Following an extensive stakeholder consultation exercise in 2023, this year SSEN Transmission will launch its first Community Benefit Fund with the aim of bringing positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland. The Community Benefit Fund will allow a share of the benefits to go directly to those communities hosting this new infrastructure.

Given the huge amount of investment planned as part of the Pathway to 2030 network improvements, it is expected that community benefits funds associated with new planned infrastructure will be in excess of £100m; this is subject to the final UK Government guidance and approval from our industry regulator Ofgem.

SSEN Transmission will operate two funds:

• A regional fund which will be open to community organisations, not-for-profit and charities operating within its licence area across the north of Scotland and the Scottish Islands; and
• Local funds which will benefit communities which host new transmission infrastructure.

We are currently developing the processes and criteria for the new funds but we expect that priority will be given to those projects that deliver on our identified themes of:

• People - focusing on skills, training and employability
• Place - emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland, and
• Reducing fuel poverty levels (an additional theme following public consultation)

The Opportunity

We are looking to appoint a Chair to join a strategic decision-making panel for the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund. The Panel will be formed of the following members:

• Chair of the Panel
• Three other independent advisors, who are leading experts in diverse fields reflecting the core themes of the Fund
• A representative from SSEN Transmission

The Chair will be responsible for leading the Panel, ensuring timely and effectively managed meetings with robust assessments of applications. With full assistance from the Community Investment team, they will be responsible for ensuring that concise minutes are made at all meetings with clear analysis and recommendations outlined. They will work closely with SSEN Transmission and the Community Investment Team as needed, ensuring that fair and transparent processes remain a priority.

Applicant Criteria

We are keen to encourage applicants who:

• Have experience of working in a senior or strategic capacity
• Have a background or experience that is relevant to any specialist topics or specific areas of focus listed above