Department for Transport / Office of Rail Regulation

Transcription

1 Department for Transport / Office of Rail Regulation Director, Strategic Roads Network Monitor Candidate Information Brief October

2 About the Strategic Roads Network Monitor The Government is transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned Strategic Highways Company and establishing a statutory 5-year Roads Investment Strategy. We now need to establish an independent Strategic Roads Network Monitor to monitor the efficiency and performance of this company. Subject to pending legislation, the Monitor will operate and be funded as a separate function within the Office of Rail Regulation and will be responsible for determining the extent to which the new operator of the strategic road network is delivering its obligations under the Roads Investment Strategy effectively and efficiently, as well as initiating enforcement activity where appropriate. The Government is introducing legislation to bring in these reforms and to create the necessary legal framework. Further information on roads reform can be found at: The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has extensive experience of holding the rail sector to account for its costs and performance and has many of the skills needed to do the same for the new roads company. The Monitor will be formally established at ORR once legislation is passed. In advance of this, ORR is preparing to take on the new role and undertaking initial data gathering and scoping on behalf of the Department for Transport. As part of that preparation, the Department and ORR are seeking to appoint a Director of the Strategic Roads Network Monitor, to lead the setup. This post will initially be based at DfT and seconded to ORR and then, once the legislation is passed, transferred permanently into ORR to lead the Monitor. Further information about ORR can be found at:

3 Job description Overall purpose and key responsibilities This is the central role in the establishment and on-going leadership of the new Strategic Road Network Monitor. The post-holder will form and then lead - a new unit within ORR and establish the process by which the new strategic highways company is held to account. They will represent roads interests credibly on the ORR executive board and to the wider stakeholder community, and will provide advice to the Secretary of State on the performance and efficiency of the company. Specifically, the post-holder will develop and lead the Strategic Road Network Monitor to: work with government to ensure the effective operation, maintenance and enhancement of the strategic road network including: o advise the Secretary of State on the development of new road investment strategies, including proposed outputs, efficient costs and requirements for asset management; o monitoring the delivery by the new strategic highway company of the road investment strategy, including the delivery of the required outputs and financial performance; o undertaking specific studies of the strategic highway company, including studies required by the Secretary of State; o leading on the public reporting of performance and the delivery of improved transparency; o establishing data and reporting requirements with the new highways company which both minimises burdens while ensuring that the Monitor can produce a robust and coherent view on performance; o bringing independent scrutiny to highways infrastructure management to ensure that funding delivers the desired outcomes for road users efficiently. develop a new structure and system for holding the operator of the strategic road network to account for their performance and efficiency by: o harnessing ORR s expertise (economic, financial, asset management, engineering, data analysis, efficiency, safety etc.) to create a new unit able to monitor the strategic road network; o putting in place, developing and leading a team of up to 20 specialists with suitable skills, experience and expertise to support the delivery of these responsibilities. o realising the synergies with ORR s work in rail regulation to unlock associated benefits and efficiencies. The role will involve close working with the Highways Agency and its successor, the new watchdog (which will be part of Passenger Focus) and the Department for Transport. The work of the Director, Strategic Roads Network Monitor will be overseen by the ORR Board s Roads Committee, reporting to the main Board. The Director will report to ORR s chief executive, Richard Price, and will lead a team of around 20 people with a total annual budget of around 2.2 million. This description of the job may be subject to review, and is to provide you with guidelines within which you would work. Other duties appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time

4 Person specification It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following selection criteria under Part One below in so far as you are able to. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with the competencies in Part Two. Part One: Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential Significant and relevant senior level experience in the roads sector or other relevant sectors such as utilities. Previous posts could have been in infrastructure, construction or operations or other areas; what really matters is the right blend of experience and knowledge; Proven track record in developing and implementing effective monitoring and evaluative systems in a complex and dynamic environment; Experience of having commissioned research in a complex and demanding scenario, analysed its results and then implemented recommendations to improve organisational effectiveness; Experience of providing clear, high quality, balanced advice and professional leadership at board or senior management level on a wide range of strategic, operational, sensitive and other complex issues; Played a significant role in shaping and developing important/high profile programmes, including effective consultation and analysis; Proven ability to work in a complex stakeholder environment, the capability to quickly gain credibility, and working positively to engage and persuade others whilst maintaining independence; Evidence of successful strategic leadership and direct management of people, including staff development and the establishment of effective performance measures. Desirable Ideally bringing successful experience of working in the arena of economic regulation. Part Two: Skills and Abilities Someone who leads by example with a flexible, collaborative style; role-modelling effective behaviours as well as technical skills; The highly developed interpersonal, leadership and communication skills necessary to establish a new unit working in a novel area under public scrutiny; The ability to lead, manage and develop others, especially during periods of change, and to work as part of a team; and Experience of managing the establishment of a new organisation, or setting up a new unit within an organisation, Civil Service Competencies In terms of civil service competencies, in your application, please provide evidence of each of the following:

5 Seeing the big picture Making effective decisions Collaborating and partnering Leading and communicating Building Capability for All Delivering at pace Details of the elements that make up these competencies can be found on the Civil Service website. Please note that all disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the job (as set out above) will be invited to interview. Please let us know by if you consider yourself disabled. Do not hesitate to let us know if you will require any adjustments to be made for your interview

6 Terms and conditions Appointment arrangements The Director, Strategic Roads Network Monitor will be initially employed by the Department for Transport, but will be transferred to the ORR upon the receipt of formal statutory powers. This means: The Director will be recruited to the Department for Transport as a Senior Civil Servant at pay band 2 on modernised employment terms. On appointment, the Director will be immediately seconded to ORR to oversee the establishment of the new Monitor in ORR. Once the legislation is passed, we expect the Director will transfer formally into ORR to lead the Monitor function. This transfer will require a new contract on ORR terms and conditions and it is expected that, at a minimum the same terms of employment, including remuneration, will apply. Secondments will also be considered. If the Bill fails to gain Royal Assent, the appointee will remain an employee of the Department for Transport and will not transfer to ORR. However, it is expected that they will continue to undertake a strategic road network monitoring role within the Department. Salary This is a Senior Civil Service role (Pay Band 2), and carries an attractive base salary of circa 120,000. More may be available for an exceptional candidate. The current Cabinet Office guidance covering the transfer of existing civil servants between departments, including on promotion, will apply. Annual pay increases and non-consolidated bonuses are determined annually by the Cabinet Office. Occupational Pension Scheme All employees are eligible to join the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme (PCSPS). Employer contributions are currently in the region of 18%. Employee contributions are 8.85% from 1 April Annual leave The appointee is entitled to 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years (existing Civil Servants retain their current entitlement), plus public holidays and one civil service privilege day. Location The Office of Rail Regulation s London HQ, which is at Kemble Street, WC2B. You will be expected to travel to around the UK

7 Appointment process This appointment will be made on the basis of fair and open competition established in the Civil Service Commission s recruitment principles. Andrew Flanagan, Civil Service Commissioner, will chair and oversee the selection process. The Civil Service Commission has two key functions, as set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010: the Commission is responsible for upholding the principle that selection to appointments in the Civil Service must be on merit on the basis of fair and open competition; and the Commission can hear and determine complaints raised by civil servants under the Civil Service Code, the ethical code which forms part of the terms and conditions of every civil servant. The Commission also work with departments to help them promote the Code and the core values of the Civil Service that it describes. All applications will be considered by the selection panel. How to apply ORR has appointed Veredus, an executive search agency, to advise on this appointment. To apply for this position, please send your CV, supporting statement and a completed equality and diversity monitoring form to centralgovernment@veredus.co.uk quoting the reference number You will receive an automatic acknowledgement of safe receipt of your application within 24 hours. Applications should include: A comprehensive CV, setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements; A supporting statement, maximum two sides of A4, outlining how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification. A brief covering letter or covering that includes your daytime and evening telephone number, which will only be used with discretion. Should you wish to have an informal, confidential discussion about the post, please call our advising consultants Nataliya Starik-Bludova on , or James Greengrass on The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday, 24 th November

8 Recruitment timetable Please see the timetable below for indicative dates: Event Timescale Closing date 5pm, Monday, 24 th November 2014 Long-listing Meeting w/c 1 December 2014 Preliminary interviews with Veredus w/c 1 December and w/c 8 December 2014 Short-listing Meeting by 20th December 2014 References taken / further testing (if any)/ Post short-list meeting Informal discussions Final panel interviews w/c 5 th January 2015 These dates are accurate at the time of writing but may be subject to change. If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a preliminary interview with Veredus in London. It is expected that final panel interviews will also be held in London

9 Equality and diversity The Office of Rail Regulation is committed to equality and diversity amongst its employees. Our aim is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion, gender reassignment, or family and other caring responsibilities. Data Protection Act, 1998 Information provided by you as part of your application to the Office of Rail Regulation will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely by ORR with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application and in the recruitment process. Once this process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 12 months and then destroyed by ORR. If you are the successful candidate, your application form will be retained and form the basis of your personal record. Any equal opportunities information provided by you will be used to monitor ORR's diversity policies and practices. By submitting your completed application you are giving your consent to ORR for your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personal record if you are the successful candidate. Complaints ORR s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles, which can be found at If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the head of human resources in the first instance at david.chapman@orr.gsi.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from ORR, you can contact the Civil Service Commission

10 Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form The intention of monitoring and analysis is to establish if there are different success rates between genders, people of different sexual orientation, ages, different ethnic backgrounds or faiths, and people with disabilities. If there are differences in success rates it will enable action to be taken to ensure that no group is treated unfairly. Your answers will be treated confidentially and will not affect your application in any way. Personal Details: Title Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms / Dr / Other Surname: First name: Age: Gender: Male Female Prefer not to say Gender Identity (if appropriate) If you identify as transsexual, transgender (in that you have effected a permanent change of gender identity) or as intersex which group do you identify with? Transsexual Transgender Intersex Working Pattern: Part time Full time Job Share Other... Ethnic origin: Please tick against one of the following: Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi Indian Pakistani Any other Asian background Please specify below if you wish Mixed White and Black Caribbean White and Black African Asian and White Any other mixed background Please specify below if you wish Black or Black British African Caribbean Any other Black background Please specify below if you wish White British English Irish Scottish Welsh Any other White background Please specify below if you wish Chinese or Other ethnic group Prefer not to say Chinese Any other Please specify below if you wish......

11 Disability: Please tick against one of the following: Do you consider yourself to have a disability under the Equality Act 2010? In the Act, a person has a disability if: they have a physical or mental impairment the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-today activities For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings: 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions) 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping Yes No Prefer not to say Please describe the nature of your disability This information is provided for monitoring purposes only if you need any reasonable adjustments you should arrange these separately. Religion or belief: Please tick against one of the following No religion Baha i Buddhist Christian Hindu Jain Jewish Muslim Sikh Other Please specify below if you wish.. Prefer not to say Sexual Orientation: Please tick against one of the following Bisexual Gay Woman/Lesbian Gay Man/Homosexual Heterosexual/straight Prefer not to say Please indicate which media/journal you saw this position advertised in... 11

12 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Please give details below of any personal or business interests which, if appointed, may influence, or appear to influence, your judgement in performing your functions and obligations to the, could be misconstrued, or cause embarrassment to the government. These interests include (without limitation): personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests, such as share holdings or financial interests in companies dealt with on a commercial basis; any such interests of close family members and/or of people living in the same household as the Non-Executive or their close family members. Committee membership of or being a leading activist within, a Pressure Group whose agenda includes transport related issues. (Ordinary membership of groups such as the AA, the RSPB or the National Trust can be disregarded); membership of a committee within an external organisation whose work may be related to the Department, e.g. research work, non-executive directorships, training organisations, etc; acceptance of an invitation to a social function or a gift from a contractor or potential contractor; or a close family member being employed by a contractor or potential contractor. Any potential conflicts of interest detailed here will not prevent you going forward to interview but may, if appropriate, be explored with you during your interview to establish how you would address the issue(s) should you be successful in your application. 12