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 three groups: Domestic Policy; International Affairs and Security; Local Growth and City Deals.

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.

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:

• Supporting the UK Government’s clean power agenda, a key ministerial priority.

• Working closely with other Whitehall departments, including DESNZ, to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.

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

• Drafting replies to Cabinet Committee, Ministerial and Official correspondence on policy issues. In addition, preparing responses to Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests as well as briefing for ministerial meetings, visits and events, all to the expected standards and within agreed deadlines.

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

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

• 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.

• Subject area expertise, such as experience of working in the energy industry or in energy-related policy.

• Line management experience.

Assessment methods

We will assess against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions (lead)

• Communicating and Influencing

• Delivering at Pace

• Working Together.

Additional information

Interview dates - TBC.