managing performance effectively
  • An ability to demonstrate understanding of the commitments of a public role, as defined in Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life
  • An ability to challenge current thinking and test opinion, with an openness to be challenged and encourage open debate to reach better decisions

Desirable

The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh. If you do not have such skills, you should be willing to make a commitment to learn on appointment. Training including individual support and coaching will be provided

Interview dates

8 November 2022
17 November 2022

Closing date

30/09/2022, 16:00

Additional information

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

If you’d like to apply for this opportunity in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Public Appointments Team on  PublicAppointments@gov.wales.

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

Commissioner for Public Appointments logo

This vacancy is closed to applications.