Non-executive Board Member (3487)

Job summary

Social Security Scotland is recruiting up to three Non‑executive Members to support the governance, scrutiny and strategic direction of the organisation as we deliver a range of devolved benefits across Scotland.

As we continue to mature, these roles will have a key role to help shape a major public service at a key point in its development.

All members will be appointed to our Executive Advisory Body, and two appointed members will also serve on the Audit and Assurance Committee, one of whom will take on the role of Chair.

Job description

To make an application, you will need to submit:

• A recent CV
  Your CV should set out your life or career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.

• A supporting statement
  Your supporting statement should be no longer than 1,000 words and sets out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provides evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

To apply for the role, please:

• Register for the Scottish Government Jobs site and login
• Open the advert and click ‘apply’
• Fill in some basic contact details
• Upload your CV and supporting statement to the online system
• You will be asked to provide equality and diversity information, along with completing a Conflicts of Interest and Political Activity declaration
• Submit your application to us

Person specification

Social Security Scotland Structure

Details of the current Executive Advisory Body board and Audit and Assurance Committee can be found on our Corporate website. This includes Member details, Terms of Reference, and Minutes from previous meetings.

Executive Advisory Body

The purpose of the Executive Advisory Body is to:

• Provide strategic advice, scrutiny and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive and his Executive Team.
• Encourage performance improvement and promote good governance.
• Help ensure Social Security Scotland delivers on its purpose and the values underpinning the delivery of social security in Scotland.
• Support effective oversight by advising on risk and governance.

The role of a Non-executive Member, on the Executive Advisory Body is both:

• Advisory – helping to set the overall direction for Social Security Scotland within the scope of Scottish Government’s strategic priorities and
• Acting as a ‘critical friend’ – providing support and constructive feedback on performance and delivery.

Audit and Assurance Committee

The purpose of the Audit and Assurance Committee is to:

• Support the Accountable Officer in responsibilities related to risk, governance, control and assurance, providing constructive challenge and objective scrutiny.
• Review and evaluate the overall risk management process, ensuring it remains appropriate and effective.

The role of a Non-executive Member, on the Audit and Assurance Committee is to:

• Provide scrutiny of risk, control, governance and assurance arrangements.
• Bring external expertise to support evaluation of audit activity.
• Support the Accountable Officer by offering assurance over internal controls, governance systems and organisational performance.

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

Recruitment Timeline

Please note these are only indicative dates at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know by emailing recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

• Advert Closing Date – 11:59pm on 29 April 2026
• Expected Shortlist Announcement – week commencing 11 May 2026
• Interview date – week commencing 18 May 2026

Expected induction for all successful candidates will commence from July 2026.

To apply please submit an application form by clicking on the ‘Apply at Advertisers Site’ button.

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

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Governance Team
• Email : governanceteam@socialsecurity.gov.scot
• Telephone : 08001577194

Recruitment team

• Email : governanceteam@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Further information

https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/browse/working-with-us/non-executive-recruitment