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Successful Edinburgh candidates will be based at the UK Government Hub, Queen Elizabeth House, Sibbald Walk.
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Location
Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh or Dover House, London with regular travel in Scotland.
SUMMARY
Would you like an opportunity to play a leading role in supporting Ministers and the Scotland Office to deliver the UK Government’s Net Zero ambitions in Scotland alongside supporting wider infrastructure policy development in key sectors from aviation, transport and energy to broadband and rural connectivity? 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 the Team Leader for Net Zero and Infrastructure Policy you will be the lead advisor to the Secretary of State for Scotland and other Ministers in the Scotland Office on key issues in relation to connectivity, freeports, climate change, oil and gas, energy and wider infrastructure policy. 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.
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) 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 and ensure Scotland Office Ministers are kept up to date with key activities, initiatives and sentiment in Scotland.
You will be building a new branch and managing a small team of expert desk officers (currently 2 others) with scope to set a proactive, positive contribution from the Scotland Office in support of delivering Net Zero ambitions.
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 policy response to Whitehall processes and procedure, including major policy announcements, Green and White Papers, legislation and parliamentary procedures, speeches, correspondence 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
- Provide insight, analysis, policy design and think pieces that are robust, fit for purpose and of a consistently high standard, as well as contribute to deep dive processes across your policy area
- 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 a small Policy branch developing a forward looking vision and team business plan and supporting staff to deliver a high level of service to Ministers and the Department
Key areas of activity that your Branch will lead on include, but not limited to:
- Energy and Net Zero – including on energy security, energy mix and future technologies/innovations
- Major infrastructure, including digital connectivity, transportation
- Green Freeports policy in Scotland
- Infrastructure investment, including Green Finance initiatives and investment in new technologies
- Strategic Planning and housing
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate exceptional policy making skills and deep knowledge in one of more areas in this policy portfolio. You will have delivered policy change and prepared senior leaders to represent organisational interests effectively and successfully, including:
Essential criteria
- Deep knowledge and experience in one or more of the policy areas covered in this portfolio [energy, infrastructure, climate change/Net Zero, transport, planning]
- Experience of policy making and using evidence, data and argument to influence and shape policy direction and delivery solutions that are sold in a compelling, inclusive manner to a variety of audiences
- A proven track record and the ability to get under the skin of political/policy priorities and translate that into concrete actions and next steps;
- Highly developed communication, networking and negotiation skills with the personal presence and credibility to secure confidence at the senior levels across Scotland and Whitehall.
- Experience of working collaboratively with, and delivering through, a large and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
Desirable criteria
- Outstanding management and leadership skills with the proven ability to maintain a high-performing motivated team to deliver at pace on a challenging agenda
- Experience of working in a pressurised environment, involving high levels of personal autonomy and evidence-based decision making
- Experience of working with Ministers, Special Advisors and Senior Civil Servants on policy development
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 Decision – 250 word limit
- Delivering at Pace – 250 word limit
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements [this will not be scored].
- A Statement of Suitability (no more than 2 pages) that explains and evidences your 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 9 March 2022 @ 23.55.
Interview dates are expected to be scheduled between w/c 21 March and ending no later than 1 April.
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