Address
SalaryDetails
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
Scotland has a reputation for a high quality water environment and you could be a key player in enhancing that reputation!
The quality of Scotland's Drinking Water is vital to its population and in this unique post of Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland, you will represent the interests of Scotland's people, regulating Scottish Water - the publicly owned water company in Scotland - as well as overseeing local authorities' regulation of private water supplies.
Using your skills and knowledge to drive improvements to the quality of Drinking Water and protect public health, you will work with a range of water industry stakeholders to protect and further improve the quality of Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality.
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland is the independent regulator of Drinking Water Quality, regulating Scottish Water and having oversight of local authorities with regard to their Drinking Water Quality remit.
The Regulator is appointed by Scottish Ministers under Section 7 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 and is required to ensure that the Drinking Water Quality duties imposed on Scottish Water are complied with, and to supervise the enforcement by local authorities of their Drinking Water Quality duties.
The Regulator is also nominated by the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 as the competent authority for the water sector in Scotland.
Leading a small team of professional staff, you will operate independently of Scottish Ministers but will act as the Scottish Ministers' chief professional and technical adviser on matters related to Drinking Water Quality and act as a figurehead for Drinking Water Quality matters in Scotland.
This role offers an interesting, varied and unique opportunity to gain experience of regulating a public sector industry and one that impacts on every person living in Scotland. It will offer opportunities to engage with a wide range of stakeholders across the water sector.
To operate successfully in this role, you will require exceptional communication skills in order to build extensive networks across the Scottish water industry and further afield. You will need to be able to work confidently and possess strong interpersonal, analysis and organisational skills to clearly engage with and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including the Chairs and Chief Executives of relevant organisations, on Drinking Water Quality priorities.
Degree or equivalent qualification or professional experience, at a senior level, in a subject relevant to water supply.
Membership of an appropriate professional body.
Job description
- To engage with the water industry in Scotland at the highest levels, regulating Scottish Water, supervising local authorities' regulation of private water supplies, and driving continuous improvement in the quality of Scotland's Drinking Water.
- Monitor and ensure Scottish Water’s compliance with relevant Drinking Water Quality and NIS legislation.
- To develop and encourage work to improve the quality of private water supplies, providing technical guidance to Local Authorities, and driving a consistent approach to the management of the risk from these supplies across Scotland.
- Lead the DWQR team, offering support, challenge and empowerment so that they effectively deliver the required regulatory outcomes and continue their professional and personal development.
- To provide professional and technical advice to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Government on Drinking Water Quality issues and priorities.
- To ensure delivery of all necessary corporate activities including budget control and discharge of Public Body duties.
- To ensure that consumers are appropriately informed about the quality of Drinking Water supplied by Scottish Water and to assess consumer complaints when local procedures have been exhausted.
- To develop and support DWQR’s relationships with stakeholders and organisations with an interest in water supply.
Person specification
- A proven track record of making strategic and operational decisions within the water industry with a significant degree of autonomy
- Highly effective leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly establish credibility, influence, and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
- Significant depth and breadth of experience of the water industry with particular emphasis on the regulation of water supplies and Drinking Water Quality
- Demonstrated ability to use analytical techniques and evidence to support decision making in a regulatory context.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Please apply using the link provided
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
