Independent Chair
Job Description
Job summary
NHS England has established the Advisory Group for Data (AGD) which includes independent members with specialist skills (including statistics, research, ethics, information governance, lay members and clinicians) and NHS England staff from Data Protection, Caldicott Guardian, and Data and Analytics teams. Together they individually and collectively provide NHS England with expert advice and assurance on internal and external access to data.
The in-depth analysis and discussion of applications for UK health data at AGD meetings, together with the published minutes, ensures that the advice given to NHS England is transparent, thorough and rigorous and helps the population of the UK to have confidence in the NHS England's handling of confidential health data.
Following a period of transition, a number of opportunities have arisen for new members to join AGD and provide NHS England with an important independent voice helping to steer appropriate access to data.
The role is offered as a NHS England employed for tax reasons contract, and will need to comply with relevant policy. Whilst the workload may vary throughout the year, we guarantee the Chair a minimum of 80 days work over the year with a salary of £39,920. Additional work, paid pro rata, may be available by agreement with NHS England during the year.
Independent members, including the Chair, will not otherwise hold substantive employment contracts with NHS England.
Secondment arrangements may be considered
Main duties of the job
Rather than representing any employer, professional body, or any other group or organisation, independent members will bring their individual experience, knowledge and expertise.
As an independent member you must be able to consider and debate a wide range of technical and policy information analytically, and focus on key areas without losing track of the bigger picture. You will actively contribute to AGD business, including the review of applications for data. You may expect to undertake some project work in line with your area of expertise or as requested by NHS England.
As the Chair you will lead the Group and chair the meetings of AGD, working closely with the Secretariat.
You will be expected to maintain relationships with relevant bodies and stakeholders, to help discharge the Group's advice to NHS England, and to help others effectively discharge their functions.
You will be expected to prepare for and attend meetings in line with the requirements set out by NHS England in order to meet its business needs. Meetings are currently held weekly via Teams, with a minimum of two in-person plenary meetings each year in Leeds. Meetings are currently held on a Thursday.
As the nature of the requirement for advice evolves, we anticipate that work may be increasingly undertaken outside a formal meeting
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money.
If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
NHS England hold a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.
Job responsibilities
As the Chair, you will:
- Support members of AGD in contributing fully and effectively to AGD business.
- Support AGD members' professional development as members of AGD.
- Liaise closely with the AGD Secretariat to ensure the effective management of AGD business.
- Work and behave in a non-discriminatory way in all areas of AGDs activity.
- Work within the context of public sector transparency, respecting the Nolan Principles.
- Work constructively with the NHS England SIRO and Director Privacy, Information and Governance to maintain public confidence.
- Provide an active contribution outside of meetings for example, via NHS England meetings, project work and email discussions.
As part of your training you will be willing to attend induction training and a period of observing AGD meetings, and to complete all NHS England mandatory training requirements within 3 months of appointment, and every 12 months thereafter.
All members of the Group will comply with NHS Englands Standards of Business Conduct Policy.
For further information please view the attached job description.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- understanding of the health and social care sector, together with the application of the common law duty of confidentiality and other data protection legislation to health and social care data, as may be relevant to medical research and use of health data
Desirable
- understanding of clinical or health service research processes
- understanding of research statistics and their application in health research
- understanding of cyber security risks
Skills
Essential
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- facilitate members' constructive discussion to form a consensus view
- act as an effective channel to resolve issues both within AGD and with NHS England
- discuss issues and topics with people who may not agree with them, including being able to influence and listen to all views of others from a range of backgrounds
- ability to analyse complex information and to make impartial judgments and put forward appropriate solutions
Experience
Essential
- ability to chair effectively a large formal meeting in line with terms of reference
- ability to provide leadership to AGD, making a key contribution to its effectiveness across all aspects of its activity, and supporting its development, taking account of legislation and policy
- Proven experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with people from all backgrounds and specialisms, demonstrating the ability to operate and influence at a senior level, commanding the respect and confidence of fellow AGD members and stakeholders to help maintain public confidence
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS England
Address
Any NHS England office
Nationally
LS14AP
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)
