Agency Framework Document

The Director General, or a senior officer appointed by the Director General, has the following responsibilities in relation to the Agency:

• supporting Ministers in the discharge of their duties towards the Agency, including approving the Agency’s strategic objectives and related performance targets and outcomes; and setting an appropriate budget, in discussion with the Agency Chief Executive
• ensuring the relationship between the Chief Executive and Ministers is healthy and working effectively
• ensuring the Agency objectives and performance contribute to and are part of the Scottish Government as a whole and are aligned to the Government’s Purpose and National Outcomes set out in the National Performance Framework, while respecting the independent nature of the Agency’s role
• ensuring there is a clear framework for strategic performance improvement and management of the Agency’s work, providing support and constructive challenge to ensure the Agency is high performing and continuously improving and ensuring operational accountability is being exercised properly
• monitoring the financial and operational performance of the Agency using materials such as Agency Board or Management Team papers and the annual reports and accounts, seeking clarification on any matter as and when required
• ensuring the Agency is taking steps to improve its operating efficiency including through participation in collaborative procurement and shared service arrangements
• promoting integration and organisational alignment, as appropriate, e.g. by involving the Agency Chief Executive within portfolio management arrangements
• holding regular meetings with the Chief Executive, ensuring the Chief Executive is aware of Scottish Government wide strategic developments and corporate decisions impacting on the Agency and ensuring the position of the Agency is taken into account in relevant Scottish Government policy decisions
• representing the interests of the Agency within the wider Scottish Government
• ensuring the Scottish Government has due regard for the advice provided by the Agency
• ensuring the Agency Chief Executive is aware of Scottish Government wide strategic developments and corporate decisions impacting on the management or operations of the Agency and where necessary, appropriate Scottish Government wide corporate services are available to support and facilitate the work of the Agency
• performance appraisal of the Chief Executive
• ensuring an appropriate Framework Document is in place and maintained

The Director-General Economy has appointed the Director of Economic Development as the Senior Responsible Officer (previously known as the Fraser Figure) for the responsibilities listed above.

The SRO also acts as a focal point within the Scottish Government for supporting and facilitating the work of the Agency in meeting its objectives and targets and approves the level of resources required as a result.

The SRO may seek relevant business information from the Agency but will not intervene in its day-to-day management. They will provide support in the exercise of the Chief Executive’s functions as both Agency Chief Executive and Accountable Officer.