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Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

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Director, The Prince’s Rural Action Programme Candidate Pack August/September 2013
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Page 1: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

Director, The Prince’s Rural Action Programme

Candidate Pack – August/September 2013

Page 2: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

Business in the Community

Director, The Prince’s Rural Action Programme

Candidate Pack – August/September 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Contract: Permanent and full-time

Location: London N1 7RQ

Salary: £55,000-£60,000

Business in the Community stands for Responsible Business. It is a business-led charity with a

growing membership of over 850 companies and a further 10,700 companies engaged in its

campaigns globally. Its members help to transform communities by tackling key social and

environmental issues and, in doing so, transform themselves. Business in the Community’s vision

is for every business to act responsibly and so ensure a sustainable future for all.

The Prince’s Rural Action Programme is one of Business in the Community’s key campaigns. It

aims to engage businesses in supporting rural communities, the rural economy, and rural people.

The Programme was set up by The Prince of Wales in 2001. In 2010 it was further expanded by

the creation of the The Prince’s Countryside Fund, a grant giving body with an annual budget of

£2 million, which the Rural Action team manages.

The new Director of the Prince’s Rural Action Programme will be responsible for ensuring the

continued success and impact of Business in the Community’s activity on rural issues, and for

further developing and growing The Prince’s Countryside Fund. They will work closely with both

The Prince of Wales’ Private Office, and a Leadership Team comprising some of the UK’s most

senior and influential business people.

The successful candidate will be expected to possess knowledge of, and empathy for, rural affairs

and agriculture. Above all they will need to demonstrate high levels of diplomacy, sound

judgement, impeccable focus, a positive temperament, and the highest standards of

professionalism. They must be capable of project managing a variety of concurrent workstreams

in a ‘hands on’ way, whilst balancing the competing priorities of a large number of stakeholders.

Their duties will range from delivering written papers, briefings and speeches, through to

facilitating high profile events and large meetings.

Applications should consist of a CV, accompanied by a covering letter addressing the criteria in the

Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded here via the website of BITC’s

recruitment partners Society.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 6th September 2013.

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY (BITC)

Business in the Community stands for Responsible Business. It is a business-led charity with a

growing membership of over 850 companies and a further 10,700 companies engaged in its

campaigns globally. Its members help to transform communities by tackling key social and

Page 3: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

environmental issues and, in doing so, transform themselves. Business in the Community’s vision

is for every business to act responsibly and so ensure a sustainable future for all.

BITC offers its members practical support to help them to integrate responsible business practices

wherever they operate. Its approach to responsible business provides a clear framework to support

and challenge businesses to improve their performance and benefit society through our three

areas of expertise:

Community

Workplace and Employees

Marketplace Sustainability

ABOUT THE PRINCE’S RURAL ACTION PROGRAMME

The Prince’s Rural Action Programme is one of BITC’s key campaigns. It aims to engage business

in tackling key rural issues through a range of constantly evolving programmes and initiatives. The

Programme was set up by The Prince of Wales in 2001, following the Foot and Mouth outbreak,

which had played a role in drawing public attention to the issues facing the UK’s rural

communities. The strategy of the Rural Action Programme is set by a group of senior business

leaders and The Prince of Wales continues to be particularly engaged in its activity.

In 2010, the Rural Action Programme set up, and now manages, a separate charity called The

Prince’s Countryside Fund which gives grants to support people in the countryside. Operating an

annual budget of nearly £2 million, and with ambitious plans for growth, this is a high profile

initiative with a large number of influential stakeholders.

The current workstreams within the Rural Action Programme include:

The Prince’s Dairy Initiative – providing business advice and support to vulnerable family farmers via an

industry-led consortium.

Rural Business Connectors – placing high quality secondees from business into deprived rural

communities to help encourage enterprise, education and employment by connecting businesses with local

community groups. This is a national programme and Rural Action’s objective is to ensure that 10% of all

connectors are in rural areas.

Bright Crop – an industry led initiative to promote careers in the agriculture sector. BITC is in the process

of handing this over to a partner organisation but will need to play a light-touch role.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund – a grant giving charity managed by the Rural Action team with 23

supporting companies generating circa £2 million funding annually. At three years of age the Countryside

Fund is growing rapidly and the Director will play a key role in ensuring it develops strongly now it has

been successfully established.

Areas of development include:

Working more closely with BITC’s regional teams to integrate rural priorities into their work.

Adapting core BITC programmes to be delivered in rural areas. Business Connectors was the first attempt

at this and work is underway with Business Class, which connects business and schools.

Growing the profile, income and therefore, impact of The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

The Rural Action Programme has a UK-wide remit, high-level engagement from senior business

leaders, and the keen interest of The Prince of Wales and his staff. These are strong assets that

have enabled Rural Action to deliver significant impact to date.

Page 4: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)
Page 5: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

Rural Action Leadership Team

Business in the Community’s Rural Campaign is led by an impressive group of some of the

country’s most influential business leaders. Membership of the Rural Action Leadership Team

currently includes:

Mark Allen – Chief Executive, Dairy Crest Group (Chairman);

Richard Percy – Chairman, NFU Mutual Insurance Co;

Allan Wilkinson – Head of Agriculture, HSBC Bank;

Andy Clarke – CEO, ASDA Stores Ltd;

Bertie Ross – Chief Executive, Duchy of Cornwall;

David Yiend – Chief Executive, AB Agri;

Jim Smyllie – Executive Director (Delivering with Communities), Natural England

Liz Kershaw – Former Group Director of Publishing, National Magazine Company;

Lyndsay Chapman – Commercial Director (Milk Procurement), Dairy Crest Group;

Mark Duddridge – Managing Director, Ginsters;

Mark Pendlington – Group Director of Corporate Affairs, Anglian Water Group;

Mark Williamson – Commercial Director, Waitrose;

Peter Nixon – Director of Conservation, National Trust;

Tim Shapland – Business Services Director, Landmarc Support Services Limited;

Warren Anderson – Vice President of UK Supply Chain, McDonald's Restaurants.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Business in the Community is looking to appoint a successor to the current Director of the Prince’s

Rural Action Programme , Victoria Harris, who has been appointed to a senior job at Waitrose.

The purpose of the Director’s role is to ensure the continued success and achievement of BITC’s

activity on rural issues, and to develop and grow The Prince’s Countryside Fund. Within BITC

their reporting line will be to the Field Director, Patrick Mallon.

This is a post that requires high levels of diplomacy, sound judgement, impeccable focus, and an

even, positive temperament. The new Director will need to demonstrate these qualities in

abundance, along with the highest standards of professionalism. They must be capable of project

managing a variety of concurrent workstreams in a ‘hands on’ way, whilst balancing the

competing priorities of a large number of stakeholders. Their duties of their small but passionate

team will range from delivering written papers, briefings and speeches, through to facilitating high

profile events and large meetings.

Main Responsibilities / Accountabilities

maintaining the engagement and seniority of the business Leadership Team, and ensuring new members

are recruited to fund the Rural Action Programme;

maintaining an excellent understanding of rural affairs and emerging issues in order to provide thought

leadership internally and externally that will enhance BITC’s reputation as an authoritative voice, and

inspire more companies to include rural issues in their Corporate Responsibility strategies;

demonstrating gravitas as an ambassador for BITC, the Rural Action Programme and The Prince’s

Countryside Fund with external stakeholders at a senior level (being aware that this post will often be

perceived to be a representative of The Prince of Wales);

developing and maintaining professional and productive partnerships with the principal UK organisations

involved in rural affairs, ensuring BITC is considered a credible and respected player on this agenda;

Page 6: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

maintaining an excellent working relationship with The Prince of Wales’ Private Office, preparing clear and

timely briefings and responses to queries;

developing and implementing, with the Chairman and the Leadership Team, a strategy for the expansion

and increased impact of the Rural Action Programme;

developing and implementing, with its Trustee Board, a strategy for the expansion and increased impact of

The Prince’s Countryside Fund;

developing appropriate business and financial plans to implement the strategies above, secure the funding

to finance their delivery and meet agreed objectives;

managing the finances of the Rural Action Programme (annual budget c. £250,000) and overseeing those

of the Countryside Fund (annual budget currently c. £2 million and growing);

managing the rural team of five (including three direct reports) effectively;

successfully project managing the various workstreams to ensure they deliver the intended outcomes,

maintain the engagement of key stakeholders, and progress in a timely fashion to budget;

increasing the visibility of the campaign, both within BITC and externally, by ensuring that its impact is

effectively communicated;

inspiring and supporting colleagues to integrate rural considerations into their campaign and regional

plans, providing a resource and knowledge bank of information relating to rural communities, and working

with the membership team to assist in the recruitment of new members and in engaging them in rural

action;

contributing to the overall effective management of the organisation, delivering optimal performance in

relation to operational standards, financial budget, customer service and people management;

ensuring that BITC ‘walks the talk’ as set out in its Leadership Values.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The appointed candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills,

capabilities and experience:

Knowledge

good knowledge of, and empathy for, rural affairs and agriculture;

a working knowledge of Corporate Social Responsibility;

a vision of how the work of the Rural Action Programme should be developed.

Experience

experience of developing and managing relationships with multiple stakeholders at senior level;

experience of dealing with sensitive issues tactfully and finding solutions to problems;

a track record of successful campaigning and project management;

experience of generating income, delivering financial performance to budget and exceeding performance

targets;

experience of successfully shaping strategic direction and delivering operational plans;

experience working in business or in active engagement with business;

experience of working in a creative environment (desirable, not essential);

experience of achieving results through partnership strategies (desirable, not essential).

Skills

outstanding diplomacy, relationship building, networking and negotiating skills;

the ability to influence and persuade;

Page 7: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

the ability to work quickly and flexibly, to cope with a heavy work load, and to complete tasks in a timely

fashion;

strong communication and presentation skills;

the ability to operate credibly at all levels in the private and community sector;

excellent organisation and project management skills, from development through to implementation;

aptitude at financial management and planning;

a creative and innovative streak;

clear strategic thinking and sound judgement;

the leadership skills required to inspire, manage and develop individuals and the Rural Action team as a

whole.

Behaviours

a high level of emotional intelligence;

a calm, pragmatic approach;

a cheerful disposition;

empathy with The Prince of Wales’ work in rural areas;

demonstrable gravitas and credibility with people from all walks of life;

demonstrable flexibility and open mindedness;

the ability to remain discreet and maintain confidentiality at all times;

excellent personal presentation;

a recognition of the implications of working within a charity;

a commitment to act in accordance with Business in the Community’s values:

o focus

o passion

o collaboration

o pioneering

o integrity

Special Circumstances

the ability to travel to remote areas throughout the UK, and to work evenings and early mornings, with

some overnight stays.

Page 8: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)
Page 9: Example Candidate Pack (BITC)

APPOINTMENT DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY

BITC is being assisted in this appointment process by the recruitment firm Society.

Applications should consist of a CV, accompanied by a covering letter addressing the criteria in the

Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded here via the website of BITC’s

recruitment partners Society.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 6th September 2013.

Longlisted candidates will be invited to meet with the consulting team at Society (either in person

or via video conference) on Tuesday 10th or Wednesday 11th September.

A shortlist of between two to five candidates will then be taken forward to a formal interview with

Business in the Community. The first round of interviews will be held on Monday 23rd September

at BITC’s offices in central London. A second and final round of interviews will take place between

2-4pm on Monday 7th October at the corporate headquarters of Waitrose in Bracknell.

Please protect your availability on all interview dates until further notice.

In addition to an annual salary of circa £55,000-60,000, the appointed candidate will be entitled

to the following employee benefits:

annual leave of 25 days p/a, rising on a sliding scale to a maximum of 30 days after ten years service;

a Group Personal Pension scheme (employees can join after three months’ service) to which Business in

the Community will contribute 7% of salary providing the individual contributes a minimum of 2.5%;

an interest-free season ticket loan;

a salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme, provided by Edenred;

a cycle to work scheme;

two days paid employee volunteering time per annum;

the ability to ‘buy’ more holiday entitlement or ‘sell’ unused days;

a life assurance policy (‘death in service’) of up to four times salary.


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