Council chiefs are recruiting for a part-time child poverty strategist – on a wage of £33 an hour.
The job in South Ayrshire will see the successful candidate "drive transformational change" in children's services.
A job ad posted on the local authority's website shows the 21-hours-a-week post carrying a salary of up to £36,868 per year.
The Grade 5/Level 16 post has an hourly rate of between £32.67 and £33.67.
The position, based at Ayr's County Buildings, will also oversee children's services planning.
South Ayrshire Council says the position was evaluated to determine the wage made available but critics have today called into question the hefty salary on offer.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "This well-paid part-time role may leave South Ayrshire residents with more questions than answers on this very serious issue.
"Tackling child poverty is an important task but the council must ensure that their solutions don't end up being more hindrance than help.
"Local authorities must do more to eliminate waste across the board and ensure that taxpayers' money is directed to these vital frontline services."
A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council insisted the salary was in line with its wage structure.
They added: "The post is a service lead post and has a significant degree of responsibility for managing the delivery of the children’s services plan.
"All council jobs, including this post, are subject to a job evaluation exercise.
"This exercise determines the appropriate salary level for a post.
"It would breach employment law to pay someone in a part-time post a lesser hourly rate than someone in a similar post who was employed full-time."
