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2417 - Policy Advisor - Scotland Office
| Posting date: | 28 January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,661 to £42,019 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 February 2025 |
| Location: | SW1A 2AU |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ministry of Justice |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 2417 |
Summary
Job Description
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland, 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 that the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.
This role sits within the Policy Division of the Scotland Office and is based in London. The Policy Division is made up of three teams: International Affairs and Security, Domestic Policy, and Local Growth and City Deals. This role sits within the International Affairs and Security Team (IAS),and is part of a sub-team that is responsible for International Trade and Business Policy relating to Asia, Europe and Australasia. It plays a key role delivering the Brand Scotland agenda, which is a personal priority of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The role is also responsible for providing policy advice on immigration matters as they relate to Scotland.
IAS covers a diverse range of high profile policy areas, within the context of our core function to support Ministerial priorities. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise.
The successful candidate will be expected to support and in some instances lead on a wide variety of work including policy, strategy and relationship management. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to use their initiative to conceive and manage projects while collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 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.
Please note the following:
• We will operate a 12 month reserve list for similar HEO roles which may arise in the Scotland Office.
• We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions, this is not a MoJ role. For substantive civil servants we are able to offer the MoJ terms or offer the option of a loan agreement with the home department.
• The security clearance required for this role is SC.
Key responsibilities
This is a fast paced, high output and varied role, including, but not limited to:
• Support delivery of “Brand Scotland”, a key ministerial priority.
• Supporting the delivery of international trade missions;
• Providing advice and support to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on international trade, business and immigration policy areas.
• Working closely with other Whitehall departments including the Department for Business and Trade to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.
• Represent the Scotland Office in Whitehall and externally at meetings, working groups, events and with key stakeholders;
• Drafting Cabinet Committee, Ministerial and official correspondence on policy issues. In addition, preparing responses to correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests as well as briefing for meetings, visits and events to the expected standard and within timeframes;
Person Specification
Essential criteria
• Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, recommendations and briefings to Government Ministers, Special Advisors and senior colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, at all levels.
• Ability to think strategically, making links across organisational and subject boundaries to deliver shared outcomes.
• Strong planning and organisation skills including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.
Desirable criteria
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy.
• Experience of working in one or more policy areas simultaneously, or a demonstrable ability to quickly develop a credible level of expertise and judgement.
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland, 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 that the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.
This role sits within the Policy Division of the Scotland Office and is based in London. The Policy Division is made up of three teams: International Affairs and Security, Domestic Policy, and Local Growth and City Deals. This role sits within the International Affairs and Security Team (IAS),and is part of a sub-team that is responsible for International Trade and Business Policy relating to Asia, Europe and Australasia. It plays a key role delivering the Brand Scotland agenda, which is a personal priority of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The role is also responsible for providing policy advice on immigration matters as they relate to Scotland.
IAS covers a diverse range of high profile policy areas, within the context of our core function to support Ministerial priorities. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise.
The successful candidate will be expected to support and in some instances lead on a wide variety of work including policy, strategy and relationship management. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to use their initiative to conceive and manage projects while collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 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.
Please note the following:
• We will operate a 12 month reserve list for similar HEO roles which may arise in the Scotland Office.
• We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions, this is not a MoJ role. For substantive civil servants we are able to offer the MoJ terms or offer the option of a loan agreement with the home department.
• The security clearance required for this role is SC.
Key responsibilities
This is a fast paced, high output and varied role, including, but not limited to:
• Support delivery of “Brand Scotland”, a key ministerial priority.
• Supporting the delivery of international trade missions;
• Providing advice and support to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on international trade, business and immigration policy areas.
• Working closely with other Whitehall departments including the Department for Business and Trade to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.
• Represent the Scotland Office in Whitehall and externally at meetings, working groups, events and with key stakeholders;
• Drafting Cabinet Committee, Ministerial and official correspondence on policy issues. In addition, preparing responses to correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests as well as briefing for meetings, visits and events to the expected standard and within timeframes;
Person Specification
Essential criteria
• Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, recommendations and briefings to Government Ministers, Special Advisors and senior colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, at all levels.
• Ability to think strategically, making links across organisational and subject boundaries to deliver shared outcomes.
• Strong planning and organisation skills including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.
Desirable criteria
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy.
• Experience of working in one or more policy areas simultaneously, or a demonstrable ability to quickly develop a credible level of expertise and judgement.