Job summary
We're looking for a surgeon with interest in perioperative care in adults to join the Quality Standards Advisory Committee (QSAC).
Please note: The position of committee member is unpaid. Our committees usually meet virtually using online software, but NICE will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including train fares and hotel costs when necessary, for attending in-person committee meetings.
Time commitment: approx. 10 months
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 25 June 2025
Interview date: TBC
If you have an access requirement that prevents you from applying online, please contact qualitystandards@nice.org.uk and we can provide MS word versions of the forms to complete.
Main duties of the job
Committee members agree to:
set aside enough time to attend committee meetings and properly inform the development of the quality standard through their personal and professional knowledge
raise any concerns about process or details in the draft quality standard with the committee, and try to resolve these issues within the committee, with support from NICE project team
contribute positively to the work of the committee and the development of the quality standard
act in a professional manner, show good manners and be courteous to colleagues and staff at all times (committee members should behave in a polite, efficient and respectful manner and without bias or favour, using the highest standards of conduct expected in public life and service while on NICE duty)
be impartial and honest in the conduct of their official business, use public funds entrusted to them to the best advantage of NICE and do nothing that is deliberately intended to damage the confidence of the public or stakeholders in NICE
ensure that there is rigorous adherence to NICE's social value judgements and equality policy
read and adhere to NICE's policies on hospitality, declarations of interests and travel and subsistence.
About us
Remuneration: The position of committee member is unpaid. NICE will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including train fares and hotel costs when necessary, for attending committee meetings. Other expenses: NICE recognises that in some circumstances individuals will need to arrange for carers or support workers to accompany them to a meeting, or to take over unpaid caring responsibilities while they are at a meeting - this includes childcare or care of a family member with a disability or other additional needs. The circumstances in which NICE can provide reimbursement for such costs are outlined in the non-staff reimbursement policy. Time commitment: Committee members are expected to attend 2 half day committee meetings. The confirmed meeting dates are as follows:
Prioritisation QSAC meeting - 16 October 2025
Post-consultation QSAC meeting - 02 April 2026
As there are only two committee meetings during the development of the quality standard specialist committee members must be able to attend both of these.
Committee members will have to spend time reading substantial committee documents and helping to produce consultation documents. Committee meetings in public: Committee meetings are held in public. See NICE's information on advisory committee meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specialist committee members will work in collaboration with the standing members of the QSAC and the NICE Quality Programme to develop a quality standard.
Responsibilities
Attend two QSAC meetings.
Attend short meetings (30minutes) with NICE quality standards team members prior to each QSAC meeting.
Read, review and comment on relevant material at key points during the development of the quality standard.
Prioritise areas of care for which quality statements and measures should be developed.
Work with the NICE Quality Programme and the QSAC chair as required between meetings. Please note that deadlines may be tight, and documents may need to be reviewed with short turnaround times.
Prepare for the QSAC meetings by reading the papers and by gathering any additional information on the proposed topics which may be helpful to the discussions.
Consider consultation comments.
Follow agreed decision-making procedures and accept the collective decisions of the QSAC.
Be a champion for the quality standards after publication and undertake activities to promote endorsement of the quality standard.
Conditions
Attendance at two QSAC meetings over a ten-month period. Preparation work for QSAC meetings and comment on the meeting outputs will also be required. The Quality Programme may also ask for additional input from specialist committee members near the time of publication.
Meetings will either be held virtually using Zoom conferencing system, or in-person at the NICE Manchester or London offices.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specialist committee members will work in collaboration with the standing members of the QSAC and the NICE Quality Programme to develop a quality standard.
Responsibilities
Attend two QSAC meetings.
Attend short meetings (30minutes) with NICE quality standards team members prior to each QSAC meeting.
Read, review and comment on relevant material at key points during the development of the quality standard.
Prioritise areas of care for which quality statements and measures should be developed.
Work with the NICE Quality Programme and the QSAC chair as required between meetings. Please note that deadlines may be tight, and documents may need to be reviewed with short turnaround times.
Prepare for the QSAC meetings by reading the papers and by gathering any additional information on the proposed topics which may be helpful to the discussions.
Consider consultation comments.
Follow agreed decision-making procedures and accept the collective decisions of the QSAC.
Be a champion for the quality standards after publication and undertake activities to promote endorsement of the quality standard.
Conditions
Attendance at two QSAC meetings over a ten-month period. Preparation work for QSAC meetings and comment on the meeting outputs will also be required. The Quality Programme may also ask for additional input from specialist committee members near the time of publication.
Meetings will either be held virtually using Zoom conferencing system, or in-person at the NICE Manchester or London offices.
Person Specification
Extent and nature of committee experience
Essential
- Credible level of experience of expert committee work in a relevant setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with a relevant NICE guidance development group as either a member or chair
Ability to contribute to the work of the advisory body
Essential
- Experience in health or social care (as appropriate) either as a practicing health or social care practitioner or working in or in association with the wider aspects of health or social care or the health care industries, or through engagement in or with health or social care as a patient, member of the public, user, carer or as an advocate.
- An understanding of the social, political, economic and professional influences on NICE.
- Knowledge of current practice and variation in care within the topic area.
- Sound and broad understanding of different fields of practice, research and study within the topic area
- Sound and detailed understanding of the policy context surrounding the topic area
Desirable
- Knowledge of guidance development processes
Ability to understand and interpret multiple complex data sets
Essential
- A good understanding of the breadth of the health and social care systems, including mechanisms required to support continuous quality improvement.
Desirable
- Experience and understanding of systematic reviews and/or critical appraisal
Nature of the motivation underpinning the application
Essential
- Clearly and persuasively stated reasoning for making an application.
Person Specification
Extent and nature of committee experience
Essential
- Credible level of experience of expert committee work in a relevant setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with a relevant NICE guidance development group as either a member or chair
Ability to contribute to the work of the advisory body
Essential
- Experience in health or social care (as appropriate) either as a practicing health or social care practitioner or working in or in association with the wider aspects of health or social care or the health care industries, or through engagement in or with health or social care as a patient, member of the public, user, carer or as an advocate.
- An understanding of the social, political, economic and professional influences on NICE.
- Knowledge of current practice and variation in care within the topic area.
- Sound and broad understanding of different fields of practice, research and study within the topic area
- Sound and detailed understanding of the policy context surrounding the topic area
Desirable
- Knowledge of guidance development processes
Ability to understand and interpret multiple complex data sets
Essential
- A good understanding of the breadth of the health and social care systems, including mechanisms required to support continuous quality improvement.
Desirable
- Experience and understanding of systematic reviews and/or critical appraisal
Nature of the motivation underpinning the application
Essential
- Clearly and persuasively stated reasoning for making an application.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
