Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - Recruitment of New Chair

Appointed by - Home Secretary

Location - London

Number of vacancies - 1

Time commitment - The expected time commitment is up to 30 day(s) per annum

Length of term - Four years

Application deadline - 11pm on 14 July 2025

Introduction

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is an independent advisory non departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office. The current Chair of the ACMD is Professor Owen Bowden-Jones.

The ACMD has statutory duties and roles under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) and the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The ACMD is responsible for keeping under review the situation in the UK with respect to drugs which are being, or appear likely to be, misused and the misuse of which is having, or appears capable of having, harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem.

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Purpose

The Chair of the ACMD is required to deliver a key leadership role by utilising and coordinating the expertise of committee members to deliver prompt expert advice. The successful candidate will be required to do this by developing constructive relationships with committee members and senior stakeholders, including Ministers, Parliament, Devolved Administrations, Government officials and practitioners. The Chair will represent the Council acting as the primary interface for Government Ministers and other stakeholders, including the public and media.

The ACMD Chair will be required to attend at a minimum, one annual meeting with the Home Secretary and three times a year, or as requested, with the Ministers responsible for drug policy.

The Chair will also need to liaise with a range of policy officials from different teams across Government such as the Home Office’s Drug Misuse Team, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (DHSC) and the Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU). The Chair is required to develop and foster strong working relationships with the ACMD’s Secretariat to ensure effective communication, seamless coordination of Council actions and timely implementation of Council decisions.

The Chair of the ACMD is appointed as an individual and not as a representative for any particular profession, employer or interest group. They are expected to work in the public interest at all times, considering all issues from an independent perspective and on merit.

Essential criteria

• Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of the ACMD and Government. Candidate also needs demonstrable evidence of a strong track record in relevant senior leadership roles with committee experience.

• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the ACMD and the context within which it operates. Additionally, the ability to bring scientific authority, knowledge, and breadth to a complex and multi-faceted issues of great public interest and importance.

• Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant science or drug policy issues within the private, public, or voluntary sectors, including experience within drug-related fields.

• Relationship building: strong communication and negotiating skills to build effective working relationships with Ministers, policy owners, Government departments, and other key stakeholders, including the scientific community, practitioners and law enforcement.

• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.

• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of multi-disciplinary information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives (i.e. ACMD / Government).

• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the council, government officials and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.