Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee (VAPC) – Chairpersons (South East and Wales)

***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***

The Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans is seeking to appoint new VAPC Chairpersons in the following regions: the South East (covering the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex) and Wales . If you think you are the person we need to carry out one of these important roles, then please apply as below:

Functions

The Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee is a Non-Departmental Public Body divided into 13 geographical regions. Each Committee’s main function is to:

  • act as advocates for implementing the Armed Forces Covenant (https://www.gov.uk/the-armed-forces-covenant) and associated measures at a local level
  • raise awareness, within their region, of the Armed Forces Covenant and associated measures, the War Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Veterans Welfare Service and the availability of x-Government support to the Armed Forces, their families and Veterans.
  • assist serving personnel, veterans and their families in accessing local support services, provide assistance and guidance on the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and to provide an independent element to the Veterans UK complaints process relating to those schemes. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk
  • act as a conduit for local consultation by Ministers, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans UK on issues affecting recipients of pension from the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation scheme. http://www.veteranstransition.co.uk/vtrreport.pdf

Responsibilities and Skills

The role and the input of the VAPCs was cited in Lord Ashcroft’s Transition Review recommendations, with actions allocated to them as a body, going forward.

The VAPC Chairperson and members play a central role in promoting the interests and welfare of Veterans and their families. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-advisory-and-pensions-committees-x13 .The committees meet between 2 and 4 times per year and members are expected to be involved in a wide ranging agenda of issues relating to the functions of the committee set out above. Suitable candidates may come from a wide range of backgrounds and, whilst knowledge of service life would be useful, it is not necessary. What is most important is that applicants should have a real commitment to supporting Veterans and their Families. We are currently advertising for new Members for the VAPC for all Committees so one of the first duties for the newly appointed Chairpersons will be to interview candidates for their Committees.

Candidates will need to demonstrate the following skills:

Essential:

  • effective leadership and management of meetings and promoting a team approach
  • influencing and negotiating skills of a very high level, partnership working and the ability to work in a collaborative way to achieve outcomes
  • the ability to work with military and civil authorities and other major suppliers of direct assistance to Veterans
  • excellent all round communication skills
  • the ability to consider complex issues.
  • the ability to look ahead and work with others to develop practical plans.

Desirable:

Some knowledge of the following areas would be helpful but not essential as training and mentoring will be available:

  • the Government’s commitment to veterans as set out in the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • provision of welfare and support and knowledge of the support environment in Wales and the South East of England

A Public Appointment will give you a chance to:

  • help make decisions that affect people’s lives
  • help make a difference and change things for the better in the public interest
  • contribute your skills, expertise and experience for the benefit of society
  • develop new skills, learn about new subjects and enhance your confidence
  • meet a new range of people in different walks of life
  • develop your career, for example, by gaining public sector board experience
  • refocus your career, for example, if you have returned from a career break or maternity leave
  • give something back and contribute to the delivery of the highest quality of public services in the public interest.

The position is an unpaid appointment but travelling expenses and loss of earnings allowances will be paid.

Please go to the Public Appointments website via the following link to view the positions and apply: https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/appointment/veterans-advisory-pensions-committee-chairpersons-south-east-wales-regions/

The Ministry of Defence is committed to equality of opportunity for all and the principle of appointment based on merit following an open and transparent process and independent assessment. An interview access scheme is available (for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for appointment). PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A PUBLIC APPOINTMENT NOT EMPLOYMENT. Closing Date for Applications is 26/12/2017. Interviews for both positions will be held in mid-late January 2018, location to be announced.

Our Executive Members

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