Sport NI seeks new Chair, Vice-Chair and Members

Sports Minister Paul Givan MLA is seeking to appoint a new Chair, Vice-Chair and Members to the Board of Sport NI.

Expressions of interest are welcome from applicants with an interest in providing a public service, including individuals who have not previously held positions in this area. 

The Minister said: “Sport has a significant impact on people’s lives, uniting communities and bringing them together. The new appointments to the Sport NI Board will be key in ensuring that sport continues its positive contribution to society, as well as providing strong leadership and effective governance. I hope therefore that there is a high level of interest from members of the public from a variety of backgrounds with the requisite skills and experience in applying for these positions.

Minister Givan is encouraging women, young people, members of ethnic minorities, and people with a disability to apply for these positions. He said: “I would encourage women, young people, members of ethnic minorities and people with a disability, so that we have a board which is truly representative of our diverse society.”

All applications for appointment are considered strictly on merit. The final decision on appointments will rest with the Minister for Communities.

The closing date for applications is 12.00pm on Friday 30 September 2016.

Further information, including an application pack, can be obtained on nidirect or by e-mailing publicappointments@communities-ni.gov.uk.

You can also contact the Department on the following:

Telephone: 028 90515269
Text Relay Service: 18001 028 90515269
By writing to:

Notes to editors: 

1. This is a competition to appoint a Chair, Vice-Chair and up to three Members to the Board of Sport NI. The appointments are for a term of up to four years from 1 December 2016.
2. The criteria for the positions are as follows:

   Essential Criteria – Chair, Vice-Chair and Members

   (i) Financial Management / Governance

   Experience of overseeing arrangements for good financial management, good governance and the ability to critically analyse financial statements.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Development / implementation of key finance and governance documents and/or policies;
   - Ability to analyse complex financial statements, business plans, corporate plans and budgets;
   - Ability to identify key financial issues and achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources;
   - Ensuring effective controls and use of resources in an organisation;
   - Developing and using risk management systems / audit functions to identify and manage risk.

   (ii) Understanding of Public Accountability

   A thorough understanding of public accountability and of the principles of corporate governance as they apply to the public sector in Northern Ireland.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Awareness of the current financial and economic factors which impact the Northern Ireland public sector;
   - Understanding your individual role and collective responsibilities in the promotion of governance;
   - Understanding best practice and principles around control and accountability in the management of assets, major projects and project management;
   Understanding of the principles of corporate governance and risk management to ensure proper control and accountability in an organisation;
   Understanding the role of a board member within a public sector body and the relationship with government.

   (iii) Working Together

   Ability to work effectively and constructively as part of a team, with experience of collective decision making.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Ability to develop trustful peer relationships;
   - Using persuasive and compelling arguments, using clear, concise language, to get others to understand and accept a different perspective;
   - Resolving conflicts to ensure the aims of the team/organisation are met;
   - Making decisions on the basis of analysis, experience and judgement;
   - Ability to understand your role, and the role of others, in a team.

   (iv) Equality and Social Inclusion

   Experience of promoting equality and social inclusion and an understanding of how sport contributes to building a united community particularly among those groups which are currently under-represented in sport.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Development and/or implementation of an equality or social inclusion initiative or policy;
   - Delivery of successful outcomes which have addressed inequality or social inclusion issues;
   - An understanding of current equality and social inclusion initiatives within the sporting field;
   - An understanding of how to transfer knowledge and experience of such issues to the Sport NI Board including how to influence the views of others;
   - An understanding of the outcomes to be achieved by Sport NI involving all aspects of society in sport.

   Essential Criteria – Chair and Vice-Chair posts only

   (v) Board Experience

   Experience of operating at board level* in a public, private, voluntary or community sector organisation.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Practical experience of attending board meetings, as well as understanding the role of such forums;
   - Using interpersonal skills and team working skill to achieve an aim;
   - Using negotiation / influencing skills to persuade others to your point of view;
   - Efficiently and effectively promoting and enforcing appropriate financial, resource and procurement rules;
   - Exercising a challenge function on key organisational issues;
   - Achieving key and high level results for the organisation;
   - Showing good judgement and problem solving skills.

   * ‘Operating at board level’ is defined as having a responsibility for decision-making in respect of corporate strategic issues concerning the organisation for which you are either an employee, board member or adviser.

   (vi) Change Management

   Experience of leading a change management programme which has a particular emphasis on improving leadership resulting in successfully changing the culture throughout an organisation.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Ability to identify and assess the need for change in an organisation;
   - Ability to create a new vision and aims for the workforce;
   - Successful change management communication and engagement strategy;
   - Development, implementation and successful delivery of plans for organisational change;
   - Ability to monitor progress, assess feedback and adapt plans to deal with changing circumstances, particularly in a challenging and complex environment.

   Essential Criteria – Chair only

   (vii) Leadership

   Experience of making an effective contribution to leading a significant* organisation at board level** whilst providing clear effective support and constructive challenge to a senior management team.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Development, implementation and monitoring of formal strategic plans;
   - Setting the vision and direction for an organisation;
   - Improving performance and resource utilisation in an organisation;
   - Leading and delivering on major projects involving collaborative working across a number of organisations;
   - Fostering and encouraging open dialogue;
   - Challenging policy decisions and outcomes, and production of innovative proposals for change;
   - Behaving with integrity, whilst being open, objective and accountable.

   * An organisation at least comparable in size and budget to Sport NI.
   ** ‘Board level’ is defined as a high level of responsibility for decision-making in respect of corporate strategic issues concerning the organisation for which you are either an employee, board member or adviser.

   Desirable Criteria – Chair, Vice-Chair and Members (for short-listing purposes)

   (viii) Role of Sport and Physical Activity in Northern Ireland

   Understanding of the role sport and physical activity can play in the Northern Ireland Executive’s delivery of its Programme for Government outcomes.

   Examples of the type of evidence the selection panel will be looking for are outlined below. You do not have to describe activities which meet each and every one of these bullet points:
   - Professional involvement in the sport/physical activity sector;
   - Appreciation of the potential of sport and physical activity within Northern Ireland;
   - Understanding of the link between a public body and the NI Executive, including finance and resource issues;
   - Awareness of the statutory and political environment in which Sport NI operates.

3. The time commitment for the Chair post is at least eight days per month initially which may be subject to review. It attracts remuneration of £280 per day. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable. The time commitment for the Vice-Chair post is approximately 30 days per year. It attracts remuneration of £3,500 per year. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable. The time commitment for Board Members is at least 24 days per years. These appointments are unpaid but travel and subsistence allowances will be payable.
4. The appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Public Appointments in NI in accordance with the requirement of the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI. All appointments are based on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
5. The Department for Communities is committed to the principle of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. The Department is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people irrespective of religious belief, gender, disability, ethnic origin, political opinion, age, marital status, sexual orientation or whether or not they have dependents. The Department particularly welcomes applications from women, people from an ethnic minority, people with a disability and young people for these positions as these groups are currently under-represented at Board level across NI.
6. Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI
7. Media enquires to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 9267. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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