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MEMBERS OF THE WNC BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:
PERSON SPECIFICATION and JOB DESCRIPTION
Background Information
The Commissioners advise and work with the Chair of the WNC, assisted by the WNC Directorate. No honorarium is paid but expenses for attendance at meetings will be reimbursed.
The Directorate is a small group of civil servants seconded to the WNC and based in the Department of Communities and Local Government[Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 10:28:00 2007
]Trade and Industry[Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 10:28:00 2007
]. The Directorate's role is to: act as the central contact point for the WNC partners; produce policy papers and liaise between government departments and women's groups on issues concerning women; organise dialogue with women and consultation meetings around the country on key issues; manage the work programme of the WNC and the budget; manage working groups; co-ordinate and disseminate information; and liaise with the Women & Equality Unit in its work supporting the Ministers for Women.
The work of the Chair involves:
keeping abreast of gender developments and issues within women's groups, organisations and networks, - in effect being the eyes and ears for developments in the UK and at the European and International level - and identifying key issues of concern;
providing the Directorate with a strategic input/view on issues concerning women;
chairing the Commissioners' meetings;
acting as the general spokesperson for the WNC in public debates and interviews with the media;
representing the WNC and UK women's organisations at the United Nations;
liaising with the Director of the Women & Equality Unit and the Ministers for Women on key issues.
Person Specification
The Commissioners represent a cross-section of key women's interests and diverse communities. Between them, members will need to meet the following requirements:
Representation
Commissioners will together bring to the table [Author ID3: at Thu Jan 27 13:39:00 2005
]represent [Author ID3: at Thu Jan 27 13:39:00 2005
]the views of women in: different geographical areas and socio-economic groups within the UK; the different types of women's groups - national umbrella bodies, key interest/issue groups, local/community groups, and research/academic groups.
Knowledge
Commissioners will need knowledge of gender and equality issues within the UK. Knowledge of gender/equality issues at the international level would be an advantage. Specialist knowledge will need to be provided by some of the appointees on, not only Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for whom seats on the Board are reserved, but also on key areas of public policy, such as employment/income, poverty/social exclusion, violence, health, and education; media and communication; strategic planning and management; campaigning and mobilising; and chairing and facilitating meetings.
Skills
Commissioners will need: the ability to work as part of a team; the ability to identify with both large and smaller women's interest groups; the ability to analyse policy issues and advise on their impact and implementation; the ability to represent the WNC and act as a spokesperson at events, meetings and conferences.
Values
Commissioners will uphold the seven principles of public life (see attachment)[Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 11:32:00 2007
] [Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 11:33:00 2007
]and demonstrate active commitment to the WNC's policy on equality and diversity. (this has been provided for you in your induction pack)[Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 11:33:00 2007
] [Author ID2: at Thu Apr 26 11:33:00 2007
]Job Description.
Members of the Board of Commissioners will:
offer expert/practical advice and analyse/make recommendations in respect of Government policies, proposals and operational issues which affect women;
give a steer on the strategic areas of concern to women and be proactive in suggesting issues which may need to be pursued and developed by the WNC;
assist the Chair and the WNC Directorate in their work; in particular by proactively organising and mobilising women's organisations to engage with government on agreed priorities.
review the WNC work plan; assist in monitoring and advising on the WNC work priorities and budget;
advise and actively assist in the process for consulting the WNC partners on their views and recruit new partners, particularly among underrepresented groups;
take part in the regular Commissioners' meetings;
be called upon for advice at other times throughout the year and provide oral/written briefing on issues relevant to their area of interest;
be present if required at some of the WNC regional events which are part of the consultation/dialogue process with partners; be the WNC spokesperson or facilitator of such events as necessary;
act as the WNC representative when their expertise is relevant;
chair or take part in appropriate working groups set up to develop WNC proposals or comment on Government proposals.
General Requirement.
The WNC as an advisory non departmental public body is required to follow a Code of Practice which applies to all those associated with the WNC. The Chair and Commissioners will also be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest.
The Women's National Commission is firmly committed to equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race or colour/ethnic origin, faith, sexuality, transgender or work patterns.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interests.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
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