Job detail for Head of the National Oversight Mechanism

Want to develop Scotland's scrutiny model?

A new oversight body named the National Oversight Mechanism (NOM) is being established to strengthen learning, transparency and accountability following deaths in prison custody in Scotland [1]. Initially hosted within HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS), the NOM will be functionally independent from Scottish Government, focused on strengthening transparency, accountability and system‑level learning to support improvement and reduce the risk of future preventable deaths in prison custody.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the creation of a new national function from the outset. As Head of the National Oversight Mechanism, you will shape its vision, design its operating model and establish its reputation as a credible and independent source of learning and oversight, ensuring it delivers meaningful system-wide improvements.

The NOM will not investigate individual deaths or duplicate existing investigative, judicial or scrutiny processes. Its purpose is to identify system-wide learning, to help strengthen organisational accountability and support continuous improvement across the prison system.

The postholder will recruit and lead a small team which will be hosted within HMIPS and work closely with Ministers, the Scottish Government, justice and health organisations, scrutiny bodies, and organisations representing bereaved families and people with lived experience. The role requires strategic leadership, political awareness, sound judgement and the ability to work effectively in a sensitive and complex environment.

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[1] This includes persons temporarily absent from a prison establishment but still in custody, for example, under escort in hospital or in a court custody unit.

**Key **

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the design, establishment and phased implementation of the National Oversight Mechanism, ensuring clarity of remit, operating principles, governance and working arrangements.
• Develop and maintain a clear, deliverable work programme aligned to the NOM’s implementation, operations and future development.
• Ensure the NOM operates in line with its core principles of independence, proportionality, transparency, trauma‑informed practice and evidence‑led decision making.
• Shape the strategic development of the NOM, contributing to decisions on its future scope, governance and long-term operating model.

Learning, Oversight and Improvement

• Collate, analyse and monitor recommendations arising from Fatal Accident Inquiries, investigations, reviews, inspections and other relevant post-death processes.
• Identify recurring themes, systemic risks and barriers to improvement across organisations and sectors.
• Track and report on progress made in responding to recommendations and implementing learning.
• Publish evidence-based findings that promote transparency, organisational learning and accountability.
• Identify and articulate systemic-wide learning and opportunities for improvement across establishments, agencies and partners, with a focus on prevention and reducing future risk.
• Provide constructive challenge and support to accountable parties to strengthen accountability, organisational learning and continuous improvement.

Reporting and Independent Scrutiny

• Lead the production of robust, evidence-based reports and publications, including annual reports, to support transparency, accountability and parliamentary and ministerial scrutiny.
• Provide independent, strategic advice to Ministers on the effectiveness, impact and future development of the NOM.
• Develop and present independent evidence, analysis and findings to inform policy development and governance decisions relating to deaths in prison custody.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with justice, health and scrutiny bodies to support the effective operation of the NOM.
• Work constructively alongside existing oversight, inspection and investigatory organisations.
• Ensure that the experiences and perspectives of bereaved families are appropriately reflected in system-level learning and improvement activity.
• Engage and influence senior leaders across organisational boundaries to support improvement and learning.

Governance, Independence and Leadership

• Recruit, lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Establish proportionate governance, reporting and quality assurance arrangements for the NOM.
• Ensure the NOM operates independently while being supported through HMIPS hosting arrangements.
• Establish effective governance arrangements that promote a culture of integrity, transparency, evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

Success Profiles

Success profiles are specific to each job, and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed.

Experience

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience of providing strategic leadership in complex, high-profile or sensitive environments.
• Experience of establishing, designing or leading new functions, programmes or oversight arrangements.
• Experience of analysing complex evidence and translating findings into practical recommendations for improvement, including the ability to interpret and communicate complex findings effectively to Ministers, senior leaders and other stakeholders.
• A strong track record of working across organisational boundaries and influencing senior stakeholders, including experience within scrutiny, inspection, oversight, regulatory or investigatory environments.
• Experience of producing high-quality reports, briefings or strategic advice for senior leaders, boards or ministers.
• Knowledge of independent oversight, inspection, investigation or scrutiny functions and their role in promoting accountability, transparency and learning.
• Experience of working with sensitive subject matters and engaging with stakeholders, with professionalism, credibility and emotional intelligence, including an understanding of trauma-informed approaches.
• Understanding of human rights principles and their application within public services.

Behaviours

• Leadership (Level 4)
• Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV (No more than 2 pages) and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview, presentation and written task.

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.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 26th October 2026 however this may be subject to change.

Additional Information

This role is part of a time‑limited test‑of‑change model, expected to operate for approximately two years, subject to ministerial decisions on future arrangements. The postholder will be expected to contribute to evaluation and advice on long‑term options for the National Oversight Mechanism.

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, 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.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

Working Pattern/Location

Our standard hours are 35 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.

You will be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

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, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

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.

Please apply by 23:59 - 11/10/26