At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the NHS Board to support strategic direction and governance.
- Company: NHS National Services Scotland has been enhancing health services for over 40 years.
- Benefits: Earn £14,352 per year with flexible hours and travel expense reimbursement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Demonstrate effective communication, analysis skills, and alignment with NHS values.
- Other info: Diverse applicants are encouraged; training provided for new members.
The predicted salary is between 12300 - 12300 £ per year.
NHS National Services Scotland Board is looking for one new member to join its Board. Applications are invited from people who have an interest in public service and are committed to the NHS in Scotland. If you are looking for a rewarding and worthwhile opportunity, we would like to hear from you.
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a public sector organisation that has been providing services to NHS Scotland for over 40 years. We work at the heart of the health and care service, supporting our customers to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for the people of Scotland. By offering high quality services on a national scale, we free up resources so that they can be re-invested into essential services, all of which is crucial to the delivery of effective health and care.
As a non-executive member of the Board, you will be expected to play a central role in supporting the delivery of the organisation’s strategic direction in addition to contributing to scrutinising performance and discharging governance and accountability functions. You will ensure the efficient, effective and accountable governance of the organisation including participation in its governance committees. You will be offered the training you need to make a strong contribution.
Skills
NHS Scotland’s values are at the heart of everything that we do. As a member of the Board, you will not only need to have the right skills, knowledge and experience for the role, but also be able to demonstrate behaviour aligned to these values. The NHS Scotland values are:
- care and compassion
- dignity and respect
- openness, honesty and responsibility
- quality and teamwork
Responsibilities
Public Appointees are responsible for:
- ensuring that the public body delivers its functions in accordance with Scottish Ministers’ policies and priorities
- providing strategic leadership
- ensuring financial stewardship
- holding the Chief Executive and senior management team to account
ROLE CRITERIA
You must also be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:
- Ability to offer constructive challenge
- Motivation and Fit through demonstration of the NHS Scotland Values
- Ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders including the Board and Executive Team
- Analysis and decision-making skills
There is also a desirable criterion which would be beneficial to the Board but is not essential:
- Experience of designing and delivering strategic digital change at scale
- A strategic understanding of cyber security
- Experience or interest in clinical technologies and information solutions
About Us
Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. We value very highly the benefits of having different experiences and points of view on our Boards and we are keen that people from all walks of life apply for public appointments. We particularly welcome applications from people with protected characteristics that are currently under-represented on the NHS NSS Board.
REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT
£14,352 (non-pensionable) per annum for a time commitment of one day per week (52 days per year). Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred will be reimbursed. The time commitment will vary week to week, but on average the role will take up around 8 hours per week and you must be able to make a firm commitment to spend 52 days of the year on Board business. This time will be a mix of daytime Board meetings, committee meetings, reading documents and attending stakeholder events. You should also demonstrate an adequate degree of flexibility to attend at a greater frequency subject to the Board’s ongoing business needs. There may be the opportunity for you to commit more time to the role, but the Chair would discuss this with you. Should you be required to contribute more than the average 8 hours per week on a regular basis, then, at the discretion of the Board Chair, you may receive additional remuneration.
APPOINTMENT DETAILS
The term of appointment will be for up to 4 years. When a term comes to an end, the skills the Board requires will be reassessed. If you satisfy the requirements of the new person specification at that time, and there is evidence of your effective performance, Scottish Ministers may consider reappointing you for a further term. A non-executive member’s total period of appointment may not exceed eight years.
INFORMATION SESSION
If you would like to find out more about what it's like to be a Non-Executive Board member for NSS please join us on Wednesday June 11 for an informal drop-in session on Teams. We encourage you to contact Kyle Clark-Hay, Associate Director Corporate Governance (Board Secretary) by emailing kyle.clark-hay@nss.nhs.scot to note your interest in joining the drop-in sessions and to discuss this Board opportunity in more detail.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on 22 and 23 July and will be conducted in person at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank. It is unlikely that we will be able to offer an alternative interview date.
How To Apply
We are looking for one new Non-Executive Member: Download the candidate information pack. This will explain more about the role, the board and the application process. You will be asked to complete the essential criteria questions. You must complete these questions in order to apply for this role. Completed applications must be received on or before 12.00 noon on Wednesday 18th June 2025. Please note that we recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the candidate information pack as you complete your application, this contains more detailed 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 by email at PA_Applications_Mailbox@gov.scot.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments.
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. Find out more about public appointments here: Public appointments - gov.scot. If you experience any difficulties, please contact the Public Appointments Team by email at Public.appointments@gov.scot.
Appointment of a member to National Services Scotland NHS Board employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Detail:
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Recruiting Team
kyle.clark-hay@nss.nhs.scot
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Appointment of a member to National Services Scotland NHS Board
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with NHS Scotland's values, as they are crucial for this role. Make sure you can articulate how your personal values align with care, compassion, dignity, respect, openness, honesty, responsibility, quality, and teamwork during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current or former Board members if possible. They can provide insights into the expectations and responsibilities of the role, which will help you understand what to emphasise in conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in strategic leadership and governance. Think of specific examples where you've successfully held teams accountable or contributed to organisational performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Attend the informal drop-in session on Teams to ask questions and network. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your interest and commitment to the role while gaining valuable information directly from the Board.
We think you need these skills to ace Appointment of a member to National Services Scotland NHS Board
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Non-Executive Member on the NHS National Services Scotland Board. Familiarise yourself with the NHS Scotland values and how they align with your own experiences.
Tailor Your Application: When completing the essential criteria questions, ensure that your responses are tailored to reflect your skills and experiences that directly relate to the role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to offer constructive challenge and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have experience in strategic leadership, financial stewardship, or governance, be sure to highlight these in your application. Mention any relevant experience in clinical technologies or digital change if applicable, as this could set you apart from other candidates.
Follow Instructions Carefully: Adhere closely to the application instructions provided in the candidate information pack. Ensure that all required documents are submitted by the deadline and that you have completed all necessary sections of the application form.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Understand NHS Scotland Values
Familiarise yourself with the core values of NHS Scotland: care and compassion, dignity and respect, openness, honesty and responsibility, quality, and teamwork. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with these during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Constructive Challenge
Show that you can offer constructive challenge by preparing examples from your past experiences where you've successfully questioned decisions or processes in a respectful and productive manner. This will highlight your ability to contribute to the Board's strategic discussions.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to communicate with various stakeholders, so consider rehearsing answers to potential questions and ensure you can convey your ideas effectively.
✨Prepare for Governance Discussions
Brush up on governance and accountability functions relevant to public bodies. Be ready to discuss how you would support the delivery of the organisation’s strategic direction and hold management accountable, as this is a key part of the role.