Criteria provided in order to make initial candidate selection for Director General Net Zero post: FOI release

Information requested

In relation to your application for the Director General Net Zero post, in which you request the Scottish Government confirm what criteria were provided in order to make initial candidate selection. You also asked what provisions were agreed with the recruiter for candidates with communication challenges; if technology was used in candidate selection; and if provision was made to allow for misspelt and unrecognisable wording.

Response

Taking these issues in turn and starting with how the criteria were applied. The Scottish Government, the Civil Service Commissioner chairing the process and the search consultants Gatenby Sanderson worked together at the start of the project to ensure that the key criteria reflected the role and was clearly articulated in the Candidate Information Pack. When candidates applied, their experience, as outlined in their CV and Supporting Statement, was assessed against these criteria. Applicants were graded according to the evidence given against the criteria. A short synopsis of the applicant’s career and how they met or did not meet the criteria, was collated and presented to the panel.

After the selection panel had read all the applications, they met with the search consultants at the shortlist meeting, who provided pre-sifting ratings on all the applicants. Following detailed discussions, it was agreed who should be progressed to the next stage of assessment and who did not meet the required standard. At the shortlist meeting the selection panel noted the applicants who were seeking a guaranteed interview under the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and it was noted that these applicants would be required to meet the minimum standard for the role to be selected for interview.

You also requested information on what provisions were agreed with the recruiter for someone covered under the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to making adjustments to remove barriers for disabled people in our recruitment processes. Candidates were asked at the point of application if they wished to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme, and whether any adjustments were required. No adjustments to the application sift stage were requested. A number of applicants requested adjustments, should they reach interview stage.

On your last two points, the search consultants confirmed no parsing technology or automated candidate selection was used and only the content of the Supporting Statement and CV, not spelling or grammar, was assessed.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.