The Electoral Commission is the independent body that oversees elections and regulates political finance across the UK. It has a vital role in maintaining public confidence in our democratic processes. The Commission regulates the rules on political finance in the context of increasingly complex campaigning techniques, rapidly changing technology and fragile public trust in democratic processes.

Its vision is “a fair democracy fit for the future”, ensuring elections and referendums are trusted, accessible and secure. The Commission works across all four nations of the UK and is accountable to the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. The Commission is currently in the second year of an ambitious five-year plan that covers the delivery of an important cycle of UK-wide polls and implementation of the forthcoming Representation of the People Bill.

The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission is seeking an outstanding individual to join the Electoral Commission Board as the Electoral Commissioner with specific responsibility for Scotland. This role will help to shape the future of democracy in Scotland and across the UK.

This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in protecting and strengthening democratic processes across Scotland and the UK. As a Commissioner, you will help guide the strategic direction of the independent body responsible for overseeing elections and regulating political finance, while helping to ensure the Commission’s work is informed by Scotland’s democratic, political and institutional context.

About the Role

As one of ten Electoral Commissioners, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and governance at Board level

• Help shape the Commission’s future priorities and oversee delivery of its ambitious five-year plans

• Oversee the delivery of the Commission’s first dedicated Scotland Corporate Plan

• Support public confidence in elections, democratic participation and political finance regulation

• Build relationships with senior political, parliamentary and public sector stakeholders across Scotland

• Act as an independent, impartial and authoritative voice on issues affecting Scotland’s democratic landscape

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an accomplished and credible leader who can demonstrate:

• Credibility and significant achievements within Scotland, gained through executive and/or non-executive leadership

• Deep understanding of Scotland’s political, public sector and democratic environment

• Experience influencing strategy and providing constructive challenge at Board or senior leadership level

• Independence, integrity, sound judgement and political awareness

• Strong relationship-building and ambassadorial skills

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Term: Four years (with potential reappointment up to a maximum of ten years)

Time commitment: 2–3 days per month

Remuneration: £500 per day plus reasonable expenses

Location:UK-wide role with significant engagement in Scotland

Nationality: Applicants must be able to prove that they are eligible to work in the UK.

Closing date: 5.00pm, Monday 21st September 2026

Eligibility, Political Impartiality and Financial Interests

To protect the Commission’s independence and impartiality, candidates cannot currently be members of a registered political party and must not have held specified political offices, party roles, or made significant political donations within the previous five years. Full conditions can be found in the candidate brochure, which is downloadable from the FWB Executive Search website here.

We are looking for a new Change Programmes Lead to join the FST Team!

Scotland’s performing arts sector is full of talented people, ambitious organisations and inspiring ideas. It also faces significant opportunities and challenges that no single organisation can address alone. Increasingly, progress depends on bringing people together, building partnerships and turning shared ambitions into practical action.

That’s why this role matters.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking, partnership-building and practical delivery to help shape programmes that strengthen Scotland’s performing arts sector. Someone who can understand complex challenges, build trusted relationships, develop realistic plans and ensure ideas are followed through to meaningful outcomes.

The Change Programmes Lead plays a key role in helping FST turn ideas into action.

Working closely with members, partners and colleagues, you’ll identify opportunities for positive change, develop practical responses and lead programmes that strengthen Scotland’s performing arts sector.

Some programmes are already well established and ready to grow. Others are emerging ideas that require research, partnership development and careful planning. This role therefore combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, helping shape both current and future areas of work.

Current programmes span areas such as workforce development, mentoring, accessibility, environmental sustainability, organisational resilience and leadership development. While every programme is different, they all share a common purpose: helping Scotland’s performing arts sector become stronger, more connected and better equipped for the future.

This isn’t simply a project management role. It’s about understanding complex challenges, bringing people together, building trusted relationships and creating the conditions for meaningful change. You’ll work across organisations, balancing different perspectives while maintaining a clear focus on shared ambitions and tangible outcomes.

Current Programmes & Priorities

The Change Programmes portfolio continues to evolve in response to member needs and emerging opportunities. Some of the current programmes and workstreams you’ll help lead and develop include:

Bursaries & Professional Development

Leading FST’s professional development bursary programme while exploring opportunities to strengthen its impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

Mentoring & Coaching

Refreshing FST’s mentoring offer through reconnecting previous participants, piloting new models and lighter-touch support surgeries and peer learning.

Workforce Development & Training

Developing and delivering programmes around technical skills, leadership, sustainability and Fair Work through partnerships and targeted professional development opportunities.

Access & Inclusion

Working with Birds of Paradise, Creative Scotland and sector partners to support the future development of Access Scottish Theatre, Scotland’s engagement with the UK-wide All-In programme and wider accessibility infrastructure.

Emerging Needs & Opportunities

Working with FST members and partners to identify new priorities, develop collaborative initiatives and secure partnerships and funding that support the future development of Scotland’s performing arts sector.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is seeking to appoint an independent member to its Advisory Audit Board (AAB) which provides advice to the Parliament’s Clerk/Chief Executive and, where appropriate, the SPCB on financial management and reporting, audit, risk and governance matters. The independent members of the AAB also provide advice to the independent officeholders supported by the SPCB.

The successful candidate will hold or will have held senior positions the private, public, or voluntary sectors with a high degree of expertise and experience in governance and accountability. Excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills are essential.

The time commitment is expected to be around 15 days per annum and is remunerated at £390.31 per day.

Do you want to help shape how Scotland's national forests and land are used to deliver lasting benefits for communities? Do you have an interest in community empowerment and sustainable land use, or expertise in renewable energy and onshore wind? If so, we'd like to hear from you.

About FLS

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is the Scottish Government agency responsible for the day-to-day management of Scotland's national forests and land. We look after approximately 640,000 hectares of land across Scotland, balancing environmental, social and economic outcomes for the benefit of current and future generations.

Our forests and land support sustainable timber production, renewable energy development, biodiversity, recreation, tourism and community use. Through our management of this national asset, we play an important role in supporting Scotland's rural economy, tackling climate change and empowering communities.

About the CATS Evaluation Panel

The Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS) supports the implementation of Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Through the scheme, community organisations can request rights in land and property where they believe they can deliver greater community benefit.

The CATS Evaluation Panel provides independent advice and constructive challenge on Asset Transfer Requests relating to Scotland's national forests and land. The Panel helps ensure that decisions are robust, transparent and informed by a broad range of expertise.

We are currently seeking to appoint two new Panel Members.

About You

We are looking for individuals who can bring independent judgement, strategic thinking and relevant professional expertise to support the Panel's work.

In particular, we are interested in hearing from candidates with experience of:

• Renewable energy and onshore wind development, operation, governance, regulation or community benefit models.
• Community development, community empowerment and rural development.
• Assessing complex proposals and balancing social, environmental and economic outcomes.
• Providing objective advice, constructive challenge and evidence-based recommendations.
• We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives who share our commitment to community empowerment and sustainable land management.

Terms

As detailed in the candidate information pack, panel members will be expected to participate in up to four meetings each year and commit up to ten days annually. Meetings may take place online, in person and occasionally involve site visits.

A daily fee of £285 and reasonable travel expenses will be paid. The role does not attract pension or holiday entitlement.