Chair of Review Oversight Committee, Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews

Scottish Government; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 2,000 - 6,000; Part time

Job summary

A governmental body in the UK is seeking a Chair of the Review Oversight Committee for Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews. The role involves leading oversight committees, facilitating reviews of domestic homicides, and ensuring the rigorous application of review processes. Candidates are expected to display leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills. This part-time role offers remuneration aligned with public sector appointments and requires applicants to undergo necessary pre-appointment checks. Training will be provided in advance of commencement.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Reimbursement of reasonable expenses

Qualifications

• Knowledge of domestic abuse and intersectionality.
• Knowledge of domestic homicide and suicide.
• Knowledge of the wider landscape and operating context.
• Knowledge of subject-specific disciplines.
• Leadership skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Organisational skills.
• Communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Review Oversight Committee.
• Chair regular meetings of the Review Oversight Committee.
• Work closely with the DHSR Secretariat to establish Case Review Panels.
• Ensure reviews are undertaken rigorously and sensitively.
• Provide quality assurance for all reports and recommendations.

Job description

Chair of Review Oversight Committee, Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews

Job Info

• Job Identification 3126
• Locations United Kingdom (Hybrid)
• Working Pattern Part Time
• Number of Openings 1
• Apply Before 01/29/2026, 11:55 PM

ROLE SUMMARY

Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSRs) are a new type of review in Scotland, established by the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews Act 2025. Domestic homicide and suicide reviews aim to identify what lessons can be learned and potentially applied following a death where domestic abuse is known or suspected, in order to help prevent future abuse and deaths. They are not investigations into how someone died and are not about apportioning blame; instead, DHSRs are fundamentally about identifying where changes and improvements can be made for the future as well as giving a voice to those who have died.

In Scotland, following a determination by the Review Oversight Committee or the Scottish Ministers that a domestic homicide or domestic abuse related suicide review is to be undertaken, the Oversight Committee will establish a Case Review Panel. Each review will be led by a Case Review Panel Chair drawn from a pool of Chairs following successful recruitment to these posts. The Reviews will be comprised of a multi-agency review panel and experts in specific subject matter as required. Each Case Review Panel will be supported in its functions through a secretariat of Scottish Government officials. We estimate that the average number of DHSRs will be in the region of 20 per year.

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 you will be offered the training and development you need to successfully serve as a Chair of a DHSR Panel.

More information about the post is available in the candidate information pack. Please request the pack from the DHSR team at [e-mail]

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Review Oversight Committee Chair include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership to the Review Oversight Committee and the learning review mechanism as a whole, engaging in relationship building across sectors;
• Chair regular meetings of the Review Oversight Committee, facilitating impartial and constructive discussions;
• Work closely with the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSR) Secretariat to establish Case Review Panels and oversee the carrying out of reviews;
• Ensure that domestic homicide and suicide reviews are undertaken rigorously and sensitively, in line with the agreed terms of reference;
• Provide quality assurance for a short summary report for any cases where a domestic homicide or suicide review is not completed;
• Provide quality assurance for all reports and associated learning and recommendations that are presented by the Chairs of the Case Review Panels to the Review Oversight Committee;
• Support the monitoring and implementation of learning and recommendations resulting from each domestic homicide or domestic abuse related suicide review;
• Ensure the reporting requirements under legislation are met by contributing to biennial thematic reports relating to a series of reviews to highlight pertinent points, patterns and themes, as well as changes that have been implemented as a result; and
• Keep under review key documents supporting the domestic homicide and suicide review process including the Protocol to help prevent reviews prejudicing criminal investigations, proceedings and inquiries, and the statutory guidance.

ROLE CRITERIA

There are three areas where the Chair of the Review Oversight Committee will be expected to demonstrate their competency:

• Knowledge, including all of:
  • Knowledge of domestic abuse and intersectionality;
  • Knowledge of domestic homicide and suicide;
  • Knowledge of the wider landscape and operating context;
  • Knowledge of subject-specific disciplines
• Skills, including all of:
  • Leadership
  • Analytical
  • Organisational
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal
• Personal Attributes, including some but not all of:
  • Calm
  • Challenger
  • Curious
  • Empathetic
  • Flexible
  • Honest
  • Impartial
  • Listener
  • Open-minded
  • Passionate
  • Personal ethics/duty of candour
  • Reflective
  • Resilient
  • Respectful
  • Self-caring
  • Trustworthy

More information about each of the knowledge areas, skills and personal attributes for this role, alongside the level of competency candidates are expected to display against each of these criteria and the required wordcount for each element of the application, is included in the candidate information pack.

CANDIDATE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

You do not need to have previous experience of serving in a public appointment role, and we do not expect candidates to be able to demonstrate each of these skills and areas of knowledge to the most comprehensive level. You may have gained your experience through work, by being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or through your own lived experience.

We value the benefits of diverse experience and perspectives and encourage applications from people from all walks of life. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people who are disadvantaged because of their protected characteristics and from groups currently under-represented in public appointments, such as disabled people, LGBTI+ people, and people aged under 50.

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

Remuneration will be provided in line with the mean daily fee applicable to Tier 2 public appointments for chairs. This is currently set at:

• £165.75 per half day; and
• £47.36 per hour.

Reasonable expenses associated with carrying out the role of Chair will be reimbursed.

We expect the time commitment required of the Chair to be a maximum of 52 working days per year. Successful candidates will be appointed for a term of 5 years and the appointment term can be extended one or more times for a period not exceeding 1 year per extension. The Chair can be reappointed provided the total appointment period does not exceed 8 years.

APPOINTMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointing Minister will make a decision about whom to appoint based on evidence from the selection panel. Ministers may request to meet with candidates before making a final decision.

Appointees will be asked to complete pre-appointment checks which will include a Disclosure Check and a successful security clearance to Security Check level. This post is subject to Civil Service Nationality Requirements.

The cost of pre-appointment checks will be covered by the Scottish Government. More information about the process of obtaining security clearance is available on the GOV.UK website .

Appointees will also be required to complete training prior to undertaking the role and on-going training throughout the duration of the role. Appointment is conditional on satisfactory completion of both disclosure and security checks and training.

LOCATION OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The role of the Review Oversight Committee is to make the initial determination on whether a domestic homicide or domestic abuse related suicide review is to be undertaken. The Review Oversight Committee will be supported in its functions through a Secretariat of Scottish Government officials.

The Review Oversight Committee, alongside the Secretariat, will work to establish a Case Review Panel for each review comprised of a Case Review Panel Chair, a multi-agency review panel, and experts in specific subject matter as required. Meetings will be held in person and online/hybrid as required.

It is not essential that candidates holds a full current UK driving licence, although you should have the ability to travel across Scotland if required. Reasonable travel expenses incurred in relation to the requirements of the role will be covered.

INTERVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS

Interviews and assessments are expected to be held week commencing 23rd February. The interviews will be hybrid. For the in-person interviews they will be held in St Andrew’s House, 2 Regent Road, Edinburgh. Please indicate your preference for an online or in-person interview location when you return your application form and please note that we are unlikely to be able to offer alternative interview dates.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview please contact the DHSR team via email: [e-mail]

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you are interested in the role and would like to find out more or have any questions, please contact the domestic homicide and suicide review team via email: [e-mail]

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Download thecandidate information pack. This will explain more about the role, the DHRS model and the application process. We recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of thecandidate information pack as you complete your application.

Completed applications must be received on or beforeThursday the 29 th Januaryat 23:55 (11:55pm).

If you require further support with your application, please contact the DHSR team via email: [e-mail]

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse public appointments and people from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for these roles.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, you are welcome to contact the Secretariat via email: [e-mail]