Temporary Senior Policy Officer - 18 Months Fixed Term Contract
| Posting date: | 25 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £49,938 to £58,134 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | Civil Service Pension. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 June 2026 |
| Location: | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Scottish Funding Council |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Our ambition is for Scotland to be the best place in the world to learn, educate, research and innovate, so that all of our nation can flourish.
Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The policy team is responsible for bringing coherence to SFC’s policy reviews, analysing and developing policy positions for the future that contribute to wider economic and education impacts, and supporting SFC’s strategic relationships with relevant UK stakeholders. In practice this includes shaping specific areas of policy which span the breadth of SFC’s work, supporting key national consultations or policy reviews that require cross-organisation coordination, and working with key partners across the UK to act as a channel of intelligence on external developments and advising on the implications for SFC. This post will be heavily involved in the ‘College Sector of the Future’ project.
This post is expected to last around 18 months.
Lead and/or support the development of key areas of policy which shape the breadth of SFC’s work, engaging with colleagues from across the organisation. This will include leading workstreams underpinning SFC’s contribution to the ‘College Sector of the Future’ project.
Take responsibility for engagement with key partners, ensuring SFC’s policy positions are clearly understood and that there is effective and proactive stakeholder management.
Horizon-scan and provide advice, support and guidance to internal and external Scottish stakeholders, producing briefings, reports and committee papers as required for SFC senior management and key stakeholders
Provide advice and guidance to institutions and stakeholders (both internal and external) as required.
Draft and present policy and strategy papers at committee and board level.
Draft high-level briefings, speeches and other materials for senior SFC staff and board members.
Represent SFC at external meetings, conferences and other events, including giving presentations, chairing and facilitating discussions when required.
Provide effective line management to other team members as required.
Contribute flexibly to the work of the wider directorate and other groups in SFC as appropriate and when required. From time to time this may include deputising for your line manager or other colleagues.
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Experience of leading on, or having direct input to, analysis-based policy development, stakeholder engagement and influencing within a complex political environment.
A proven track record of delivering high quality and effective outputs within time and resource constraints.
Effective organisational and project management abilities to cope with a diverse and changing workload in a politicised environment.
Proven ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement.
Ability to interpret, analyse and explain complex information to audiences with varying degrees of expertise.
Resilient and adaptable in periods of uncertainty.
Degree level education (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 9) or equivalent experience.
DESIRABLE SKILLS
Previous experience of strategic planning in the college sector.
Evidence of subject matter experience relevant to the role.
Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects/programmes.
A proven track record of leading and managing people.
Knowledge of the further and/or higher education sector.
A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish political and Government operating environment.
Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The policy team is responsible for bringing coherence to SFC’s policy reviews, analysing and developing policy positions for the future that contribute to wider economic and education impacts, and supporting SFC’s strategic relationships with relevant UK stakeholders. In practice this includes shaping specific areas of policy which span the breadth of SFC’s work, supporting key national consultations or policy reviews that require cross-organisation coordination, and working with key partners across the UK to act as a channel of intelligence on external developments and advising on the implications for SFC. This post will be heavily involved in the ‘College Sector of the Future’ project.
This post is expected to last around 18 months.
Lead and/or support the development of key areas of policy which shape the breadth of SFC’s work, engaging with colleagues from across the organisation. This will include leading workstreams underpinning SFC’s contribution to the ‘College Sector of the Future’ project.
Take responsibility for engagement with key partners, ensuring SFC’s policy positions are clearly understood and that there is effective and proactive stakeholder management.
Horizon-scan and provide advice, support and guidance to internal and external Scottish stakeholders, producing briefings, reports and committee papers as required for SFC senior management and key stakeholders
Provide advice and guidance to institutions and stakeholders (both internal and external) as required.
Draft and present policy and strategy papers at committee and board level.
Draft high-level briefings, speeches and other materials for senior SFC staff and board members.
Represent SFC at external meetings, conferences and other events, including giving presentations, chairing and facilitating discussions when required.
Provide effective line management to other team members as required.
Contribute flexibly to the work of the wider directorate and other groups in SFC as appropriate and when required. From time to time this may include deputising for your line manager or other colleagues.
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Experience of leading on, or having direct input to, analysis-based policy development, stakeholder engagement and influencing within a complex political environment.
A proven track record of delivering high quality and effective outputs within time and resource constraints.
Effective organisational and project management abilities to cope with a diverse and changing workload in a politicised environment.
Proven ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement.
Ability to interpret, analyse and explain complex information to audiences with varying degrees of expertise.
Resilient and adaptable in periods of uncertainty.
Degree level education (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 9) or equivalent experience.
DESIRABLE SKILLS
Previous experience of strategic planning in the college sector.
Evidence of subject matter experience relevant to the role.
Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects/programmes.
A proven track record of leading and managing people.
Knowledge of the further and/or higher education sector.
A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish political and Government operating environment.
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