The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has advertised its role for a chief construction and scientific adviser.
It follows last year’s 12-month interim appointment of former Grenfell Inquiry panel member and architect Thouria Istephan.
The current job specification calls for candidates to “provide … challenge and scrutiny to support government policy design and delivery, especially with regards to building safety”, and to “lead and facilitate the provision of scientific, construction and engineering advice for strategy and policy”.
Limited pool
The reinstated position is one of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. However, the search for a long-term appointment has been hindered by a “very limited” pool of candidates, according to former chief construction adviser, Paul Morrell, owing to potential conflicts of interest and commercial ties of those at the senior level required to qualify for the post.
MHCLG is expected to announce the successful candidate in the summer.
The process will be overseen by a panel including Martin Spencer, civil service commissioner and chair; Ben Rimmington, director general of building fire and resilience at MHCLG; Angela McLean, government chief scientific adviser; and Keeran Jugdoyal, MHCLG deputy director.
