Communications Consumer Panel and ACOD Member for Northern Ireland

at  Ofcom

Closing Date:
07/10/2024
Group:
Corporate Group
Management Level:
Job Type:
Non-Executive Director (Fixed Term)
Job Description:
Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 7th October, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Sunday 6th October.
Application process

To apply, your application MUST include:

• a CV
• a covering letter – in written or equivalent accessible format.

Your application must specifically explain how you meet the key competencies for the role which are detailed in the Essential competencies section above, have an understanding of the role and demonstrate that you have relevant transferable skills. Covering letters should be no more than four sides of A4 in length.
We are looking to appoint a new Member for Northern Ireland to the Communications Consumer Panel, who will also act as a Member of the Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People (ACOD). The successful applicant will also chair the Panel’s Stakeholder Hub for Northern Ireland and act as an observer on Ofcom’s National Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.
The core time commitment is four days a month, including one day a month at a formal Panel meeting. The successful applicant will chair the Panel’s Stakeholder Hub for Northern Ireland, which requires an additional six days’ time commitment per year. They will also attend quarterly meetings of Ofcom’s National Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland. The Panel operates on a hybrid-working basis, but the role will include some travel to Belfast, London, Edinburgh, or Cardiff. We do accommodate individuals’ needs and adjustments, so do let us know if you have any access requirements.
Purpose of the role
The Communications Consumer Panel ensures the citizen and consumer voice is represented in communications policy development, highlighting the interests of those who may not always be heard by the industry. Our job is to ensure that the sector works for consumers, citizens, and micro businesses - and in particular for people who may be more vulnerable to being excluded from using communications services.
The Panel is a statutory body, established under the Communications Act 2003. Its Members are appointed by Ofcom with the approval of the Secretary of State. The Panel’s remit covers the UK, and, by statute, it has strong representation from the devolved nations.
When we anticipate consumer detriment, or identify it occurring, we work with those who can make a difference – Ofcom, communications providers and UK and national governments. Our sector specialism and expertise mean we can challenge in a constructive environment, offer comprehensive advice, and influence the development of policy so it delivers for consumers and citizens.
The Panel’s leading role is to challenge and advise Ofcom to ensure that the interests of consumers, including micro businesses, are central to regulatory decisions. We act as a “critical friend” to Ofcom, rather than a campaigning organisation. We proactively influence decisions by making early, robust, high-quality interventions to ensure that consumer and citizen interests are at the heart of Ofcom’s thinking throughout.
The Panel works collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to inform the advice that it gives and to help protect and promote consumers’ interests across the sector. We give insight to businesses, regulators and Government and encourage them to look at issues through the eyes of people who use – or are excluded from using - communications services. ACOD advises Ofcom about the interests and opinions of older and disabled people living in the UK.
Essential competencies
The new Panel/ACOD member will help the Panel to become more aligned than ever with the needs of consumers, citizens, and micro businesses in Northern Ireland.

To apply to join the Communications Consumer Panel and ACOD you will need to show in your covering letter how you meet the competencies below. No previous experience of being a non-executive member is necessary.

• The ability to understand and articulate the varied needs and views of citizens and consumers in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to people who may be in more vulnerable circumstances/who have experienced barriers to inclusivity;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the political and constitutional context in Northern Ireland;
• Effective communication skills to make an effective contribution to the discussions and formal policy responses of a high-level public body;
• The aptitude to learn about the telecoms, postal services, and digital sectors, to form an understanding about the way industry and policy makers’ proposals may impact positively or negatively the lives of consumers and citizens in Northern Ireland; and
• The ability to work as part of a UK committee.

Please indicate if you have previous experience in advocating for, or working with, consumers or citizens or micro businesses.
Further Information
The salary is £14,704 per annum. Panel Members are part-time and drawn from a range of diverse backgrounds. We are seeking applications from people who can contribute relevant experience and help create a diversity of perspective and background on the Panel.
Members must not be directly employed by Ofcom or organisations that Ofcom regulates or licenses or derive the majority of their employment income from such a company even if not so employed. Members cannot be engaged in active politics. This includes holding, or being a candidate for, political office at a national, regional, or local level, active political campaigning in support of a political party and making a donation or donations to a political party in a calendar year more than £7,500. Working full time for any central government department or as an official in the civil service (including in the devolved nations) or for local government is also not acceptable.
Potential or actual conflicts of interest from a financial or business perspective must be declared and discussed at the interview. Applicants must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct accords with the
7 principles of public life
Should you require any adjustments to be made, please do contact us directly at
ofcomresourcing@omnirms.com
or on 0330 912 1378.
The deadline for applications is 00:01 on 7 October 2024. Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 24 October and may be held virtually. For further information please contact
resourcing@Ofcom.org.uk
Please note that anonymised, aggregated diversity information will be shared with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in relation to all candidates. For those candidates who are interviewed, please note that personal data and evidence relating to your application may be shared with DSIT and the NI (Northern Ireland) Executive.
Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at
resourcing@ofcom.org.uk
or call 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

Please refer the Job description for details