Overview
Closing Date:
07/10/2024
Group:
Corporate Group
Management Level:
Job Type:
Non-Executive Director (Fixed Term)
Job Description:
Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 7 October 2024. and therefore we advise getting your application in no later than midnight on Sunday 6th October.
To apply and be considered for interview stage, your application must include a CV and covering letter in one document by the closing deadline, 00:01 on Monday 7 October. Your covering letter must give evidence of how you meet the key competencies. Your letter should be no more than four sides of A4 in length.
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, video-on-demand, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services. These include responsibility for overseeing television and radio broadcasting and online safety throughout the United Kingdom.
Purpose of the role
Ofcom has been providing protection and assurance for audiences across television, radio and video-on-demand for many years. Increasingly however, these issues are set within the wider context of changes in communications markets. As audiences increasingly move online, a key part of our work is to consider the challenges this poses for viewers and listeners and for the sectors that we regulate. Ofcom’s Content Board plays an important role in delivering this work and in helping shape future approaches to content regulation. This is an exciting time to join us and help shape policy in a fast-changing regulatory environment.
Purpose of the Content Board
The Content Board is a Committee of Ofcom’s Main Board and is charged with understanding, analysing and championing the voices and interest of the viewer, the listener and citizen. The Content Board advises the Ofcom Board on decisions relating to content matters, including considering the interests of different parts of the UK, and also content-related matters that intersect between the regulatory regimes for the broadcast and video on-demand sectors and the regulatory regime for online safety. Content Board members generally form part of the rota for giving advisory opinions on Ofcom content standards decisions and, depending upon experience, may be asked to give advice to the Executive on other specialist matters.
The majority of Content Board Members are part-time non-executives and drawn from diverse backgrounds across the UK. We want to attract a wide range of applicants to provide a good balance of skills and relevant sector experience on the Content Board in order to create a diversity of perspective and independence of thought.
Skills and Knowledge: key competencies
We are seeking to recruit two new non-executive members with relevant expertise and many of the following skills to join the Content Board, one of the new non-executive members shall be able to represent the interests and opinions of those living in Scotland. No previous experience of being a non-executive member is necessary.
- a good understanding of the principles and practice of content regulation, preferably gained from the industry side;
- an excellent understanding of broadcasting and video on-demand policy, content-related issues across different platforms, regulatory issues, the UK media policy landscape and relevant international context;
- an understanding of the needs of consumers and citizens, and an ability to work well with colleagues from the devolved Nations on policy and consumer issues;
- a track record of good editorial judgement and decision-making at a senior level in the broadcasting and/or video on-demand sector;
- A sound judgement and decision-making to ensure successful delivery in a highly complex organisation;
- strong communication skills to make an effective contribution to the discussions of a high-level public body; and
- personal integrity of a high order; demonstrable understanding of Ofcom’s need to make independent and impartial judgements under pressure.
Further Information:
The time commitment is four days a month, including attending approximately six formal meetings a year of the full Content Board. The Member for Scotland will also be required to attend and act as an observer at quarterly meetings of the Advisory Committee for Scotland.
Anticipated interview dates: expected to take place on Friday the 15th and Monday the 18th of November.
Role commencement: 1 January 2025
Salary: 16,800 per annum
Potential or actual conflicts of interest must be declared and discussed at interview. Applicants must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct accords with the 7 principles of public life. Content Board Members are required to act in accordance with the Board’s Code of Conduct.
Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or call 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here. https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/