Appendix A: Role and person specification
Principal responsibilities:
- Setting the overall strategic direction of the Commission and ensuring delivery of its strategic goals within the statutory framework and with the resources determined by Parliament to ensure public confidence in democracy.
- Setting the Commission’s regulatory priorities and monitoring its regulatory activity in the areas of both party and election finance and electoral administration. This includes oversight of the publication of statutory election reports.
- From time to time, taking regulatory or other statutory decisions on key issues within the Commission’s remit. This may include deciding the appropriate response to significant breaches of the regulatory framework for political parties and candidates, as well as decisions relating to the conduct of referendums.
- Ensuring efficient and effective use of public funds and that the Commission operates within the limits of its statutory authority to high standards of governance.
- Serving as a member on the Audit or Remuneration and Human Resources Committees if required and participating in informal reference groups from time to time.
- Performing any other roles or functions which the Commission asks them to discharge personally.
The Electoral Commissioner, Scotland is also expected to act as an ambassador for the Commission in Scotland, building relationships with senior political and local government stakeholders, appearing before Parliamentary Committees, and as required representing the views of the Commission to the media.
Person Specification
All candidates are expected to meet the criteria listed below.
They must also not be disqualified by law from being appointed as Electoral Commissioner, Scotland because they have in the last ten years been an elected politician (other than a parish or community councillor), an officer or employee of a political party, or a reported donor or lender to a political party. In addition, the Electoral Commissioner, Scotland once appointed may not be a member of a registered political party. The relevant legislation can be found in section 3(4) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and section 74 and Schedule 1 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006.
With a personal profile at national level, the successful candidate should be able to demonstrate substantial experience and significant achievement of:
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience contributing to the leadership and strategic direction of a complex organisation operating in a political environment, including experience in a non-executive role, and the ability to scrutinise and challenge from a non-executive perspective.
- First-hand experience representing an organisation with a high profile in Scotland to the media or to political stakeholders, and the ability to build and/or maintain strong networks across Scotland on behalf of the Electoral Commission.
- Demonstrable and highly-developed understanding of the regulatory and political landscape - from either a regulator or regulated perspective - based on excellent analytical ability and a capacity to think clearly about regulatory decisions from a principles-based perspective.
- Track record operating in an environment subject to significant scrutiny from a range of quarters, including from the regulated community, from politicians, and from the media.
- Proven corporate governance experience, including reviewing financial and other resource plans, including those with particular relevance to the work of the Electoral Commission.
- Demonstrable understanding of the relevance of equality and diversity to the work of the Electoral Commission.
- Evidence of excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a track record winning the confidence of others, working closely and collegially with colleagues and stakeholders, including (but not limited to) those from within political parties.
- Clear evidence of complete integrity and commitment to transparency in decision making, and of independence and objectivity.
Desirable Criteria
- Clear understanding of the application of regulatory frameworks in and to a political environment.
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19 July 2016