Assistant Corporate Secretary - NHS
Our commitments to you
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through research and experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes.We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to work towards ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Applications are warmly welcomed from applicants who wish to apply for a position on the basis of a smarter or flexible working arrangement. Where candidates are successful at interview, such requests will be taken under consideration and we will aim to accommodate these wherever the needs of the service allow.
BSW ICB seeks to be a supportive, caring employer and expects all colleagues to behave in a professional and respectful manner and to demonstrate our values. These values underpin our vision for the people of Bath & North East Somerset (Banes), Swindon & Wiltshire, that through an integrated care model local people will live well in a supportive community with joined up care which is underpinned by specialist expertise, and delivered in the best place, by the most appropriate people.
Please note that on 1^st July 2022, Banes, Swindon & Wiltshire CCG will cease to exist. At this time the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in BSW will be established, to be known formally as NHS BSW ICB. NHS BSW ICB assume all the commissioning functions from BSW NHS Commissioners.
Job overview
We are looking for a motivated individual to join our Governance Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a strong and supportive team and to undertake a key role in supporting our senior Board committees.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Corporate Secretary is a key member of the Governance Team and is responsible for providing professional secretarial support for our high-profile committees and groups at BSW ICB and system levels. This involves- the planning and delivery of successful and efficient Board committees and similarly high-level meetings;
- liaison with relevant Directors and Chairs; developing annual committee business plans / forward agendas;
- monitoring and contributing to the maintenance of the organisation’s register of interests and advising meeting Chairs re the management of conflicts of interest;
- ensuring committees’ / groups’ compliance with the organisation’s Constitution, Standing Orders, and Scheme of Reservations and Delegations;
- providing advice and support for committee members regarding the discharge of their duties;
- facilitating the conduct of meetings including preparation of Chair’s briefings, meeting etiquette
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of good governance, and will have experience of supporting senior committees, both as a secretary and governance adviser.
Working for our organisation
The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory body which brings together NHS organisations with local authorities and other partners to work to improve population health and establish shared strategic priorities.The ICB oversees how money is spent and makes sure that health services work well and are of high quality. It brings together hospitals, primary care, local councils, hospices, voluntary community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and Health watch partners in our local places: Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
Please note this organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require sponsorship
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Reporting to the Corporate Secretary, the Assistant Corporate Secretary will be responsible for:
- Providing and managing an all-round secretariat service for Board level and system governance and assurance committees;
- Ensuring that committees and groups conduct their business within the framework set by the organisation’s Constitution, Standing Orders, Scheme of Reservations and Delegations, and relevant Terms of Reference (ToR);
- Supporting the Corporate Secretary and the governance team in championing effective corporate governance and ensuring sound arrangements are in place;
- Supporting the Associate Director of Governance, Compliance and Risk and the Corporate Secretary in the preparation and production of corporate and meeting reports, and presentation materials as required;
- Supporting the effective management of the organisation’s Declarations of Interest process, and contributing to the maintenance of the organisation’s register of interests and register of gifts / hospitality, to ensure that these are accurate and up-to-date (incl. for audit purposes, or for inspection on request)
- Supporting the Corporate Secretary in developing and maintaining the Governance Team’s work plan;
- Assist with research regarding best practice elsewhere to inform governance arrangements locally.
Please see Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential criteria- Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
- Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis
- A good understanding of good governance principles
- Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support
- A good understanding of the health and social care environment and roles and responsibilities within it
Communication Skills
Essential criteria- Clear communicator with excellent report writing and presentation skills, capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, data and letters.
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
- Negotiating, networking and persuasive skills
Analytical
Essential criteria- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
- Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where they may be a number of courses of action.
- Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate
Management Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to prioritise, schedule and coordinate own activity to ensure deadlines are met whilst business processes remain effective and efficient
Planning skills
Essential criteria- Competent planner
- Skills for project management
Declarations of interest must be made in the supporting information section of any application. If an applicant does not have an interest to declare they should clearly state ‘No interests to declare’ within the supporting information section.
Please note that failure to provide information about an interest or a ‘No interests to declare’ statement at this stage of the application process will result in your application not being considered.