Current vacancies
Head of Practice and Advice
- Salary: £56,382-£69,018 (advertised salary for 2024/25, salary negotiations for 2025/26 are not yet concluded)
- Location: Inverness, with regular attendance required in the office and hybrid working available. All posts must be based in Scotland.
- Contract: 35 hours per week, permanent, flexible and part time working may be considered
The Scottish Land Commission is seeking to appoint a Head of Practice and Advice. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Scottish Land Commission team, providing leadership for the Commission’s advice and casework team, to support good practice and responsible land ownership.
Scottish Land Commission
We are a public body, and our role is to provide leadership and advice in reforming the ownership and use of land in Scotland. We advise Scottish Government, Parliament and others on an ongoing programme of reforms to law and policy and we provide leadership for changes in culture and practice. Our advice spans a range of topics including community engagement, transparency and community benefits from land and natural capital.
The role
This is a leadership role with the responsibility for the Commission’s advice and casework to support good practice and responsible land ownership. You will lead our Good Practice Programme, supporting the practical implementation on the ground of Scotland’s Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement (LRRS). You will be an innovative and dynamic thinker, as the Commission evolves and helps to create a cultural shift in the attitudes and behaviours of land ownership, contributing to a more successful Scotland through land reform. You will be closely involved in preparing for the delivery of possible new functions for the Commission that may arise from the Land Reform Bill currently being considered by parliament. You will provide direction and line management for a team comprising the Good Practice Manager, Tenant Farming Manager, Good Practice Advisers and the Community Benefits from Nature Adviser.
Key duties
- Lead a programme of work to support and embed a culture of responsible land ownership, management and use across Scotland, realising in practice the principles of Scotland’s Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement
- Organisational leadership working closely with Chief Executive to ensure the effectiveness and influence of the organisation
- Strong management skills and the ability to lead and empower a staff team
- Lead the advice and reporting to the board on the organisation’s strategic approach and delivery to strengthen practical implementation of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement
- Build a strong reputation and profile for the Commission including representing the Commission regularly at a senior level with stakeholders, Scottish Government, Parliament, public meetings and events.
The person
The person should have a degree and/or equivalent professional experience, with the experience of working in a relevant sector with an awareness of the land reform policy environment. Proven ability to lead a programme of advice and guidance influencing practice. It is essential the individual can manage casework in a rigorous and transparent way. It is necessary the person can manage conflicting views and sensitive relationships with tact, whilst also being able to articulate complex messages to varying audiences. Strong management skills are required with the ability to lead and empower a team and work alongside management team in assisting the organisational leadership and direction. Experience of business planning and budget management is necessary. The individual must have a willingness to learn and take on new areas of responsibility.
Application information
The standard working week is a 5-day week, Monday to Friday, of 35 hours. Flexible working is available and both part-time and full-time applications are welcomed.
Applications are invited by application form which can be found on our website www.landcommission.gov.scot/work-for-us/ along with a detailed job description, privacy statement and equality statement. Completed applications should be submitted to HR@landcommission.gov.scot prior to the closing date. Please note that CVs will not be accepted as a form of application.
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 1st August.
Interviews will be held in-person on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th August at An Lochran, Inverness.
Head of Practice and Advice application information
Benefits of working for the Scottish Land Commission
The Scottish Land Commission values its staff and recognises the benefits of supporting staff in their wellbeing and creating a good work-life balance. We are a Scottish Living Wage accredited employer that offers a generous leave allowance of 25 days annual leave per year (increasing to 30 after four years of service) and 11.5 days public holidays. Alongside this we operate flexible working for staff and offer many benefits such as:
- Generous paid maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave allowances
- Fully funded professional accreditation fees needed for your role, where applicable
- Personal and professional development opportunities
- Access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
- A Cycle to Work Scheme
- A competitive contributory Civil Service Pension scheme with significant employers’ contribution to your pension
- Union - we have a recognition agreement in place with Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Flexible working and flexi-time arrangements for all staff
- Salary annual increase in line with the Scottish Government pay policy.
Fair Working Practices Statement
The Scottish Land Commission is committed to advancing the Fair Work First criteria and fair working practices, specifically
- Appropriate channels for effective voice, such as the staff engagement forum and support staff to join a trade union.
- Investment in workforce development through offering opportunities such as modern apprenticeships and maintaining a healthy staff training and development budget.
- No zero hours contracts.
- Action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Payment of the real Living Wage to all employees.
- Implemented policies and procedures to offer flexible and family friendly working for all workers from day one of employment; and
- Oppose the use of fire and rehire practice.
