The Deputy First Minister particularly welcomes applications from women, disabled people, LGBT+ people, young people and people from minority ethnic communities. In order to carry out its work effectively, the Scottish Fiscal Commission values diversity of thought, skill and insight. It would welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds who are capable of enhancing its competence in economic analysis and who will work well with the other Commissioners and the staff to deliver on that ambition.
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
[email protected] .
The appointments process for this vacancy follows the Code of Practice for Public Appointments and is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner . The appointments are also subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. Full details are set out at page 11 of the Applicant Information Pack.
SCOTTISH FISCAL COMMISSION
The Scottish Fiscal Commission’s official, independent economic, tax and social security forecasts, alongside forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), inform the overall size of the Scottish Budget. They provide independent forecasts and assess the Scottish Government’s borrowing twice a year, usually alongside the Scottish Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy. As part of these publications the Commission provides commentary on the funding and spending plans of the Government and the fiscal risks and uncertainties it is facing. As part of these forecasts they are responsible for the official costings of devolved tax and social security policies. The Commission can also choose to report on anything that influences the resources available to the Scottish Government.
Following a recommendation by the OECD the Commission has broadened and deepened its work on public spending. As part of this, it was published Fiscal Sustainability Reports that include long term (50 - year) projections of funding and spending alongside analysis of structural trends in the economy and in specific policy areas such as health and climate change.
In order to carry out its work effectively, the Scottish Fiscal Commission needs a strong capability in economic analysis to feed into its work on public spending, tax and public finance issues as well as its economic forecasts.
REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT
The Commissioner role attract remuneration rate of £378.00 per day (this is due to increase to £390.00 from 1 April 2027), plus reasonable expenses, for a time commitment of on average, 78 days annually.
The appointment is for four years and will commence on 1 November 2026. A later date or a phased start may be considered depending on the circumstances of appointee.
Full details are set out in the Applicant Information Pack .
The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence of the priority and essential criteria. Full details are set out in the Person Specification at pages 13-16 in the Applicant Information Pack.
The applicants who demonstrate evidence which most closely meets the requirements being sought at the application stage will be invited to the final assessment stage.
Full details are set out in the Applicant Information Pack .
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
In addition to your supporting statement, you should also submit a tailored CV. This should be no more than two pages and tailored to the role and the criteria set out in the person specification. This will be used by the selection panel in conjunction with the supporting statement to provide evidence against each of the criteria listed.
Late applications, and those without the combined supporting statement and tailored CV, cannot be considered by the selection panel.
