Appointment of three members to the Board of Public Health Scotland

Description

ROLE SUMMARY

If you are looking for a rewarding and worthwhile opportunity, we would like to hear from you.  Applications are invited from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service and improving the health of the population.  You will be offered the training and development you need to make a strong contribution.  Please also pass on details of this opportunity to anyone else you think may be interested.

Public Health Scotland is Scotland's lead national NHS Board responsible for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all Scotland's people, using the best data, intelligence and research.  It was established to drive preventative and innovative, whole system approaches that translate evidence into action that improves healthy life expectancy and tackles persistent health inequalities. Public Health Scotland is jointly sponsored by the Scottish Ministers and COSLA, a unique feature for a Scottish public body.  This means a commitment to shared decision making, planning and performance management in relation to the body.

The organisation was central to the  response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its role includes protecting the people of Scotland from infectious disease and environmental hazards through expert advice, coordination, data and analysis activity.

As a non-executive member of the Board, you will be expected to play a central role in guiding the strategies to meet the overall aim of Public Health Scotland which is to increase healthy life expectancy and to reduce health inequality in Scotland through collaborative leadership, making prevention practical, equity visible, and progress measurable . 

NHS Scotland's values are at the heart of everything that this organisation does.  As a member of the Board, you will not only need to have the right skills, knowledge and experience for the role, but also be able to demonstrate behaviour aligned to these values.  The NHS Scotland values as outlined in the NHS Scotland Workforce Strategy Everyone Matters: 2020 Workforce Vision are: 

• care and compassion; 

• dignity and respect; 

• openness, honesty and responsibility; and, 

• quality and teamwork.

Public Health Scotland and COSLA also share the following joint values: 

• respect;

• collaboration;

• innovation;

• excellence; and, 

• integrity

Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES  Public Appointees are responsible for:

• ensuring that the public body delivers its functions in accordance with Scottish Ministers' policies and priorities 
• providing strategic leadership 
• ensuring financial stewardship 
• holding the Chief Executive and senior management team to account 

Further information about the role and the board can be found in the candidate information pack.  

Qualifications
ROLE CRITERIA

For these roles we have identified priority criteria of particular importance to the Public Health Scotland Board at this time. You must be able to demonstrate that you meet one or both of the following: 

• Finance, audit and risk experience.

• The ability to demonstrate an understanding of the major determinants of population health and of the actions required to improve health and reduce health inequalities.

In addition to the values and priority criteria highlighted above, you must be able to demonstrate the following general essential criteria: 

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to influence decision making and challenge constructively 

• Ability to analyse and review complex issues

You do not need to be an expert in health or have previous experience of being on a Board.  We are looking for people who have the capacity and commitment to develop their skills and to learn new skills they may require. 

We value the benefits of diverse experience and perspectives on our Boards and encourage applications from people from all walks of life. While the current Board includes representation from ethnic minority communities, we remain committed to improving diversity across all protected characteristics. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people who are disadvantaged because of their protected characteristics and from groups currently under-represented on the Public Health Scotland Board, such as disabled people, LGBTI+ people, and people aged under 50.

More information about the experience required can be found in the candidate information pack.

ABOUT US  Public 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 Commissioner    REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT  

The remuneration rate for the role is a daily rate of £276, or £14,352 per annum based on 52 days per year, 8 hours per day. This  is non-pensionable.  You would also receive allowances at rates set centrally for relevant travel and subsistence costs. All reasonable receipted dependant-carer expenses, including childcare, and for support required to help you carry out your duties effectively will also be reimbursed where applicable..

By the nature of a non-executive member role, the time commitment will vary week to week and will be a mix of daytime Board meetings, committee meetings, reading documents and attending stakeholder events.  The normal commitment is, on average, eight hours over the course of a week across 52 weeks of the year on Board business, with flexibility to attend at a greater frequency subject to the Board's ongoing business needs.  However, it may be possible to look at alternative arrangements to fulfil this role based on individual circumstances.  There may also be a requirement to commit more time to the role, but the Chair would discuss this with you.  Should you be required to contribute more than the average 8 hours per week on a regular basis, then, at the discretion of the Board Chair, you may receive additional remuneration.
 

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

The term of appointment will be for up to 4 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.  A non-executive member's total period of appointment will not exceed eight years.

LOCATION

Board and Committee Meetings and monthly Board Seminars are held both online and in person. The main PHS offices are in Gyle Square in Edinburgh and Bothwell Street in Glasgow.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held w/c 19 January 2026 at the PHS office in Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Bothwell Street in Glasgow  

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, you are welcome to contact the Chair, Alastair Boyle, by contacting Anna Robertson, Board Secretary at 

ONLINE SESSION

Public Health Scotland is holding an online Information Session on 17 December at 17:30, via MS Teams.  We would ask that anyone wishing to attend the event register their interest to Anna Robertson by midday on 15 December 2025 and you will be sent a MS Teams link to join the session.

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

1.    Download the candidate information pack. This will explain more about the role, the board and the application process.

2.    You will be asked to evidence the priority criteria and essential criteria questions. You must complete these questions in order to apply for this role.

Completed applications must be received on or before Friday 19 December at 1pm.

Please note that we recommend you follow the 'How to Apply' section of the candidate information pack as you complete your application, this contains more detailed instructions.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments Team at
 

EQUALITY STATEMENT

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.    FURTHER INFORMATION 

FAQ's about the application process is here: Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance to support applicants is here: Public appointments - )

Find out more about public appointments here: Public appointments - )  

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