Appointment of Big Lottery Fund s Scotland Committee members. Information Pack

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1 Appointment of Big Lottery Fund s Scotland Committee members Information Pack Thank you for your interest in the Big Lottery Fund. We are looking to appoint three members to our Scotland Committee. This document provides you with the information you will need to decide whether you would like to apply to play a role in deciding how National Lottery money is spent to improve communities in Scotland. It includes information on the Big Lottery Fund, the skills and behaviours we re looking for and the appointment process. If you have any queries regarding the appointment process or you would like to talk to someone about what the role of Scotland Committee member involves please contact Fiona Grant on or scvacancy@biglotteryfund.org.uk. About the Big Lottery Fund We are the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding and we are driven by our mission of: Bringing real improvements to communities, and to the lives of people most in need. Our vision is People in the Lead. We think people should lead in improving their lives and communities. We are most interested in the skills, assets and energy that people have and the potential in their ideas. Six principles underpin our approach: Confidence, not control - We trust in people s ability to make great things happen and we want our funding to help them do that. Simple processes, good judgements - We aim to use straightforward processes which help us to make good judgements. The strengths people bring - We start with what people can contribute, and the potential in their idea. A catalyst for others - We listen to, learn from, act on and facilitate the things that matter to people, communities and our partners. Shared direction, diverse approaches - We value the diversity of communities we work with across the UK and support people to tackle inequalities. Using resources well - We make informed choices about the resources given to us by National Lottery players. You can find out more by reading our Strategic Framework here: Page 1 of 8

2 We use money raised by the National Lottery to fund projects for health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Most of our funding goes to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations. We distribute money though a range of funding programmes. Some are UK wide but 90% of our funding is distributed through our country directorates in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with our country Committees making most major funding decisions. The Big Lottery Fund in Scotland Since 2004 the Fund has distributed 560 million to projects throughout Scotland. In 2015 we launched our new funding portfolio which aims to make accessing our funding faster and more straightforward. A commitment to putting People in the Lead is central to our funding offer in Scotland. Understanding how groups and organisations are people-led, strengthsbased and connected to their communities is at the heart of our decision making rather than seeing how well they meet closely defined programme outcomes. People being meaningfully involved in the development, design and delivery of your activity Understanding, complementing and joining up with what others are doing locally Making the most of and building on existing strengths and assets within people and communities We make three main types of grant ranging from our community focused small grants scheme, National Lottery Awards for All Scotland, which makes grants of up to 10,000, to our Large Grants of up to 1million. Details of all programmes in Scotland can be found here: The Scotland Committee makes decisions about all our Large Grants awards. Over the next year we will be developing our approach to funding to focus more clearly on the communities we serve including how we make funding decisions. Page 2 of 8

3 Our Funding in Scotland We launched a new funding portfolio in 2015 built around small (under 10,000), medium (up to 150,000) and large (up to 1,000,000) grants. Our current funding offer is set out below: National Lottery Awards for All Operated in partnership with sportscotland and Creative Scotland. The programme offers grants of between 500 and 10,000 to support what matters to people and communities. Community Led Grants of between 10,000 and 150,000 to support work where everyone in the community has the opportunity to influence and get involved in community led activity, people are better connected and work together to improve their well-being. Improving Lives Medium grants of up to 150,000 and large grants of up to 1 million, to support activity: with children, young people and families currently experiencing challenging circumstances; with people that have experienced abuse; tackling loss, isolation and loneliness; and challenging discrimination and supporting people affected by it. Community Assets Grants of up to 1 million to help communities become more resilient and sustainable, and address specific inequalities or disadvantage, through the ownership of an asset. In addition to our core portfolio we deliver a number of strategic programmes which complement our work. Early Action, System Change will see 7.5M invested in tackling the root causes of inequality by helping organisations collaborate and shift to early action. The initiative focuses on healthy diet and active lifestyles, children, young people and families, women and criminal justice. Young Start (a grant programme funded from Dormant Bank Accounts) offers grants of up to 50,000 to help young people be more confident, healthy, connected and enterprising. Delivering Financial Inclusion is a 9.5M investment matched by 6.9M from the European Social Fund delivered through contracts with lead partners in 5 local authority areas supporting some of Scotland s most disadvantaged households to build improved money management skills. Page 3 of 8

4 Big Lottery Fund s Scotland Committee The Scotland Committee Chair is Maureen McGinn. She is supported by six other members. Scotland Committee Members play a leading role in an organisation which enables communities to use National Lottery money to make a real difference to people. The Committee is responsible for making sure our grants have the greatest impact through the best projects and sets the direction of future investments in Scottish communities. This is an opportunity to join a talented and diverse Committee which enjoys the support of a committed and knowledgeable staff team. You can find out more about the current Scotland Committee members here: The Role of the Scotland Committee The Scotland Committee sets the strategic direction for our work in Scotland and makes decisions on large (over 150,000) grant applications. In doing this, they will take account of UK-wide frameworks established by the Fund s Board and the Policy Directions issued by the Scottish Government. Key roles and responsibilities for members of the Committee are: 1. to lead in setting the strategic direction and policy framework for funding programmes that make a distinctive contribution to the Big Lottery Fund s Strategic Framework in Scotland; 2. to oversee the distribution of the Big Lottery Fund s funding in Scotland, including proposing an annual grant budget within the parameters agreed by the UK Board and the Big Lottery Fund s grant making strategy; 3. to help promote all aspects of the Big Lottery Fund s work and to enhance and protect its reputation within Scotland; 4. to support the Scotland Chair in representing Scotland at the UK Board; 5. to support the Senior Management Team in delivering the Big Lottery Fund s functions in Scotland. The Scotland Committee meets six to eight times per year. Most meetings are at our Glasgow office but we also meet in other parts of Scotland from time to time and this along with opportunities to visit funded projects and meet stakeholders means there is some travel required in this role. Page 4 of 8

5 The majority of the 2 days per month this role requires is spent preparing for and participating in Committee meetings. As we are in the process of developing a place based approach to our work in Scotland opportunities for Committee members to get involved at a more local level will increase. Person Specification Essential Criteria We want to attract a wide range of experience and skills to our Committee. This may be through professional or lived experience. To complement and enhance the skills and experience of existing Committee members it is essential that candidates demonstrate: 1. Community engagement: Understanding and experience of work in and/or with communities to engage people in delivering change and tackling inequality and disadvantage 2. Strategic leadership: Able to apply knowledge and experience to contribute to effective decision making about our priorities and funding in Scotland, in line with the Big Lottery Fund s Strategic Framework. Demonstrating leadership experience and the ability to set clear direction and contribute to effective collective decision making. 3. Governance: Awareness of the governance framework relevant to the Big Lottery Fund demonstrating an ability to contribute to and lead decisionmaking committees or panels. Understanding of governance approaches and structures which effectively engage communities and in particular voices less heard. 4. Building and maintaining effective relationships: Experience of working in partnership, and building relationships with, other stakeholders including other funders, public, voluntary, community or private sector organisations. 5. Equality and Diversity: Has a clear understanding and commitment to achieving equality and diversity. 6. Desirable criteria include: Understanding of current challenges and opportunities for VCS and social enterprise organisations in Scotland Experience of allocating funding e.g. through grant making or investment Finance and commercial business operations Change and organisational effectiveness Page 5 of 8

6 Representation and media handling skills Public speaking/presentation skills Application Advice The following advice is designed to help you apply as effectively as possible: Study all the information you have about the Scotland Committee role so that you can understand what is involved and whether it is suitable for you. When filling in your application form, your response should include examples of you skills, knowledge and experience for each criterion. Consider all work experience that may be relevant whether it was gained in a paid or unpaid capacity. Lived experience can be given equal weighting to paid work. Make sure that you do not make any assumptions within the application process. Be clear about your previous roles, skills and knowledge and if you are not sure if the short listing panel will understand any areas, explain them clearly and as accurately as possible. Please note that CVs will not be accepted as an alternative to completing the application form. The Fund values the differences which exist in our society and seek to attract a diverse range of candidates for this position. Please assist us by completing the monitoring form. This information is for monitoring purposes only. The return will be detached and will not be seen by the selection panel. Please visit to further understand the work of the Fund - you may find the publications section particularly helpful. The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Friday 5th January Time Commitment The time commitment is an average of 2 days per month. However a reduced commitment can be agreed in specific circumstances. Remuneration and Expenses The successful applicant will receive an annual fixed payment of 5,232. The role is not pensionable. In addition the Big Lottery Fund will reimburse travelling, subsistence and similar expenses incurred by members in accordance with our policies. Period of appointment These posts are for an initial period of up to four years. Page 6 of 8

7 Appointment Process Please apply online by visiting If you have difficulty applying, then please contact Fiona Grant, Corporate Officer by calling or All public appointments are based on the principle of merit All Scotland Committee members will be expected to be committed to the principles of the Big Lottery Fund and the Nolan Committee principles: Big Lottery Fund Principles Confidence, not control Simple processes, good judgements The strengths people bring A catalyst for others Shared direction, diverse approaches Using resources well Nolan Principles - The Seven Principles of Public Life The Committee on Standards in Public Life (originally the Nolan Committee) set out Seven Principles of Public Life. These are listed below: Selflessness Integrity Objectivity Accountability Openness Honesty Leadership Further information about these principles can be obtained by following web link: Short listing Stage All applications will be considered by a short listing panel that will assess applications against the criteria for the post to arrive at a short list for interview. The short list will consist of those candidates who most strong meet the criteria and represent a mix of the skills and experience we need on our committee. The short listing panel will comprise the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, and a senior member of the team in Scotland. Page 7 of 8

8 Interview Stage Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on either Monday 5 th or Tuesday 6th February 2018 at the Big Lottery Fund offices in Glasgow. The interview panel will comprise the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, an external representative and the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director. Legitimate travel expenses to interview can be claimed in line with Big Lottery Fund Policies. Start Date The successful applicant will commence their post on 1st March Two Tick Symbol The Big Lottery Fund are proud to be a two tick symbol user and are committed to interviewing applicants with a disability if they meet the minimum criteria for selection. This symbol recognises those employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, and retention and career development of disabled people. These commitments are: to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities to discuss with disabled employees, at any time but at least once a year, what both parties can do to make sure disabled employees can develop and use their abilities to make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work to review these commitments each year and assess what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans The commitment to interview applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria is on the understanding that the Big Lottery Fund will make any reasonable adjustment to help attendance at interview stage. To assist us, applicants with a disability should complete the questions on disability in the application form. Page 8 of 8