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Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group - Members

Announced
Body: Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group
Appointing Department: Home Office
Sectors: Charity & Public Sector, Education, Prison & Policing, Regulation, Science & Technology
Location: Central London / remote working
Skills required: Change Management, IT / Digital, Legal / Judicial, Regulation
Number of Vacancies: 5
Remuneration: The role is not remunerated. However, the Home Office will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred in respect of your appointment
Time Requirements: 3 years

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

The Biometrics and Forensics Ethics group are pleased to announce the recruitment of three new members. The new members come from diverse backgrounds, with expertise across policing, digital forensics, and ethics.

Mark Watson-Gandy, Chair of the BFEG, said:

I am delighted to welcome two new members to the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group, who will strengthen our expertise in Policing and Digital Forensics matters. I am also so pleased to be able to welcome back Professor Nina Hallowell, a former BFEG member, who made such excellent contributions to the BFEG during her previous terms.

The three new members are:

David Lewis – retired Deputy Chief Constable of Dorset and Devon & Cornwall Police. Mr Lewis was also the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Ethics and national lead for Forensics Performance and Standards.
Dr Sarah Morris – Senior Lecturer and Head of the Digital Investigation Unit Centre for Electronic Warfare Information and Cyber (EWIC) at Cranfield University.
Professor Nina Hallowell, Professor of Social and Ethical Aspects of Genomics, at University of Oxford. Nina was formerly a BFEG member between 2011 and July 2020.
The new members joined the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group at the group’s plenary meeting on 20 October 2021.

Announcement made on 4/2/2022

The Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group is pleased to announce the recruitment of two new members. The new members come from diverse backgrounds, with expertise across law and forensic science.

Mark Watson-Gandy, Chair of the BFEG, said:

I am delighted to welcome the final two new members to the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group, who will strengthen our expertise in law and forensic science matters.

The two new members are:

Professor Anne-Maree Farrell, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence at Edinburgh Law School
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Professor of Forensic Science and Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee.
Professor Farrell joined the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group at the group’s plenary meeting on 14 December 2021, and Professor Nic Daeid joined the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group on 10 January 2022.

Date: 04/02/2022

View Announcement

Campaign Timeline

  • Competition Launched

    10/03/2021

  • Closed for Applications

    12/04/2021

  • Panel Sift

    W/C 26 April 2021

  • Final Interview Date

    11/06/2021

  • Announcement

    21/10/2021

Announcements made on 21/10/2021 and 4/02/2022, due to security clearances at different times.

 

Assessment Panel

Vacancy Description

Do you want to play a leading role in advising the Government on a range of issues relating to the ethical use of large and complex data sets and biometric and forensic technology?

The Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group (BFEG) provides independent ethical advice to Home Office ministers on issues related to the collection, use, and retention of biometrics, and forensic material, including digital forensic data. The BFEG also advises on ethical issues in the use of large and complex data sets, including the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

We are seeking five new members with expertise in evaluating and considering ethical issues in one or more of the following closely related areas such as:

  • Law – criminal law, forensics, biometrics or use of data;
  • Social Sciences – experience of considering the social and ethical implications of technological innovations;
  • Data Ethics – experience of considering the ethical issues in the use of large data sets; or
  • Digital Forensics – experience of working with large volumes of digital data for forensic analysis.

All successful candidates will possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with committee members and stakeholders. Successful candidates will be able to actively and constructively contribute to discussions, negotiating between conflicting opinions and values and generating options to reach consensus.

These appointments will be for a period of three years with the possibility of re-appointment.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Knowledge and Experience

Applicants should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • The law, with experience in relevant areas such as; criminal law, forensic science, biometrics, and data.
  • Social sciences, with experience of considering the social and ethical implications of technological innovations, such as in forensics, biometrics or use of data.
  • Data ethics, with experience of considering the issues in the use of large data sets across the biometric, forensic and criminal justice arena or other relevant fields.
  • Digital forensics with experience of working with large volumes of digital data for forensic analysis.

Essential skills

  • A good understanding of ethics and the role of an ethics committee.
  • Experience of interpreting rules and regulations and identifying options or recommendations.
  • The ability to analyse complex information from diverse sources.
  • Good communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to actively and constructively contribute to discussions and to work well as part of a team.
  • An appreciation of equality and diversity and a willingness to champion difference and challenge unacceptable practices.
  • An understanding of the potential ethical implications on society of issues within the BFEG’s remit, such as forensics, biometrics or use of data. 

Desirable

  • A good understanding of the specific ethical issues addressed by the BFEG, such as the collection, use, storage and retention of biometric and forensic information and the use of complex data sets.
  • Evidence of working successfully on committees or other decision-making groups and reaching impactful and timely conclusions.

 

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to Security Check (SC) level.

How to Apply

The closing date for applications is 23:00, Monday 12 April 2021.

Please submit the following 4 documents, clearly labelled, by email to:

publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk

  1. A concise CV (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.
  2. A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font – not more than 1250 words) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the experience, qualities and skill areas identified in the person specification as the evidence you provide will be used by the selection panel to determine your suitability for interview. Please note that prospective members are not expected to have a deep understanding of all areas of the BFEG’s remit.
  3. Please complete and return via email the forms at Annex B, relating to referees, conflicts of interest and nationality.
  4. In addition, please complete the Diversity Form at Annex C. Please click on the link to the Public Appointments website for further information on recording whether or not you have a disability.

Please include the heading (Members, Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group) in the subject box.

Please submit your application documents as 4 separate attachments.

Please note the following:

  • We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.
  • Applications will be assessed on the documentation provided. Please refer to the advert and checklist to ensure you have provided the necessary documentation We will assess it based solely on documentation provided.
  • Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.
  • Feedback will only be given to unsuccessful candidates following interview.
Attachments
Annex B - Supporting documentation 2020 - Final
diversity-monitoring-form-accessible
Home Office Privacy Notice - Final
20210310 - BFEG Members - Recruitment Pack - Final
OCPA Regulated

This post is regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments

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