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.

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 UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

This 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 Coordination; International Policy and Security; City Deals and Levelling Up; and Domestic Policy. This role sits within the Domestic Policy Team, which is further divided into small teams, with each leading on specific policy area priorities. As part of the role, you will work within the team responsible for policy in areas such as rural affairs (including, but not limited to, agriculture, fisheries, and environment), health, higher education, and culture policy. 

This role will focus mostly on policies related to rural affairs, including how UK Government policies impact agriculture and fisheries sectors in Scotland. You will support Ministers in leading the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group and in attending Inter-Governmental meetings in the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  

The team and the wider Scotland Office cover a diverse range of high profile policy areas, within the context of our core function to support Ministerial priorities. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise.

The role presents an interesting opportunity to both influence UK Government Departments to consider impacts of their policies on Scotland, and to understand Scottish stakeholders’ priorities from a UK Government perspective;  considering where the UK Government can add value within the boundaries of the constitutional settlement. The team is led by a Grade 7 and works closely with other Scotland Office Divisions, as well as lead Government 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 the UK Government, 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 advice 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; 
• Leadership and management of projects;
• Line Management of one HEO.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, 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.
• Effective communication and networking skills to secure confidence with those you are engaging with. 
• Demonstrable experience of working across more than one policy area.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy.
• Knowledge of the Scottish political landscape and the Devolution Settlement.  

Behaviours

We'll assess against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace (lead)
• Leadership 
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,868, Ministry of Justice contributes £10,804 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.