National Infrastructure Commission February 2019 National Infrastructure Design Group

national infrastructure commission february 2019 national infrastructure design group recruitment pack national inf

National Infrastructure Commission

February 2019
National Infrastructure Design Group
Recruitment pack
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION
About the National Infrastructure Commission
The National Infrastructure Commission was established in 2015 to
provide independent, impartial advice on meeting the country’s
long-term infrastructure needs.
It has three key objectives:
* To support sustainable economic growth across all regions of the UK;
* To improve competitiveness; and
* To improve people’s quality of life
Through its work, the National Infrastructure Commission aims to be
the UK’s most credible, forward thinking and influential voice on
infrastructure policy and strategy:
* Credible: Producing reports and analysis of the highest quality,
written in plain English, independently of Government and all vested
interests, and making clear recommendations based on rigorous
evidence; and developing an evidence base which sets a gold standard
in its quality and breadth;
* Forward thinking: taking a strategic approach, which links long-term
priorities with short-term action and considering infrastructure as a
system, not as a collection of silos; maintaining an international
perspective and engaging closely with leading edge expertise; and open
to new approaches and ideas;
* Influential: building broad support for its analysis and
recommendations, working across society, government, parliament and
industry; producing work which is objective, fair and transparent;
looking for deliverable solutions, and following up on recommendations
The National Infrastructure Assessment
In July 2018, the Commission published the first ever National
Infrastructure Assessment, setting out a plan of action for the
country’s infrastructure over the next 10 to 30 years, making
recommendations on transport, energy, water and waste water, flood
resilience, digital connectivity and solid waste in addition to other
cross-cutting issues (e.g. funding, design and financing).
The Commission also produces in-depth studies into the UK’s most
pressing infrastructure challenges and monitors the Government’s
progress in delivering infrastructure projects and programmes it
recommends, through an Annual Monitoring Report.
The National Infrastructure Assessment recommended that to embed
design in the culture of infrastructure planning:
*
all Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, including
those authorised through hybrid parliamentary bills, should have a
board level design champion and use a design panel to maximise the
value provided by the infrastructure
*
design panels for nationally significant infrastructure projects
should be established having regard to design principles to be
published by the National Infrastructure Commission based on
advice received from the National Infrastructure Design Group
To support this agenda, the Assessment said that a new independent
National Infrastructure Design Group, to be established by the
Commission, will develop infrastructure design principles to be
published in 2019. These principles will influence good design process
and practice and guide to design panels to deliver user focused
investment with a wider range of benefits. The Design Group will also
act as a champion of design quality in the nation’s infrastructure.
For example by:-
*
Commissioning and promoting National infrastructure design
principles
*
Commissioning research on the added value that design brings
*
Commissioning and publishing research to promote continuous
improvement in infrastructure design quality
*
Providing inspiration and intelligence on good infrastructure
design
*
Promoting and supporting public debate on infrastructure design.
This recruitment is to launch the National Infrastructure Design Group
chaired by Professor Sadie Morgan to support the implementation of
these recommendations. The Design Group will also build positive
relationships with other panels including the MHCLG Building Better,
Building Beautiful Commission, Highways England, Network Rail and HS2
to support improved recommendations and project outcomes.
National Infrastructure Design Group
The National Infrastructure Design Group will be a non-executive
advisory group to the Commission. We are seeking to recruit up to five
members for a three-year term to join the three existing members of
the Commission’s Design Task force. The Design Task Force will be
disbanded when the National Infrastructure Design Group is launched.
The Group membership will also include participation from the NIC
Young Professionals Panel.
The Group will be called on to advise on a range of issues to support
the recommendations made in the National Infrastructure Assessment
related to the design of infrastructure it will: -
*
Champion design quality on the nation’s infrastructure
*
Undertake research into the added value that design can bring
*
Put in place the measures to support the introduction of board
level champions and the use of design panels to maximise the value
provided by infrastructure.
*
Develop design principles for publication by the Commission
*
Convene discussions between and publish advice for the design
panels on nationally significant projects.
It will build a strong public profile reporting to the Commission and
supporting the Commission aims and objectives, including the
dissemination of advice and support to improve project design
outcomes.
The Group will be supported by Commission Secretariat resource to
develop, champion and disseminate the Design Group’s research and
advice.
Member duties will be
*
To be an active member of the National Infrastructure Design Group
by providing independent advice and insight
*
To support the effective operation of the Design Group and work
collaboratively with the Chair, other members and the Secretariat
*
To support the Design Group in achieving the recommendations of
the Assessment on design
*
To support the Design Group in undertaking its role as a champion
of design quality in the nation’s infrastructure.
Candidate specification
The National Infrastructure Design Group will advise on how best to
ensure quality design in future national infrastructure. We are
interested in applications from a wide range of disciplines, including
leaders, professionals, practitioners and academics with built
environment, engineering related to infrastructure design, ecology,
sustainability, natural environment and design expertise. We would
welcome applications from all regions of the UK including public,
private and/or voluntary sectors. We are seeking candidates with the
following: -
*
Critical decision-making ability related to design and
infrastructure outcomes
*
Demonstrable evidence of exemplary team working and consensual
decision-making
*
The ability to provide independent challenge
*
A full understanding of the political, reputational and policy
sensitivities of a non-executive role in public life and an
ability to work in a high-profile role under close public scrutiny
*
Availability and ability to commit to a minimum of 4 half day
meetings per year and about six additional days as required to
support the Design Group activities.
Essential skills – at least two of the following
*
An evidenced enthusiasm for the championing and delivering
excellent design outcomes
*
Evidence of high-level expertise in a relevant infrastructure
sector or sectors and /or large-scale projects.
*
Evidence of published research peer reviewed or industry
recognised, related to infrastructure and/or design
Desirable skills
*
A clear understanding of where and how effective design processes
can champion optimum infrastructure solutions
*
A knowledge of multi sector interfaces related to the design of
infrastructure projects
*
Knowledge and experience of developing or using design principles
for projects or programmes
*
Experience of major and/or infrastructure project development
process and how design decision making is undertaken to achieve
optimum outcomes
*
An ability to think objectively and be strategic analytical and
collaborative.
*
Ability to engage and motivate stakeholders
Principles of Public Life:
Design Group members are required to uphold the seven principles of
public life:
*
Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms
of the public interest.
*
Integrity: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves
under any obligation to people or organisations that might try
inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not
act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material
benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must
declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
*
Objectivity: Holders of public office must act and take decisions
impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and
without discrimination or bias.
*
Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable to the
public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves
to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
*
Openness: Holders of public office should act and take decisions
in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be
withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons
for so doing.
*
Honesty: Holders of public office should be truthful.
*
Leadership: Holders of public office should exhibit these
principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote
and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge
poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Terms of the appointment
The remuneration will be at a rate of £500 per day. Reasonable travel
and expenses will be paid. The appointment will be for up to 3 years.
The time commitment will be to attend four half day meetings a year at
the National Infrastructure Commission’s offices London supplemented
by additional engagements to support the Design Group’s purpose.
An additional inception and introductory meeting will be held in the
first year to support the establishment of the Design Group
The anticipated time commitment will be about 6 days per anum.
Recruitment
The Commission is seeking members for the National Infrastructure
Design Group to include a collectively appropriate balance of skills
and experience, with minimal conflict with outside interests.
Furthermore, to support, embrace and promote equality of opportunity
including the selection of a diverse group in terms of gender, ethnic
background, ages and approaches the initial shortlisting process will
be name blind.
Timetable
The interview panel for shortlisted applicants will include Philip
Graham Chief Executive National Infrastructure Commission,
Commissioner Professor Sadie Morgan and members of the Design Task
Force. The shortlisting selection panel include an Independent Design
Adviser to the Commission.
The recruitment timetable: preliminary dates for interview and
notification may be subject to change dependent on interviewer
availability.
Closing date for receipt of applications
15 March 2019
Application review and shortlisting
18 - 22 March 2019
Interviews
3 – 5 April 2019
Notification
15 April 2019
Anticipated introductory meeting
10 May 2019
Equal Opportunity
The National Infrastructure Commission embraces diversity and promotes
equality of opportunity; we welcome qualified applicants from all
backgrounds.
How to Apply
Please send completed applications comprising the following four
documents to [email protected]
1.
The Political-Activity-Conflict-of-Interest-and-Guarantee Form
2.
The NON OCPA Monitoring form
3.
A Covering letter in which you succinctly address in a maximum of
2 A4 sides how your skills meet the
I.
At least two of the essential criteria
II.
one or more of the desirable criteria
requirements of the role
4.
A CV with details of your qualifications, employment history,
skills and experience and the names of two referees who may be
contacted after shortlisting stage before final interview.
Note: The shortlisting process will be name blind therefore please put
your mobile number as an identifier on the top RHS of 3. The covering
letter and 4. The CV , but omit your name and e-mail address from
these two documents (3 and 4).
All applications should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] by
5pm 15th March 2019 with the title DESIGN GROUP in the subject box
All applicants are invited to review the attached Public Appointment
Recruitment Privacy Notice. If you have any questions about the
appointment or the process, please do not hesitate to contact us by
email at [email protected]
Stay informed
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Infrastructure Commission through a range of communication channels:
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Address:
National Infrastructure Commission
4th Floor, Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival Street, London EC4A 1AB
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