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Annex 1

Published 5 August 2022

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/call-for-nominations-chair-of-the-science-programme-advisory-committee/annex-1

Space Programme Advisory Committee Chairperson – Position Specification

  1. Chair meetings of the Space Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC), which generally has four one-day meetings per annum.

  2. Ensure SPAC complies with its Terms of Reference.

  3. Represent SPAC at other cross-community advisory committees. Attendance may also be requested at ad hoc UK Space Agency meetings.

  4. If requested to do so by the UK Space Agency, attend the ESA Science Programme Committee (SPC) meetings as a UK advisor with strong scientific standing. The SPC has three two-day meetings per annum but may call extraordinary and ad hoc meetings as required. The UK delegates present the UK Space Agency view on ESA programmatic issues in line with the briefing material.

  5. The appointment will be for one year in the first instance, with the possibility of extension for up to a further two years.

  6. The position is remunerated at £130 per full day meeting. The UK Space Agency also remunerates travel and subsistence costs in accordance with BEIS policy.

  7. Advisory Committee Chairs (and all Committee members) are required to sign a SPAC Confidentiality & Conflict of Interest agreement, and are expected to adhere to the seven principles of public life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life

Advisory Committee Chairperson – Person Specification

1. Required strengths:

  • Recognised expertise in UK space science
  • Good standing within the academic community and the ability to represent it
  • Previous relevant experience, ideally as Chairperson, of senior-level Committees, Boards or Advisory groups
  • The ability to take a broad overview and to summarise a consensus of opinions
  • The ability to employ diplomacy as required
  • Familiarity with relevant ESA and international programmes
  • Awareness of issues within the European space programme, including awareness of academic, policy and commercial interests.
  • Willingness to adhere to the seven principles of public life, to agree to any confidentiality requests made by the UK Space Agency, and to agree to represent the UK Space Agency position (rather than personal views) at ESA meetings.
  • Prepared to devote sufficient time to the role, including travel to SPC meetings if required.

The UK Space Agency seeks the best members possible for its advisory bodies, while also seeking to ensure that membership reflects diversity within the relevant research communities. Equality with regard to gender, race and disability is encouraged.

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