Overview

Appointment of a Member to the Scottish Commission on Social Security

The Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS) is an independent body set up in 2019 to provide independent scrutiny of the Scottish social security system and hold Scottish Ministers to account.

The Commission is separate from the Scottish Government and from the Scottish Parliament. It carries out its work independently of both, but works closely with both.

Information on the Commission’s functions are set out within Section 22 of the Social Security (Scotland Act) 2018. SCoSS’s role is made up of three parts:

You can find out more about the Board and the work that it has done on the SCoSS webpage. This includes reports, information about the organisation and minutes of Board meetings.

Remuneration and time commitment

The Board member role is paid at a gross daily rate of £225 per day (7.5 hours).

The role is non-pensionable. This means that there is no pension contribution paid. Members will be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred to carry out their role, such as:

• Any travel and subsistence costs
• Reasonable childcare or carer expenses
• Disability-related reasonable adjustments

Members will be expected to devote up to 36 days per annum. You will be expected to attend meetings of the Body regularly, to prepare for and to contribute fully to these and to perform your other functions. Board meetings are currently held roughly every 4-6 weeks and there are often ad-hoc meetings in between as well. 

Skills/Experience Required

Scottish Ministers welcome applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds who have the following skills/knowledge/experience:

The following priority criterion:

• The ability to use your lived experience of the impact of disability arising from a physical or mental impairment, to help bring about positive change. This may include experience as a carer or as someone advocating for those with lived experience of the impact of a disability.

Applicants must also provide evidence of the following essential criteria:

• Analysing information and making recommendations
• Working collaboratively, constructively and effectively with others
• Personal commitment to progressing the Social Security Principles.
• Understanding of policy development and/or delivery; implementation and/or evaluation of policy in a public service context.

Full details can be found in the person specification in the application pack.

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments Team on 0300 244 1898 or email at PA_Applications_Mailbox@gov.scot.

We are also seeking applications for a Chair of the SCoSS board – details can be found here - Scottish Commission on Social Security - Chair Appointment in Edinburgh | Careers at Edinburgh (icims.com)

FURTHER INFORMATION

• FAQ’s about the application process is here: Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions.
• Guidance to support applicants is here: Public appointments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) 

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner