The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), an Executive Agency of HM Treasury, provides impartial, expert advice and makes independent recommendations to the government on economic infrastructure. The NIC operates independently, at arm’s length from government.

The NIC employs approximately 50 staff who work in its Secretariat: made up of civil servants, including economists and policy advisers, as well as secondees from industry and the wider public sector.

The NIC’s duties and functions are set out in a Framework Document. In summary, Its objectives are to:

• Support sustainable economic growth across all regions of the UK
• Improve competitiveness
• Improve quality of life
• Support climate resilience and the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

The NIC is seeking two Non-Executive Members with experience operating at a senior executive level in either the public or private sector to sit on both its Oversight Board and its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, and to fulfil the duties and responsibilities commensurate with this position. The Board and the Committee are collectively responsible for the oversight of the operation of the NIC, with an emphasis on its management control and corporate governance.

About Oversight Board

The role of the National Infrastructure Commission’s Oversight Board is to ensure that the NIC is managed and governed appropriately, operates within its financial and operational delegation limits and has effective governance arrangements in place. The Board is chaired by the Chair of the Commission, Sir John Armitt.

The Oversight Board is responsible for:

• Assuring the effectiveness of the NIC’s financial management and administrative functions
• Holding the Chief Executive to account in managing the organisation and its delivery programme
• Ensuring that the Executive Team is held to account and systems are in place to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively, whilst monitoring and challenging performance
• Assuring the effectiveness of the NIC’s corporate governance arrangements, including ensuring that accountability and assurance issues, primarily based on the work of the NIC’s Audit and Risk Committee, are considered

About the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee is a delegated committee of the National Infrastructure Commission’s Oversight Board. It is led by a Non-Executive Chair. Its role is to support the Board to monitor and set the NIC’s risk appetite and ensure that the right framework of governance, risk management and control is in place to manage risk within this.

The Committee supports the National Infrastructure Commission Oversight Board and the Accounting Officer by seeking assurances over:

• The risk management framework, including relevant documentation and the framework’s fitness for purpose
• Controls, including evaluation of the effectiveness of the control framework and associated systems with reference to risk
• Governance, including the effectiveness of delegated decision making and authorities and compliance with the principles embedded in Managing Public Money and Corporate Governance in central government departments: Code of good practice 2011, (as amended)
• Compliance, including evidence to ensure that the National Infrastructure Commission’s internal policies and procedures are applied effectively and that external statutory requirements are met
• The comprehensiveness, reliability and integrity of assurances associated with the above and with meeting the Oversight Board or Accounting Officer’s assurance needs

The appointed candidates will join both the Oversight Board and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. As such, there is a range of expertise being sought. Candidates are not necessarily expected to meet all criteria - the Commission is keen to solicit applications from a wide range of candidate with varied skillsets. However, experience in a number of the criteria listed would be beneficial. Please make reference as to which of the criteria below you meet or exceed in your covering statement:

• Strong knowledge of governance and internal control processes, ideally within the context of a small government body or similar institution.
• Experience in financial management or overseeing financial management functions (for example, in a relevant executive or non-executive position).
• Recent experience of internal and / or external audit, either as a practitioner or through involvement in the appointment and management of auditors.
• Experience of the management of risk, ideally within a government environment or similarly complex sector. Knowledge of the Treasury Orange Book guidance and its associate processes would be particularly relevant.
• Experience of managing risks relating to organisation profile and staff management would be valuable.
• An understanding of wider relevant risk management topics such as cybersecurity, fraud, conflicts of interest, the collection and audit of performance data

The Oversight Board currently comprises Sir John Armitt as the Commission Chair, and three external Non-Executive Members, whilst the NIC’s Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer form the two Executive Members of the Board. A representative of HM Treasury is also a member of the Oversight Board.

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee currently comprises representatives from the NIC’s internal and external auditors, and three external Non-Executive Directors, whilst the NIC’s Chief Executive and Chief Operations Officer form the two Executive representatives reporting to the Board. The Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee is David Finlay.

You can find out more about the Board here.

The time commitment is expected to be 1-2 days per quarter, which will include preparation for and participation in Board and Committee meetings. The dates of Oversight Board meetings in 2024 are: 25th January, 14th May, 16th July, and 24th October; the dates of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee meetings in 2024 are: 14th March, 27th June, 19th September, 12th December.

The role is unremunerated, but expenses are paid. It is anticipated that successful candidates will take up appointment in April 2024 and the appointment will be for four years.

The majority of meetings are expected to be held in London.

You must inform the Chair of the Board if you have any conflict of interest which might affect your ability to undertake this role. You should disclose information on any relevant business interest, public appointment or position of authority, including other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies. You can do this via the relevant question in the application form.

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