About the job

Job summary

Please refer to job description

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

SCOTLAND OFFICE -  CONSTITUTIONAL POLICY - POLICY ADVISOR

Overview

The Constitutional Policy team in the Scotland Office (SO) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the department’s work on Constitutional Policy relating to the Union and supporting our Ministers in delivering their objectives in this context. The team leads on a range of issues, from considering the implications of UK Parliament legislation on the devolution settlement, making sure the devolution settlement functions effectively and other constitutional matters.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to manage multiple projects whilst collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will join a team that plays a central role in shaping UK Government policy and working with UK Government departments to deliver our constitutional responsibilities within the devolution settlement. The post holder will also be part of the team responsible for coordinating input to key intergovernmental fora. You will have the opportunity to work closely with Ministers and senior leaders across Whitehall, the Scottish Government and Special Advisors.

The post holder will need to be able to develop an excellent understanding of the legislative and parliamentary context to the UK Government’s work and applicants should understand and have a keen interest in the contemporary political and constitutional landscape in Scotland.

Background

SO supports the Secretary of State for Scotland in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

In the department you will have a range of opportunities to be involved in interesting and stimulating areas of work. The role is a great opportunity to develop the following skills:

•       Briefing Ministers and working closely and frequently with Special Advisors and supporting high-profile areas of policy development.
•       A detailed understanding of devolution, legislation and how the Scottish and UK Parliaments work.
•       Working at pace with colleagues across the UK Government to deliver policy outcomes.

Main responsibilities may include:

• Working on a number of key policy priorities relating to Scotland, including constitutional policy, legislation and intergovernmental relations
• Providing advice and support to the Secretary of State for the Office’s constitutional policy work.
• Maintaining relations with other UK Government departments whose work has policy implications, ensuring effective input into cross UK Government policy work; and
• Working with colleagues on other key priorities, including briefing for Ministers and debates in Parliament.
• Briefing the Secretary of State and other Ministers and working closely and frequently with special advisors and senior officials and supporting high-profile areas of policy development.
• Leading on ad hoc constitutional policy queries, correspondence and Freedom of Information requests, as required, to support business needs.
• The Department offers the post holder the opportunity to lead and be involved in a range of corporate activities.

Essential criteria

•       Strong planning and organisational skills including: keen attention to detail; strong self direction; and the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.
•       Good verbal and written communication skills.
•       Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
•       Adaptable, demonstrating flexibility in supporting colleagues in a fast paced environment.

Behaviours

We will assess you on the following behaviours for the application. Interviews will test on the first three behaviours.

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Salary, Working Arrangements & Further Information

The Scotland Office is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, people engagement forums, facilities and services to support people from different backgrounds have a rewarding career.

The role is located in our Edinburgh office with opportunities for travel to our London office.

We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions.

If you require further information, please contact the vacancy manager: max.graham1@ukgovscotland.gov.uk.

Person specification

Please refer to job description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,827, Ministry of Justice contributes £8,896 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.