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.
Successful Edinburgh candidates will be based at the UK Government Hub, Queen Elizabeth House, Sibbald Walk.
The Scotland Office is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, people engagement forums, facilities and services to support people from different backgrounds have a rewarding career
SUMMARY
Would you like an opportunity to play a leading role in supporting Ministers and the Scotland Office to transform how it develops policy making and works with partners to develop evidence-led solutions to sustained policy challenges in Scotland?
We are looking for dynamic thinkers and strategists adept at spotting opportunities, facilitating world class policy making and conducting deep dive analysis that is robust, insightful and impactful. Whether it is applying new methods and cutting-edge techniques, identifying new trends that require urgent action or reimagining new ways of solving age old problems, you will be at the heart of our thinking and policy making and will have the platform to make a lasting change in Scotland.
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.
We are recruiting to up to three vacancies as part of a new Strategy and Co-ordination function that will support Ministerial priorities and develop a world class policy making service that delivers beyond the Scotland Office. This includes:
- A Team Leader for Strategy and Policy Co-ordination that will lead our policy support to Ministers and act as the key interface with Private Office and Special Advisors. They will set the policy making agenda in dialogue with Ministers and the Director for the Scotland Office and ensure its effective co-ordination and timely execution tracking progress and delivery. This role will also lead strands of bespoke policy exploration and idea generation in collaboration with policy teams in the Scotland Office. This role will be supported by a small expert team and part of a wider matrix structure.
- A Strategist and Policy Designer that will be an essential part of a responsive real time policy function able to respond quickly and robustly across a variety of policy areas supporting the Secretary of State and Ministers. You will support the development of a new framework for how we develop collaborative policy making, including the exploration of a Scottish Policy Lab, alongside leading a series of time bound deep dive and policy explorations working across the Scotland Office (stakeholders, academics, that make the case for new initiatives and policy reforms to support opportunities in Scotland.
- A Strategist and Speechwriter that will be an essential part of a responsive real time policy function able to respond quickly and robustly across a variety of policy areas supporting the Secretary of State and Ministers. You will also take lead responsibility for drafting major set piece speeches working with the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on content. You too will lead and develop policy explorations working collaboratively across the Scotland Office and make the case for new initiatives and policy reforms to support opportunities in Scotland.
Across all of these roles there is an expectation that you will be policy curious, open to a collaborative policy making process that draws on modern tools, techniques and approaches and looks to challenge the conventions on how things are done. You will work across a broad policy canvas and be expert convenors, communicators and change agents.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidates will be able to demonstrate an ability to work at pace and under time pressure. They will be able to think and do with a degree or personal autonomy. Each of the roles requires significant policy curiosity and an ability to convey complex areas and thinking simply at the highest levels.
Essential criteria:
- A proven track record and the ability to get under the skin of policy and delivery challenges and translate that into concrete actions and next steps;
- Highly developed communication and negotiation skills with the personal presence and credibility to secure confidence at the most senior levels
- A high level of analytical rigour and the ability to provide robust, concise advice for Ministers
- Experience of working in a pressurised environment, involving high levels of personal autonomy and evidence-based decision making
For the Strategy and Policy Co-ordination role:
- A track record of grip and organisation under pressure with experience of programme or project management tools and techniques
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable experience of conducting reviews/reports/deep dives and developing coherent recommendations and policy solutions
- Applied economics or policy design experience, including ability to analyse data and statistics (not necessarily via formal qualifications)
- Experience of working with Ministers and senior leaders
- Speechwriting expertise
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
This campaign will be undertaken using the civil service Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
Application process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:
- An Application Form against key behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing – 250 word limit
- Leadership – 250 Word Limit
- Making Effective Decisions – 250 word limit
- Delivering at Pace – 250 word limit
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
- A Statement of Suitability that explains and evidences capability, experience and suitability for the role with reference to the essential criteria.
The Interview Stage will be a blended assessment consisting of:
- a short pre-prepared oral presentation (details of which will be provided ahead of the interview panel)
- a series of questions against behaviours and strengths as part of the Civil Service Success Profiles.
The application process closes to applicants on 25 March 2022 @ 23.55.
Interview dates are expected to be scheduled between w/c 11 April and ending no later than 15 April.
TOP