North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, NExT Director
The opportunity
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust strongly believe it is important for the senior leadership team to reflect the diverse communities it serves. To support this ambition we are working with the NExT Director Scheme to provide a development opportunity for a talented individual who wants to be an NHS non-executive and learn first-hand about the challenges and opportunities associated with being a non-executive director in the NHS today.
The 12 month NExT Director programme will give the successful candidate a unique insight into the role and responsibilities of being an NHS non-executive director by supporting senior people in bridging knowledge gaps, for example:
- Operating at board level
- Transitioning from executive to non-executive roles
- Board level exposure in an organisation of huge size and complexity
- Understanding NHS structures and accountability, how the money flows, who the key partners are, where all the regulators fit and the board’s role in quality and safety
You will feel part of the Trust’s leadership team and will be encouraged to take part in board discussions and in committee debate. A personalised programme will be developed to support you during your placement with us which will include:
- Access to board and committee meetings and papers as appropriate, including an opportunity to review and analyse meetings to learn alongside other board members
- The assignment of an experienced non-executive director mentor for the 12 month period to help shape your personal programme and provide regular feedback and advice
- Opportunities to shadow key senior staff and meet staff and patients’ groups
- A comprehensive local induction programme based on our offer to our new substantive non-executives and access to the same training and networking opportunities available to them
- The opportunity to learn and contribute to the full range of NWAS’ organisational challenges, leadership styles and governance structures
Please note this is a development opportunity and not an appointment or employment. It does not entitle you to a position with NWAS or any other Trust at the end of your placement.
NExT Director – person specification
This specification describes the skills, experience and attributes that are required to be considered for this placement as a NExT Director with NWAS.
The NHS is founded on principles and values that bind together the diverse communities and people it serves – patients and public – and the staff who work for it.
Required values, competencies and experience
Values
You must demonstrate a clear commitment to the trust’s values and the NHS values and principles outlined in the NHS Constitution and the standards of public life by upholding the highest standards of conduct and displaying the principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
Core competencies
You will work alongside non-executive and executive board colleagues. We need diverse, inclusive and compassionate leaders who not only reflect the community we serve and the staff we employ but have the leadership style and breadth of perspective to make good collective decisions.
You will be able to demonstrate the ability to contribute confidently and effectively in the NHS provider non-executive director’s role. More information about the non-executive director role in the is available from NHS England.
During the placement you will need to be able to demonstrate you can use your senior level experience to:
- achieve the best sustainable outcomes for patients and service users by encouraging continuous improvement, clinical excellence and value for money
- bring independence, external perspectives, skills and challenge to strategy development
- shape and support an inclusive, compassionate, person-centred culture for the trust, encouraging diversity, change and innovation using a collaborative and engaging leadership style
- use personal knowledge and experience to hold the executive to account by providing purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge using strong analytical skills to review and interpret complex information to identify risks and evaluate options
- 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
Lived experience
There is emphatic evidence that diverse boards make the best decisions and we want to increase the diversity of NHS boards. In non-executive roles nationally, it is known that women, people from the local Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBT+ communities, younger people and those with lived experience of disability are all under-represented. NWAS wants to change this and positively welcomes applications from individuals who have lived experience. They are really interested in receiving applications from people with different backgrounds, skills and experience.
Additional criteria
You will also have:
- the self-knowledge and appetite to drive your own learning and development, and the ability to engage with and add value to the work of the board and its sub committees
- senior experience from private, public or voluntary sector with strong insight into the role and responsibilities of being a non-executive director in today’s NHS.
- Specialist professional knowledge, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates with legal, community engagement, or voluntary and charity sectors.
Time commitment
The non-executive role is part-time to ensure independence and objectivity is maintained. The time commitment for our NExT Director placements will include attendance at all board meetings and board development sessions, some committee work and enough preparation time to ensure you are well briefed on internal and external context. A minimum of 2-3 days a month would be expected to undertake the role successfully.
Eligibility
The NExT Director Scheme is a development programme created by NHS England focussed on supporting people from groups who are currently under-represented on our NHS boards into these important non-executive roles. It focuses on supporting people with protected characteristics and senior level experience into board level roles in the NHS.
We are keen for applicants to have a clear appreciation of issues and challenges within the geographical footprint of the Trust and would therefore seek applications from candidates who live in or have strong connections within the North West.
Remuneration
The Trust is offering £6,500 per annum as an honorary payment.
Key dates
- closing date for receipt of applications: 28 June at 11am. Please forward your completed application to Vickie.Camfield@nwas.nhs.uk
- interview date: to be confirmed
Making an application
If you wish to be considered for this role please provide:
- a CV that includes your address and contact details, highlighting and explaining any gaps in your employment history
- a supporting statement that highlights your motivation for applying and your understanding of the NHS and the role. You should outline your personal responsibility and achievement within previous roles and how your experience matches the person specification
- the names, positions, organisations and contact details for three referees. Your referees should be individuals in a line management capacity, and cover your most recent employer, any regulated health or social care activity or where roles involved children or vulnerable adults. Your references may be taken prior to interview and may be shared with the selection panel
- tell us about any dates when you will not be available