Scottish Animal Welfare Commission: applications information

Candidates with suitable expertise and experience should complete the application form and return it by email to: SAWC.Secretariat@gov.scot 

Alternatively, if no access to email is available, candidates can post their application to:

SAWC Secretariat
Animal Welfare Team
The Scottish Government
P-Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD

The SAWC Secretariat will acknowledge receipt of all applications received. Our preferred method of doing so will be email, so if you submit your application by post please ensure that you make clear your preferred email address for any correspondence relating to your application. References will be taken up for any candidates invited to interview. 

Application and selection process

Members of the SAWC are to be appointed through fair, transparent and open competition. All applications received will be considered by a fixed panel, which will include the Chair. Applicants who best meet the required criteria for membership will be invited to interview.

Members will be selected for appointment solely on the basis of their personal expertise, experience and performance at interview and once appointed will serve as individuals and not as representatives of any organisation. 

If you have any queries relating to your application or the member recruitment process please email the SAWC Secretariat at SAWC.Secretariat@gov.scot.

Equal opportunities

The Scottish Government has a policy of equality of opportunity. We aim to ensure that everyone feels valued, is treated with dignity and respect and is free to contribute fully and to the best of their ability. We believe that everyone should be able to work in an environment free from unfair discrimination and harassment, irrespective of differences. 

Disability

The Scottish Government will operate an interview access scheme for disabled people (as defined by the Equalities Act 2010) who meet the minimum criteria for appointment as a commission member. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please notify the SAWC Secretariat when you return your application. In addition, if you require any reasonable adjustments at interview stage, please let us know as this will enable us to make the appropriate arrangements. Furthermore, all reasonable adjustments will be made in the event of a successful application.

Data protection

The Scottish Government is committed to protecting your privacy and to process all information submitted as part of your application in a manner which meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation. Information on how we will use the information provided by you as part of your application is set out in the Data Protection Privacy Notice.

Expected standards of conduct

Commission members should:

• ensure they understand their duties, rights and responsibilities, and that they are familiar with the function and role of the SAWC
• strive to follow the Seven Principles of Public Life, namely:
  • selflessness – members should act solely in terms of the public interest
  • integrity - members must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships
  • objectivity - members must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias
  • accountability - members are accountable to the Scottish Ministers for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this
  • openness - members should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing
  • honesty - members should be truthful at all times
  • leadership - members should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs
• not misuse information gained in the course of their public service for personal gain or for political purpose, nor seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their private interests or those of connected persons, firms, businesses or other organisations
• not hold any paid or high profile unpaid posts in a political party or engage in specific political activities on matters directly affecting the work of the SAWC. When engaging in any other political activities, members should be conscious of their public role and exercise proper discretion

Individual members may have their appointment terminated if they fail to perform the duties required of them in line with the standards set out above.