The Chair of the board will provide effective leadership, defining and developing strategic direction for Dysgu.

The Role of the Chair

The Chair of Dysgu Board (the Board) is appointed by Welsh Ministers and is responsible for leading the Board and setting the strategic direction for Dysgu and monitoring the delivery of the organisation’s business strategy, plans and performance and objectives. Whilst the Board has this strategic level responsibility, the Chief Executive has responsibility in respect of the day-to-day operational management of Dysgu. Dysgu will be key to driving progress on the Welsh Government’s key priorities of improving literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and inclusion in education, and the Chair’s role will be critical in ensuring Dysgu remains focussed on these priorities.

The key responsibilities for the Chair include, but are not limited to:

• Providing vision and strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring that the Board as a whole is effective in developing a strategy and corporate business plans that are properly scrutinised and monitored
• Building effective working relationships with the Chief Executive and Directors
• Chairing Meetings and supporting the Board, ensuring expertise is brought in as appropriate
• Ensuring appropriate governance arrangements are established and implemented in line with best practice and the requirements of a public body, in accordance with company law
• The Chair will ensure that Dysgu champions diversity
• The Chair will be responsible for ensuring that they and the Board collectively and individually adhere to the Nolan seven principles of public life.

• Promoting the economic, efficient and effective use of staff and other resources.
• Ensure that all Board members are briefed fully on the terms of their appointment and on their duties, rights and responsibilities, including ensuring that they, together with other Board members, receive appropriate training.
• Working with Board members and Chief Executive to build a positive working environment and encourage a culture of open and effective scrutiny and challenge
• Assess the performance of individual Board members in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the Welsh Government.
• Attend an annual performance review, conducted by Welsh Ministers
• Working with the Chief Executive, in their role as Accounting Officer, ensure that appropriate governance arrangements are implemented in line with best practice and the requirements of a public body.
• Overseeing the work of the Chief Executive, providing appropriate support as necessary, including managing their performance.
• Representing the Body externally and fostering close working relationships with key stakeholders. Including representing the views of the Board to the Cabinet Secretary for Education.

The essential criteria for this role include:

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all essential criteria for appointment.

• Demonstrable ability to encourage a Board culture of effective and helpful challenge and scrutiny
• An outstanding record of leadership, organisational transformation and development at board level or equivalent. Able to demonstrate an ability to provide coherent leadership; defining and developing strategic direction; setting objectives; holding the Chief Executive to account for ensuring that activities are conducted efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent track record of engaging, inspiring and enthusing staff and stakeholders that demonstrates an inclusive and collaborative approach including working in partnership with staff representatives.

• Excellent interpersonal skills are required, including the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence and provide independent challenge and scrutiny whilst maintaining constructive relationships.
• A clear understanding of governance structures in an organisation and the ability to ensure the body’s financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available showing a commitment to transparency and openness.
• Able to demonstrate a track record of commitment to and notable delivery against principles of equality and diversity. An ability to demonstrate understanding of the commitments of a public role.
• Demonstrable interest in education and understanding of the education system in Wales including an understanding of the future needs and challenges.
• Commitment to ensuring Dysgu drives progress on the Welsh Government’s key priorities in education.

Board meetings will be held across Wales.

It is the policy of the Welsh Government to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business including appointments to public bodies.  Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all groups, and we ensure that no eligible candidate for public office receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, or pregnancy and maternity. The principles of fair and open competition will apply, and appointments will be made on merit.

For further details and to apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button now.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 10 October, 16:00.