Appointment of a Commissioner to the Scottish Fiscal Commission

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 public.appointments@gov.scot.

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.

COMMISSIONER ROLE

Forecasting and analysis

• you would be collectively responsible for the delivery and quality of the Commission’s reports, forecasts and commentary;
• you would work collaboratively with the senior management team in utilising the Commission’s staff to ensure that the Commission carries out its functions effectively and efficiently; and meets its aims and objectives as laid out in its Corporate Plan;
• you would develop an understanding of the Scottish devolved public finances and the Scottish economy (you need not have this on appointment but would be expected to develop this understanding during the first year of your term).

Communication and engagement

• you would help to communicate widely the work of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, promoting its aims and objectives;
• you would protect and enhance public confidence in the work and independence of the Commission;
• with your colleagues, foster and maintain strong working relationships between the Commission, the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government and other key organisations including the Office for Budgetary Responsibility.

Leadership and governance

• together with the other Commissioners form the Governance Board of the Commission;
• as a Governance Board ensure compliance with statutory and administrative requirements specified in the Scottish Public Finance Manual for the use of public funds;
• provide leadership and commitment to the development and promotion of effectiveness, efficiency, best value and equality through the Commission, and ensure compliance with all legal responsibilities;
• with your colleagues, help set the strategic direction of the Commission through developing its Corporate Plan and other strategic documents.

To find out more about the role, you can watch  a video https://youtube.com/shorts/9E9iVNOjBCE and read a blog written by two of our Commissioners on their work: 31 July 2026 – What’s it like being a Scottish Fiscal Commissioner? | Scottish Fiscal Commission

You can also to register to attend a webinar on Tuesday, 18 August at 5:00 pm where you will hear from the Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Director of Exchequer Strategy at the Scottish Government. You will have an opportunity to ask them questions. A member of the Government’s Public Appointments Team will also be available to answer questions on the application and selection process. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1996644486407?aff=oddtdtcreator.

If you would like to speak in person with our Chair about the role please email Commissioner.Recruitment@fiscalcommission.scot.  Further information about the Scottish Fiscal Commission can be found at Scottish Fiscal Commission

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.

APPOINTMENT

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.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

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.

Priority Criteria

• Economic analysis, interpretation and judgement

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of public spending, taxes and public finance
• Communication and influencing
• Independence and integrity
• Experience of governance

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:

• Download and save this applicant information pack to refer to.
• Read the ‘person specification’ section in this pack. You have 1500 words in total for your personal statement. You should provide examples of the priority criterion and each of the four essential criteria, clearly indicating throughout your statement which of the criteria you are evidencing.
• 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.
• Save a copy of your supporting statement and tailored CV to your device as one PDF document ready for upload.
• Navigate back to the job advert and click ‘apply’.
• Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.
• Attach your one PDF document. Your PDF should be uploaded using the ‘Drop Resume Here’ box that appears on the Supporting Documents and URLs section, or you can use the link function.
• Submit your online application by 5.00 pm on Monday, 7 September 2026.
• Please Note: you do not have the option to edit your application once you click ‘submit’. You must have all your information and the attachment to hand before submitting your application.

Late applications, and those without the combined supporting statement and tailored CV, cannot be considered by the selection panel.