About The Role

Role Description

Shape the future of the Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland through independent scrutiny, strategic leadership and expert advice.

This is a unique opportunity to lead His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI), providing independent assurance, scrutiny and advice that supports the continued effectiveness and improvement of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Offered on a Fixed Term Appointment basis for an initial period of 23 months, with potential of further extension.

The Inspectorate is independent of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Government, and is responsible for the inspection of the SFRS in Scotland. The Chief Inspector is appointed by Order in Council and is granted a Royal Warrant.

The inspectorate exists to provide independent, risk-based and proportionate professional inspection of the SFRS. The role and purpose of the Inspectorate is defined by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, as amended by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. This empowers the Inspectorate to initiate inquiries on its own part or as directed by Scottish Ministers. The Inspectorate provides advice to Ministers and policy support to officials on issues relating to fire and rescue services, particularly where this requires specialist knowledge of the sector. The values of the HMFSI are Integrity, Objectivity and Fairness.

As the Chief Inspector of the SFRS you will have extensive knowledge of fire and rescue matters at a strategic level. A thorough knowledge of legislation and best practice relating to fire and rescue services along with a knowledge of the functioning and effective external scrutiny of public services is essential.

The Inspectorate, based in Edinburgh, comprises a Chief Inspector and four Assistant Inspectors, two Inspection Support Managers, with a two-person business support team.

The Chief Inspector is required to prepare and publish a plan setting out priority areas for Inquiry by the Inspectors and how such inquiries will be carried out. Inquiries can relate to the state and efficiency of the SFRS; whether the SFRS is complying with its duty to secure best value and the manner in which the SFRS is carrying out its functions.

Responsibilities

Provide independent assurance to Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Parliament and the public regarding the effectiveness, efficiency and overall state of fire and rescue services in Scotland;
Provide advice, support and constructive challenge to the Service, Scottish Ministers and the SFRS Chief Officer on policy, operational and fire and rescue matters as required, including oversight of local scrutiny arrangements and engagement with Community Planning Partnerships;
Carry out specific inquiries at the direction of Scottish Ministers;
Make independent determinations in respect of non-domestic fire safety disputes;
Oversee the publication and laying in Parliament of inspection reports and the appropriate dissemination of recommendations/outcomes ensuring the identification of good practice and joint learning opportunities;
Give professional leadership and development to Fire and Rescue professionals within the HMFSI;
Act at all times in accord with the highest standards of integrity, transparency and public accountability;
Be accountable for ensuring the Inspectorate lives within the budget agreed with Scottish Ministers and meeting all necessary financial standards;
Raise the awareness of the independent role of HMI as necessary and ensure HMFSI is a credible organisation with a wide range of expertise;
Ensure that appropriate communications and engagement protocols are in place to provide support, direction and value to the relationships between HMFSI and stakeholders;
Maintain a strong working relationship with the Auditor General and other inspection and assurance bodies to ensure that the work of the Inspectorate and the work of Audit Scotland/other Inspectorates are complementary;
Maintain a strong understanding of domestic and international best practice in the delivery of fire and rescue services and professional inspection.

Success Profile

Experience

Extensive experience of working in fire and rescue services at a strategic level
Detailed, up to date knowledge of operational fire and rescue service matters across the range of service functions
Experience of leading improvement within a public service setting or an external assurance and improvement function

Behaviours

Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing The Big Picture
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a psychometric assessment with potential media exercise and then a final interview with presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 19 October and Interviews scheduled for w/c 2 November , however this may be subject to change.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service , observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer .

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules .

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , and read about the Government Vetting Charter , or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide .

Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy.

You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website .

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.