Scientific Advisory Committee on the
Medical Implications of Less-Lethal
weapons (SACMILL)
The recruitment and selection of 1 Member
Information pack for applicants
All applications must be returned by 12 Noon, Tuesday 17th. November
Please quote reference 10038 on all correspondence
ADDRESS FOR RETURN OF APPLICATIONS:
DBS NSAT
Oak level 2 # 6030-8
East Wing
Abbey Wood North
New Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8QW
Tel: 030 679 84917
Email: DBSCivPers-ResNONSTDAPPTS@mod.uk
Contents
About the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical
Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)
Introduction
Terms of Reference
Chair/Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the
Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)
Person Specifications – Experience and Competencies required
Role of Members
Terms and Conditions of Appointment
Public Service Values
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Applying for a post
The Commissioner for Public Appointments
How to respond
Selection process
How we will handle your application
Equal Opportunities
Data protection
Dealing with any concerns
Enclosures
Expression of Interest form
Monitoring Information form
About the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of
Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL)
Introduction
Terms of Reference
The Ministry of Defence is looking to appoint one member. You will
be independent of the Ministry of Defence operational activities and
have the ability to apply intellectual rigour
The Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of
Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL) provides independent advice to UK
government departments and organisations on the biophysical,
biomechanical, pathological and clinical aspects of less-lethal weapon
systems.
SACMILL’s membership consists of an independent chair and other
independent members to support its activities. Independent members
are mainly medical and academic experts from the public and private
sectors, providing an appropriate balance of independent lay and
medical expertise on the committee. There are also three ex-officio
members from within government to provide expert advice and
guidance.
It succeeded the Defence Scientific Advisory Council Sub-Committee
on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (DOMILL) in
2012, and is responsible for:


issuing independent statements on the medical implications of
the use of specific less-lethal weapon systems, when used in
accordance with published operational guidance provided to
users
giving advice on the risk of injury from specific less-lethal
weapon systems striking specific areas of the body, in a
format that will assist both those responsible for developing
policy and for operational users to help make tactical decisions
SACMILL provides advice only to UK government departments and
organisations. It does not provide scientific or technical advice to
external suppliers of equipment and it does not act as a provider or
commissioner of original research.
3
Members of SACMILL
Person Specification
Member
SACMILL is looking to recruit one or more new members, who will have the appropriate medical
expertise to play an active role in the work of the committee. The Committee has recently been
examining issues surrounding the use of Taser and water cannon devices by the civilian police,
and it is expected that such issues will continue to be central to its work in the future.
Essential Criteria:
* Exceptional analytical and communication skills
* Experience at a senior level in a medical specialism
Desirable Criteria:
* Understanding of the medical effects of less-lethal weapons
* Appreciation of the operational, ethical, political, societal and human rights dimensions
surrounding the use of such weapons
Role of Members
Members of SACMILL have a collective responsibility for the
operation of the Committee. They must:

engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking
account of the full range of relevant factors, including any
guidance issued by the sponsor department or the responsible
minister;

ensure that the code of Practice on Access to Government
Information (including prompt responses to public requests
for information) is adhered to;

agree and produce an Annual Report.

respond appropriately to complaints, if necessary with
reference to the sponsor department; and

ensure that the committee does not exceed its powers or
functions.
Communications between the board and Minister will generally be
through the Chair, except where the board has agreed that an
individual member should act on its behalf. Nevertheless, any
committee member has the right of access to Minister on any matter
which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her
duties as a committee member. In such cases the agreement of the
rest of the committee should normally be sought.
4
Terms &
Conditions of
Appointment
Time
Commitment
and
Remuneration
The Member posts require a time commitment of
approximately 3-5 days a year, for which the daily fee
is £380.
Members are expected to spend typically 3-5 days per
year on Committee business, including attending
around three full meetings per year and participate fully
in any subgroup activities.
In addition, reasonable travel and subsistence expenses
will be reimbursed.
Location
Period of
Appointment
Meetings are usually held at MOD Main Building,
Whitehall, London. Occasional travel to other locations
may be required.
Appointments are made by MOD Ministers. Successful
candidates will be appointed initially for a period of
three years and the aim is to make these appointments
by early 2016.
1. Extensions to appointment, renewable biennially,
may be approved by Minister; the maximum total
term shall be no more than 10 years, in any one
post.
2. The Committee will be assisted by Government
officials, including representatives of the MOD,
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
and Home Office. The Chair will review
membership/performance annually.
3. The Committee members are appointed in
accordance with the Commissioner for Public
Appointments Code of Practice.
Termination of
Appointment
Committee members may resign at any time by notice
in writing to Minister.
Individual committee members can be removed from
office by the Minister if they fail to perform the duties
required of them in line with the standards expected in
public office
You should note that this post is a public
appointment and not an offer of employment.
Such appointments are not normally subject to the
provisions of employment law.
5
On appointment
Candidates for these posts will need to be British
Citizens
If appointed you will be required to sign the Official
Secrets Act and go through security vetting.
Candidates are expected to inform Minister if they
intend to accept a prominent position in any political
party and to understand that the appointment may be
terminated if it is felt that the positions are
incompatible.
Members of SACMILL must at all times:
Observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity
and objectivity in relation to the advice they provide
and the management of this public body;
Public Service
Values
Be accountable to Parliament through Minister and the
public more generally for its activities and for the
standard of advice it provides; and
Comply fully with the Code of Practice on Access to
Government Information, in accordance with
Government policy on openness.
Members are also expected to adhere to the
seven principles governing conduct in public life.
The Seven
Principles of
Public Life
Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the
public interest
Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves
under any obligation to people or organisations that
might try inappropriately to influence them in their
work. They should not act or take decisions in order to
gain financial or other material benefits for themselves,
their family, or their friends. They must declare and
resolve any interests and relationships
Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions
impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence
and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public
for their decisions and actions and must submit
themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this
Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in
an open and transparent manner. Information should
not be withheld from the public unless there are clear
and lawful reasons for so doing
Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful
Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles
in their own behaviour. They should actively promote
and robustly support the principles and be willing to
challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs
6
Applying for a Post
The Commissioner for
Public Appointments
The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and
monitors ministerial appointments to public bodies to ensure that
they are made on merit after fair and open competition. More
information about the role of the Commissioner and the Code of
Practice is available from
www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org
How to respond
All candidates are required to submit the following forms
in full:



Monitoring Form
Expressions of Interest Form
CV
Your completed forms should be returned to the following address
by the closing date:
DBS NSAT
Oak level 2 # 6030-8
East Wing
Abbey Wood North
New Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8QW
Telephone: 030 679 84917
Email to: DBSCivPers-ResNONSTDAPPTS@mod.uk
Selection Process
Selection Panel –
The panel will consist of three members: the SACMILL Chair, a
representative from MOD, and one external member.
Short-Listing – the short-listing panel will determine which
candidate best demonstrates the specified qualities and
experience, who will then be invited for interview.
It is therefore essential for your application to give full but
concise information/evidence relevant to the post. Please make
sure you have read the post description and list of qualities before
completing your form and preparing your supporting
documentation. Your application will be assessed on the strength
of the information provided within your expression of interest and
CV.
Please keep a copy of all forms and any additional
information you may send us for your own reference.
Interviewing – interviews are likely to take place from week
commencing Tuesday 24 November 2015 at Ministry of Defence
Main Building, Whitehall, London. The interview should last in the
region of 45 minutes.
Candidates will be able to claim for reasonable expenses incurred
travelling to and from interview. Claim forms will be provided with
invitations to interview.
How we will handle your The advertisement and this information pack will give you details
application
of the specific vacancies for which you can apply.
7


Equal opportunities
We will acknowledge receipt of your application
Candidates will be notified in writing whether or not they
have been shortlisted
 The proposed sift date is in the week commencing 9
November 2015.
 References will be taken up if candidates are selected for
interview. You should ensure that they have given their
permission for their names to be used.
 Interviews are likely to take place from Tuesday 24
November 2015 at Ministry of Defence Main Building,
Whitehall, London.
 All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their
application.
These appointments will be governed by the principle of public
appointment based on merit with independent assessment and
transparency of process. Candidates may come from a wide
range of background and experience although the successful
candidates will need to demonstrate that they meet all the criteria
for these appointments. We are keen to see people with diverse
experience and backgrounds holding public appointments and
hope to receive applications from all sections of the community.
Applications from women, ethnic minorities and disabled people
will be welcomed.
Guaranteed Interview
Scheme
The Ministry of Defence operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme
(GIS) for disabled people. The Equality Act 2010 defines a person
as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment and the
impairment has a substantial and long term adverse effect on
their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Under the
GIS a disabled candidate will be selected for interview if they
meet the minimum criteria for the role decided by the
selection panel at sift. To ensure fairness, the panel will
not be informed of who has applied under the GIS until
they have set the minimum criteria at the start of the sift
meeting. If you wish to apply for consideration under the
scheme, please tick the Guaranteed Interview Scheme Box at
Part D of the Monitoring Information Form
Data Protection
The Ministry of Defence is required by the Commissioner for Public
Appointments to retain information about the people who apply
for public appointments, and make this information available to
him or audit purposes, if requested to do so. The Ministry of
Defence’s data protection policy in relation to the information we
collect is set out below.
Your initial contact details, including your name and address will
be held by the Ministry of Defence for a period of up to 2 years.
If you submit an application, that and any supporting
documentation, will be retained by the Ministry of Defence for up
to 2 years. Information held electronically, including your contact
details and the monitoring information provided will also be held
for up to 2 years.
If you would like these details to be removed from our records as
soon as this recruitment exercise is complete, please write or e-mail
the Ministry of Defence at the address on the front of this
information pack.
8
Dealing with your
concerns
In the first instance
For queries about your application, please telephone Ruth O’Grady
at Defence Business Services on 030 679 84917 or e-mail
DBSCivPers-ResNONSTDAPPTS@mod.uk
If you are not completely satisfied
We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible
and to treat all applicants with courtesy. If you feel that
you have any complaints about the way your application
has been handled, we would like to hear from you.
Please contact the Civ HR Contact Centre on:
Email: peopleservices@dbs.mod.uk
Tel: 0800 345 7772
quoting reference Public Appointments - NSAT
Taking it further
The Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir David Normington,
regulates and monitors Ministerial appointments to public bodies.
If, after receiving a comprehensive response you are still
concerned, you can write to the Commissioner for Public
Appointments at the address below:
Commissioner for Public Appointments, and
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
Ground Floor
1 Horse Guards Road
London SW1A 2HQ
9