NED (Member) - Advisory Committee on Disinformation and Misinformation

Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 13 January, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Sunday 12 January.

To apply, your application MUST include a CV and a covering letter – in written or equivalent accessible format. Your application must specifically explain how you meet the key competencies for the role which are detailed in the Essential Competencies section below, have an understanding of the role and demonstrate that you have relevant transferable skills. Covering letters should be no more than four sides of A4 in length. 

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

Purpose of the role and our approach to establishing the Committee

All members serving on the Committee are appointed by Ofcom’s Board. The Online Safety Act requires the Committee to provide advice to Ofcom on:

• how providers of regulated services should deal with disinformation and misinformation on such services;
• the exercise of our transparency powers so far as relating to disinformation and misinformation (under section 77 of the Online Safety Act); and
• the exercise of our media literacy functions (under section 11 of the Communications Act) in relation to countering disinformation and misinformation on regulated services across Ofcom’s work.

We are initially aiming to create a small, expert panel to provide input into our work related to these areas. To support effective engagement, we anticipate that Members will meet collectively 2-3 times a year and be available to support, advise and constructively challenge issues we bring to the Committee, as required.

We expect the Committee to act as a critical friend, advising us to ensure that our work is grounded in evidence, takes into consideration the interests of UK online users, and considers the impacts of our work on regulated services. Committee members will bring their own experience and expertise to contribute to the Committee’s work programme.

We recognise the importance of transparency in our work. As with all of our advisory bodies, we will publish the Committee’s terms of reference, code of conduct, member biographies, and high-level minutes of meetings.

Essential competencies 

To apply to join the Advisory Committee on Disinformation and Misinformation you will need to show in your application how you meet the competencies below. No previous experience of being a non-executive member is necessary.

• Experience in producing high-quality and policy-influencing research or work, in particular related to disinformation, misinformation, foreign interference, or related areas.
• The ability to understand, articulate and represent the varied needs and views of citizens and consumers;
• The ability to understand and consider the importance of fundamental human rights in our approach to regulation, in particular the right to freedom of expression;
• The ability to understand the feasibility and implications of our work on disinformation and misinformation, in particular on regulated services;
• Strong communication skills to make an effective contribution to the discussions; and
• The ability to work as part of a committee, and support teams as they work through complex and contested questions.

We are particularly interested to hear from people who have skills, expertise and experience in any of the following areas:

• Experience in analysing or countering issues related to online foreign interference, state-sponsored disinformation or influence operations, or related areas.
• Experience in researching or analysing the impacts of misinformation and/or disinformation on individuals, or in representing those impacted by it.
• Experience in researching, analysing, evaluating, or in implementing interventions to counter disinformation and/or misinformation.
• Experience in the processes used in traditional media, or providers of online services which may be in-scope of the UK’s Online Safety Act, in particular around disinformation or misinformation.
• Experience in or knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, including, for example, how such systems can be used to create and spread disinformation and misinformation, and how they could also be deployed by platforms to address it.
• Expertise in promoting media literacy knowledge skills and behaviours – either as a practitioner, academic, user experience (UX) designer or product developer.

Further Information

Panel Members are part-time and drawn from a range of diverse backgrounds. We are seeking applications from people who can contribute relevant experience and help create a diversity of perspective and background on the Panel.

The annual remuneration for the appointment as a Member of the Committee is £3500 for an anticipated time commitment of 7-10 days per year, comprising whole Committee meetings, support to Ofcom teams as needed, and preparatory work. The Panel operates on a hybrid-working basis but the role could include some travel to London. However, we do accommodate individuals’ needs and adjustments.

Members must not be directly employed by Ofcom or organisations that Ofcom regulates or licenses or derive the majority of their employment income from such a company even if not so employed. Members cannot be engaged in active party politics. This includes holding, or being a candidate for, party political office at a national, regional or local level, active political campaigning in support of a political party and making a donation or donations to a political party in a calendar year in excess of £7,500. Working full time for any central government department or as an official in the civil service (including in the devolved nations) or for local government is also not acceptable.

Potential or actual conflicts of interest from a financial or business perspective must be declared and discussed at interview. Please note, the disclosable interests of all Ofcom Board, Committee and Panel members are published on the Ofcom website. Applicants must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct accords with the 7 principles of public life.

Interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 4 February, Thursday 6 February and Friday 7 February.

The interview panel will comprise Lord Allan of Hallam, Jessica Zucker (Online Safety Policy Development Director) and Libby Watkins (Independent Panel Member). The anticipated start date for the appointments is 1 April 2025.

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

Where positions are listed as full time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares and other flexible working options from day one of employment.  We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles.  Learn more about the scheme here.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team.

Type:

 

Contract, Part Time