Chair of the National Appeal Panel advertised on external and internal recruitment pages: FOI release

Information requested

Question 2. Details of where the job advertisement for the position has been placed
Question 3. Dates of when the job advertisement for the position of chair was placed and for what period.

Response

Further to your email of 4 January 2024 I have now completed my review of your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for questions 2 and 3 of your original FOI request (202300386781) for information on the appointment of a Chair of the National Appeal Panel.

• Question 2. Details of where the job advertisement for the position has been placed
• Question 3. Dates of when the job advertisement for the position of chair was placed and for what period.

I have concluded that the original decision be confirmed with modifications. The information you requested, while provided, was limited in what detail it included in the initial response with regards to question 2. While the response noted that the vacancy for the position of Chair of the National Appeal Panel was advertised on the Scottish Government external and internal recruitment pages, I believe that our signposting could have been better and I enclose further information.

The position of Chair of the National Appeal Panel was advertised on the main Scottish Government recruitment page. This is a publicly available website and can be found at Home - Work For Scotland (work-for-scotland.org). It is also worth noting that Scottish Government vacancies will often be advertised at the UK Civil Service website - Civil Service job search - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK. As the vacancy has now closed, the position will no longer be viewable.

In respect of question 3, I have concluded that, again, that while the information provided was accurate, it was limited in what detail it included in the initial response. While your original request did not specifically request dates during a specific time period on which the position was advertised. I believe a clarification request should have been sought to ensure the fullest of information was provided to your request. I have therefore provided further information.

In addition to the response dated 20 December 2023, the position of Chair of the National Appeal Panel was advertised on 28 July 2023 for 10 working days on the websites noted within this response.

You also asked in your letter of 4 January 2024 to, 'clarify if the daily salary quoted is on an employed basis or on a self employed basis'

The position is paid a daily rate in line with public sector pay policy and is a non-pensionable remuneration. The position is therefore recruited on a self-employed basis.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of this review you have the right to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner about our decision within 6 months of receiving this letter. Information on how to make an appeal, along with an application form, is available on the Commissioner's website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Unhappywiththeresponse/AppealingtoCommissioner.aspx.

You can also contact the Commissioner at:
The Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
E-mail: enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info
Telephone: 01334 464610

Should you then wish to appeal against the Commissioner's decision, there is a right of appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only.

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.