Technical Expert Member
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Summary
The LGSCO is looking to appoint an experienced and independent professional to join its new AI Ethics Committee as the Technical Expert Member.
Location
Based in N/A.
Role
The organisation is at the beginning of its work considering how to implement AI into its work processes, and the ethical implications of this are front and centre of its thinking. The LGSCO AI Ethics and Governance Committee is an advisory group established to provide oversight, guidance, and ensure effective governance of ethical issues related to the development, deployment, and use of new technologies within the LGSCO.
The Technical Expert Member will work alongside three other independent members (including a legal specialist and a board representative) and two executive members, in a small but high-impact committee at a formative moment in its development. This is an opportunity to influence strategic direction from the outset.
The Committee has the following objectives:
- Providing guidance on the ethical risks and societal implications of AI projects being considered or undertaken by the LGSCO
- Provide advice on ethical dilemmas and complex decisions related to the adoption of new technology to the Commission and Executive Team
- Assess AI use cases for potential ethical risks and recommend mitigation measures - in particular risks that could lead to unjustifiable discrimination, unintended consequences or harm to any person
- Assist in creating policies and procedures related to AI ethics and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards
- Review the impact of any new technology to ensure ongoing compliance with LGSCO’s guiding principles
- Ensure meaningful engagement has taken place with service users and stakeholders for any new technology where their rights and interests may be affected
- Adapt and update ethical guidelines as technology evolves
The Committee is advisory in nature and may be asked to respond to requests from the Board, the executive team, or initiate its own lines of enquiry. Meetings are expected to take place quarterly, with the inaugural meeting planned for September.
Details
Position Technical Expert Member
Hours 6 - 8 days per year (4 Board meetings + ad-hoc engagement)
Salary This is an unremunerated role, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Holiday n/a
Requirements
EducationCandidates should have a background in AI or data science, ideally holding (or working towards) a relevant qualification.
Skills
This is a specialist role for someone with a strong track record of engaging with the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and data technologies. The successful candidate will play a central role in helping to ensure that the LGSCO’s use of AI is legally sound, socially responsible, and aligned with the public interest.
The LGSCO is particularly interested in individuals who are comfortable engaging with both the technical and societal aspects of AI; someone who can confidently assess the risks and implications of emerging technologies and also explain complex concepts clearly to non-specialists.
Experience applying this knowledge within a public sector or not-for-profit setting would be especially valuable, but the organisation also welcomes applications from those with backgrounds in research or in commercial applications of AI, if they are able to demonstrate an understanding of the LGSCO’s specific context.
The LGSCO is looking for someone with a working knowledge of algorithmic transparency, explainability, and the ethical risks associated with bias and discrimination in automated systems.
An awareness of the developing regulatory and policy environment around AI in the UK will be important, as will an understanding of how public expectations around fairness, accountability, and transparency are shaping the way public bodies adopt new technologies.
ExperienceTo maintain the independence of the Committee, applicants for this role must not have worked for or served on the Board of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. They should not currently be employed by any organisation that has or may bid for LGSCO contracts or is subject to the LGSCO’s jurisdiction.
The LGSCO is particularly keen to hear from candidates who have contributed to advisory boards, ethics panels, or similar governance structures in the past. The role requires a minimum commitment of three years.
Benefits
This is an opportunity to be part of an organisation whose work helps to change people’s lives for the better by sharing learning from complaints to improve local public services and adult social care provision. However, as this is an advisory role, the usual employee benefits package will not apply.
About the LGSCO
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) is the final stage for complaints about councils, adult social care providers, and certain other public organisations in England. For over 50 years, it has played a vital role in ensuring that individuals receive fair treatment, that local services are accountable, and that systemic improvements are made across the sector. Its investigations have far-reaching impact, often leading to tangible service improvements that benefit not just individuals but communities at large.
Established under the Local Government Act 1974, the LGSCO operates as an independent, impartial, and free service, ensuring that complaints are investigated fairly and without bias.
The LGSCO's mission is to remedy injustice and help improve local services. This is achieved through four strategic objectives:
- Ensuring the service is easy to find and use
- Conducting impartial, fair, and rigorous investigations to remedy injustice
- Using insights from complaints to drive improvements in local services
- Maintaining accountability to the public and using resources efficiently
By sharing learning from investigations, the LGSCO aids service providers in enhancing their services for everyone. This includes publishing decisions and complaints data, issuing thematic reports and guidance documents, engaging with public policy debates, and providing training on complaint handling.
As a publicly funded, independent body, the LGSCO combines legal expertise with an emphasis on fairness, transparency and continuous learning. In an evolving regulatory and technological landscape, the Ombudsman is now exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be safely, ethically and effectively deployed to enhance its services. The newly established AI Ethics Committee will play a critical role in shaping this vision.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find a Technical Expert Member for its new AI Ethics Committee. You can find out more and apply here.