Inspector (Scotland) - 3 Days per week
Job summary
Whilst SGSA Inspectors have worked and supported partners within Scotland for a number of years, in 2025 we appointed the first SGSA Scotland Inspector to provide more structure and resilience within country. We are now pleased to be able to increase the resource dedicated to Scotland with this new post, which will double the capacity of the Scotland team. For efficiency and to achieve maximum value from the role SGSA seeks to appoint a home-based inspector from within Scotland with applications welcomed from across the country.
The successful candidate will be expected to travel extensively within Scotland and work flexibly. This will include weekend/evening work for which time off in lieu will be given.
This is a new role which will increase the SGSA’s resource dedicated to safety at sports grounds in Scotland., It is part of an ongoing partnership with the Scottish Government with the aim of improving the safety certification processes and safety at sports grounds more generally.
This is an exciting opportunity to build and enhance the SGSA’s support and work within Scotland.
Whilst the SGSA does not have a statutory role in Scotland, this role will support and assist clubs, local authorities and partner organisations to help maintain high levels of spectator safety.
Job description
At its heart, the role of the Inspector is about building and maintaining effective working relationships with the grounds and local authorities they oversee.
As an overview, the key skills for an Inspector are:
- Stronginterpersonal skills – You will need to build and maintain strong working relationships with individuals at different levels in organisations. At the same time, you must be confident in your ability to effectively raise concerns if/when they occur.
- Record management skills – As an evidence-based regulator, SGSA staff have a responsibility to maintain clear and accurate records, accessible across the organisation.
- Time management skills – This isn’t a standard 9-5, Monday to Friday job. Inspectors have to balance office-based work with conducting matchday inspections which take place on the weekend and in the evenings. The SGSA provides flexible working arrangements to accommodate this, but it’s an individual’s responsibility to manage their time effectively.
- Professional – ability to work unsupervised for long periods of time, but also able to work within a team environment and demonstrate good planning and organisational skills to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
- Understanding risk management – safety at sports grounds is all about understanding and mitigating risk. You should have an understanding of risk management in the context of safety at sports grounds.
In essence, you must have a proven ability to analyse and identify issues, make sound decisions, take appropriate actions tactfully and effectively, influence key stakeholders and take responsibility for results.
Person specification
Essential knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications and education requirements for the role:
- Experience in a safety related environment with up-to-date knowledge of spectator safety legislation and guidance (Note: particular weighting will be given to this criteria).
- Strong partnership working and stakeholder management skills and experience with a proven ability to negotiate and influence at all levels.
- Proven understanding and experience of the use of project and programme management techniques, including risk management.
- Experience of using auditing systems and processes with robust record management.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Current and valid UK driving licence, and exclusive use of a car insured for business use.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft 365 applications
- Resident in Scotland.
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience:
- Degree level or professional qualification in a relevant subject (e.g., surveying, crowd, event, facilities or risk management)
- Experience and/or understanding of the application of integrated safety management.
- Experience of working with sports at a national and/or international level.
- Experience of developing and delivering training.
In your application, please provide details of formal qualifications, membership of relevant professional bodies and direct experience of safety at sports grounds.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £32,543, Sports Grounds Safety Authority contributes £9,427 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Membership of the Civil Service pension scheme, Flexible working.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 complete the application form including the equality monitoring form attached to this advert and email to recruitment@sgsa.org.uk.
All applications will be anonymised before being submitted to the recruitment panel. This is to ensure fairness within the selection process.
The equality monitoring section will not be shared with the recruitment panel.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with the recruitment panel. Details of this will be provided closer to the time.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a 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
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
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Wendy Harnan-Kajzer
- Email : wendy.harnan-kajzer@sgsa.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@sgsa.org.uk
Attachments
Scotland Inspector application pack Opens in new window (docx, 553kB)SGSA Application Form Opens in new window (docx, 350kB)Share this page
Salary range
- £32,543 per year