President

Name of body - National Library of Wales

Location  

The President’s activities will vary from week to week. He/she would usually be required to work from the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth on a regular basis, including attendance at Board and committee meetings. Additionally, there would be an element of regular travel relating to meetings with stakeholders and attendance at events. However, given the current situation with Covid-19, the majority of meetings are currently being held virtually and there may be less face-to-face engagement during the early months of the appointment.

Remuneration  

The President will be remunerated at £17,591 per annum based on a fee of £337 per day. Travel and other reasonable expenses that might be incurred in carrying out work on the Board can also be claimed from the Library.

Minimum days required - 1

Minimum days per - week

Function of body

The National Library of Wales’ purpose is to make our diverse culture and heritage accessible to all to learn, research and enjoy.

As a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, the Library receives around £10m in annual revenue funding from the Welsh Government. The Library is also a Royal Charter body and registered independent charity. Its management and operations are overseen by a Board of Trustees.

The Library subscribes to the Welsh Government’s wider policies and priorities, including the Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Welsh Language Act 2010 and integrates its work into supporting of all of the seven well being goals as well as the five governance elements of the Sustainable Development Principle.

Role description

This is a high-profile, strategic and influential role in the cultural sector in Wales.

The new President will join the National Library of Wales at a challenging period in its history as the findings of the recent tailored review are addressed and as the Library moves to implement its new strategic vision.

The President is accountable to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport for the National Library’s performance and for the delivery of strategic priorities. Developing a close relationship with the Deputy Minister and key members of the Welsh Government is a crucial part of the role.

The position requires a person of stature and vision, capable of leading a national institution in a senior non-executive role, and of being an advocate for the Library with its key stakeholders.  The President acts as a spokesperson, a representative and a figurehead for the Library, operating with tact, diplomacy and well-practised powers of persuasion.

The President is the Chair of the Board, and ensures that business is dealt with effectively and efficiently. He / she ensures that the Board is fit for purpose, offering appropriate scrutiny and a strategic steer. The President is responsible for ensuring that Trustees receive induction, training, and performance assessments, and comply with governance requirements under the Royal Charter, Charities Act, and the Board’s Code of Conduct. The President also represents the Library at joint public appointments processes with the Welsh Government to select new Trustees.

 At the Library, the President chairs the Appointments and Remuneration Committee (which oversees Trustee and senior staff appointments, including that of the National Librarian) and is also a member of the Governance and Performance Committee, the Financial Planning committee, and of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Part of the President’s role is establishing a strong and supportive working relationship with the Library’s Chief Executive and National Librarian and with the senior executive, providing advice, support and challenge, but whilst respecting executive responsibility.

From time to time, the President will represent the Library in the Welsh and English media, during visits by senior public figures, and at the opening of exhibitions and events.

The President must always be able to work comfortably and effectively within the bilingual cultural, political, social and economic context in which the Library operates

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Welsh language skills  

Essential

Reading - Can read most work-related material

Written - Can prepare most written work in Welsh

Understanding - Can understand all work-related conversations

Spoken - Fluent

Person specification

We are seeking someone who:

• demonstrates an understanding, a commitment, and an enthusiasm for the Library’s work and for the cultural sector in Wales;

• has an awareness of Welsh Government policies and strategies and of how they influence the work of the Library and the culture sector as a whole;

• has extensive leadership skills and experience of driving change;

• has a commitment to equality issues and to challenging discriminatory practices;

• has a commitment to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life;

• is able to communicate effectively with the Library’s audiences in both Welsh and English.

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

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrates a commitment to the values and the vision of the National Library of Wales, and an appreciation of its role and purpose as a national institution in Wales, including the cultural, learning, health and well-being, economic and socio-political contexts in which it operates; and an understanding of its obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015;

• can evidence strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, including ambassadorial skills;

• committed to increasing diversity and promoting equality, identifying relevant experience to develop an inclusive and diverse Board;

• Has experience of developing strategic partnerships, and of outreach and engagement activity who will drive the agenda of ensuring the Library serves and represents the diverse communities and regions of Wales;

• demonstrates senior leadership skills and the ability to provide effective support and challenge to a high profile organisation;

• demonstrates the ability to think and operate strategically;

• demonstrates a thorough understanding of good governance;

• demonstrates business and commercial acumen and experience of income-generating activities (including fundraising);

• has experience of operating at a senior level in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation.

Interview dates

From - 7 December 2020

To - 11 December 2020

Closing date - 02/11/2020, 16:00