The Scottish Government is now recruiting for a new Convener of the School Closure Review Panel.

This position offers a unique opportunity to play an important role in the Scottish Education system and ensure effective independent scrutiny of school closure proposals under the School (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

You must demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills and behaviours including: a working knowledge of Scotland’s education and schools sector or the legal sector or of community consultation, the ability to build and develop a diverse and effective pool of panel members to achieve objectives and an experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships and communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders.

School Closure Review Panels are independent statutory bodies which have been created to enhance and strengthen the process of local authority school closures in Scotland.

Key Responsibilities

The Convener is responsible for appointing and maintaining a pool of persons who will be eligible to be Panel Members. Once a school closure decision is called in by Scottish Ministers, the Convener is required to select three individuals from the pool of persons eligible to be Panel Members to form a Panel to determine each case, and to identify a Chair for each Panel.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

In order to achieve the above, the Convener is expected to:

• develop a strong understanding of the legislation related to school closure consultations in Scotland, and an understanding of common issues that arise;
• fully represent the School Closure Review Panels’ activities, in an honest and positive way to stakeholders;
• develop an effective working relationship with members of the School Closure Review Panels, administration and support staff working with the Convener and Panel members, Education Scotland, Scottish Government and other key stakeholders;
• gain the trust and respect of Panel members;
• ensure the necessary support is available to Panel members in their deliberations and considerations in reaching determination decisions for the post call-in phase;
• commit to on-going personal development activities in support of the Convener role; and
• uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity derived from the nine principles of public life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Appointments commencing on 1 September 2021 and 1 April 2022

Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint up to five new Members of the Board of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Three appointments will take effect from 1 September 2021 with two from 1 April 2022.

Applicants need to demonstrate evidence of at least one of the following:

• knowledge and experience of pig production;
• knowledge and experience of food retailing generally and specifically red meat;
• knowledge and experience of marketing and promotional activities;
• knowledge and experience of red meat processing.

Applicants also need to demonstrate evidence of all of the following:

• ability to challenge constructively and contribute to high quality decision making and priority setting within a Board or team environment;
• ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders;
• ability to contribute to the work of Quality Meat Scotland Board ensuring it remains relevant to levy payers;
• ability to contribute effectively to strategic planning and risk management processes.

Finally, it would be desirable if applicants had the ability to be an effective member of the Remuneration Committee (RemCo).

We are currently seeking applications for HR Diversity and Inclusion Manager within the Scottish Government’s Executive Agency, Social Security Scotland, People Advice and Support Team based in Glasgow and Dundee. This is a permanent and pensionable appointment and new entrants will normally start on the minimum of the pay range. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria below will be invited to the assessments.

Overview

Social Security Scotland is responsible for administering a number of devolved benefits which are being introduced in stages to the people of Scotland. Our commitment to equality is an integral part of our business and people plans as we aim for our staffing profile to reflect the public we serve and to deliver our services with dignity, fairness and respect.

This is an exciting opportunity within the People Advice and Support Team as our organisation grows and begins to deliver new benefits. You will lead work on developing a workforce strategy focused on diversity and inclusion that is aligned to our Equality Strategy and Outcomes, and coordinate activity to improve our ability to attract, develop and retain staff who are reflective of the public we serve. You will ensure we deliver our commitments in the public sector equality duty and will coordinate activity in support of various action plans designed to advance our progress towards becoming a diverse organisation where everyone is able to fully contribute and feels supported to be themselves at work.

The People Advice and Support Team, in both Dundee and Glasgow, work closely together to ensure a consistent approach to all people advice and support for managers and staff within the Agency.

The post holder can be based in either Dundee or Glasgow although regular travel between offices and across our Local Delivery locations throughout Scotland will be required. Occasional overnight stays may also be required.

This is a permanent and pensionable appointment and new entrants will normally start on the minimum of the pay range. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria below will be invited to the assessments.

Qualifications Required

For jobs in Band B & C you must hold a minimum of 3 Highers or equivalent or relevant experience.

Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

Desirable Criteria

CIPD qualified or is willing to study towards this qualification.

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Essential Criteria

1. Experience of leading and embedding diversity and inclusion programmes in a complex organisation with evidence of developing and delivering diversity and inclusion action plans and policies.

2. Excellent interpersonal/influencing skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

3. Good knowledge of equalities legislation, employment law and the social and political context of diversity and inclusion.

4. An enabler – able to develop effective and practical solutions to complex issues and sensitive situations, encouraging the business to take ownership whilst supporting them in their implementation.

5. Resilient and flexible approach to work with the ability to prioritise, manage relationships and a varied workload in a multi-faceted, fast paced team.

Important Information Regarding Interviews

In recognition of the Scottish Government's ongoing measures and guidance in its response to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we would like to advise applicants that a decision has been taken that all interviews must be conducted in a virtual/remote setting.

In order to facilitate this new way of working, we are asking all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the virtual interview as well as a personal device of choice with an account registered to the ‘Webex’ app by which you can undertake the interview/assessment if selected. We are also asking you to ensure that your personal Wi-Fi/Broadband capacity will be sufficient to carry both audio and video feeds to undertake the interview. This will then ensure that there are no issues incurred during the interview.

Do you have a passion for helping and supporting people?

Are you looking to further your career within Human Resources?

If so, this exciting role as one of our People Advice and Support Partners is for you, and we'd love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of work to deliver one of the Scottish Government's key priorities: delivering a stronger and fairer Scotland by providing accurate, measured and sound HR advice and support to our staff and management teams.

Social Security Scotland is a new Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. It has grown quickly to employ approximately 1,700 people, and is about to enter into a new phase of rapid growth which will change the size and scale of the organisation significantly, in order to support a second wave of devolved welfare benefits over the coming years.

It is an exciting time to join a relatively young HR function at a time when it has a hugely important role to play in enabling the organisation to deliver services to the People of Scotland.

Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria below will be invited to the assessments. Applications are welcomed from those with alternative working patterns.

About the Role

Our People Advice and Support Partners work in partnership with Social Security Scotland managers, providing specialist advice to support business managers across Social Security Scotland on a full range of complex HR issues in accordance with HR policies and guidance, to assist resolving workplace matters quickly and proportionately.

The post forms part of a small team providing a comprehensive service to all areas of Social Security Scotland, supporting managers and staff on a range of human resources issues and offers an excellent opportunity to work in a vibrant and growing organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of work to deliver one of the Scottish Government's key priorities: delivering a stronger and fairer Scotland by providing accurate, measured and sound HR advice and support to our staff and management teams.

Main Duties

These are key roles in the Agency's People Services and will develop the professional advice structures and activities that will support the managers and staff who will administer the devolved benefits.

The main duties of this role include:

• Provide expert advice, support and coaching to line managers and staff on a wide range of the more complex People issues (including performance management, sickness absence, discipline, fairness at work and resourcing issues). Using evidence to assess risk and develop solutions that deliver a successful outcome.

• Work in partnership with Social Security Scotland Managers in investigation and resolution of formalised employee relations issues such as discipline, Fairness at Work, performance and attendance. Act as Professional HR support on formal panels.

• Work in partnership with Social Security Scotland Senior Managers on early support measures to ensure staff and managers are supported when issues first arise. Ensuring that equality and diversity considerations are threaded through day to day approaches to people management

• Build the knowledge and capability of managers and staff through coaching and by developing and delivering (where appropriate) learning interventions e.g. performance management, attendance management, fairness at work and wellbeing initiatives (stress awareness etc.).

• Support the Agency in delivering the health and wellbeing strategy at all levels of the business. Support the B3 People Advice and Support Manager, to improve staff wellbeing, organisational/personal resilience and manage change effectively.

• Ensure that appropriate advice and support MI data is collected to provide effective reporting options that inform service development.

• Line management responsibility for B1 HR adviser(s). Build, coach and develop all People Advice and Support team members to provide efficient and effective services to the agency and embed coaching in organisational culture.

General Duties

• Overview of FOIs, PQs, SARs and any other request for information. Preparation of briefing (including Employment Tribunal background information for SGLD) as required.

• Work in partnership with trade union colleagues, engaging with them and building effective relationships.

• Support the Scottish Government People Advice Directorate's policy work by contributing to policy reviews and ensuring policies are designed with a wellbeing focus.

About You

These are high profile posts in a busy, demand led, increasingly telephony based and digital environment, so we are looking for motivated, confident and enthusiastic individuals. You will have experience of working in a HR environment and have a real passion for supporting people and making a difference. You will be a proactive self-starter who looks to hit the ground and make an impact.

You will have strong communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to adapt your delivery to a wide variety of audiences. You will be well organised with an attention to detail, so that the work you deliver is on time and to a high standard.

For details of the main duties, please refer to the 'Person Specification and Further Information for Job Applicants' documents linked below.

Qualifications Required

Applicants should be Associate/Chartered Member of the CIPD or currently working/willing to work towards an appropriate qualification.

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Essential Criteria

1. Working in a busy, fast paced HR team providing professional coaching, support and building confidence of all grades of managers, ensuring people deliver in an autonomous but supported environment

2. Excellent interpersonal/influencing skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders at all levels and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. You will need to be resilient as some conversations will be difficult and sensitive.

3. An enabler – able to analyse evidence and develop effective and practical solutions to complex issues and sensitive situations, encouraging the business to take ownership whilst supporting them in their implementation

4. Resilient and flexible approach to change with the ability to prioritise, manage people and a varied workload in a multi-faceted, fast paced team.

Important Information Regarding Interviews

In recognition of the Scottish Government's ongoing measures and guidance in its response to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we would like to advise applicants that a decision has been taken that all interviews must be conducted in a virtual/remote setting.

In order to facilitate this new way of working, we are asking all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the virtual interview as well as a personal device of choice with an account registered to the 'WebEx' app by which you can undertake the interview/assessment if selected. We are also asking you to ensure that your personal Wi-Fi/Broadband capacity will be sufficient to carry both audio and video feeds to undertake the interview. This will then ensure that there are no issues incurred during the interview.

Would you like to make a difference to the public’s health in Scotland?

Public Health Scotland is looking for one new member to join its Board.

Public Health Scotland is Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all Scotland’s people, using the best data, intelligence, and research. It was established to consolidate our public health assets and to drive preventative and innovative, whole system approaches that translate evidence into action that improves healthy life expectancy and tackles persistent health inequalities. Public Health Scotland is jointly sponsored by the Scottish Ministers and COSLA, a unique feature for a Scottish public body. This means a commitment to shared decision making, planning and performance management in relation to the body.

The organisation is central to the ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and its role includes protecting the people of Scotland from infectious disease and environmental hazards through expert advice, coordination, data, and analysis activity.

As a non-executive member of the Board, you will be expected to play a central role in guiding the strategies to meet the overall aim of Public Health Scotland which is to increase healthy life expectancy and to reduce health inequality in Scotland.

Scottish Ministers are looking to make up to two appointments to the Board of Crown Estate Scotland from 1 June 2022.

Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people with protected characteristics that are under-represented, such as women, disabled people, those from minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50.

Crown Estate Scotland is a self-financing Statutory Public Corporation accountable to the Scottish Ministers and to the Scottish Parliament. The management and revenue of the Scottish Crown Estate was devolved to Scotland on 1 April 2017. The Scottish Crown Estate includes a diverse range of urban, rural, coastal and marine assets. The diversity of the property, rights and interests comprising the Scottish Crown Estate means that decisions on retention, use or sale of the assets can deliver significant economic, social, financial and environmental benefits for communities across Scotland. Crown Estate Scotland is currently the manager of all the Scottish Crown Estate assets.

One role on the Board requires applicants to demonstrate substantial, recent experience in community engagement and/or regeneration. The second role requires applicants to demonstrate professional expertise and substantial recent experience in financial management. Applicants also need to demonstrate a number of other key skills:

• longer term planning/seeing the bigger picture;
• managing performance;
• constructive and supportive challenge - working as part of a team; and
• communication, collaboration and influencing.

Board Members receive £219.17 per day for a time commitment of two days per month. Reimbursement will also be made for all reasonable travel and subsistence costs and any reasonable dependant/carer expenses, including child care. Full details are explained in the applicant information pack.