Job summary
Purpose of the role
The Associate Non-Executive Director role is used successfully in the NHS to support Board succession strategy, diversity and achieving a balance of Board level skills.
The Associate Non-Executive Director is a 'step up' role aimed to attract potential Non-Executive Director candidates who do not yet have sufficient board-level experience but have the ability and potential to succeed. There is a developmental component to the opportunity, and the Board will support the successful candidate to build their personal and professional capability and bridge knowledge gaps, for example:
- Operating at board level in an organisation of large size and complexity
- Transitioning from the executive to Non-executive role
- Understanding NHS structures and accountability, including the flow of money, key partners, regulators and the board's role in quality and safety.
The Trust recognises that diverse boards make the best decisions, and it is important that the board reflects the diversity of our population. The Board is keen to play a part in ensuring the best leadership is developed for the future of the NHS. Therefore, applications from people from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ communities, and those with lived experience of disability, and women, are encouraged.
Main duties of the job
Key Functions and Responsibilities
All Associate Non-Executive Directors are expected to:
- Prepare for, attend, and contribute to Board of Directors' meetings, sub-committees of the Board as agreed with the Chair, Council of Governors' meetings, and Board development activities.
- Attend the Annual Members' Meeting, formal and informal governor meetings.
- Participate in visits and occasional external stakeholder meetings.
- Participate in an annual review and appraisal of own performance with the Chair.
- Support the unitary Board in the governance and stewardship of the Trust.
- When asked to do so by the Chair, help develop strategies and act as critical friend in connection with issues relevant to their own skills, expertise, and experience.
- Be a visible presence at Trust sites and, where appropriate, within specific communities in the County.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received.
- Act and behave in accordance with the Foundation Trust Policies/Procedures and any codes/protocols.
- Act in accordance with the Constitution of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust's constitution includes disqualification criteria for those who may not become or continue as a member of the Board of Directors.
- Comply with the Fit and Proper Persons Regulations.
About us
Welcome to our Trust
On behalf of the Council of Governors, we are delighted that you are interested in the Associate Non Executive Director role at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is an exciting time for the Trust as we continue to grow and develop to meet the needs of the 700,000 population we serve.
The Trust has an annual turnover of c£600m. It includes two main hospitals, Bedford and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D). We are a busy Trust, with nearly 9,000 staff members and c500 volunteers.
We are a key partner within our Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (BLMK ICS) to support local services and we are in the process of developing governance that will enable us to focus on Bedfordshire in particular.
Through all of our strategic developments, the health and wellbeing of our staff remain our highest focus.
The Board must visibly and consistently demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining a healthy organisational culture and environment built on trust; openness; honesty; integrity; and inclusivity, and which promotes collaborative, system-level leadership that is focused on the best interests of all patients and service users and the wellbeing of all our staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Person Specification
- A clear commitment to the NHS and the Trusts values and principles and to role model them at all times.
- Middle to senior management level experience in the private, public or voluntary sector.
- Robust understanding of the principles and practice of good governance.
- Sincere interest in and ability to gain credibility with patients, staff, senior leaders, stakeholders across the healthcare economy, clinicians and local communities.
- Strong connection to or understanding of the communities we serve, especially those of the black and minority ethnic communities served in the area.
- Required to be or become a Foundation Trust Public members of the Trust and be resident in Bedfordshire or its surrounding counties.
- Preferably is engaging with diverse ethnic, cultural, social and economic and cultural groups and communities, has experience of gender and womens issues, experiences and challenges of younger people, those with lived experience of mental health issues or living with physical disability.
- An understanding of and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
- The ability to self-knowledge and the appetite to quick learn about the Trust and the wider health and care sector.
- Good communication and listening skills displaying curiosity and an interest in learning and personal development.
- Sound independent judgement, common sense and diplomacy.
- Creative and diverse thinker.
- Ability to be able to demonstrate the use of experience to be able to:
- work alongside other Non-executives and executive colleagues as an equal member of the Board and add value.
- have an ongoing dialogue with Council of Governors on progress in delivery of the Trusts performance.
- work in conjunction with the Council of Governors to promote public sector values and the interests of Foundation Trust members through good corporate governance.
- bring independence, external perspectives, skills and challenge to strategy development
- hold the executive to account by providing purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge
- demonstrate a genuine commitment to patients and the promotion of excellent health care services
- balance organisational governance priorities with system collaboration; able to form alliances and work diplomatically across complex interfaces to prioritise population health in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
- uphold the highest standards of conduct and display the principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership through demonstrating the Trusts values and the NHS values and principles
Associate Non-Executive Directors cannot participate in any formal vote at Board, but will have full exposure to all Board level discussions and making a contribution to board work. They will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about the challenges and opportunities associated with being a Non-Executive Director in the NHS today, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to progress into Non-Executive Director roles should vacancies arise and may have the appropriate skills. When a Non-Executive Director vacancy arises, interested Associate Non-Executive Director candidate(s) would need to apply and compete in an open recruitment and selection process.
For the avoidance of doubt, Associate Non-Executive Directors are not Directors of the Trust or Voting Board members and do not have the associated rights or liabilities, instead what they have is the ability to learn and influence as they do so that they operate as full members of the Board but without the same degree of accountability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Person Specification
- A clear commitment to the NHS and the Trusts values and principles and to role model them at all times.
- Middle to senior management level experience in the private, public or voluntary sector.
- Robust understanding of the principles and practice of good governance.
- Sincere interest in and ability to gain credibility with patients, staff, senior leaders, stakeholders across the healthcare economy, clinicians and local communities.
- Strong connection to or understanding of the communities we serve, especially those of the black and minority ethnic communities served in the area.
- Required to be or become a Foundation Trust Public members of the Trust and be resident in Bedfordshire or its surrounding counties.
- Preferably is engaging with diverse ethnic, cultural, social and economic and cultural groups and communities, has experience of gender and womens issues, experiences and challenges of younger people, those with lived experience of mental health issues or living with physical disability.
- An understanding of and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
- The ability to self-knowledge and the appetite to quick learn about the Trust and the wider health and care sector.
- Good communication and listening skills displaying curiosity and an interest in learning and personal development.
- Sound independent judgement, common sense and diplomacy.
- Creative and diverse thinker.
- Ability to be able to demonstrate the use of experience to be able to:
- work alongside other Non-executives and executive colleagues as an equal member of the Board and add value.
- have an ongoing dialogue with Council of Governors on progress in delivery of the Trusts performance.
- work in conjunction with the Council of Governors to promote public sector values and the interests of Foundation Trust members through good corporate governance.
- bring independence, external perspectives, skills and challenge to strategy development
- hold the executive to account by providing purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge
- demonstrate a genuine commitment to patients and the promotion of excellent health care services
- balance organisational governance priorities with system collaboration; able to form alliances and work diplomatically across complex interfaces to prioritise population health in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
- uphold the highest standards of conduct and display the principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership through demonstrating the Trusts values and the NHS values and principles
Associate Non-Executive Directors cannot participate in any formal vote at Board, but will have full exposure to all Board level discussions and making a contribution to board work. They will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about the challenges and opportunities associated with being a Non-Executive Director in the NHS today, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to progress into Non-Executive Director roles should vacancies arise and may have the appropriate skills. When a Non-Executive Director vacancy arises, interested Associate Non-Executive Director candidate(s) would need to apply and compete in an open recruitment and selection process.
For the avoidance of doubt, Associate Non-Executive Directors are not Directors of the Trust or Voting Board members and do not have the associated rights or liabilities, instead what they have is the ability to learn and influence as they do so that they operate as full members of the Board but without the same degree of accountability.
Person Specification
Person Specification
Essential
- Percent Achieved criteria in PS
Living area
Essential
- Do they live in Bedfordshire and surrounding counties
Standard of the application
Essential
- Standard of the application
Person Specification
Person Specification
Essential
- Percent Achieved criteria in PS
Living area
Essential
- Do they live in Bedfordshire and surrounding counties
Standard of the application
Essential
- Standard of the application
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
