FOI/202600519913 · FOI · partially withheld
Scottish Forestry - Information Request Coordinator recruitment queries: FOI release
Information requested
I'd like to submit a FOI request about the recently advertised Information Request Coordinator role at Scottish Forestry.
1. How many applications did Scottish Forestry receive for this role?
2. Of these applications, what was the proportion of candidates from Scottish Forestry, other areas of the Civil Service, and external candidates?
3. I understand Civil Service applications are usually marked on a scale of 1-7 and a total application score is produced. What was the benchmark score to be invited to interview?
4. Of those that were invited to interview, what was the proportion of candidates from Scottish Forestry, other areas of the Civil Service, and external candidates?
5. Of those that were invited to interview, what are overall scores these applicants achieved? If you cannot provide the individual scores, please provide a range of the highest and lowest and the number of applicants invited to interview.
If Scottish Forestry applies section 38(1)(b) to any of the questions, I would appreciate some advice and assistance about how to make a request that doesn't disclose third party data.
Response
1. How many applications did Scottish Forestry receive for this role?
In total, Scottish Forestry received 67 applications for the role of Information Request Coordinator.
2. Of these applications, what was the proportion of candidates from Scottish Forestry, other areas of the Civil Service, and external candidates?
This response has been compiled using information provided to Scottish Forestry by candidates and utilises most recent employment only. Scottish Forestry has not confirmed the accuracy of information supplied to it by candidates who were unsuccessful in obtaining an interview.
In providing this answer, it has been assumed that “Civil Service” refers to all areas of Scottish Government Civil Service, UK Government Civil Service, the Northern Ireland Civil Service Welsh Civil Service. It has also been assumed to include equivalent bodies in countries outside of the UK.
There were 0 candidates who are currently or were most recently employed by Scottish Forestry.
There were 18 candidates who are currently or were most recently employed by a Civil Service body or organisation.
There were 49 candidates who are currently or were most recently employed outside of any Civil Service body or organisation.
3. I understand Civil Service applications are usually marked on a scale of 1-7 and a total application score is produced. What was the benchmark score to be invited to interview?
If an advert for a role has generated more than 10 applications, the interview panel can sift on the ’lead behaviour’, if this was clearly specified in the advert. In this case, it was clearly specified in the advert for the role of Information Request Co-Ordinator. As such, if a candidate did not score 4 or more on the lead behaviour, as detailed in the job specification, they would not be invited to interview.
The Candidates must also score 4 or above in the experience and technical criteria to pass the sift and be eligible to be invited to interview.
4. Of those that were invited to interview, what was the proportion of candidates from Scottish Forestry, other areas of the Civil Service, and external candidates?
This response has been compiled using information provided to Scottish Forestry by candidates and utilises most recent employment only. Scottish Forestry has not confirmed the accuracy of information supplied to it by candidates who were unsuccessful in obtaining an interview.
In providing this answer, it has been assumed that “Civil Service” refers to all areas of Scottish Government Civil Service, UK Government Civil Service, the Northern Ireland Civil Service Welsh Civil Service. It has also been assumed to include equivalent bodies in countries outside of the UK.
Currently or recently employed by Scottish Forestry Currently or recently employed by Civil Service Currently or recently employed by body or organisation outside of Civil Service 0 <5 <5
Where the number of candidates is fewer than five, we have withheld the precise number under Section 38(1)(b) (Personal Information) of FOISA. In instances where data for each year is less than 5, we have replaced the exact number with “< 5” to indicate that the actual number is less than 5. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all the information you have requested because exemptions sections 38(1)(b) (personal information) apply. The reasons why these exemptions apply is Annex A below.
5. Of those that were invited to interview, what are overall scores these applicants achieved? If you cannot provide the individual scores, please provide a range of the highest and lowest and the number of applicants invited to interview.
An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to all of the information requested relating to candidate scores. More information on this exemption can be found in Annex A.
If Scottish Forestry applies section 38(1)(b) to any of the questions, I would appreciate some advice and assistance about how to make a request that doesn't disclose third party data.
Under section 15(1) of FOISA, I have a duty to provide advice and assistance and you have asked that, were I to apply the section 38(1)(b) exemption to any questions you have asked, that I provide advice and assistance “about how to make a request that doesn't disclose third party data”.
Whenever a request for information results in data related to less than 5 individuals, it is an accepted and standard practice not to divulge specific numbers to protect the personal information of those individuals. In circumstances where they are so few people involved, as is the case here, it is difficult to release the data without disclosing third party data in contravention of the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
As such, I am unable to provide any advice or assistance beyond advising you that 7 candidates were selected to be invited to interview and are made up of a mixture of individuals with experience within the Civil Service and in roles outside of the Civil Service. No candidates currently work for Scottish Forestry.
ANNEX A
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 (FOISA)
REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION
Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data of a third party An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. to protect the anonymity of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.
Section 30(c) – substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to all of the information requested relating to candidate scores. Disclosing this information would substantially prejudice our ability to conduct a fair and robust recruitment and selection process because the recruitment exercise is ongoing and interviews have not yet taken place. Releasing candidate scores, even in aggregated or range form, could undermine the integrity of the process, create perceptions of unfairness, and potentially give some candidates an unintended advantage. It may also affect how assessment panels approach scoring in future exercises, thereby weakening confidence in the process. This would constitute substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs in terms of the exemption.
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. I have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. I recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the process of recruitment and selection and ensuring that the Scottish Government can conduct this aspect of its business effectively.
In particular, there is a strong public interest in maintaining fair recruitment practices, safeguarding the integrity of live selection exercises, and ensuring that all candidates are treated equitably without risk of undue influence or disadvantage.
About FOI
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Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
If Scottish Forestry applies section 38(1)(b) to any of the questions, I would appreciate some advice and assistance about how to make a request that doesn't disclose third party data. Currently or recently employed by Scottish Forestry Currently or recently employed by Civil Service Currently or recently employed by body or organisation outside of Civil Service 0 <5 <5 Where the number of candidates is fewer than five, we have withheld the precise number under Section 38(1)(b) (Personal Information) of FOISA. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all the information you have requested because exemptions sections 38(1)(b) (personal information) apply. The reasons why these exemptions apply is Annex A below. An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to all of the information requested relating to candidate scores.
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