Public appointments

Appointments to the Boards of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) have vacancies arising in 2011 for new Board members. There are two vacancies on the HIE Board and three on the SE Board. Applications are invited from people with skills and experience which can be applied to stimulating economic development in Scotland. Applicants for appointments with HIE should also have a knowledge and understanding of the principles of community development.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise are the Scottish Government’s economic development agencies for Scotland. They provide enterprise, investment and innovation support to all of Scotland’s population – within the context of the Government Economic Strategy. They have statutory powers to promote and assist economic development, enterprise and international competitiveness and to advise Scottish Ministers on all related matters.

Please visit the websites of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise for more information about the organisations.

The appointments are part-time non-pensionable. They attract an annual remuneration of £10,065 per annum for a commitment of around 2 days per month for HIE and £12,581 per annum for a commitment of around 2.5 days per month for SE. Board meetings will normally be held in Inverness for HIE and Glasgow or Edinburgh for SE. Expenses incurred as a result of carrying out the duties of the appointment will be reimbursed including travel and subsistence, dependent carer and childcare expenses.

Successful candidates will be appointed for an initial period from January 2011 to March 2014 in the case of HIE and an initial period from January 2011 to December 2013 in the case of SE with the possibility of reappointment for a further term subject to evidence of effective performance and to fulfilling the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required at the time of the reappointment.

The role of the Boards includes:

  • Establishing the overall strategic direction of HIE/SE within the policy, planning and resources framework determined by Scottish Ministers.
  • Ensuring that the Scottish Ministers are kept informed of any changes which are likely to impact on the strategic direction of HIE/SE or on the attainability of their targets and determining the steps needed to deal with such changes.
  • Ensuring that any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds (i.e. all funds falling within the stewardship of HIE/SE) are complied with; that HIE/SE operates within the limits of its statutory authority and any delegated authority agreed with the Scottish Government, and in accordance with any other conditions relating to the use of public funds.
  • Ensuring that the Boards receive and review regular financial information concerning the management of HIE/SE; is informed in a timely manner about any concerns about the activities of HIE/SE; and provides assurance to the Scottish Government that appropriate action has been taken on such concerns.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:

  • Their ability to provide strategic direction;
  • Their ability to challenge constructively and influence decision making within a Board or team setting;
  • Their ability to communicate effectively (orally) with a range of audiences including customers and stakeholders.

Interviews for the vacancies will be held in Inverness for the HIE posts on 15 and 16 November 2010 and Glasgow for the SE posts on 8, 9 and 10 November 2010. Reasonable expenses incurred by those attending an interview will be reimbursed, including travel and subsistence, dependent carer and childcare expenses.

If you are appointed as a Board member, HIE and SE will provide relevant induction and training on the duties of board members of public bodies.

Full details of the vacancies and the required criteria for the roles are available in the application pack.

To apply, please download a candidate application pack from Hudson Executive or email our search partner Amanda Singleton at Hudson Executive.

For a confidential discussion please telephone Amanda on 0845 481 0576.

Full details of the vacancies are also available on the Public Appointments for Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise websites.

Appointments to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. All applicants must complete and submit the application form contained in the application pack in order to be considered for appointment. Please note that application forms sent electronically will be in Word format and, if returning electronically, will only be accepted in that format.

Closing date for applications

All correspondence will be treated as confidential. Only completed applications received by midnight on Friday 24 September 2010 will be considered.

Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality.

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