Chair of the NCS Advisory Board

This role offers the chance to shape the future of social care and community health in Scotland. As Chair of the National Care Service (NCS) Advisory Board, you'll help drive improvements that put people at the heart of care, ensuring services are:

•  high quality
• person-centred
• grounded in human rights

You'll lead a diverse board that includes people with experience of giving and receiving social care, as well as senior leaders from health and social care.

You can view an easy read guide on how to apply to be Chair of the NCS Advisory Board here

The NCS Advisory Board's purpose is to:

• strengthen national support and oversight of social care support, social work and community health services
• drive improvements in these services
• make sure people with experience of giving or receiving care help set priorities for improvement
• improve transparency in how health and care services are delivered

You can find more information about the current interim National Care Service (NCS) Advisory Board on the Scottish Government website.

We're looking for a Chair who understands how health and social care work together and the challenges the sector faces.

You might have this understanding through experience as an unpaid carer, by using care services, or by providing or leading the delivery of care services. 

The Chair will encourage collaborative leadership across the board and make sure all members can take part fully and meaningfully.

As Chair, you will:

• chair meetings and support inclusive, well-informed decisions
• represent the board at external meetings with ministers, politicians, stakeholders and the public
• build relationships across the health and social care sector

You'll be expected to uphold the Principles of Public Life in Scotland. You can read more about these on the Standards Commission for Scotland website. 

Person specification
The person specification includes 4 essential criteria.

Essential criteria

• Personal experience: Experience of accessing care, acting as an unpaid carer, or representing those with such experience. This may also include professional experience within the integrated health and social care system.
• Leadership: Ability to lead a board with a focus on relationship-building and empathy in order to make strategic decisions together.
• Collaboration: Ability to work in equal partnership with stakeholders and people with lived experience to shape decisions about care services in Scotland.
• Decision-making: Ability to guide collaboration with others to reach shared decisions, informed by an understanding of the integrated social care system.

At the application stage, you'll be asked to give evidence for personal experience and leadership.

You must provide evidence of how you meet all four essential criteria by the end of the interview.

Before you start your application, please download the applicant information pack.

You can view an easy read guide on how to apply to be Chair of the NCS Advisory Board here

When you're ready, select the 'Apply' link at the top of the advert.

As part of the online application process, you'll need to upload evidence showing how you meet the following criteria:

• personal experience
• leadership

Your application should be no more than 500 words per criterion (1000 in total). 

Please also provide a tailored CV of no more than 500 words. You do not need to include everything. Focus on the roles, positions, or activities that are most relevant to this role. You may include:

• dates related to your personal, professional, or volunteering experience
• information about any organisations mentioned
• details of your roles and relevant experience

Remuneration and time commitment

You will be given £260 for each day. 1 day per week (7.5 hours)and this includes time spent in board meetings.

Remuneration is non-pensionable. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Completed applications must be submitted by 05 December :55).

If you would benefit from recruitment adjustments to apply for this role, you can find out more in the applicant information pack.

Equality statement

Scottish ministers value the benefits of diverse experience and representation. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  

You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and the recruitment adjustments we offer to support anyone who needs them on the Scottish Government website. 

Help with your application

If you have any issues with your application, contact the NCS Support Team at

Apply before 08 December :55)