NatureScot Board Members

Appointment of Members of the Board of NatureScot

Appointments commencing on 1 September 2022

Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint up to three Members of the Board of NatureScot.  The appointments will take effect from 1 September 2022.

We value very highly the benefits of having different experience and points of view on our Boards. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people with protected characteristics that are currently under-represented on the Board of body, such as women, disabled people, LGBTI+ people, those from black and minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50.

NatureScot

Scotland’s nature and landscapes are a superb inheritance and internationally renowned.  Through their life-giving processes they sustain all our lives and wellbeing: a healthy natural environment not only provides food and water, minerals and energy, flood protection and climate regulation, it also sustains our mental and physical wellbeing.

NatureScot is an Executive Non Departmental Public Body which advises the Scottish Government on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland.  NatureScot’s role is to help secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s natural heritage for the benefit of all.

NatureScot delivers its purpose by providing advice to Scottish Ministers and Local Authorities, promoting good practice, and by working in partnership with others in the public, private and voluntary sectors to help secure the enhancement of, and benefits from, our natural assets for society.

About the roles

Specific functions may vary but, Members of the NatureScot Board will:

• take forward the strategic aims and objectives expressed through the Corporate Plan for the body as approved by the Scottish Ministers;
• demonstrate high standards of corporate governance at all times, including openness and transparency in its decision making;
• determine the steps needed to deal with changes which are likely to impact on the strategic aims and objectives of NatureScot or on the attainability of its operational targets and keeping the Scottish Ministers informed accordingly;
• promote the efficient, economic and effective use of staff and other resources by NatureScot consistent with the principles of Best Value, including where appropriate, participation in shared services arrangements;
• ensure that effective arrangements are in place so that NatureScot acts corporately in accordance with the priorities set out by the Scottish Government;
• ensure that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control;
• take into account relevant policy guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers when formulating advice and in reaching decisions and ensuring openness and transparency in its decision making;
• ensure that the Board receives and reviews regular financial information concerning the management and performance of NatureScot, especially through its key indicators and is informed in a timely manner about any concerns regarding the activities of NatureScot;
• through the Chair, appoint, with the approval of the Scottish Ministers, NatureScot’s chief executive and, in consultation with the Scottish Government, set appropriate performance objectives and remuneration terms linked to these objectives which give due weight to the proper management and use of resources within the stewardship of NatureScot and the delivery of outcomes;
• represent NatureScot in dealings with the public, communities, through national and local stakeholder interests and the media; and
• carry out other tasks that may reasonably be required.For example, there are a number of advisory committees - Audit and Risk Committee, Protected Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee which we would expect Board members to serve on in addition to attendance at Board meetings.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate:

• passion for the protection and restoration of our natural environment;
• experience of engaging with colleagues constructively at a board and/or senior leadership team level; and
• good communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

We are interested in hearing from applicants who are also able to demonstrate evidence of one, or more, of the following four desirable criteria.  You may apply for more than one of these areas if you wish to do so:

• large scale terrestrial, coastal, marine or urban environmental management;
• conservationist/ecologist;
• community engagement and empowerment;
• financial sector, management, audit or governance oversight.

You are not required to demonstrate any of these four criteria for your application to be considered.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

Members of the Board devote up to 30 days per year.  They receive £320.22 per day.  Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed.  The appointments are non-pensionable.

Length of Term

The appointments are for four years.  Reappointment is not automatic and is subject to performance and the individual continuing to satisfy the requirements of the role.

Applicants for public appointments must be legally entitled to work in the UK.  Please see the applicant information pack for further details on any disqualifications.

Further information

For further information about NatureScot and the roles, please contact Graham Boyle, Chief of Staff at NatureScot on 01463 725091 or by email at Graham.Boyle@nature.scot.  You can also find out more about NatureScot at www.nature.scot or through this link www.nature.scot/naturescot-board-members-vacancy-information-hub.

An application pack and full details can be downloaded at Applicant Information Pack - NatureScot - Member Appointments . To apply, please click on the Apply for this job online link at the top right hand side of the advert.

Further information about the online application process is attached Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions. 

General information about public appointments and guidance to help you improve your applications is attached www.gov.scot/collections/public-appointments.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website, or in the event that you are unable to apply online and require a word version of the application form, please contact the Scottish Government Public Appointments Team on 0300 244 1898, or by email at PA_Applications_Mailbox@gov.scot.

The closing date for completed applications is 30 May 2022 at 5 pm.

Accessibility to public appointments is a fundamental requirement and the public appointments process promotes, demonstrates and upholds equality of opportunity for all applicants.  The Scottish Government will always give consideration to disability-related reasonable adjustments that an applicant might request to enable them to demonstrate their merit and participate fully in the selection process.  If you require any of the application pack documentation in an alternative format, please contact 0300 244 1898 or public.appointments@gov.scot.

Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality