Appointment of a Deputy Chair to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Board

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking to appoint a Deputy Chair to the Board of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).  AFBI is a DAERA Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDBP) set up under the powers of the Agriculture (NI) Order 2004.  It is empowered under the Order to undertake scientific work (research and development, testing, advice and information on scientific matters and dissemination of the results of scientific research) in fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, food, fisheries, forestry, the natural environment and rural development and enterprise.  Further information about the organisation, can be obtained from the AFBI website at https://www.afbini.gov.uk/.

Time commitment and remuneration

The Deputy Chair role requires approximately 20 days per annum. This position is remunerated at £11,188 per annum (under review).  Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred on official business will also be reimbursed. This does not include travel between home and AFBI Headquarters.

Terms of appointment

The successful candidate will be appointed for a 3 year period from 1st April 2020. An additional 2 year term may be offered subject to satisfactory performance and attendance.

Application process

A merit based process will be applied alongside the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants with a disability. Applicants will be expected to complete an application form demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria for appointment.

The essential criteria are: Relevant Experience; Strategic Thinking and Direction; Influencing and Directing Change; Governance and Performance Management.  Short listing is an extension of the sift process, and in this competition will involve incrementally increasing the value of the criterion pass mark in the following: Strategic Thinking and Direction; Influencing and Directing Change; Governance and Performance Management.

A sift of applications will be carried out and short listing criteria applied if necessary. A panel interview will follow.

More information about this competition and about public appointments in general is available from the NI Direct website:

An application form can also be downloaded from this website using the link below:

This is a Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) Regulated appointment.  The Commissioner’s role is to regulate, monitor, report and advise on the way in which Ministers make appointments to the Boards of many public bodies in Northern Ireland.

An application pack and further information is available by contacting Dolores Kelly, Ballykelly House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Ballykelly, Limavady BT49 9HP Tel: 028 7744 2025 or e-mail EqualityDiversityPublicAppointments@daera-ni.gov.uk.

This material will also be made available, on request, in other formats such as Braille, large print, audio, etc.  All reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate the needs of applicants/candidates with a disability.

Closing date: Completed applications must be returned to the Department by 4.00pm on Friday 6 December 2019.

Equality of opportunity

DAERA is committed to the principle of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. DAERA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependents.  Since young people, people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and people with disabilities are currently under represented on the AFBI Board, applications from these groups would be particularly welcome.

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