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.

UHI Perth is one of Scotland’s leading Colleges of Further and Higher Education, and a partner in the University of the Highlands and Islands. UHI Perth is currently recruiting for a new external, independent Chair of the Board of Management and various Independent Board Members to join the governing body charged with overseeing the operation of the College.

UHI Perth (in common with many colleges across the sector) continues to face some challenges around financial sustainability, and as part of the process of addressing these challenges is undertaking a 3-year Financial Recovery Plan. With such challenge comes opportunity, and if you have the right mix of skills and experience, particularly if you have recent senior-level background in finance, accountancy, or corporate governance, we want to hear from you.

A position on our Board requires commitment to the work of the College and the community, an interest in the post-16 education sector, and effective communication and analytical skills.

Membership is voluntary and unpaid, but brings huge rewards to members - input can make a real difference to the education and prospects of our learners and to the wellbeing and success of the communities where they live.

Attendance at meetings of the Board and Committees is required, usually early evening, and reasonable travel costs for Board business are reimbursed.

The College is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

To find out more about the role, please visit our dedicated recruitment pages at perth.uhi.ac.uk/boardrecruitment

Information about the work of the current Board, plus the Board’s Code of Conduct, can be found in the About Us section of the Perth College website, perth.ac.uk

If you would like further details about becoming a Board member at Perth College, or to arrange an informal conversation with the Chair of the Board, please contact Ian McCartney, Clerk to the Board of Management at: ian.mccartney2.perth@uhi.ac.uk

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU?

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can. As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.

The role

We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our Glasgow team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around the City of Glasgow. You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.

Your base would be near to Glasgow Central Station with regular travel between the station and working in the boroughs of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire. This role involves some evenings and weekend hours.

About you

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.