**NED (Member) - Advisory Committee on Disinformation and Misinformation -
Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates.
London**
**Closing Date:**
13012025
**Group:**
Corporate Group
**Management Level:**
**Job Type:**
Non-Executive Director (Fixed Term)
**Job Description:**
**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. For further information
please contact **[resourcing@Ofcom.org.uk](mailto:resourcing@Ofcom.org.uk).**
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications sector. As a part of our
remit, we have responsibilities to make online services safer for the people
who use them. We also have media literacy responsibilities to inform and
enable people to use, understand and create media and communications across
multiple formats and services.
Ofcom is accountable to the UK Parliament but is independent of the UK
Government. We make our regulatory decisions independently.
To support our work, we are looking to appoint Members for Ofcom’s new
Advisory Committee on Disinformation and Misinformation, which is a statutory
body we are required to establish under Section 152 of the Online Safety Act
of 2023.
**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 andor disinformation on individuals, or in representing those impacted by it.
* Experience in researching, analysing, evaluating, or in implementing interventions to counter disinformation andor 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](https:www.ofcom.org.ukabout-
ofcomstructure-and-leadershipregister-disclosable-interests). Applicants
must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct
accords with the [7 principles of public
life](https:eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fthe-7-principles-
of-public-life%2Fthe-7-principles-of-public-life--
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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.
Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be
able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of
background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We
aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your
social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
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, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual
needs.
We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a
break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to
rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you
need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please
contact our recruitment team at
[resourcing@ofcom.org.uk](mailto:resourcing@ofcom.org.uk) or call 0330 912
1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants
who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme
here. [https:careers.ofcom.org.ukcareershow-we-
hire](https:eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.ofcom.org.uk%2Fcareers%2Fhow-
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