Ethics Panel Member (Volunteer role – unremunerated)

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service ethics advisory panel in Birmingham is seeking passionate members to uphold ethical standards in policing. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, especially those with skills in data science, human rights, and more. Members will attend quarterly meetings and address ethical issues impacting the West Midlands community.

Benefits

Reimbursement of reasonable expenses

Support for meeting attendance

Qualifications

• Passion in upholding the highest ethical standards.
• Experience in relevant fields as listed.
• Ability to reflect diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Attend quarterly meetings in-person or virtually.
• Read project proposals sent in advance.
• Consider additional projects between meetings.

Skills

Data science

Human rights

Policy implementation

Crime Prevention and Policing

Community Knowledge

Regional Knowledge

Ethics in policing

Sociology

Criminology

Moral philosophy

Job description

What is the role?

West Midlands Police (WMP) serves around 3 million people, making it the second largest police force area in England. WMP and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (WMPCC) operate in an evolving landscape making use of new policing models, innovative technology, and data insights to inform their operations and strategic decisions (e.g. the appropriate allocation of resources or new crime prevention approaches). There are occasions when the use of such technology, data and new policing approaches gives rise to serious ethical questions which impact the public and policing. The Ethics Panel has been established to provide independent expert advice and recommendations around implications to the WMP Chief Constable (CC) and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) regarding the ethical issues arising from this work.

The Ethics Panel has received national and international acclaim from government bodies, universities, think tanks and mainstream media for its commitment to transparency, robust scrutiny, human rights and leadership on data ethics, we are now recruiting members for the Ethics Panel with experience and interests to represent communities of the West Midlands and to expand the breadth of matters on which the panel can provide expert advice to the PCC and CC.

Members of The Ethics Panel work on a voluntary basis (though we will give individual consideration to use of honoraria in special circumstances), their responsibilities and the processes of the Panel are outlined in the Terms of Reference. The Panel champions individual perspectives on ethics to provide the highest quality of guidance for the PCC/CC.

Members are routinely asked to consider ethical principles and questions concerning the protection of human rights, preventing discrimination, interactions with victims, children and vulnerable people, protecting data privacy, data integrity and the quality of data analytics methodology. The work our members dedicate themselves to has a tangible real world impact on the lives of people throughout the West Midlands.

Backgrounds of current members, past meetings and reports can be found on the PCC’s Website: https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/ethics-committee/

Who are we looking for?

The Panel understands that to effectively serve an area with such a rich cultural tapestry as the West Midlands has, it is vital it is driven by people who reflect the diverse cultures and backgrounds that form its communities.

To achieve this, we are seeking applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. What we are looking for is for a tangible passion in upholding the highest ethical standards and principles with an evidence-based lens for public services.

We would be particularly interested in applicants with a diverse skill set in one or more of the following areas:

• i. Data science
• ii. Human rights
• iii. Policy implementation
• iv. Crime Prevention and Policing
• v. Community Knowledge
• vi. Regional Knowledge
• vii. Ethics in policing
• viii. Sociology
• ix. Criminology
• x. Moral philosophy

What is expected?

Members of the ethics committee would typically be:

• Appointed for at least one term of three years
• Expected to attend quarterly virtual or in-person meetings and read project proposal papers sent in advance. The Ethics Panel may agree to hold additional meetings from time to time or consider proposals and projects in between meetings. When deciding times and dates of meetings, the Office of the PCC will give due consideration to the personal circumstances of members to try to avoid choosing times that act as a barrier to their membership.

How to apply?

To apply for a position on the Ethics Panel, please send a cover letter (max. 500 words), explaining why you would like to sit on the Panel and your relevant experience and CV (max. 2 pages) for the attention of Gemma Price, Business Support Officer: [e-mail]. Should you have any questions about the application or recruitment process, please contact Gemma on the above email address, who will be happy to assist where possible. Please ensure you include your contact details (i.e. your email address, home address, telephone number etc.)

The deadline for applications is 12 noon 15th October 2025

We aim to notify candidates if they have been shortlisted by 31st October 2025.

We aim to hold Interviews for shortlisted candidates on 21 and 28 October 2025.

What else?

The members of the Ethics Panel will not be remunerated. However, the Office of the PCC will support members’ attendance at meetings with the reimbursement of reasonable expenses. In doing so, the PCC wishes to avoid reasonable expenses serving as a barrier to membership, such as the cost of childcare during meetings where applicable.

Successful applicants will need to be police vetted due to the confidential nature of information and / or data being considered from time to time.

We may also ask for references prior to offering a position on the panel.