About the job

Job summary

The Flood Risk Management team is at the forefront of delivering a multi-agency work programme to bring about the necessary operational changes in the way flood risk is assessed and managed in Scotland. In doing so we work closely with delivery partners and provide policy leadership for national efforts in increasing flood resilience, managing coastal change and ensuring reservoir safety.

Our changing climate presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Increasing exposure to flood and coastal change impacts means that it is time to reflect on how well current policies are working to address this change.  The team require someone to lead on the technical aspects of this strategic change programme, as well as deliver day to day support on statutory requirements such as notified planning applications, and longer term work to support systemic improvements such as development of appropriate guidance and standards.

We take a collaborative, partnership approach.  As such, you will work closely with SEPA, Scotland’s national flood warning authority and advisor on flood risk management, responsible authorities including local authorities and Scottish Water, as well as other interests such as NatureScot, community groups, third sector organisations and the insurance industry.

Specifically, you will bring technical flood risk management expertise to the team, actively advising and providing support to the team on all aspects of flood risk management including flood risk due to coastal change. Whilst being the technical expert in the team, you will also be involved in every aspect of the team’s work, including policy development and a wide range of Ministerial support work.

Job description

• Build on evidence and best practice to identify and deliver systemic improvements that ensure national policy leads to effective local action to reduce the impacts of flooding and coastal change. This includes development of policy to improve scrutiny and governance across flood risk management and coastal change.

• Support the delivery of Flood Risk Management Plans by liaising closely with Local Authorities, SEPA and SG Finance, aiding timely delivery of prioritised actions.
• Provide technical advice to the FRM team and Ministers on a wide range of topics relating to flood risk management and coastal change, including the latest developments on climate science and adaptation.

• Develop or revise, in liaison with stakeholders, a wide range of guidance for SEPA and Responsible Authorities on topics such as sustainable flood risk management, delivering flood protection schemes, climate change adaptation, and appraisal/ building better business cases.

• Provide advice on flood risk to Planning Architecture and Regeneration  Division, on relevant planning cases notified to Scottish Ministers.

• Provide technical advice in relation to Ministerial call-ins and compulsory purchase orders made under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

• Engage with SEPA and others to develop and improve monitoring and evaluation frameworks for flood risk management and coastal change.
• Represent the flooding team on technical groups to amend relevant standards and codes of practice (e.g. building standards, flood insurance, property flood resilience).

Person specification

Qualifications

A Degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related subject with a minimum 5 years’ experience delivering flood risk management actions, preferably in Scotland.

Essential Criteria

1. Ability to deliver specialist technical advice on flood resilience and coastal change, including climate adaptation, in a succinct and accessible way.

2. Ability to take ownership of specific pieces of work and use own initiative to develop solutions, resulting in successful policy delivery.

3. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and influence a range of internal and external policy colleagues.

4. Highly effective written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail.

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: w/c 22 April 2024

Interview: 7, 8 or 9 May 2024

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.