About the job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) Division as part of the SASA policy and Pesticide Survey Unit.  The Unit works on the development and delivery of a number of policy areas including crops policy, plant health, horticulture, potatoes, use of pesticides, fertilisers, marketing of seeds and the listing of new seed and plant varieties

As a Division of the Scottish Government Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Economy, SASA supports Scotland’s arable and horticultural sectors, by developing policy and providing scientific advice, research, surveillance and inspection services. Our staff conduct a wide range of functions in offices, laboratories, glasshouses, farm buildings and farmland as well as at third party inspection sites.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Scottish Government on cross-cutting policy to address major challenges and development of future farming policy. 

As this is a high profile and complex policy area, you will work collaboratively with colleagues to provide advice and support to Ministers.

Crop policy is a constantly changing environment with interest in new management practices and crops for the Scottish industry.  You will therefore be required to reinforce the Scottish Government’s positions in meetings with stakeholders and other UK administrations to ensure the Scottish Agricultural needs are represented.

You will be joining a large policy team and will report directly to the Team Leader.  You will have line management responsibility for 1 policy officer.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.  Applications are encouraged from all regardless or ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, age, neurotype, disability status, caring responsibilities or socio-economic background.  If you are selected for interview, the questions will be shared in advance. 

Job description

• Leading on policy for GMOs and gene-editing, including responding to legislative developments in the EU and other parts of the UK, working with other divisions and scientists in Scottish Government;
• Providing a central point of contact for crops policy issues, and lead on vertical farming policy development;
• Working effectively with Defra and the other Devolved Governments, representing the Scottish Government to ensure our policy and interests are reflected in any decisions which may impact Scotland.
• Providing advice, briefings and event support to ministers and contributing to correspondence, media requests, PQs and FOIs where required as related to crops or GMOs.

Person specification

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate ideas clearly and creatively to a range of audiences.
2. Experience of gathering evidence and analysing complex information to produce clear, concise and well-structured written work.
3. The ability to use initiative in identifying and delivering work priorities to meet changing policy requirements.
4. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with experience of building and maintaining relationships at all levels and working in collaboration with internal and external colleagues.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,557, Scottish Government contributes £12,030 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

Sift and Interview dates TBC
Please apply using the link provided

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.