In addition, NELC aims to improve retention by reducing annual turnover brought about by employment related issues.In 1988 a long-term media campaign, The Volunteer Reserve Forces Campaign (VRFC) was launched to help to achieve this aim.

The Committee is made up of approximately 12 employers and 4 military advisers. Representation covers the country and includes the President of the Confederation of British Industry, the Vice President of the Institute of Directors and a senior representative of the Trades Union Congress.

Job description

NELC will meet at least twice annually and, having been briefed on the issues, members are required to advise on the following:

• – raising the status of the Reserve Forces among employers, peer groups, families and the general public;
• – enlisting support for employees who are, or may wish to become, members of the Reserve Forces;
• – maintaining effective liaison with employers and providing them with advice on the Reserve Forces; and on
• – the impact on the Reserve Forces of the current employment market;
• – the development of the strategy, content, mix and budget of the VRFC;
• – the efficiency and effectiveness of the VRFC and the development of new lines of action if necessary.

Members will be invited to undertake individual tasks each year, and these will be detailed in the NELC Annual Management Plan.

NELC meetings take place at the Duke of York’s Headquarters in London. Posts are part-time and unpaid though members may claim travel and subsistence expenses. Appointments are for five years, with the option of reappointment up to a maximum of 10 years’ consecutive service.

Selection

Members are selected on merit as individuals or as representatives of institutions (eg CBI, TUC, BCC, IoD), and are expected to bring to bear their experience in support of NELC. All appointments are publicised through Press Notices and all applicants will be required to complete a Political Activity questionnaire. Members will be selected for their ability to make a visible contribution to the NELC objectives and will be expected to monitor the implementation of those contributions. In offering themselves for selection, candidates should be aware that, if selected as members, they may be required, from time to time, to represent NELC at functions and events and to give corporate support to agreed policies and views when so doing. Potential members will be provided with full background information about NELC’s objectives and responsibilities. Members are expected to agree to follow the seven principles laid down by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. A copy of the list of these principles is attached.

Appointments to NELC, like all MoD public appointments, are made in accordance with the Code of Practice for Public Appointments, administered by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (www.open.gov.uk/ocpa). The MoD is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. Political activity will not be a criterion for appointment.

The MoD is also committed to equal opportunities. Within the overall principle of selection based on merit, MoD will seek to raise the representation of women, people from ethnic minority groups and disabled people within MoD NDPBs. This is in line with the Government’s long-term objectives of equal representation of men and women, pro-rata representation of people from ethnic minority groups and increased participation of disabled people.

If you would like to be considered for appointment to NELC, or if you have any further questions, please contact:

Lt Col John Bolton-Clark
National Employers’ Liaison Committee
Duke of York’s Headquarters
Chelsea
London SW3 4SS

Tel: 020 7218 5625/2950
Fax: 020 7218 4888
e-mail: [email protected]

Those interested will be sent an information pack containing further details of NELC and the VRFC, an application form, a job description and details of the complaints procedure.

The seven principles of public life

1 Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

2 Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.

3 Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

4 Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

5 Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

6 Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

7 Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.