Industrial Injuries Advisory Council - Chair

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) is an independent statutory body established in 1946 to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Scheme. A significant part of the Council’s work involves reviewing and recommending changes to the list of prescribed diseases eligible for benefit, as well as advising on the administration of the scheme.

DWP is currently seeking to recruit a Chair to represent the organisation and lead the Council through an exciting new phase. Over the next five years, IIAC will have the opportunity to commission additional scientific support to further its mission and enhance the effectiveness of its work. This leadership role will be pivotal in shaping the Council's strategic direction and driving forward its important agenda.

Role of the Chair

As Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) you will have particular responsibility for:

• Providing effective leadership to members of the Council.
• Ensuring the work of the Council remains relevant and transparent to wider interested parties and stakeholders.
• Ensuring the Council’s statutory role is fully and effectively discharged.
• You will also provide a high level of scientific assurance that Council investigations are informed, constructive and rigorous in the preparation of its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and to the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
• Stakeholder engagement is key to this role where the Chair will be required to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders to raise awareness of the Council’s work and support evidence gathering.
• The Chair will have regular contact specifically and actively with the DWP Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits (IIDB) Policy team, the DWP Scientific Adviser, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, and the IIAC partnership team.

The Chair will ensure:

• There is appropriate representation of the Council in all matters relevant to the Industrial Injuries Scheme.
• Engagement with stakeholders and the public in an open and fair manner.
• Advice is provided to DWP on the drafting of relevant legislation and guidance.
• Consideration is given in all interactions to the legal framework that governs the Council's business.

Essential Criteria

Scientific Specialism

• High-level scientific specialism relating to medical, occupational health or epidemiological spheres. This may include for example a doctorate, PHD or MD level qualification.
• Proven capability to analyse and interpret a wide range of complex scientific evidence and data with the ability to draw and present independent conclusions through writing scientific reports and presentations.

Leadership

• Strong leadership capabilities to take forward a workplan with the Committee whilst providing support to individual Members to take forward investigative work.
• Lead the Committee to identify issues and make determinations, ensuring space for discussion and contributions, whilst surfacing and resolving conflict to reach conclusions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, with the ability to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders to raise awareness of the Council’s work and support evidence gathering.

Communication

• Excellent written and oral skills to clearly communicate scientific findings and reasoning to a wide range of lay and professional stakeholders.
• Be confident in offering relevant advice to Ministers and the Department and to frame external communications, including with the media.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience as a member of an influential expert Committee or similar body.
• An understanding of how the Industrial Injuries Scheme operates and of Industrial Injuries Compensation, and disability and sickness-related benefits.