Policy Officer (Grade E2) Temporary 6 to 9 Months
| Posting date: | 10 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,787 to £34,857 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Civil Service Pension |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Scottish Funding Council |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: |
Summary
To support the development and analysis of policy for a range of SFC functions relating to tertiary education and research. To analyse, research and evaluate policy, working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to support the delivery of SFC’s core duties.
This role is fixed term for 6 to 9 months. We are happy to consider this role as a secondment opportunity.
Virtual interviews will take place week commencing 6 October 2025.
Key Responsibilities
To undertake policy analysis and development which supports SFC’s strategic policy function.
Coordinating and drafting submissions, documents, and presentations for a variety of internal and external colleagues, including committee and board papers and consultation responses.
Be aware of the key policy drivers, priorities and developments within the Scottish and UK tertiary and skills environment, sharing relevant updates with colleagues.
Provide policy advice, insights, and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on a range of policy areas.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders on policy developments, building sustainable relationships with sector colleagues.
Contribute flexibly to the work of other teams within SFC and deputise for other colleagues as appropriate and when required.
It is important through your Cover Letter or Personal Summary that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
Essential
Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience.
Previous policy research, development and analysis experience.
Effective oral and written communications skills, including the capacity to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner.
Good interpersonal skills, with experience of building/developing and maintaining work relationships with external and internal stakeholders, as well as working flexibly with colleagues in other parts of the organisation.
Effective organisational and project/programme management abilities, including good personal time management.
Good IT skills, competent in using standard MS packages. (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, with flexibility to manage a diverse range of competing/conflicting demands, prioritising work effectively, and to reacting positively to change.
Desirable
A good understanding of the higher and further education, and skills, policy environment.
A good understanding of the current Scottish and UK political environment.
This role is fixed term for 6 to 9 months. We are happy to consider this role as a secondment opportunity.
Virtual interviews will take place week commencing 6 October 2025.
Key Responsibilities
To undertake policy analysis and development which supports SFC’s strategic policy function.
Coordinating and drafting submissions, documents, and presentations for a variety of internal and external colleagues, including committee and board papers and consultation responses.
Be aware of the key policy drivers, priorities and developments within the Scottish and UK tertiary and skills environment, sharing relevant updates with colleagues.
Provide policy advice, insights, and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on a range of policy areas.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders on policy developments, building sustainable relationships with sector colleagues.
Contribute flexibly to the work of other teams within SFC and deputise for other colleagues as appropriate and when required.
It is important through your Cover Letter or Personal Summary that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
Essential
Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience.
Previous policy research, development and analysis experience.
Effective oral and written communications skills, including the capacity to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner.
Good interpersonal skills, with experience of building/developing and maintaining work relationships with external and internal stakeholders, as well as working flexibly with colleagues in other parts of the organisation.
Effective organisational and project/programme management abilities, including good personal time management.
Good IT skills, competent in using standard MS packages. (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, with flexibility to manage a diverse range of competing/conflicting demands, prioritising work effectively, and to reacting positively to change.
Desirable
A good understanding of the higher and further education, and skills, policy environment.
A good understanding of the current Scottish and UK political environment.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.