Consumer Scotland - Chair & Members

Chair & Members - Consumer Scotland

Reference: 3854
Remuneration: £306 per day for the Chair and £225 per day for Members
Location: Various locations throughout Scotland
Closing date: 11 December 2020 at midday

Consumer Scotland Board Recruitment 2020

Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to be at the forefront of improving the rights of consumers? If so, we have exciting opportunities for the right people to join the first Board of Consumer Scotland, and drive its strategic development.

Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint a Chair and up to four Members to this Board. Alongside the general Member role, we are also particularly looking for a Member who is currently or has experience of beinga vulnerable consumer.

We would welcome applications from those who believe that they can make a positive and confident contribution to Consumer Scotland and its strategic development.

Consumer Scotland

We know that consumers are vital for a strong, sustainable and inclusive economy. Through their choices, consumers can encourage businesses to be ethical, efficient and innovative. However, to realise this potential, consumers must understand their rights; be capable of exercising them; and have a strong voice to champion them when they are not being treated fairly.  Consumer Scotland will be that strong, dedicated consumer champion focused on advocating for change on issues that particularly affect people in Scotland.

Consumer Scotland will work with existing consumer organisations, conducting investigations into the most serious issues of consumer harm in Scotland, and provide leadership across a fragmented landscape. Through its analysis and co-ordination of data, it will provide an intelligence led approach to addressing consumer detriment, which will improve how consumer harm is both detected and prevented.

It will carry out a small number of inquiries a year to ensure that it has meaningful impact where there is the most pressing need for change.

Board Appointments

We are seeking to appoint a Chair and up to four Board Members to create the first Board of Consumer Scotland. The Chair and Board Members will play a key role in making strategic decisions on the delivery of Consumer Scotland’s statutory functions, by providing leadership, overseeing the effective governance, financial accountability and delivery of value of Consumer Scotland as a public body.

The selection panel welcomes applications from people with a knowledge and understanding of the wider consumer landscape, awareness of the current issues it faces, and evidence of decision-making in this field.

Applications are invited from those who have an interest in public service and are committed to the work of Consumer Scotland.  Scottish Ministers are especially keen to attract applicants from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies but who understand the barriers to entry and progression through lived experience, such as women, disabled people, ethnic minorities and people aged under 50.

There are three distinct roles advertised for the Consumer Scotland Board – for the Chair; Board Members with experience of difficulties faced by vulnerable consumers; and a Board Member with experience of working to improve outcomes for consumers. You can apply for all of these posts although each one requires a separate application form.

Full details of the criteria to be met for each position are contained in the person specification, which forms part of the application pack. The application pack and full details on these posts can be found via the link below.

Remuneration

The role of the Chair will be remunerated at the gross daily rate of £306 per day and the Member role at £225 per day.  The Chair and Members will also receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses and reasonable child care/carer costs incurred whilst undertaking Board duties.

Time commitment

At present, it is expected the time commitment will be up to 50 days per year for the Chair and 24 days per year for Members.  As Consumer Scotland is a brand new public body, it is expected that the time commitment will be greater in the first six to twelve months while operational practices are developed and implemented.  There may also be periods going forward when pressures of business can require additional time.

Appointment details

Scottish Ministers determine the length of Board appointments.  These appointments will be for up to 3 years in the first instance (to be determined upon appointment).

Location

A location for Consumer Scotland has yet to be established.  The Board do not need to continually meet or work at the main location, though, and meeting space can be found across Scotland if necessary.  If attendance at meetings in person is not possible, for example during the covid-19 pandemic, meetings will be held virtually using Skype, Microsoft Teams or video conferencing technology.

The closing date for applications is: 11 December 2020 at midday.

Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality.

Application Information

Please return your completed application to [email protected] by 11 December 2020 at Midday.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website, please contact the Public Appointments Team by calling 0300 244 1898; or by emailing [email protected]

Additional Information

• Vulnerable Consumer Application Form
• Member Application Form
• Chair Application Form
• Applicant Information Pack