Chief Executive Officer of the Crofting Commission (2023-6362)

Overview

The Crofting Commission is a Non-Departmental Public Body, with a bespoke constitution whereby all permanent members of staff (including the CEO) are Scottish Government civil servants appointed to work for the Commission, under Scottish Government terms and conditions. The Commission also has powers to employ its own staff.

ROLE

As CEO you have sole and autonomous responsibility for the strategic leadership and overall operation and management of the Crofting Commission, including leading, motivating and developing a team of 75 staff to deliver the aims of the Board as agreed with the Scottish Ministers. Ensuring that robust performance and risk management responsibilities are in place, regularly taking key decisions on matters ranging from staffing to IT, legal appeals and risk management, supported by your staff and guided by the priorities of the Board. You will have a personal responsibility for probity and efficiency in the use of public resources, including a budget of over £4m per annum, as the Commission’s Accountable Officer.

• You will work closely with the Commission’s Board, being accountable to them while also supporting them to form a cohesive unit in a joint leadership of the organisation.
• Advise the Board on the discharge of its responsibilities as set out in the Framework Document, in the 1993 Act (as amended) and in any other relevant instructions and guidance issued by or on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, and implementing the decisions of the Board.

• You will act as spokesperson for the Commission as necessary, for example in any Parliamentary hearings, meetings with stakeholders including the Parliamentary Cross-Party Group on Crofting, and in the media.
• You will ensure that timely forecasts and monitoring information on performance and finance are provided to the Scottish Government sponsor unit, and keep the Convener informed of communications to and from SG officials, and attend Sponsorship meetings.

Supported by your staff, you will also:-
• Deliver an efficient, effective, consistent and transparent regulatory service.
• Be responsible for the recruitment, training and deployment of staff and will ensure the Commission’s culture and strategy support effective staff performance, learning and development.
• Develop a vision for the future of crofting and for common grazings, to better support community, economic growth and environmental sustainability; and a policy strategy and communications and engagement strategy, to promote the vision.
• Use your personal influence to ensure that the decisions of the Commission’s Board and regulatory staff are in line with legislation and case law, and consistently apply the Commission’s policies.
• Develop and implement an IT strategy for the Commission, including cyber-security, with a strong focus on increased accessibility to crofters and other service users.
• Ensure that the Commission upholds high standards of governance, including adherence to national standards on complaints, FOI requests, data protection, etc.

Essential Criteria & Qualifications

1. Experience of maintaining and improving personal and team performance in the delivery of a challenging operational service.
2. Communication: experience of motivating others through personal influence, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder interactions to build credibility and trust.
3. Knowledge and ability to operate in a complex statutory and/or regulatory framework and demonstrate an understanding of the implications of dealing effectively with statutory requirements and constraints.
4. Knowledge and understanding of good corporate governance practice and the ability to utilise financial management skills to interpret complex financial and management information.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Alan Anderson
• Email : alan.anderson@gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : ScottishGovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot