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.

Job Title     Policy Advisor, Scotland Office

Grade    HEO
Salary     The national salary range is £32,827 - £35,678. 

London salary range is £37,174 - £40,403. 
Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Team, Business Area and Location    This role sits within the Policy Division of the Scotland Office. This role can be carried out at either Scotland Office locations at Dover House, London, SW1A 2AU or Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh, EH8 8FT.

Manager of Vacancy    Rebecca Tremlett (rebecca.tremlett1@ukgovscotland.gov.uk)

Job description    

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State 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 UKG (UKG), and the UKG’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

The role sits within the Policy Division of the Scotland Office and can be based in either Edinburgh or London. 

The Policy Division is made up of four teams: Strategic Policy and Co-ordination Team; Foreign Affairs and Defense Team; City Deals and Levelling Up Team and the Policy Team. It is expected this role will sit within the Policy Team, which is further divided into small teams with each team leading on specific policy area priorities. As part of the role, you will work within the team responsible for UKG policy interests in areas such as rural affairs (including, but not limited to, agriculture and fisheries), health, higher education, and culture policy. There is also scope to work collaboratively across the division, as UKG policy commitments dictate, on areas such as innovation and AI policy.

This role is likely to focus heavily on policy areas in the public services space, including considering issues from a UKG perspective that may impact on health, culture and higher education sectors in Scotland. You will also support Ministers in leading engagements with these sectors at events and roundtables.  

The role presents an interesting opportunity to both influence UKG policy to the benefit of Scotland, and to understand Scottish Government priorities from a UKG perspective,  considering where the UKG can add value within the boundaries of the constitutional settlement. The team is headed by a Grade 7 and works closely with other Scotland Office Divisions, as well as lead UKG departments and the other Territorial Offices.  The team engages closely with key stakeholders, managing and developing relationships to inform Scotland Office positions.

We are looking for individuals who will bring positive energy, creativity and collaboration to the team. You should be policy curious and able to develop productive relationships across UKG, with external stakeholders and the Scottish Government and its agencies. You will ensure Scotland Office Ministers are kept up to date with key activities and initiatives in Scotland and support Ministers and other UKG departments on opportunities to promote UKG policy in Scotland. Given the size of the department this role offers the unique opportunity to work closely with both Ministers and Special Advisors.

Key responsibilities    

This is a  fast paced, high output and varied role, including, but not limited to:

●    Providing policy advice, analysis, and support to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on your relevant policy areas;

●    Working with other Government departments to influence, develop and implement plans to deliver UKG business in Scotland and ensure policy developed in Whitehall supports needs and opportunities across Scotland;

●    Represent the Scotland Office in Whitehall and externally at meetings, working groups, events and with key stakeholders.

Person Specification (essential/desirable)    

Essential criteria
●    Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, analysis, recommendations and briefings to Government Ministers, Special Advisors and senior colleagues.

●    Ability to manage and respond appropriately to Ministerial and official correspondence and Government write-rounds.

●    Ability to build close working relationships with Ministers and Senior colleagues

●    Effective communication and networking skills to secure confidence with those you are engaging with. 

●    Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy and a self-starter attitude.

Desirable criteria
●    Demonstrable experience of working across more than one policy area.

●    Knowledge of the Scottish political landscape and the Devolution Settlement.  

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.