Recruiting New Members of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) Strategic Advisory Board

Scotland is taking a vital step in tackling systemic racism with the establishment of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS).

AROS has been made possible thanks to years of work by communities and experts, and has been established to support community-led efforts to tackle racism in the public sector.

To support and guide AROS through its incubation period to December 2027, a Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) has been established to provide strong, transparent external oversight. We are now recruiting two new Board members with specific skills to join this body.

We are looking for candidates who bring knowledge, skills and experience in anti-racism in the Scottish context, alongside the qualities needed to steer, provide oversight and govern the work of the Observatory. The Board specifically requires a Board member with legal expertise.

AROS is committed to ensuring its Board reflects the communities it serves and would strongly encourage applications from all racialised communities and those with lived experience of racialisation. Previous applicants are warmly encouraged to reapply.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is seeking to appoint a new external member to its Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). This is an opportunity to contribute independent expertise to one of the UK’s leading art and design institutions and deepen your non-executive and governance experience.

About Glasgow School of Art

Founded in 1845 as one of the UK’s first government-supported schools of design, the GSA can trace its lineage to the 1750s and the establishment, during the Scottish Enlightenment, of the Foulis Academy, the UK’s first school of art.

Over 270 years later, we remain an independent school of art and are ranked as one of the top art and design schools in the world.

About the Role

The Audit and Risk Committee plays a key role in supporting the Board of Governors by providing assurance on the effectiveness of the School’s financial systems, internal control environment, and risk management arrangements.

This appointment is intended to strengthen the Committee’s collective expertise, particularly in audit and finance.

The successful candidate will:

• provide independent professional insight and constructive challenge in the context of the Audit and Risk Committee;
• review audit reports, financial statements, accounting policies and the risk register as part of the work of the Audit and Risk Committee;
• contribute to the work of the Audit and Risk Committee in a manner that supports strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk oversight;
• be a full voting member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Focused on the work of the Audit and Risk Committee, this role does not involve membership of the Board of Governors and carries no wider Board responsibilities. The Audit and Risk Committee Remit and Membership can be located here for information.

Time Commitment

• Attendance at 3-4 meetings annually (normally held via video conference between November and May) – attendance at in-person meetings is not normally required but may exceptionally be requested
• Approximately 16 hours per year, which includes time to read committee papers and to prepare for meetings

Skills and Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong experience in the following:

• Accountancy / Finance (e.g., qualified accountant or senior financial leadership)
• Audit and assurance - ability to interpret audit reports and financial information
• Risk management in a complex or regulated environment

Any application should make it clear where the applicant’s skills and experience meets one or more of these areas.

In addition, experience in public, third sector or education governance is desirable but not essential.

Person Specification

Candidates should meet at least one of the areas specified in Skills and Experience (above) and demonstrate:

• high standards of integrity and professionalism
• strong analytical skills and sound judgement
• confidence in contributing to senior-level discussions
• commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership

Applications from first-time non-executives are welcome, provided candidates understand the nature of the governance role and can demonstrate that they are ready to contribute at that level.

Diversity

The GSA encourages applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background and disabled people are currently under‑represented on the Board, applications from individuals within these groups would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well. More on the GSA's commitment to Equality can be found here.

Remuneration

External committee members are not remunerated but the GSA will reimburse reasonable expenses including travel costs should attendance be required.

Let's tell you more about what we're looking for...

Help Shape the Future of Student Life at the Heriot-Watt Student Union

We’re looking for an exceptional External Trustee to join our dynamic and ambitious Student Union Board. With a new strategy underway and major change programmes taking shape, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on student experience and organisational growth.

Who We Are

We are an energetic, student-centred charity representing over 10,000 Heriot-Watt University students. We deliver services, events and welfare support to help students succeed academically, socially and personally. In addition, our trading operations include a lively bar, a popular coffee shop, and a thriving shop.

We generate around £3M annually, all reinvested into enhancing student wellbeing and services. Guided by our long-term strategy, The Big Plan, we are transforming the way we support our members (our students) and strengthening our governance and leadership structures to match.

Why This Role Matters

As an External Trustee, you’ll play a key role in steering our next phase of development. Working closely with other members of the Board and our CEO, you’ll help shape strategic priorities, ensure strong governance, and guide us as we deliver meaningful change for our student community.

You will add value by helping the Board to focus on the Union’s strategic purpose, long-term direction, organisational health and impact, while supporting the executive team to deliver the operational detail.

Your contribution will help us:

Keep student experience and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do

Strengthen our charitable, governance and trading performance

Deliver a modern, focused, high-performing Board culture

Build confidence, ambition, and forward momentum across the organisation

Our Trustee Board

You’ll join a high-performing and diverse Board that includes:

• Elected student officers

• Undergraduate and postgraduate student trustees

• External trustees with relevant experience from sectors including finance, HR, charity, education and the private sector

Together, the trustees offer oversight, strategic leadership, and accountability, ensuring we remain financially sustainable, legally compliant and focused on student needs.

Who We’re Looking For

We warmly welcome applications from those with experience in governance, strategy, organisational development and student-focused environments. We’re especially interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:

• Business development or strategic planning

• Student engagement or wellbeing

• SME leadership

• Third sector leadership

If you have experience of chairing committees or boards or aspire to grow into a Chair role we’d particularly like to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

As a Trustee, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and strong governance, ensuring compliance with the requirements of OSCR (the Scottish Charity Regulator)

• Work collaboratively with other members of the Board and the CEO to shape and support delivery of The Big Plan

• Bring expertise to enhance performance, student services and organisational growth

• Help maintain a Board culture that is strategic, inclusive, and focused on impact and assurance

• Champion the Union’s values and commitment to student wellbeing

This is a non-executive governance role; as a trustee you will fulfil the role of providing strategic supportive challenge in respect of day-to-day management of the Union.

Time Commitment

• Four evening Board meetings per year (5:30–7:30pm)

• One full-day annual Strategy Day

• Regular meetings with the CEO (either in person or online)

• Involvement in sub-committees or project groups of the Board

Meeting papers are provided at least one week in advance.

What You’ll Gain

Serving as a Trustee offers a rewarding opportunity to develop and deepen your skills in:

• Governance and strategy

• Financial oversight and risk management

• Leadership and stakeholder engagement

• Understanding of student and higher education priorities

• Working within a dynamic, mission-driven charity

You’ll join a supportive, collaborative and ambitious Board committed to positive change, innovation, and enhancing the experience of every Heriot-Watt student.

Letham4All SCIO is an award winning community led charity operating in Perth. Based in The Hub in Letham neighbourhood, it is vision is that life across our communities is better and healthier, where everyone can reach their potential from cradle to the grave. Letham4All SCIO & The Hub is the outcome of a local people taking the lead in to improve the health & wellbeing of its communities in Perth. Local people working together has resulted in community ownership of The Hub, a catalyst for changing lives and empowering people to become more active in their communities enabling both them & it to thrive. We deliver community activities for all ages to around 600 people a week and run our Community Fridge Project in 3 areas of Perth , where around 390 people a week are able to access free good surplus food , 7 days a week. Our Hub Café offers a dignify route to very low cost food serving an average of 400 people a week.

Due to the growth of Letham4All SCIO we now need to recruit a qualified and experienced Financial Co-ordinator. Working 20 hours per week and reporting to The Letham4All Manager , the postholder will is responsible for ensuring the robust financial management of Letham4All in line with OSCR requirements, charity accounting standards (SORP), and sector best practice guidance. They will have line management responsibility for the Administration Worker.

The postholder will:

• Maintain accurate and compliant financial records
• Ensure effective internal financial controls
• Support the Board of Trustees in fulfilling their statutory duties
• Provide timely financial reporting and analysis
• Support sustainable financial planning and risk management

This role is critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and strong governance appropriate to a charity with £1m annual income.