CATS Evaluation Panel Non-Executive Adviser

Job summary

FLS was established as an executive agency of the Scottish Government in 2019. Although relatively new, we have over 100 years of experience in looking after the national forests and land as prior to the devolution of forestry we were formerly part of the Forestry Commission.

We are responsible for looking after approx. 9% of Scotland’s land area (640,000ha) that incorporates some of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic landscapes, sustainable commercial forests, open habitat and designated land.

Scotland's national forests and land deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits. Each year we sustainably produce around 3 million cubic metres of timber, support thousands of jobs across the forestry and rural economy, facilitate renewable energy development, manage important habitats and provide opportunities for recreation, tourism, agriculture and community use

FLS plays an important role in addressing Scotland's climate and biodiversity challenges through sustainable forest management, woodland creation, peatland restoration and habitat conservation. We also welcome millions of visitors each year to forests, trails and visitor destinations across the country, helping support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of communities

Today, Scotland's national forests and land are managed as a productive, environmental and community resource. Through long-term stewardship and engagement with communities, partners and stakeholders, we seek to balance economic, social and environmental outcomes for the benefit of current and future generations

Further information, including details of our Corporate and Business Plans, can be found on our website at the following link: About Forestry and Land Scotland , FLS

Job description

As a member of the CATS Evaluation Panel, you will:

• Provide independent and impartial advice to Forestry and Land Scotland on statutory and non-statutory applications to CATS
• Review and evaluate Asset Transfer Requests and associated supporting information.
• Engage positively in Panel discussions, contributing expertise, constructive challenge and independent judgement, to agree a collective recommendation to FLS.
• Assess proposals against the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, taking account of community benefits, viability, impacts and equal opportunities considerations.
• Contribute to recommendations which support decision-making by the Chief Executive of Forestry and Land Scotland.
• Undertake occasional site visits to locations which are the subject of Asset Transfer Requests.
• Provide insight and expertise in relation to renewable energy and onshore wind proposals, including those associated with the Community Access to Wind Repowering Pilot.

Person specification

Criteria

Essentially, you should also be able to offer expertise in one (or more) of the following areas:

• Experience and understanding of renewable energy, with particular knowledge of onshore wind development, operation, regulation, governance or community benefit models.
• The ability to analyse complex proposals, assess evidence objectively and reach balanced, evidence-based conclusions.
• Experience of providing independent judgement, constructive challenge and strategic advice to support effective decision-making.
• An understanding of community development, community empowerment and the potential social, environmental and economic impacts of land-based projects
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a panel, contributing expertise and promoting good governance and legislative compliance.

Desirably, you may be able to offer experience in one (or more) of the following areas:

• Understanding of the policy, regulatory and practical management of forestry and land in Scotland.
• Experience in the environmental, conservation and sustainable development aspects of land management.
• Legal and regulatory aspects of land reform, community empowerment and rural development.
• Understanding of governance and accountability in relation to community development.
• Business planning and financial management.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Please see our recruitment portal for further details.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Resourcing
• Email : Resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot