The Scottish Government
Appointment of Chair to the Board of the Care Inspectorate
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The role of the chair
This is a significant and high-profile leadership role at a time of ongoing change and reform across the public service and social care landscape. As Chair, you will provide visible, credible leadership to the organisation, acting as an ambassador for the Care Inspectorate and engaging effectively with Ministers, Parliament and key stakeholders. You will have a personal commitment to ensuring excellence in care services, and will lead the Board in setting strategic direction, ensuring strong governance and supporting the organisation to deliver its vision and priorities.
Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, you will help navigate complexity and uncertainty, ensuring the organisation continues to drive improvement, uphold people’s rights and deliver meaningful impact across Scotland’s care system.
We are seeking an individual with strong leadership, influence and strategic capability, who can build effective relationships, operate confidently at senior levels and bring sound judgement within a complex political and policy environment.
We are committed to ensuring our Board reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups under-represented on Scotland's public bodies, including disabled people, young people and people from black and minority ethnic communities. We also encourage applications from women as we continue to work towards a more balanced gender representation within our non-executive membership. We welcome applications from individuals from all walks of life who bring the skills, experience and perspectives needed to lead the Board at this critical time.
Remuneration
The Chair will receive £305.50 per day. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable, however, the appointments are not pensionable.
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Time commitment
The nature of the Chair’s role means the time commitment will vary week to week and some flexibility is required. You must be able to make a firm commitment to spend on average up to three days per week. This time will be a mix of daytime board meetings; committee meetings as well as development and strategy days and reading documents.
Appointment details
The term of appointment will be for up to four years. When a term comes to an end, the skills the board requires will be reassessed. If you satisfy the requirements of the new person specification at that time, and there is evidence of your effective performance, Scottish Ministers may consider reappointing you for a further term. The Chair’s total period of appointment will not exceed eight years.
Location
There are four formal Board Meetings per year usually held at the organisation’s headquarters in Dundee. Additionally, there are regular development days and strategy meetings which Board Members are required to attend. Board meetings are held in-person, in public. However, it may be possible to plan to attend virtually if required.
In future, we expect the work will be a blend of virtual and physical meetings, but a physical presence will be required to be able to carry out the full range of Board activities.
Skills And Experience
- Strategic Leadership, Influence and Impact
- Political Acuity
- Motivation and Demonstrates the Care Inspectorate Values
- Ability to examine and review complex issues strategically and reach decisions applying appropriate governance principles
- Ability to work effectively and lead a team or group environment to deliver results
For full information on the appointments please read the Application Information Pack.
Applicants for public appointments must be legally entitled to work in the UK.
Interviews
Interviews will be held on 27th and 28th October 2026. The selection panel will be as flexible as is possible to ensure that no candidates are disadvantaged by the arrangements put in place.
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Further information
If you would like to discuss this role informally and confidentially, you are welcome to contact Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive by email:
jackie.irvine@careinspectorate.gov.scot
How To Apply
Full details on how to apply, and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage, are set out in the Applicant Information Pack.
Completed applications must be submitted by 17:00 on 11th September 2026.
About Public Appointments
Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here: Public appointments | Ethical Standards Commissioner
Equality Statement
Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
If you have a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the public appointments process, please get in touch with the Scottish Government, Public Appointments Team by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.
Further Information
- FAQ’s about the application process is here: Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions
- Guidance to support applicants is here: Public appointments - gov.scot
- If you experience any difficulties, please contact the Public Appointments Team by email at Public.appointments@gov.scot.
Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality.
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