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Senior Policy Advisor - SA2016 AND WELFARE
Would you like the opportunity to play a leading role in supporting Ministers to deliver for Scotland and its devolution settlement?
Scotland Office (SO) are recruiting a Band B/SEO Senior Policy Advisor to join the Constitutional Policy Division. The successful candidate will lead on implementation of the Scotland Act 2016, deliver a range of secondary legislation and lead on welfare policy for the office.
The Scotland Act 2016 was a landmark Act of UK Parliament, devolving a range of powers, including tax and welfare powers, to the Scottish Parliament in the wake of the 2014 Independence Referendum. This role helps to coordinate the safe and secure implementation of these powers from the UK Government to the Scottish Government, ensuring a seamless service to the citizen.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has experience in a policy environment or equivalent and is keen to take a leadership role while collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The role will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity for significant leadership, both internally and externally.
This role is stretching and will suit someone who is enthusiastic and proactive, who wants to take the next step in their career. The successful candidate will directly support Ministers and be expected to develop a detailed understanding of the devolution settlement, working closely with the senior leaders across Whitehall, the Scottish Government, Scottish stakeholders, the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland 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 responsibilities may include:
- Leading on the implementation of the Scotland Act 2016. This will involve working with ministers, SO Senior leaders and Special Advisors to drive forward and resolving devolution issues so far as they relate to Scotland.
- Delivering a programme of secondary legislation related to the implementation of the Scotland Act 2016. Working closely with the Scottish Government and other government departments to deliver high quality pieces of legislation, often to tight deadlines, including supporting ministers during legislation debates in Parliament Providing clear leadership to a cross-government team of policy and legal officials. Ensuring correct processes are followed and timelines are adhered to.
- Working closely with PBL and the parly team to secure laying dates in Parliament and developing handling strategies for Parliament where appropriate.
- Maintaining relations with other UK Government departments whose work has policy implications, ensuring effective SO input in to cross UK Government policy work.
- Providing the secretariat function for a biannual inter-ministerial meeting for ministers from SO, DWP and the Scottish Government. Responsible for developing quality papers, briefing the SO minister, recording the meeting minutes (published on gov.uk), ensuring all actions are completed.
- Providing written and verbal briefings to ministers, SpAds and senior civil servants on the implementation of the Scotland Act 2016.
- Leading on welfare policy for the Office.
- Collaborative cross-team and cross-division working to inform policy work on key legislation and policy/funding choices.
- Working with colleagues on ad hoc work strands of work, including on briefing for Ministers and responding to write rounds and on Parliamentary work, including PQs, Oral Questions, FOI requests and debates in Parliament.
- Line management of one Higher Executive Officer.
Occasional travel between London and Scotland will be expected. (Whilst no relocation / excess travel will be given, expenses will be provided in line with Civil Service protocols)
Background
SO supports the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
In SO, you’ll get a huge range of opportunities to get involved in interesting and exciting pieces of work. We are part of the UK Governance Group, which brings together DLUHC’s Constitution Group, Wales Office, and the Office of the Advocate General, (the UK Government’s Scottish legal advisers). The role is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career and in particular, develop the following skills:
- Detailed understanding of devolution and the constitutional structures of the United Kingdom;
- Briefing a Secretary of State and other Ministers and working closely and frequently with Special Advisors, supporting high-profile areas of policy development.
- Working at pace with colleagues across UKG, the Scottish Government, lawyers, comms, parly team and PBL s to deliver policy outcomes.
Essential criteria
- The ability to build strong relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries to deliver business objectives.
- 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.
- Good knowledge of Parliament, legislation and devolution
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