Publication date: Monday 7 October 2024
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 28 October 2024
Contents
Welcome from Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland
Dear applicant
Thank you for your interest in the vacancies on the sportscotland Board.
We are recruiting up to four members to serve on the sportscotland Board, the roles will start on 1 March 2025. Details are set out in the Person Specification section below.
We are very keen to attract applicants from diverse backgrounds to make sure we have representation across Scottish communities, and hope you find this pack answers many of the questions you may have about the work of sportscotland and the role of a Board member.
Our ambition is to see an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. We already have talented people working in sport, an exceptional natural environment and a great range of sport facilities. We continue to invest Scottish Government and National Lottery funding to help Scottish people get the most out of these amazing assets and take part in sport at the level they choose.
Full details on the requirements for the role can be found in the information below and it is important to note that all Board members are appointed by Scottish Government Ministers.
I hope that you will feel able to submit an application and, once again, thank you for your interest.
Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland
Key dates
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport is seeking to appoint four new Members to sportscotland. The Minister values highly the benefits of having different points of view on the board and welcomes applications from people from all walks of life.
The appointments process for these board vacancies follows the Code of Practice for Public Appointments and is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 28 October 2024
Shortlisting of applications: 21 November 2024
Date applicants will hear about the outcome of their application: By 22 November 2024
Interviews: 2,3 and 5 December 2024.
Interviews will take place in person in sportscotland, Doges, Templeton on the Green, 62 Templeton Ct, Glasgow, G40 1DA
It is unlikely that we will be able to offer an alternative interview date.
Ministerial decision: w/c 7 January 2024
Start date: 1 March 2025
Information about the role
Remuneration
Board members receive a fee of £191.51 for each meeting attended, along with an £95.75 payment in preparation for board meetings.
Time commitment
Up to 16 days per year. This involves a mix of activities, including preparing for and attending Board and Committee meetings, and undertaking other responsibilities such as engaging with stakeholders and occasionally attending events.
Length of appointment term
Up to four years.
Location of meetings
Meetings are generally held at the sportscotland National Centre: Inverclyde in Largs. There are occasions when the Board will meet at other locations around Scotland.
The format of the meetings is a strategic discussion held the night before the Board meeting. Overnight accommodation is provided.
Dates for the board meetings in 2025 are as follows:
- Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April
- Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June
- Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August
- Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October
- Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 December
The main board meetings take place on the Tuesdays. The strategic discussion takes place on the Monday evening. In person attendance is important for these meetings.
Disqualifications
A member of the Scottish Parliament cannot also hold a public appointment for public bodies listed in the schedule of the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2020.
Former ministers and senior crown servants (director general level and above) should seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) before applying for this role.
About sportscotland
Vision for sport in Scotland
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Our vision is for an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport.
That means we will all find ways to be physically active most days. Using a more active approach to getting around, keeping active at home and work or choosing to be active as part of our leisure time.
It also means more of us will be taking part in sport. Sport will be more relevant to our lives. We will take part in ways that suit us. We will experience fewer barriers to taking part. We will feel more included in sport.
Overall, it will feel like sport fits better into our lives. As a result, we will all experience more of the benefits of sport. Either first-hand by taking part or through our communities and our nation as a whole.
Sport For Life
sportscotland’s role is to make sure sport plays its part in a thriving Scotland. We are funded by Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
As a public body, we report through Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. We contribute to the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, as set out in our strategic guidance letter.
We are proud of the role sport plays in Scotland’s success.
Our mission is getting the most from the sporting system for the people of Scotland. We do this by influencing, informing and investing in the organisations and people who deliver sport and physical activity across the whole of Scotland. For more information on what we deliver please read our annual review - Sport For Life 2024 - Annual review - sportscotland the national agency for sport in Scotland
A sporting system for everyone
We have designed a sporting system that makes the best use of Scotland’s sporting assets and which adapts as needed to change in the world around sport. It exists so the people of Scotland can take part in sport at the level they choose.
Structure and facilities
sportscotland employs around 350 staff across three directorates: sports development, high performance and corporate services, and at its two national centres; Inverclyde and Glenmore Lodge. We have offices across Scotland including our headquarters in Glasgow, the sportscotland institute of sport, based on the University of Stirling campus, and regional offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
The national centres are overseen by the sportscotland Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of sportscotland, which has a separate Board. The national centres – Glenmore Lodge and Inverclyde – provide unique facilities and services, offering opportunities to participate and progress in sport, as well as contribute to and at times lead innovation for particular sports.
Core functions
sportscotland provides a range of services. These include:
- providing sports expertise to the Scottish Government to support policy development and delivery
- leading, supporting and coordinating the key deliverers of sport, including: local authorities, leisure trusts and Scottish governing bodies of sport; and, strengthening and extending the relationships and interactions across the sporting system
- investing National Lottery and Scottish Government funding
- adding value to Scottish sport on the back of major events and our partners’ investments
- delivering high-quality performance programmes and providing expert support services to Scottish athletes to help them compete on the world stage through the sportscotland institute of sport
- offering high-quality courses and training opportunities for a wide range of sports participants and people working in sport
- collaborating with UK and international sporting bodies and systems to ensure Scotland’s ambitions for sport are well represented and well-integrated at UK and international levels
- raising awareness and understanding, and promoting the contribution of sport to wider social and economic outcomes
The role of the Board Member
All members of the sportscotland Board are appointed by Scottish Ministers.
The purpose of our Board is to work with the Chief Executive and staff to achieve an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. The Board helps ensure we get the most from the sporting system for the people of Scotland and contribute to the Scottish Government’s Active Scotland outcomes. The Board helps achieve this by providing leadership, direction, scrutiny, and guidance.
As a Board member, you will support the Chair and work with the other Board members to contribute to the actions below.
- Ensure we contribute to the Scottish Government’s Active Scotland outcomes and deliver Ministerial priorities, by working in collaboration with other organisations in Scottish sport.
- Advise on the preparation and delivery of our corporate strategy and business plan.
- Maintain links with the wider sporting system at UK and international levels.
- Maintain links with the business and wider community, where these are relevant to our work.
- Advise on how investments are allocated to address the needs of sport, nationally and locally.
- Advise on how resources are deployed to meet our objectives and Ministerial priorities.
- Oversee how Board decisions are delivered.
- Oversee our performance.
- Ensure inclusion underpins everything we do.
- Ensure governance arrangements are sound and appropriate for a publicly funded organisation.
- Ensure we embed high standards and values.
In helping to carry out these functions, you will:
- Maintain a focus on strategy, performance and governance. It is not the role of the Chair and non-executive Board members to be involved in our day-to-day management.
- Work well with other Board members to achieve agreed decisions.
- Chair, or participate in, where required, one or more of the Board’s committees.
- Act on the principle of joint responsibility for decisions of the Board.
- As a Ministerial Appointment, on behalf of Scottish Ministers ensure the Scottish Government’s policies and priorities are taken forward in line with the Strategic guidance letter. We would advise applicants to read Physical Activity For Health – Scotland's National Framework, which was launched on 2 October 2024.
- Uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity and comply with the Board members code of conduct (sportscotland.org.uk)
- Uphold the nine principles of public life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (based on the Nolan Principles) See The Principles of Public Life.
The selection panel
Chair: Andy Sinclair, Head of Active Scotland, Scottish Government
Panel Member: Maureen Campbell, Chair, sportscotland
Representative from the Ethical Standards Commissioner: Neelam Bakshi, Public Appointments Adviser
Please note that applicants will be asked to declare if they know any members of the selection panel. The panel will also declare if they know any applicants. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be managed in line with the Ethical Standards Commissioners Code of Practice for Public Appointments.
Person specification
We are seeking to further broaden the diversity present on the Board. We would particularly welcome applications from women, disabled people, LGBT+ people, young people and people from minority ethnic communities.
We are looking to recruit up to four new members to sportscotland, two to the generalist board member roles and two who can support the Board with our priorities of influencing sport in the ‘education system’ or in ‘public health’. We have identified specific requirements that will complement the skill-set of the existing Board. Depending on the strength of the field, it is intended to appoint up to two applicants who can demonstrate one of the priority criteria outlined below, and up to two applicants to the generalist board member position and who can demonstrate evidence of all the essential criteria.
All applications received will be considered against the essential criteria for the generalist board member positions, and those who closely meet the criteria will be appointed.
Applicants will have the opportunity to demonstrate evidence of one of the priority criteria, if they feel they are able to. Where two or more applicants have equal merit on the priority criterion, the assessment of essential criteria will be taken into account.
In the event that there are no applicants suitable for appointment under one of the priority criteria, the Minister may decide to appoint more than one applicant who has provided strong evidence against the other priority criterion.
The tables below set out the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes that we are seeking and explain how the criteria will be tested. You may have gained your experience through work, by being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or through your own lived experience.
All applicants must provide evidence of the criteria outlined at section A. Section B is optional.
Section A: Essential skills, personal qualities and attributes. (You must be able to demonstrate all of these)
Health, physical activity, sport and wellbeing
Example indicators
This means you will:
- Have an interest and enthusiasm for how sport and physical activity can inspire others.
- Understand how sport and physical activity can contribute positively to the health of communities across Scotland.
Can use this to contribute to sportscotland’s ambitions of tackling inequalities.
How will this be assessed
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage.
In your online application: Please demonstrate how you meet this criterion. Your response should be no more than 300 words.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Example indicators
This means you will:
- Understand how you could proactively promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your contribution to sportscotland’s work.
- Understand how you could proactively promote EDI across sportscotland activities internally and externally with stakeholders.
How will this be assessed
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage and by asking you to deliver a short verbal response to an exercise issued in advance.
In your online application: Please demonstrate how you meet this criterion. Your response should be no more than 300 words.
Seeing the bigger picture
Example indicators
This means you will:
- Be able to understand policy and initiatives and how they can be applied to sportscotland’s work locally and nationally
- Take ideas, concepts and projects and consider how they can be applied locally and nationally
- Take account of changing trends and consider forward planning
- Be able to see the bigger picture and consider the opportunities, threats and risks over the medium and longer term
How will this be assessed
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage.
In your online application: Please demonstrate how you meet this criterion. Your response should be no more than 300 words.
Communication, collaboration and influence
Example indicators
This means you will:
- Be clear and succinct in your communications and have good listening skills
- Work collaboratively with others to achieve consensus and shared outcomes.
How will this be assessed
Your written communication skills will be tested by the quality of your application.
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage and by asking you to deliver a short verbal response to an exercise issued in advance.
Section B: Priority skills, personal qualities and attributes. (Although, not essential, we are inviting applicants to demonstrate evidence of one of the priority criteria, if they are able to)
Experience in strategic leadership in the Education system.
Example indicators
- You can describe, how you have made a positive impact to the education system.
- You can recommend how sport and physical activity can influence positive change to the Education system based on your experience
How will this be assessed
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage.
In your online application: Please demonstrate how you meet this criterion. Your response should be no more than 300 words.
Experience in strategic leadership in the Public Health sector.
Example indicators
- You can describe, how you have made a positive impact in the Public Health sector.
- You can recommend how sport and physical activity can influence positive change in Public Health, based on your experience.
How will this be assessed
This will be assessed at application stage and at interview stage.
In your online application: Please demonstrate how you meet this criterion. Your response should be no more than 300 words.
How to apply
For the online application, you should provide evidence of the following essential criteria:
- Health, physical activity, sport and wellbeing
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Seeing the bigger picture
You should also provide evidence of one of the following priority criteria, if you are able to:
- Experience in strategic leadership in the Education system.
- Experience in strategic leadership in the Public Health sector.
Please note that there is a word limit of 300 words for each criterion.
We strongly recommend that you draft your answers in a word document and check that you are happy with them before copying and pasting your answers in the relevant sections of the online application. When completing the online application, you will need to enter information in all the boxes before proceeding, therefore you will need to enter ‘N/A’ in optional boxes that you are not providing evidence for.
Please note that you will not be able to update your answers or supporting documents once you have submitted your application. Late applications will not be accepted by the selection panel.
If you use assistive technology, please contact the Public Appointments Team for an accessible application form by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.
The assessment process
The assessment process will happen as follows:
- The selection panel will assess all application forms against the criteria for appointment (see the person specification). Those who demonstrate evidence that most closely meet the criteria tested at this stage will be shortlisted for interview. Applications will not be anonymised.
- The selection panel will interview candidates, the questions they ask will relate directly to the criteria for appointment. Candidates will also be provided with an exercise in advance to consider and to deliver a short verbal response to the panel.
- The selection panel will also ask questions relevant to the fit and proper person test (see below) which will include questions about the Principles of Public Life.
- The selection panel will review the evidence provided and agree on which candidates have most closely met the criteria for selection and should be recommended to the appointing Minister.
- The appointing Minister will make a decision about whom to appoint based on evidence from the selection panel. The appointing Minister may request to meet with candidates before making a final decision.
- Appointees will be asked to complete pre-appointment checks which will include a Disclosure Check (there is no charge for this). Appointment is conditional on satisfactory completion of these.
Guaranteed interviews
This appointment round will provide guaranteed interviews for disabled people who meet the criteria for the role being tested at the application stage.
Fit and proper person checks
In the context of public appointments, a fit and proper person is someone who is suitable because they meet the requirements of the role, and their past or present activities and behaviour means they are suitable. Tests are built into different stages of the appointment process to ensure that:
- Conduct to date has been compatible with the public appointment
- Membership is not barred by the body's constitution e.g., criminal record or bankruptcy (see disqualifications)
- There are no unmanageable conflicts of interest
- Political activity is declared
- There is agreement to abide by the Principles of Public life in Scotland
- There is confirmation that the time commitment required for the role can be met.
Social media checks for candidates invited to interview
The selection panel may consider publicly available information about candidates which is posted by candidates on social media. Any findings that the selection panel agree are pertinent to the role or that may call into question suitability for the appointment, credibility of the appointments process or the public body will be discussed with candidates at interview. Consideration of any issues will take place openly and transparently to establish the facts. Candidates will be given an opportunity to respond to any concerns. This information will be handled in line with the Privacy Notice for public appointments:
Privacy notice - Public appointments: guide - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 sets a ‘gender representation objective’ that a board should have 50% of non-executive members who are women.
In circumstances where there is a tie break between a woman and a man section 4(3) of the Act requires the appointing Minister to appoint the woman if doing so will result in the board achieving (or making progress towards achieving) the gender representation objective. In a tie break the appointing Minister can also chose to appoint a candidate, who is not a woman, on the basis of another characteristic or situation and can give preference to that candidate (section 4 (4) of the 2018 Act). For more information, please see the Scottish Government Guidance on the Act.
sportscotland does not currently meet the 'gender representation objective' that the board should have 50% women.