Job Title

Senior Policy Adviser, Energy and Net Zero - Scotland Office.

Grade

SEO.

Salary

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182; London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.

This is a full-time role based in Edinburgh or London.

Team, business area and location

This role is in the Energy and Net Zero team in the Domestic Policy group of the Policy Division in the Scotland Office; based in Dover House, London or Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh.

Deputy Director

Alasdair Macdonald (alasdair.macdonald@ukgovscotland.gov.uk)

Start date and length of posting

Start date: ASAP; permanent post.

Vacancy manager

Michael Napier (michael.napier@ukgovscotland.gov.uk)

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 is in the Energy and Net Zero team, located in the Domestic Policy group of the Policy Division in the Scotland Office, and is based in Edinburgh or London. The Policy Division comprises two groups: Domestic Policy and International Affairs and Security.

The Energy and Net Zero team is responsible for providing ministers, special advisers and senior officials with advice on energy and net zero matters as they relate to Scotland. The team plays a crucial role in shaping UK energy policy and influencing how it will impact Scotland.

As such the Energy and Net Zero team is involved in a wide range of interesting and high profile issues, including: investment in and development of clean and low carbon energy projects and innovative green technologies in Scotland; the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan; the future of North Sea oil and gas and the Transition to Net Zero.

In this exciting role, approximately 25% of the successful candidate’s time would be spent on the above, and 75% would be spent on leading the Department’s response to economic shocks in Scotland, such as the recent closures in Grangemouth and Mossmorran. This is a key priority for the Prime Minister and for the Department, and as such it is an excellent opportunity to develop key leadership skills and obtain experience in high profile issues, with considerable exposure to seniors.

The successful candidate will be expected to 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 have a knowledge of the devolution settlement and a keen interest in contemporary politics in Scotland, and be motivated by having the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity and future wellbeing of the country.

Please note the following:

• We will operate a six month reserve list for similar SEO roles which may arise in the Scotland Office.

• We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions, but 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 BPSS.

Key responsibilities

This is a fast-paced, high-output and varied role, including, but not limited to:

• Lead the Department’s response to Grangemouth, Mossmoran and related economic shocks, with the flexibility to adapt to changing/arising priorities (75%).

• Lead the Department’s engagement on the future of North Sea oil and gas and the transition to Net Zero, with the flexibility to adapt to changing/arising priorities (25%).

• Build trusting and strong relationships with other UK Government departments and the Scottish Government.

• Develop a strong network across Whitehall, to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.

• Quickly develop a strong grasp of the policy priorities and objectives for the Secretary of State, and the ability to source and use the expertise of policy officials across Whitehall to progress these.

• Represent the Scotland Office in cross-government meetings and at meetings, working groups, and other events with external stakeholders.

• Draft briefings and correspondence.

• Line management of x1 HEO.

Person Specification (essential/desirable)

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external, 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.

• Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, recommendations and briefings to government ministers, special advisers and senior officials.

• Experience of working in one or more policy areas simultaneously, or a demonstrable ability to quickly develop a credible level of expertise and judgement.

• An understanding of Scotland and the work of the Scottish Government would be advantageous, but not essential.

• Line management experience.

Assessment methods

We will assess against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions

• Leadership

• Communicating and Influencing (lead)

• Delivering at Pace.

Additional information

Interview dates - TBC.