At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the future of democracy in Scotland as an Electoral Commissioner.
- Company: The Electoral Commission, an independent body overseeing elections and political finance.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible commitment, and a chance to influence democratic processes.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion in shaping democracy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Scotland's democratic landscape and public confidence in elections.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and deep understanding of Scotland's political environment.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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.
To Apply
The candidate information for this role and associated application forms can be found on the FWB Executive Search website. To apply, please upload your application documents to the FWB Executive Search website by no later than 5pm on Monday 21st September 2026. You should submit:
- A CV (maximum two pages)
- A supporting statement (maximum two pages) demonstrating how you meet the role requirements (CV and Supporting Statement should be uploaded as 1 combined document)
You will then be sent a link to fill out the following forms:
- Political Activity Form
- Declaration of External Interests and/or Financial Interests Form
As part of the online application process, you will be asked to complete an equal opportunity monitoring page. The information on this page will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. This information will not be treated as part of your application. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, communities and regions across Scotland.
For further information and a confidential discussion, please contact Ailsa Sutherland at electoralcommissionATfwbltd.com.
Electoral Commissioner (Scotland) in Edinburgh employer: FWB
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Electoral Commissioner (Scotland) in Edinburgh
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We think you need these skills to ace Electoral Commissioner (Scotland) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
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Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
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How to prepare for a job interview at FWB
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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