Scottish Charity Regulator – Appointment of Board Chair

Remuneration: £285 per day (non-pensionable) and reasonable expenses

Location: Dundee, with flexibility to meet online

Closing date: Friday, 10 June 2022 at 17:00

Scottish Charity Regulator – Appointment of Board Chair

Ranging from Local Village Halls to Colleges and Universities, the Scottish charity sector is as diverse as the country itself.  If you would like to play a key part in this exciting area of Scottish life, and to help build a trusted and respected Scottish charity sector which positively contributes to society and the National outcomes, then come and join our Board.  Scottish Ministers wish to appoint a new Board Chair for OSCR for an initial 4 year period.  In this role, you will help us to hold charities registered in Scotland to account, and the sector to improve so that the public have trust and confidence in charities.  

OSCR is Scotland’s Charity regulator and registrar for Scotland’s 25,000 charities. We are a Non Ministerial Office (NMO) and part of the Scottish Administration, working alongside but separate from the Scottish Government. We are accountable to the Scottish Parliament.  We believe that the Scottish public should have faith that the countries 25,000 charities are well run, and building and retaining public confidence allows these vital organisations to thrive and cement their place at the heart of our day to day life.  

The OSCR Board sets the strategic direction and ensures that activities focus on the delivery of key priorities. The Board also sets the overall vision for OSCR and works with the Chief Executive to monitor performance.  OSCR will be working towards developing a new Corporate Plan for 2023 and therefore this is an exciting time to join us.

The Chair will lead a Board of seven members, five of whom have recently joined the organisation, and work closely with the Chief Executive and staff to ensure delivery of our corporate priorities.

Listed below are the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to be able to demonstrate as Chair of the OSCR Board: 

Essential criteria

1. Current or recent chairing experience at a senior level;
2. Experience and an understanding of regulation and the legal framework;
3. Current or recent experience of governance roles and leading organisational change management; and
4. Strategic Leadership experience and ability

Appointments are based on meeting the skills required and these are described in more detail in the application pack.

Awareness Events - Online

An online awareness event has been arranged, open to prospective applicants to learn more about the work of OSCR, how they fulfil their responsibilities, the appointments process and the expectations of being the Chair of the body. This will be an informal opportunity to hear from George Walker the Interim Chair; and colleagues from both Changing the Chemistry and the Scottish Government.  This will be held on:

• 31 May 2022, from 17:30 until 18:30 

If you would like to attend this event, you can register here. 

Appointment details:  We anticipate that this appointment will commence on 15 October 2022.  Appointments will be for a period of up to four years, with the possibility of re-appointment subject to evidence of effective performance and satisfying the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required at the time of re-appointment.

Time Commitment:  The formal time commitment is up to 5 days per month which includes attending approximately 6 board meetings and 2 strategy days per year. 

Location:  We embrace hybrid meetings with a mixture of in person meetings held in Dundee and other locations as appropriate as well as remotely via video conferencing. 

Remuneration:  £285 per day. Travel, subsistence, and reasonable dependent carer allowance incurred as a result of carrying out the duties associated with this appointment will be reimbursed. This is non-pensionable.

For more information about what it is like to be a Board member with OSCR please watch the following Vlog on our YouTube page.

Should you wish to enquire whether you have a possible conflict of interest or wish more information on OSCR please contact Maureen Mallon, OSCR Chief Executive via email Maureen.Mallon@oscr.org.uk or telephone 01382 220446 to arrange a discussion with a current board member.

Closing date for applications is 10 June 2022 at 17:00.

An application pack and full details on this appointment can be found via the link below.

OSCR - Chair - Applicant Information Pack

If you experience any difficulties accessing the website, please contact the Public Appointments Team on 0300 244 1898, by email at Public.appointments@gov.scot.

We would welcome applications from anyone who believes they could make a strong contribution although we are also seeking to broaden the diversity of the Board including engagement of other groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as disabled people, those from black and minority ethnic communities and people under 50.

Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality

Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions