Cabinet Office
Parole Board Chair
Announced| Body: | Ministry of Justice |
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| Appointing Department: | Ministry of Justice |
| Sectors: | Prison & Policing |
| Location: | London |
| Number of Vacancies: | 1 |
| Remuneration: | £400 per day |
| Time Requirements: | Up to two days a week |
Campaign Timeline
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Competition Launched
29/05/2018
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Closed for Applications
19/06/2018 at 12:00
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Panel Sift
05/07/2018
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Final Interview Date
01/08/2018
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Announcement
Mid September
Assessment Panel
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Justin Russell
Panel Chair
Director General, Justice Analysis and Offender Policy Group MoJ • Departmental Official
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Mr Justice James Goss
High Court Judge • Representative of Organisation
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Rosemary Varley OBE
Senior Independent Panel Member
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Amerdeep Somal
Senior Independent Panel Member
Vacancy Description
The Parole Board plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by ensuring public protection and in supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners. The recent publicity surrounding the Board’s decision in the case of Worboys demonstrates the high degree of scrutiny and accountability required of the Chair.
The position of Chair is challenging, demanding and rewarding and requires an exceptional individual to provide first class leadership.
To be successful in the role, the Chair will need to be able to: provide strong leadership to Parole Board members and staff; build diversity and inclusiveness at all levels of the organisation; ensure the independence of the Board whilst developing and maintaining strong relationships with Ministers; the Justice Committee; senior MoJ Officials and; a wide range of stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
In particular, the candidate appointed will have to:
• Chair and set direction for the Parole Board;
• Produce a new Parole Board strategy that sets out the Parole Board’s vision, strategic direction and aims.
• Be a strong, visible and inspiring leader to Parole Board members and staff.
• Lead the Board’s Management Committee in setting strategy and direction and enabling it to think innovatively and achieve value for money across the Board’s activities; appraise Management Committee members;
• Hold the Chief Executive and senior management to account in delivering their strategic, financial and operational objectives. Work closely with the Chief Executive to ensure that the organisation complies with the principles of good corporate governance and the requirements set out in ‘Managing Public Money’ for the use of public funds;
• Monitor the effectiveness of the Parole Board’s constitution and governance structures and, together with the Chief Executive, consider how these might be improved;
• Encourage and foster a culture of trust and respect amongst the Parole Board membership. Facilitate discussions that allow for challenge and enable the experience and expertise of members to be drawn upon;
• Build the diversity and inclusiveness of the Parole Board membership so that the Board reflects the diversity of the society in which they serve.
Person Specification
The appointment is open to both lay persons and members of the judiciary.
Applications are welcome from senior leaders from a wide range of backgrounds including those with experience in the private, public and third sectors.
It is essential that applicants are able to demonstrate that they meet the criteria set out below.
You will need to demonstrate in your written application examples where your
experience matches the essential criteria detailed below.
Essential criteria:
• Outstanding leadership skills and the ability to drive forward significant change and effectively hold to account a complex organisation;
• An ability to scrutinise and challenge with integrity; to deal with complex and challenging situations, making difficult decisions under pressure and where necessary defend these against internal and external challenge;
• Strong advocacy skills, and a personal style that demonstrates authority, commitment and consistency, and which inspires trust and confidence;
• Ability to communicate very effectively with a range of people and to deal credibly with stakeholders (Parole Board members, senior managers, ministers, judiciary, politicians and others) and the media;
• An understanding of the policy, operational, political and media landscape in which the Parole Board works, including an understanding of or experience of the wider criminal justice system, in the UK or comparable jurisdictions;
• Evidence of valuing diversity and equality.
Additional Information
Justice Committee Pre-Commencement Hearing
Ministers are responsible for making the appointment. Following announcement of the appointment, the appointee will be requested to appear before the Justice Committee prior to commencing the role, (date to be confirmed).
Prior to the Committee hearing, the preferred candidate will be expected to undertake some preparatory work with Ministry of Justice officials. The hearing will not affect the Minister’s decision on appointment.
How to Apply
To make an application, please send:
• A CV (maximum two sides of A4) detailing your qualifications, employment history and any appointments or offices you hold. Please also provide your preferred contact number and email address.
• A personal statement (maximum two sides of A4) providing evidence against the role criteria and your suitability for the post including evidence of leadership qualities and a vision for the organisation. Please consider the role and criteria carefully in preparing your statements. Information from Advisory Assessment Panels indicates that applications which offer specific and tailored examples against the criteria, making clear the candidate’s role in achieving an outcome are often the strongest. Structuring the statement around the criteria using relevant headings also aids clarity.
Supporting Documents
Please also complete and return the following supporting documents:
• potential conflicts of interest: You should declare any actual or potential conflict of interest. The Advisory Assessment Panel may wish to explore these further with you if you are shortlisted for interview. Conflicts might arise from a variety of sources such as financial interests or share ownership, membership of, or association with, particular bodies or the activities of relatives or partners. If you need further advice, please contact Anna Payne at PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk.
• note of public appointments – please list any appointments currently held;
• referee details – please give names/contact details of two referees (who will be contacted if you are shortlisted for interview);
• the political activity declaration form – in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments, details of any declared activity will be made public if you are appointed; and
• the equal opportunities monitoring form – information is requested for monitoring purposes only and plays no part in the selection process. It will be kept confidential and will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel.
Please send your CV, personal statement and supporting documents to: PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk quoting reference PAT150053-PAROLEBOARD-CHAIR in the subject line of your email. We will acknowledge receipt.
If you have any questions about any aspects of this post, you are welcome to contact Anna Payne at PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk .
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Supporting-documents-February 2018 |
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Parole Board Chair 2018 |
