At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Care Inspectorate Board, ensuring excellence in care services and strategic direction.
- Company: Care Inspectorate, a key public body in Scotland's social care landscape.
- Benefits: Receive £305.50 per day plus travel allowances; flexible commitment of up to three days a week.
- Other info: Encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds, including young people and under-represented groups.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on Scotland’s care system while championing diversity and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, strategic capability, and ability to navigate complex political environments.
This is a significant and high-profile leadership role at a time of ongoing change and reform across the public service and social care landscape. As Chair, you will provide visible, credible leadership to the organisation, acting as an ambassador for the Care Inspectorate and engaging effectively with Ministers, Parliament and key stakeholders. You will have a personal commitment to ensuring excellence in care services, and will lead the Board in setting strategic direction, ensuring strong governance and supporting the organisation to deliver its vision and priorities.
Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, you will help navigate complexity and uncertainty, ensuring the organisation continues to drive improvement, uphold people’s rights and deliver meaningful impact across Scotland’s care system. We are seeking an individual with strong leadership, influence and strategic capability, who can build effective relationships, operate confidently at senior levels and bring sound judgement within a complex political and policy environment.
We are committed to ensuring our Board reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups under-represented on Scotland's public bodies, including disabled people, young people and people from black and minority ethnic communities. We also encourage applications from women as we continue to work towards a more balanced gender representation within our non-executive membership. We welcome applications from individuals from all walks of life who bring the skills, experience and perspectives needed to lead the Board at this critical time.
Remuneration: The Chair will receive £305.50 per day. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable, however, the appointments are not pensionable.
Time commitment: The nature of the Chair’s role means the time commitment will vary week to week and some flexibility is required. You must be able to make a firm commitment to spend on average up to three days per week. This time will be a mix of daytime board meetings; committee meetings as well as development and strategy days and reading documents.
Appointment details: The term of appointment will be for up to four 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. The Chair’s total period of appointment will not exceed eight years.
Location: There are four formal Board Meetings per year usually held at the organisation’s headquarters in Dundee. Additionally, there are regular development days and strategy meetings which Board Members are required to attend. Board meetings are held in-person, in public. However, it may be possible to plan to attend virtually if required. In future, we expect the work will be a blend of virtual and physical meetings, but a physical presence will be required to be able to carry out the full range of Board activities.
Skills and Experience:
- Strategic Leadership, Influence and Impact
- Political Acuity
- Motivation and Demonstrates the Care Inspectorate Values
- Ability to examine and review complex issues strategically and reach decisions applying appropriate governance principles
- Ability to work effectively and lead a team or group environment to deliver results
Applicants for public appointments must be legally entitled to work in the UK.
Interviews: Interviews will be held on 27th and 28th October 2026. The selection panel will be as flexible as is possible to ensure that no candidates are disadvantaged by the arrangements put in place.
Further information: If you would like to discuss this role informally and confidentially, you are welcome to contact Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive by email. Full details on how to apply, and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage, are set out in the Applicant Information Pack. Completed applications must be submitted by 17:00 on 11th September 2026. Scottish 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 to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 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 by email. Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality.
Appointment of Chair to the Board of the Care Inspectorate in Dundee employer: Scottish Government
The Scottish Government offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, where you can make a significant impact on customer service and safeguarding across Scotland. With a strong focus on employee development and innovation, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence in public service. Join us in shaping a high-performing organisation that values collaboration and strives for transformative results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Appointment of Chair to the Board of the Care Inspectorate in Dundee
✨Dive into Local Government Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Appointment of Chair to the Board of the Care Inspectorate in Dundee
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.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
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.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Scottish Government and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Scottish Government, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨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.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Scottish Government.
