Vacancy -- Appointment of a Chair of the Research and Innovation Committee /Deputy Chair of the Board for the Commission for Tertiary Education & Research (CTER)

Vacancy details

Research and Innovation Committee & Commission for Tertiary Education & Research
TBC

The post of RIC Chair is remunerated at £366 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 position is not pensionable

4
month

Function of body

During establishment

  • As a CTER Programme Board member, they would oversee progress of all the component projects against a high-level programme plan
  • Work with the CEO and Welsh Government Programme Board Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) on the transition 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
  • Advise the Welsh Government as to whether it is content with each stage of the programme at key milestones and on the completion of constituent projects
  • Consider the interests of external stakeholders in the programme
  • Identify potential opportunities and benefits


Once CTER is established

  • Support the Chair 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
  • Contribute to ensuring tertiary education and research is central to the work of the Board
  • 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

Role description

The successful post holder will Chair the Research and Innovation Committee (RIC) and deputise for the chair of the CTER Board. As Chair of the RIC, the post holder will lead on advising CTER on the exercise of its research and innovation functions.

The Deputy Chair of the CTER Board will contribute to the transition implementation arrangements required to establish the new organisation by no later than April 2024. They will be accountable to the Chair and be responsible for informing decisions and delivery concerning CTER’s establishment. The Deputy 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:

  • Lead the Research and Innovation (RIC) Committee in setting the strategic direction for the Commission’s research and innovation functions
  • Chair and facilitate RIC Committee meetings, determining the agenda and approving the minutes before they are circulated to members
  • Ensure the business of the Committee is carried out in an efficient and effective manner
  • Encourage all members of the Committee to work collaboratively, and seek to build consensus amongst them
  • Act fairly and impartially at all times in the interests of CTER, maintaining confidentiality as appropriate
  • Ensure appropriate governance arrangements for the Committee are established and implemented to deliver the legal responsibilities, functions and duties placed on the Commission by Statute
  • Ensuring that the Committee acts within its agreed terms of reference
  • Ensure that any conflict of interest is identified and managed appropriately to ensure the integrity of the Committee is maintained at all times
  • 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
  • Deputise for the Chair in facilitating CTER Board meetings, determining the agenda and approving the minutes
  • Support the Chair in leading the CTER board in setting the strategic direction for the Commission and assess and evaluate the development and delivery of the organisation’s business strategy, plans and performance objectives as necessary
  • Key role in ensuring that all members of the Board have clear roles and responsibilities with regards to the transition to CTER
  • Contribute to the scoping of 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

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

  • A highly respected and inspirational senior leader and manager with proven experience of driving forward the delivery of research and innovation
  • Understanding of the Welsh, UK and international research environment in either higher education, third or private sectors
  • A well-developed knowledge and understanding of post compulsory education and training (PCET)
  • Excellent track record of engaging and inspiring 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 A clear understanding and commitment to equality and diversity and a willingness to challenge discriminatory practices
  • 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

  • Experience of working on university research policy and knowledge exchange functions and funding
  • Experience of research development and innovation funding and the split of provision from Welsh Government and UK Government
  • 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

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This vacancy is closed to applications.