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Job Description
About the Department
The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (OSSS) exists to support the Secretary of State for Scotland. The OSSS is a small Whitehall (UK Government) department of around 80 people and is led by a Director, who also reports into the UK Government Group in Cabinet Office. In May 2020 the OSSS will move into the newly built Government Hub situated behind Waverley Station.
The OSSS provides the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Parliamentary under Secretaries and other UK Ministers with policy advice across a wide range of subject areas and for parliamentary activity and a busy programme of visits and events. As OSSS is a small Department and this is a high-profile role, you should expect a good degree of contact with Ministers and senior managers.
Priorities
- Support economic growth in Scotland.
- Strengthen and sustain the Union and Scotland’s role within it.
- Increase the visibility of the UK government’s commitment to Scotland.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/office-of-the-secretary-of-state-for-scotland
Role Purpose
The Trade and Business team is part of the Policy Division of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Division is mainly based in Edinburgh, but has a number of staff in London. This post could be based in either location.
The Trade and Business team responsibilities includes several particularly high-profile areas for Scotland, with trade a particularly significant issue from a policy perspective, and trade promotion offering important opportunities for collaboration between the UK Government and Scottish Government.
Policy division colleagues work closely with the lead UK departments on each of their policy areas: influencing policy development, working with the Scottish Government, the other Territorial Offices and stakeholders in Scotland to ensure positive outcomes for Scotland. Collaboration with other Whitehall departments, specifically the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BESI) is an important part of this role.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has experience in a policy environment or equivalent and are keen to lead on develop policy while collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The successful candidates will be expected to lead on a wide variety of work including policy, strategy and stakeholder management. The role will provide opportunities for significant career development in a number of areas.
The role is stretching and will suit someone who is enthusiastic and proactive, with some experience in a policy environment or equivalent, who wants to take the next step in their career. The role will have opportunities to directly support Ministers and you will develop a detailed understanding of trade policy and the devolution settlement, working closely with the senior leaders across Whitehall, the Scottish Government, Scottish stakeholders, and Special Advisors. Applicants should understand and have a keen interest in the contemporary political landscape, and be motivated by being involved in shaping the direction of the country.
Main Activities / Responsibilities
The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
- Advising OSSS ministers and officials on policy developments on trade, business, and innovation issues, particularly highlighting opportunities, risks and potential solutions for implementation and presentational challenges.
- Developing strong working relationships with officials in other UK departments – in particular DIT, BEIS, HMT, and other Territorial Offices – to ensure the development, delivery and announcement of Government policy on reserved areas is fully informed by an understanding of the impact in Scotland
- Providing briefing to support OSSS communications activity, supporting ministerial correspondence and Parliamentary activity to champion the benefits of the United Kingdom in Scotland.
- Lead on drafting briefing, correspondence, and PQs on trade, business and innovation.
- Leading on providing advice and support to OSSS Ministers for Committee appearances and in Parliament. This will include drafting written and oral briefing and advice in a clear, concise and timely fashion for Ministers
- Collaborative cross-team and cross-division working to inform policy work.
- Occasional travel between London and Scotland will be expected once social distancing measures have ended. (No relocation / excess travel will be given)
Essential criteria
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to distil complex technical and policy information at pace into key messages to either Ministers or senior managers.
- Excellent policy skills, including ability to analyse and use evidence to draft advice and briefing to Ministers or senior managers.
- The ability to build strong relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries to deliver business objectives.
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