DHB Appointments - Desirable Attributes in Ministerial Appointees

District Health Board Appointments
Desirable Attributes in Ministerial Appointees

The skills and attributes most relevant to a specific vacancy are determined by analysing the current composition of the board in question. This analysis also involves the board’s chairperson, and considers the board’s needs and the particular challenges faced by the DHB in terms of performance, health outcomes and collaboration. Other factors may also be considered (eg, if the board is planning a major capital development).

Board appointees must have backgrounds that demonstrate strong personal integrity to enable them to meet their obligations in terms of personal behaviour and ensuring the propriety of the DHB’s actions (set out in sections 53-57 and 59 of the CE Act).

Generic skills for a board member will usually include:

a wide perspective on, and awareness of, social, health and strategic issues
integrity and a strong sense of ethics
financial literacy and critical appraisal skills
strong reasoning skills and an ability to actively engage with others in making decisions
knowledge of a board member’s responsibilities, including an ability to distinguish governance from management, understanding of collective responsibility and an appreciation of the Crown as owner
good written and oral communication skills
an ability to contribute constructively and knowledgeably to board discussions and debates.

These qualities will usually be demonstrated through some or all of the following:

governance experience in significant organisations with either a commercial, public service or community focus
experience at chief executive or senior management level in organisations that have commercial or public service attributes
holding senior positions in relevant professional areas including, but not limited to, health, social services, finance, law, and social policy
relevant governance or management experience in community or professional organisations.

In addition to the above qualities, members are often appointed for their unique abilities, such as expertise in an area of specialisation or representation. In these cases, it is expected that the candidate would have the respect of their peers in these groups.

Page last updated: June 2005.