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SUMMARY
Would you like an opportunity to play a leading role in supporting Ministers and the Scotland Office to deliver a wide-reaching policy programme that supports Scotland’s policy interests in Whitehall and engagement on the key policy opportunities that impact on Scotland? We are looking for a dynamic self-starter and collaborator to join our policy and delivery division to lead this work on behalf of the Secretary of State and wider Ministerial team.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
As Head of Policy you will be the principal policy advisor to the Secretary of State for Scotland and other Ministers in the Scotland Office on key issues on the economy, sectors, tax, climate change, public services and rural affairs. You will advise and brief Ministers across key issues and trends in these policy areas and support them to discharge their duties and departmental business. In addition, you will deputise for the Director of the Scotland Office and Deputy Director for Policy in various committees and structures in Whitehall representing Scotland’s interest in Whitehall discussions and negotiations.
This work will involve assessing and influencing emerging policies in UK Government, working with Whitehall departments to create and develop policy initiatives that better meet the needs and capabilities of Scotland. At times this will involve intervening earlier to shape future policy that impacts Scotland, developing new initiates and proposals working with a wide range of partners across Scotland or intervening to protect Union or policy interests as a last resort.
You will also develop deeper relationships with stakeholders across Scotland, including Scottish Government and its agencies, key institutions and stakeholders, to better understand policy activity and trends across this broad policy portfolio and ensure Scotland Office Ministers are keep up to date with key activities and initiatives in Scotland.
You will manage and lead a team of 15 expert desk officers across 4 branches on the policy desk, including:
- Economy, Tax and Trade;
- Net Zero and Infrastructure; and
- Rural Affairs and Public Services.
The Role:
To support the Secretary of State, Ministerial team and Scotland Office across your policy portfolio, including but not limited to:
- Providing advice, analysis and support to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on policy in your policy portfolio
- Lead the Scotland Office policy response to Whitehall processes, including major policy announcements, Green and White Papers, legislation and parliamentary procedures as they relate to your policy portfolio
- Working across Whitehall and with OGDs to influence, develop and implement plans to deliver UKG business in Scotland and ensure policy developed in Whitehall supports needs and opportunities across Scotland
- Strategic leadership and quality control of policy activity across your teams, including ensuring analysis, critical thinking, new policy design and policy papers/think pieces are robust, fit for purpose and of a consistently high standard.
- Developing robust monitoring and management of policy teams activity using up-to-date methods and tools and actively champion the use of evidence and collaboration in policy-making
- Represent the Scotland Office in Whitehall and externally at meetings, working groups, events and with key stakeholders
- Working collaboratively with Ministers and the wider the policy division and external partners to develop a pipeline of new proposals and activity to support the policy agenda in Scotland
- Leadership and management of the Policy Team and 15 desk officers. Developing a forward looking vision and team business plan and supporting staff to deliver a high level of service to Ministers and the Department while maintaining a positive culture and personal development across the team;
- Exemplify the culture and values of the department, acting as a role model for others and operating as part of a collective, collaborative and divisional leadership team.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and capability/knowledge across one of more areas in your policy portfolio. You will have delivered policy change and prepared senior leaders to represent organisational interests effectively and successfully, including:
Essential criteria:
- A proven track record of working closely with senior Government Ministers and Special Advisers, and the ability to get under the skin of political/policy priorities and translate that into concrete actions;
- Highly developed communication, networking and negotiation skills with the personal presence and credibility to secure confidence at the most senior levels across Scotland and Whitehall.
- Outstanding management and leadership skills with the proven ability to maintain a high-performing motivated team to deliver at pace on a challenging agenda;
- Demonstrable experience of working across more than one policy area and an ability to innovate and create new solutions and sell them in a compelling, inclusive manner
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a pressurised environment, involving high levels of personal autonomy and evidence-based decision making;
- Experience of programme or project management, including tools and techniques
- Experience of working collaboratively with, and delivering through, a large and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
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