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What the Commissioner does

The Commissioner’s main functions are set out in The Public Appointments Order in Council 2002, as amended.  They are:-

• Regulating public appointments processes within her remit by:-
• publishing a Code of Practice on the interpretation and application by those responsible for making such public appointments of the principle of selection on merit;
• issuing such additional guidance in relation to appointments processes as she thinks fit; and
• investigating complaints about appointment processes within her remit.
• Monitoring compliance with her Code of Practice by:-
• independent scrutiny during the appointment process by Independent Public Appointments Assessors;
• by regular audit of appointments processes within her remit;
• by issuing an Annual Report giving detailed information about appointments processes, summaries of the annual audit, complaints made and highlights of the main issues which have arisen during the previous 12 months; and
• by monitoring the political activity of appointees and reappointees to appointments within her remit.  For this purpose “political activity” covers activity already in the public domain on behalf of a political party or candidate within the previous five years.
• Promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equality of opportunity in the procedures for making such public appointments with the object of maintaining the principle of selection on merit in relation to public appointments within her remit.