Member of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS); Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental governance board in Scotland is looking for a new Member to join in March 2026. The successful candidate will help ensure adherence to environmental laws and standards, providing strategic leadership and accountability. Ideal applicants will possess strong communication skills, a passion for the environment, and the ability to offer constructive challenges. This role offers a salary of £212.92 per day with additional expenses covered. Applications are welcome from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Skills in communication and influencing essential for Board membership.
• Ability to constructively challenge decisions for improved governance.
• Experience in analysis and decision-making required.
• Understanding of ESS' role and functions necessary.
• A passion for environmental issues is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Ensure public body delivers functions according to government policies.
• Provide strategic leadership to achieve ESS objectives.
• Ensure financial stewardship and accountability.
• Hold senior management accountable.

Skills

Communication and Influencing

Constructive Challenge

Analysis and Decision Making

Understanding of the role of ESS and its functions

Passion for the environment

Job description

Job Title

Member of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland

Closing Date

17/11/2025, 17:00hrs

Salary

£212.92 per day up to a maximum of £5,535.92, plus reasonable expenses.

The role

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy is looking to appoint one new Member to the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) from 1 March 2026. ESS' mission is to ensure that Scotland's environmental laws and standards are complied with, and their effectiveness improved, to achieve Scotland's ambitions for the environment and climate change. The new Board Member will contribute to the governance and smooth running of ESS, helping to ensure that the objectives of the new Strategy are delivered over the next five years.

Scottish Government values having different experience and points of view on its Boards and encourages applications from all walks of life. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from women, disabled people, LGBT+ people, people from ethnic minority communities and people aged under 50.

Location

The main ESS office is in Edinburgh and meetings are currently held both in-person and through hybrid working arrangements where required.

Responsibilities

• 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

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

The Cabinet Secretary is looking for a Member who can put their skills, knowledge, understanding and experience to good use on the Board. The table below sets out the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes that we are seeking and explains how the criteria will be tested. You may have gained your skills through work, by being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or through your own lived experience.

1. Communication and Influencing
2. Constructive Challenge
3. Analysis and Decision Making
4. Understanding of the role of ESS and its functions
5. Passion for the environment.

Applying for the role

When applying, you should provide evidence of the essential criteria listed below:

Essential Criteria

1. Communication and Influencing
2. Constructive Challenge
3. Analysis and Decision Making
4. Understanding of the role of ESS and its functions
5. Passion for the environment.

There is a limit of 300 words for each criterion. In your online application you should also upload a two-page tailored career history that includes relevant information from your professional, personal and voluntary experience. Full details are contained in the candidate information pack.

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