Appointment of Members to the Board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

Job Identification: 2951

Locations: United Kingdom

Public Body: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

Number of Openings: 5

Apply Before: 01/05/2026, 05:00 PM

We value very highly the benefits of having different experience on our Boards and we are keen that people from different backgrounds apply for public appointments. Scottish Ministers welcome applications from women, disabled people, LGBT+ people, people from ethnic minority communities and people aged under 50. If you have 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 on 03002441898 or by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.

LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park was established by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 to safeguard areas of outstanding and diverse landscapes, habitats and communities. We do this by working to co‑ordinate the delivery of four main statutory aims:

• Conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;
• Promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;
• Promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public;
• Promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities.

This means being involved in developing key strategic documents such as:

• National Park Partnership Plan, which sets out our priorities for the Park’s development in association with partner organisations;
• Local Development Plan, which guides all future development and the use of land;
• The National Park’s response to the Climate and Nature Emergencies and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

Additionally, the National Park Authority has full statutory planning powers and is the statutory access authority. While the full Board oversees preparation of the Local Development Plan and occasionally takes decisions to determine planning applications for major developments, the Planning and Access Committee meets more regularly to determine a wide range of planning applications as well as deal with occasional statutory access matters. Significant planning issues for the National Park area include provision of affordable housing, sustainable tourism development, rural economic development and ensuring climate‑resilient communities and businesses for the future.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible and diverse Board through our governance structures and recruitment processes. Our Equalities Mainstreaming Report 2025–2029 has three main Outcomes:

• At all levels of the organisation, our staff, volunteers and Board better reflect the diversity of Scotland.
• The National Park is a place for everyone, and we are supporting diversity and inclusion by removing barriers and improving services to meet the needs of all users.
• We have embedded the needs of more diverse groups into our work through increased engagement and consultation.

Over the last few years, we have undertaken Board Shadowing and Boardroom Apprentice programmes to help us meet our aims in diversifying our decision‑making.

BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the leadership of the Convener, the National Park Authority Board provides leadership, direction, support and guidance to ensure that the National Park delivers our functions effectively and efficiently and in accordance with the aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers. Board members are required to:

• Contribute to setting the strategic direction of the National Park Authority in a way which reflects Scottish Ministers’ policies and priorities through the production and oversight of the Corporate and Operational Plans;
• Contribute to setting the vision and objectives for the National Park, through the preparation and oversight of key strategic documents, including the National Park Partnership Plans and Local Development Plan;
• Add value to the work of the organisation’s staff through support and constructive challenge and advice in Board and Committee meetings, and other forms of joint working with staff;
• Take collective responsibility for the Authority’s decisions on planning, development control and other matters, including participating as required in formal decision processes in the planning committee or other committees;
• Act as champions for the Park externally in dealings with the public and with national and local organisations;
• Take collective responsibility for the performance of the organisation including developing and promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources in accordance with the principles of Best Value;
• Adhere to expected standards of conduct as set out in the Parks Code of Conduct for Board Members under the terms of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000.

Members are expected to attend full Board and Committee meetings regularly and to be able and willing to chair meetings as and when requested to do so by the Convener. Members are expected to give the commitment of time necessary to play a full part in the work of the National Park. Remuneration is £228.69 per day for a time commitment of on average, three days per month. Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed. The appointments are non‑pensionable.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Priority Criteria: By the end of the process, you must demonstrate evidence of at least one of the following criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of nature restoration and biodiversity;
• Knowledge and understanding of the climate emergency, adaptation, and mitigation;
• Knowledge and understanding of financial, audit, and risk management, and its application in a public sector finance context;
• Strategic knowledge and understanding of the public sector in Scotland and the role of Scotland’s National Parks in leadership and delivery;
• Knowledge and understanding of rural economic and social development.

By the end of the process, you must also demonstrate evidence of all of the following:

• Ability to analyse and review complex issues, weigh up conflicting opinions and reach impartial and informed decisions;
• Ability to contribute effectively to organisational strategy and development, including understanding the importance of prioritisation;
• Ability to apply the national policy context relevant to the work of National Parks to deliver national and place‑based solutions and outcomes;
• Experience of engaging with senior management and board member colleagues to challenge constructively and influence decision‑making within a board or team setting;
• Experience of operating effectively as a leader.

HOW TO APPLY

For the online application, you should provide evidence of at least one of the following criteria. You can provide evidence for one or more priority criteria if you wish:

• Knowledge and understanding of nature restoration and biodiversity;
• Knowledge and understanding of the climate emergency, adaptation, and mitigation;
• Knowledge and understanding of financial, audit, and risk management and its application in a public sector finance context;
• Strategic knowledge and understanding of the public sector in Scotland and the role of Scotland’s National Parks in leadership and delivery;
• Knowledge and understanding of rural economic and social development.

There is a limit of 350 words for each criterion chosen. You should also provide evidence of the essential criteria listed:

• Ability to analyse and review complex issues, weigh up conflicting opinions and reach impartial and informed decisions;
• Experience of engaging with senior management and board member colleagues to challenge constructively and influence decision‑making within a board or team setting.

There is a limit of 250 words for each criterion. The remaining three essential criteria will be tested at interview.

CV: You should also provide a two‑page CV tailored to support your application.