Appointment of Members to the Quality Meat Scotland Board

DescriptionQUALITY MEAT SCOTLANDTHE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR FOUR YEARS FROM NOVEMBER2025Quality Meat Scotland is the public body responsible for helping the Scottish red meat sector improve its efficiency sustainability integrity and profitability and maximise its contribution to Scotlands economy.Our internationally recognised and approved assurance schemes cover over 90% of livestock farmed for red meat in Scotland. With centuries of tradition behind them Scottish red meat farmers pride themselves on meeting the very highest standards demanded by modern consumers.QMSwill promote and protect the Scotch Beef Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected pork brands through clear effective communication to ensure consumers fully understand what sets our brands apart the Scotch Difference.QMS also provide quality assurance initiatives to build the brand of Scotch Beef Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork and are dedicated to delivering professional services that help protect the Scottish meat industry and enable growth in domestic and international markets.See the QMS 5 year strategy 2024-2028 hereResponsibilitiesBOARD MEMBER ROLEBoard members of QMS are appointed entirely on merit to maintain the mix of skills knowledge and experience required to allow the Board to successfully fulfil its duties as a Public Body. A board members responsibilities include:setting the strategic and cultural direction of the organisation;providing oversight on issues of strategy performance and resources;monitoring the reporting of performance and holding management to account through purposeful and constructive challenge and scrutiny;contributing to decision-making and to the work of board committees and advisory groups;acting as ambassadors for QMS by communicating clearly and effectively and establishing and promoting the work of QMS in the industry and community.The Person Specification sets out the skills knowledge and experience required across the threenew board members.The operational work of the organisation is delivered by around 31QMS staff led by the Chief Executive Sarah Miller.Levy PayersIt is written in legislation that at least 50%of Board Members must be levy payers. At this time there are 50% of levy payers on the board and as such from the three appointments being made in this round it is not an essential requirement to appoint levy payers however that would not deter from us appointing levy payers* to ensure the 50% level is maintained Levy Payers means a producer slaughter or exporter of cattle sheep or pigs or the owner of any of these animals at the time of slaughter (this includes employees of those businesses and/or family members who are involved in such activities).Further informationFor further information about Quality Meat Scotland and the roles please contact the QMS Chief ExecutiveSarah Millar at can also find out more about QMS at AND TIME COMMITMENTMembers of the Boardreceive 198.36per day as at 1 July incurred as a result of carrying out the duties of the appointment including reasonable travel and subsistence costs and dependant carer and childcare expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is non-pensionable.The Board meets sixto eighttimes each year with Members of the Board committed to a maximum of 20days per year. By the nature of a non-executive member role the time commitment will vary from week to week. It involves a mix of activities including preparing for and attending Board meetings and undertaking other duties and responsibilities such as engaging with stakeholders and occasionally attending events.QualificationsSKILLS AND EXPERIENCEIn respect of these posts both the priority and essential criteria are a mandatory requirement. The priority criterial will be tested at both application and at interview stage. The essential criterial will only be tested an interview stage.Priority CriteriaTo apply applicants need to demonstrate evidence of at least oneof the priority criteria and should consider where they have strengths -applicants can if they chose demonstrate evidence of more than one of the priority criterion but this is not mandatory.Knowledge and experience of animal production (specifically pig or sheep)Knowledge and experience of financial and risk management with particular reference to audit processes and internal control of resourcesKnowledge and experience of red meat processingEssential CriteriaAt interview applicants will be asked to evidence the priority criteria chosen and will need to evidence all threeelementsof the essential criteria:Ability to challengeconstructively and contribute to high quality decision making and priority setting within a Board or team environment.Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a rangeof stakeholders.Ability to contribute effectively tostrategic planning and risk management processes.QMS value very highly the benefits of having different experience and points of view on our Board. We particularly welcome applications from those with protected characteristics that are currently under-represented on the QMS Board. These include women disabled people LGBTI people those from black and minority ethnic communities. We also welcome applications from people living within rural and islands communities who have knowledge and insight of the work of QMS and how it impacts on the needs and aspirations of those communities.If youhave a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the public appointments process please get in touch with the Scottish Government Public Appointments Team by email at.APPLICANT INFORMATION PACKTo assist in your application please read the Applicant Information Pack. The Pack includes further information on the role and additional details on the criteria being assessed.TO APPLY FOR THESE ROLES FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:Download and save the Applicant Information Pack to refer back to.Read the person specification and how to apply section in the pack.Navigate back to this job advert and click apply.Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.Respond to the application questions against the criteria being assessed noting the word limits in the application pack. PLEASE NOTE you do not need to submit any attachments or links when prompted to please skip this step.PLEASE NOTE you do not have the option to edit your application once you click submit. You must have all your information and attachments to hand before submitting your application.Late applications cannot be considered by the panel.Full details on how to apply and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage are set out at pages9 12 of the Applicant Information Pack.Completed applications must be submitted by23:59 on 18 August 2025.If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application please contact the Scottish GovernmentPublic Appointments Team by email at.ABOUT PUBLIC APPOINTMENTSPublic appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here:Public appointments Ethical Standards CommissionerEQUALITY STATEMENTScottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments.Find out more about our commitment todiversityand how we offer and supportrecruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.FURTHER INFORMATIONPublic Appointments – Guidance and Support for applicantsFAQs about the application process. Key Skills Time Management,Diplomatic Skills,Risk Management,Influencing Skills,Organizational Skill,Accounting & Finance,Strategy Management,People Management,Industril Knowledge,Communication,Negotiation Skills,Strategic Thinking Skills,Leadership Skill,Problem Solving Skills,Regulatory&Governance Employment Type : Part-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1