Skip to content

General Information

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
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Edinburgh, London
Region
London, Scotland
Closing Date
29-Jul-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20031

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title

Senior Policy Adviser, Local Growth Team - Scotland Office.

Grade

SEO.

Salary

The national salary range is £41,463 - £46,182; London salary range is £47, 657 - £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 Local Growth Team in the Scotland Office; based in Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh or Dover House, London. 

Deputy Director

Elma Durdevic (elma.durdevic@ukgovscotland.gov.uk)

Start date and length of posting

Start date: ASAP; permanent.

Vacancy manager

Craig Birrell (craig.birrell@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.

The Local Growth Team is responsible for the delivery of twelve City Region and Growth Deals worth £1.5 billion across all parts of Scotland. The team also has responsibility for oversight of the £140 million Local Growth Fund which has been targeted at five of Scotland’s Regional Partnerships, and the Pride in Place Programme, a £280 million investment programme across a number of local communities. The team promotes UK Government policy interests across all of these programmes, including interactions with local government, partners and other key stakeholders.

The team includes a Grade 6 Head of Team role, three Grade 7’s another SEO and an EO. The team works closely with other Scotland Office Divisions and our external stakeholders, including the Scottish Government and local partners, to support UK Government objectives.

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 programme 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.

●            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:

●            Providing advice, briefing and support to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials on local growth policy and delivery, including the City Region and Growth Deal Programme, Local Growth Fund and Pride in Place Programme.

●            Portfolio oversight of the City Region and Growth Deal Programme delivery; Local Growth Fund implementation and delivery; and Pride in Place Programme delivery.

●            Collaborating with team members as well as counterparts in other Government Departments, Scottish Government and local authorities to support the effective delivery of the Teams local growth objectives in Scotland.

●            Representing the Scotland Office externally at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including private sector organisations, academia and the third sector, local government and the Scottish Government. 

●            Representing the Scotland Office at events and meetings with other UK Government Departments including HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Person Specification (essential/desirable)

Essential criteria

●            Excellent written and verbal communication, and confident working closely with senior leaders/ministers. 

●            Experience of providing policy and/or strategy advice to government ministers or senior leaders and demonstrating ability to pick up new topics quickly.

●            Experience of Project or Programme management. Able to effectively communicate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

●            Knowledge of the Scottish political landscape, the Devolution Settlement, and local growth policy in Scotland.

●            Experience of project or programme management in the context of HMT Treasury’s Green Book Guidance

●            Experience of financial analysis within the management of programmes and projects.

●            Strong planning and organisational skills, the ability to respond quickly and flexibly to new demands and manage competing priorities and tasks.

●            The ability to establish good working relationships with a wide range of both internal and external stakeholders

Assessment methods

We will assess against four behaviours during the selection process:

●            Making Effective Decisions

●            Leadership

●            Communicating and Influencing (lead)

●            Delivering at Pace.

Additional information

Interview dates - TBC.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 20031

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Delivering at Pace

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be arranged post application process
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.