*VACANCY* - Secretary to British Hallmarking Council

The British Hallmarking Council are seeking to appoint a Secretary to the BHC to be in post as soon as possible. The person appointed in this critical role will help support the British Hallmarking Council’s vital mission and contribute to the UK’s hallmarking excellence. 

The British Hallmarking Council

The Council was established to protect consumers and retail jewellers from trading in fake items. Established under the Hallmarking Act of 1973, it is a statutory body responsible for overseeing hallmarking in the UK. Ten Members of the Council are appointed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. A further six members of the Council are appointed by the four Assay Offices and the Chair is appointed by the Council. There are also two co-opted members. The Council operates under a framework of governance established by the Hallmarking Act and the Council’s duties as an Arm’s Length Body of government.

The primary role of the Council is to protect consumers by:

• Ensuring there are adequate facilities for the assaying and hallmarking of precious metals in the UK
• Supervising the activities of the four UK Assay Offices
• Taking steps to ensure the enforcement of hallmarking law
• Advising the Secretary of State regarding these matters.

As a regulator, it is important for the Council to understand the jewellery industry and to support growth in the sector.

The Role of the Secretariat

The Secretary has a central role working closely with the Chair of the Council to ensure that the business of the Council is discharged efficiently and effectively and that its objectives are met within the agreed framework of governance to meet its business plan targets. The role involves progressing projects and actions, planning and running Council and committee meetings.

This is a home-based role, involving attendance at occasional face to face meetings within the UK.

The skill set required

Essential

• The intellectual capacity to oversee a complex agenda and to identify areas that may require referral to the Chair, the Council or external legal or other specialist advice
• Significant experience in and the ability to manage the planning and accurate minutetaking for multiple meetings
• Attention to detail and a systematic approach to the day to day management of the Council’s business, record-keeping and financial management (NB accountancy and legal advice are contracted out) 2
• IT literacy with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, file sharing software and hosting virtual meetings, and openness to using other software as needed
• The ability to work independently and manage your own time and priorities, while accommodating shifting priorities as these emerge
• Flexibility and resilience
• The ability to manage relationships within the Council and to encourage team working
• Effective communication skills including an ability to influence and to represent the Council with senior stakeholders including government departments

Desirable

• An understanding of the way in which the Council operates as an Executive NonDepartmental Public Body with statutory responsibilities
• An understanding of the different priorities and dynamics that may exist for a regulatory body operating in a commercial environment • An understanding of the political setting in which the Council operates
• An understanding of the way in which industry operates in a challenging and changing landscape
• A familiarity with social media (for keeping up to date with the industry; currently the Council does not operate any social media)

Time Commitment

Our current Secretary works on average 20 hours per week.

Benefits

The Secretary’s daily work pattern is flexible, apart from the attendance at virtual or face to face meetings.

Remuneration will be based on a daily rate of £344.50 (an effective rate of £43.06 per hour) working on a self employed basis. You will be expected to provide your own office and computer equipment.

To Apply

Please submit a CV together with a covering letter of application addressing your suitability for the post and relevant experience related to the skill set described.

Your application should be submitted to the current Secretary at britishhallmarkingcouncilsec@gmail.com by close of play on Tuesday 27 February. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview which will take place in London on Tuesday 12 March. 

The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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