Please note that this role will close at 00.01 on Monday 31 March 2025 and therefore we advise getting your application in no later than midnight on Sunday 30 March.

We are planning to appoint one Non-Executive Member to Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Scotland with a starting date of 1 June 2025. 

(This is a 3 Year Fixed Term Contract)

How to Apply

To apply and be considered for interview stage, your application must include a CV and covering letter. Your covering letter must give evidence of how you successfully meet the key competencies. Your letter should be no more than four sides of A4 in length. Applications for the role will close at 00.01 on 31 March 2025 and final interviews will be held on Tuesday 22 April and/or Wednesday 23 April 2025. Should you require any adjustments to be made, please do contact us directly at resourcing @ Ofcom. org .uk. 

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

Purpose of the role 

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, postal services, telecommunications and wireless communications services. We have recently taken on regulation of online safety to make online services safer for the people who use them. 

The Advisory Committee for Scotland provides advice to Ofcom colleagues about the interests and opinions of people living in Scotland and its diverse communities across our regulatory responsibilities.  The Committee strives to ensure that Ofcom’s work is informed by the widest possible understanding of the experience of consumers and citizens in Scotland, capturing the distinctive needs of people living across different parts of the country. 

Committee Members are part-time and drawn from a range of backgrounds. We want to attract a wide variety of applicants to provide a good balance of skills and relevant sector experience, so we have a diversity of perspective and background on the Committee. In addition, we want the Committee’s membership to reflect the range of Scotland’s regions and communities to give as wide a geographical and social view as possible. 

Essential Skills/Experience 

To apply to join the Committee you will need to show in your covering letter how you meet the competencies below. No previous experience of being a non-executive member is necessary. 

Applicants are expected to demonstrate: 

• Recent knowledge and understanding of the broadcasting, streaming and other media sectors. 
• An understanding of Ofcom’s role and responsibilities in a complex political landscape. 
• An awareness of Scotland and their local region’s economy, society and culture. 
• The ability to appreciate and articulate the diverse needs and views of citizens and consumers in Scotland. 
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work as part of a committee. 

On this occasion, we would be interested to receive applications from people with experience working in the broadcasting, streaming and other media sectors in Scotland. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and understanding of the challenges of delivering communications services to Scotland’s rural and remote areas. 

Candidates will have senior journalism and/or production experience, coupled with an awareness or experience of ensuring online communications work for both consumers and businesses. This includes providing advice on Ofcom’s work with Governments, industry stakeholders and others on new and emerging policies protecting consumers from harmful content online. 

Further Information 

The Committee meets up to 5 times per year, in Edinburgh and other locations around Scotland.  Some of the Committee’s work may be carried out through sub-groups and additional informal meetings throughout the year. There are also other stakeholder meetings, conference calls, and preparation of consultation responses. The time commitment is a total of 12 days per year and the annual fee is £3,000. 

Potential or actual conflicts of interest must be declared and discussed at interview. Advisory Committee Members are required to act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for National Advisory Committees, which applicants are encouraged to read. No Member of the Committee may be directly employed by organisations that Ofcom regulates or licenses or derive the majority of their employment income from such a company even if not so employed. Applicants must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct accords with the Seven Principles of Public Life.  

Inclusivity

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

Where positions are listed as full time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares and other flexible working options from day one of employment.  We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team.